Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

This week’s conversation is with Chris Mosier, a hall-of-fame triathlete, All-American duathlete, and a 6-time member of Team USA.But Chris is far more than an elite athlete – he is a trailblazer. In 2015, Chris became the first transgender man to represent the United States in international competition – he is also the first transgender athlete to be sponsored by Nike, featured in the ESPN Body Issue, and to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the gender they identify.He continues to be a leading voice for gender-inclusive policy in sport and is a mentor, role model, and inspiration for transgender athletes, teams, and leagues around the world. To do anything at the elite level is extremely challenging and rare – and Chris has done that while navigating an internal experience that is uniquely different from anyone else we’ve had on this podcast. In this conversation, we dive into the complexities (and controversies) surrounding transgender athletes – certainly a hot topic in today’s society that deserves more open discussion. Moreover, you’ll hear from someone who has exemplified a true commitment to know himself, a relentless and uncommon pursuit of truth, and the extreme courage to live authentically._________________Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine! https://www.findingmastery.com/morningmindsetFollow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week’s conversation is with Chris Duffin, a world-record holding powerlifter who is commonly known as the “Mad Scientist of Strength”.Chris is arguably one of the strongest pound-for-pound humans in the world – he is the only person to squat and deadlift over 1,000 pounds for reps, has a Guinness World Record for the sumo deadlift, and was ranked the number one powerlifter in the world for eight years straight. However, Chris’ strength extends far beyond the physical domain – in his best-selling memoir The Eagle and The Dragon, Chris tells the unfiltered version of his unconventional and harrowing journey from a boy born in chaos to the self-made man he is today. And that’s what this conversation is all about – how true strength is about so much more than lifting heavy weights. Chris shares how struggle propelled him forward, how he responds to adversity, what it means to be there for others, and how the human spirit can be either shackled by circumstance or freed from it._________________Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine! https://www.findingmastery.com/morningmindsetFollow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week’s conversation is with Dr. Mona Sobhani, a cognitive neuroscientist, researcher, entrepreneur and author.After receiving her doctorate from the University of Southern California, Mona spent the next several years contributing her expertise in neuroscience to fields such as law, business, healthcare tech, venture capital, and research innovation centers. Then, following what she describes as an “existential crisis,” everything changed. Her strict scientific perspective, frameworks of thinking, and process for truth-seeking were no longer satisfying the bigger questions she had about life – she became fascinated by exploring the crossroads of science and spirituality. In her new book, Proof of Spiritual Phenomena: A Neuroscientist’s Discovery of the Ineffable Mysteries of the Universe, she details her transformation from a diehard scientific materialist to an open-minded spiritual seeker.Coming from a scientific background myself, this was a fascinating conversation – Mona has done the brave work to push up against edges of her own deeply-rooted paradigms and beliefs to ultimately reimagine her philosophies of how the world works. We can all learn from this type of thinking – deeply discerning, challenging beliefs, working your way through new information, and leaning into the fact that there are many things we don’t understand._________________Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine! https://www.findingmastery.com/morningmindsetFollow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week’s conversation is with Chris Waddell, a Paralympian who is widely known as the most decorated mono-skier in U.S. history.Chris began ski racing at the age of six, and went on to ski competitively at Middlebury College - where an accident during a freshman year training session left him paralyzed from the waist down.What happens for most of us when we go through a life-altering event, is that it reveals our internal operating system - one’s world-view, personal philosophy, and psychological skills. While Chris couldn’t use his body the same way – it revealed who he is.Within a year, Chris was back on the mountain as a mono-skier and soon became the fastest in the world. He has gone on to compete in seven Paralympic games, earning 13 medals in alpine skiing and track & field, cementing his place as one of Team USA’s most successful two-sport athletes, and a Paralympic Hall of Famer.As if that wasn’t enough, in 2009 Chris also became the first “nearly unassisted” paraplegic to summit the 19,340-foot Mt Kilimanjaro.Chris is epic for so many reasons – he is an embodiment of resilience, purpose, passion, and having command of his mind.After the conversation, there was nowhere for me to turn other than to re-examine how I’m living my life – am I really pouring into being the person I believe I’m capable of being?I hope he does the same for you._________________Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine! https://www.findingmastery.com/morningmindsetFollow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oliver Burkeman, a British author known for his insights into productivity and mortality, discusses profound themes around time management and living meaningfully. He challenges conventional productivity mindsets, emphasizing our finite nature and the importance of prioritizing what truly matters. Reflecting on his book, 'Four Thousand Weeks', he encourages embracing limitations and focusing on meaningful engagements instead of endless to-do lists. Burkeman's candid reflections inspire listeners to navigate life’s distractions and reclaim fulfillment.

This week’s conversation is with Dr. Rachel Zoffness, a medical educator and disruptor who is revolutionizing the way we understand and treat pain. By trade, Rachel is a trained pain psychologist, a Visiting Professor at Stanford, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCSF School of Medicine, and a consultant on the development of integrative pain programs around the world.She is also the author of The Pain Management Workbook, which merges pain neuroscience with psychology – brain with body, physical with emotional – to get to the heart of true pain management. If you or someone close to you lives with any kind of pain or discomfort – which I’m guessing is true for many of us – I think you’re going to find incredible value from Rachel. All of us will experience pain at some point in our lives… it’s part of the human condition. But thanks to Rachel, knowing where that pain comes from – and how to better manage it – no longer has to be a mystery._________________Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine! https://www.findingmastery.com/morningmindsetFollow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this conversation, Tom House, a former MLB pitcher and expert in throwing biomechanics, shares his journey as the 'father of modern pitching mechanics.' He discusses the groundbreaking Mustard app, making elite coaching techniques accessible to all athletes. House emphasizes the vital role of curiosity and innovative practices in coaching, alongside personal growth through reflection and learning from failure. He also highlights the emotional dynamics of youth sports and the importance of supportive parenting in a child's athletic development.

In this conversation, Ty Murray, a seven-time All-Around World Champion and founding member of the Professional Bull Riders, shares his journey in the rodeo world. He delves into the mental fortitude required for bull riding and the blend of adventure and safety in cowboy culture. Ty also discusses the importance of emotional resilience, compassionate animal handling, and finding the flow state during performances. His insights on success and personal growth inspire listeners to discover their own inner cowboy.

Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, a Professor at USC, dives into how emotional and cognitive development shapes the future of education. She critiques current teaching methods for focusing too much on rote learning and advocates for transformative approaches that nurture individual growth and curiosity. Highlighting neuroscience, she discusses how emotional and social contexts enhance learning. Passionate about experiential education, she explores innovative programs that prioritize personal interests, encouraging self-directed growth and deeper engagement through storytelling and mentorship.

This week’s conversation is with Dr. Andrew Weil, a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine.He is a New York Times bestselling author of 15 books, the founder and director of the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona, and has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine – and that doesn’t even begin scratch the surface of Andrew’s accomplishments and contribution to society throughout his incredible career. To put it simply – the man is an absolute legend in his field. We had Andrew on the podcast back in 2020 (that’s episode 250 if you’re looking to check it out), and I could not be more excited to have him back on for round two. This time around, we dive into the dawn of psychedelics – a topic that Andrew has been studying since his time at Harvard Medical School in the 1960s. I’ve always been a little skeptical when it comes to adopting psychedelics (or any other external substance) as a tool to alter your internal state – so I was super curious and excited to learn more about the topic from someone as qualified as Andrew._________________Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more powerful conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and meaning: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMasteryGet exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine! https://www.findingmastery.com/morningmindsetFollow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.