Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

Jay Glazer, NFL insider and co-founder of the Unbreakable Performance Center, shares his compelling journey through anxiety and depression. He highlights the necessity of understanding panic attacks and the power of vulnerability in addressing mental health challenges. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support, especially for combat veterans and former athletes, through his organization MVP. Glazer also encourages proactive mental fitness strategies and authentic relationships to nurture resilience and personal growth.

This week’s conversation is with Dr. Laura Stokes-Greene, one of the best equine sports medicine doctors in the world.Laura is also an avid entrepreneur, focusing on the intersection of medicine, technology, and creativity. She’s utilizing cutting edge biotech to help competing jumper and dressage horses maximize their performance.  Creating innovative therapeutic programs to optimize strength and mobility, Laura emphasizes regenerative medicine with bio-logics such as PRP and stem cells.  An active lecturer and veterinary mentor, she enjoys educating about the human-animal connection and drawing parallels between horses and ourselves.  So that’s why I wanted to have Laura on the podcast - to better understand the human-animal connection and dive deeper into her innovative medical practices that are relevant for humans as well._________________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 Conrad Anker, an absolute legend who has been pushing the limits of mountaineering for the last 30 years, evolving into one of America’s best alpinists. At age 56, Conrad’s resume continues to grow, having notched the long-awaited first ascent of the Meru Shark’s Fin in India with partners Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk in 2011, which led to the Sundance-winning documentary, Meru. Conrad has climbed Everest three times, including a 2012 trip with National Geographic to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first American ascent of the mountain. Though true alpine routes have been his forte, his résumé also includes big wall first ascents on El Capitan and first free ascents in Zion National Park. In 1997 alone, he completed first ascents in Antarctica, Pakistan’s Karakorum and on Yosemite’s El Capitan.So Conrad operates in high consequence environments, places where the luxury of a mistake is often not afforded. Like so many explorers of nature and human nature, he doesn’t consider himself a risk-taker, but someone who works in high risk environments. It’s a forcing function, like none other than I know – to get to the truth and the purity of thought and action. It forces best judgment, and the rewards and consequences of such. And because of that, he’s come to have a deep relationship with life - with people and mother nature – his experience, with experience.I hope that for all of us – to know oneself, others, to know mother nature – and to have a meaningful relationship with experience. To be able to work well with feelings, emotions, thoughts and the unfolding world outside of you.  Mark his movie right now - you’ll definitely want to watch it – it’s called “Torn” (available on Disney+)._________________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.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneering Professor of Medicine emeritus known for founding the Center for Mindfulness, delves into the transformative power of mindfulness. He discusses its profound impact on health and society, emphasizing mind-body interactions. The conversation navigates human emotions amid chaos, urging listeners to reconnect with themselves. Kabat-Zinn highlights the importance of integrating mindfulness into daily life and the need for collective action in addressing global challenges. His insights inspire a light-hearted yet profound approach to navigating life's complexities.

Shalane Flanagan, an American endurance legend and 4x Olympian, shares her inspiring journey from elite athlete to motherhood, highlighting the joy of running and personal growth. She discusses her incredible challenge of completing six major marathons in six weeks, emphasizing mental resilience and motivation. Shalane opens up about balancing athletic aspirations with personal life, handling body image issues, and the vital importance of recovery and community support. It's a heartfelt conversation that encourages listeners to embrace hard moments for personal growth.

Dr. Eric Johnson, a leading expert in behavioral decision research and Director at Columbia Business School, explores the intricacies of decision-making. He discusses how the presentation of choices can significantly impact our decisions, from organ donation to environmentally friendly products. Eric emphasizes the importance of choice architecture, explaining how simplifying options can lead to better outcomes. He also offers insights on navigating decisions under pressure and the psychological biases that can affect our choices in high-stakes situations.

Dr. Chris Mattmann, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at NASA's JPL, shares his insights on the intersection of deep learning and the dark web. He humorously explains the dark web's evolution and the importance of understanding its digital intricacies. The conversation also explores the future of artificial intelligence, discussing its potential risks and the need for human expertise in managing data. With anecdotes about personal growth and the creative process, Chris emphasizes resilience and the significance of iterative learning in innovation.

Angela Duckworth, the founder of Character Lab and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, discusses how character strengths like self-control and grit can shape personal success and well-being. She explores three dimensions of character and shares how they can be nurtured in children. The conversation also touches on resilience through trauma, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and the growth that comes from adversity. Finally, Duckworth offers practical strategies for integrating character strengths into daily life for personal mastery.

This week’s conversation is with Doug Abrams, an author and truth hunter.Doug is committed to helping catalyze the next evolutionary stage of our global culture – and he’s worked with some incredible human beings along the way.He co-wrote The Book of Joy with the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu, he’s worked with Stephen Hawking on his last book, the global bestseller Brief Answers to the Big Questions, and has had the privilege of working with other Nobel Laureates including Nelson Mandela, Jody Williams, and Elizabeth Blackburn.  Doug is also devoted to spreading the importance of conservation and fighting climate change.He co-wrote his newest book, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times, with Jane Goodall. In this urgent book they explore, through intimate and thought-provoking dialogue, one of the most sought after and least understood elements of human nature: hope. What we hope that you take from this conversation is a recalibration - to reconnect with that part inside of you that sees the good, hopes for a better future, and works towards it every day._________________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.

Dr. Tommy Wood, a UK-trained MD and Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, shares insights on brain health and longevity. He discusses the importance of foundational nutrients for optimal brain function and the surprising connection between retirement and early mortality. Delving into the role of lifestyle factors in longevity, he highlights the significance of cognitive resilience and personal nutrition. Additionally, he examines how environmental influences shape health outcomes and the powerful impact of having purpose in life.