Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

This week’s conversation is with Jake Blauvelt, one of the world’s best all around snowboarders.He’s got a smooth, creative and effortless-looking style and it’s lifted him into an elite group of top athletes in the snowboarding world.Jake’s career started like most other snowboarders: traveling from contest to contest, making a name for himself riding half pipe & slopestyle events, & eventually winning the Burton US Open Slopestyle in 2004, one of the most prestigious events in snowboarding.It wasn’t long before Jake realized that his was a different calling; his style & his capability on a snowboard belonged in the backcountry, in natural terrain where he could let his endless imagination & creativity run wild where he could find his own lines and make use of the features that nature provides.Jake sees himself as an artist, not a stuntman and in this conversation we get into everything from how Jake approaches risk, trains confidence, and aspires to live in the state of flow.Jake is true to himself and I appreciated his willingness to open up._________________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 Gretchen Rubin.Gretchen has spent the past decade researching and writing about happiness and is the author of several books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, and The Happiness Project. I wanted to talk to Gretchen because happiness is something that every one of us seems to searching for yet some of us have trouble finding.When you ask people on the street or in a casual conversation, "What are you looking for in life? What does it all come down to?" Many people say happiness. What's been interesting is that on this podcast, many of the interesting thinkers and doers have not said happiness. They are looking for something different than that.I wanted to pull from Gretchen why and how happiness is something that she's spent her life trying to understand.In this conversation, we have a great discussion on how happiness and habits are linked.Gretchen came up with her own personality framework – the idea being that each of us fits into one of four characteristics she calls the four tendencies.These tendencies explain the reasons behind why we do what we do, based on how different people respond to expectations.We even touch on my own tendencies and she’s spot on.When we get to that part of the conversation, definitely take a moment to think about where you / others that you are close to, fit on the scale.Gretchen mentions that, “What’s interesting is that if you don’t understand the tendencies, you might be sabotaging someone else with your advice, even if you have the best intentions.” And this is one of the reasons why I don’t like giving advice.. for more on that.. I did an episode of Tribe Talk on it.I hope this conversation teaches you a little bit more about yourself and what it really means to be happy._________________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 conversation is with UC Berkeley rugby coach Jack Clark on team, culture, honesty.Jack is the iconic rugby coach at the University of California. His team-building abilities are considered legendary within university circles and throughout the corporate sector.Since becoming head coach of the Golden Bears in 1984, Clark has led the rugby program to 29 national collegiate championships.In 2000, Clark was chosen as one of Cal’s Ten Most Influential Sports Figures of the 20th Century.Not only has Jack sustained an improbable level of success for nearly 3 decades, but he’s not the slightest bit sick of what he does.In Jack’s words, “I really wouldn’t trade jobs with anyone. I mean anyone.”Jack has so much to share in this conversation.Everything from how he brings out the best in his players to how he scales culture to why his players are getting their unofficial PHD in team.This is a phenomenal conversation and you may have to listen to it multiple times to truly soak up all of Jack’s insights._________________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 podcast, Nutritional Scientist Chris Talley discusses his journey and work with professional athletes and sports teams, emphasizing the importance of maximizing strengths and accepting weaknesses. They also touch on sleep enhancement for athletes, competitive nutritional analysis in the NFL, navigating inner conflict and the imposter syndrome, and the challenges of being exceptional. Part one of the episode concludes with a teaser for part two, where they will delve into the mechanics of nutrition.

Topics discussed in this podcast include optimizing performance through nutritional science, protein intake and processing in athletes, challenges of carbohydrate consumption for athletes, general recommendations for macronutrients, the importance of simple language in nutrition communication, the negative effects of soda and the psychology of food choices, and gratitude, support, and community engagement.

This conversation is with MMA fighter and legend, Vitor Belfort, on belief, mindset, and overcoming fear.I wanted to sit down with Vitor to understand how he has created command of his deep love for people and at the same time has the ability to engage in one of the most brutal and violent sports (mixed martial arts).Vitor grew up in a tough neighborhood in Rio De Janeiro and from an early age knew he wanted to be a world champion.He came to the United States to realize that dream.For Vitor, it all comes down to belief.One of Vitor’s favorite phrases is: “Learn to love what you’ve been taught to fear,” and in this conversation, we have a great discussion on what it really means to fear something and how to overcome it.Vitor has a deep sense of clarity - of who he is and what he is after in life - and I hope his clarity challenges you to do the same for yourself.And for those that listen to this podcast this week - Vitor is singing his swan song on UFC Fight Night 124 - January 14 will be his last fight before he retires.He's a legend and this could be the last time we get to see him approach mastery in the one of the most ancient and intimate arts of war._________________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 conversation is with rugby coach Stuart Lancaster.Stuart is currently coaching in Dublin, Ireland with Leinster Rugby. He was the former Head Coach of the England Rugby team from 2011-2015. Failure is something no one wants to experience but almost everyone has to go through at some point. Those on the razor’s edge, those that push their own boundaries, curious to see how much they’re really capable of, definitely experience those setbacks. For those performing on the world stage, those setbacks occur under a magnifying lens.Every move critiqued, scrutinized, and debated.In this conversation, Stuart opens up to us and shares a tough moment in his life that he could have let define him.Stuart had an impressive rise to head coach of the English Rugby team only to experience some unfortunate shortcomings during the 2015 World Cup, which was hosted on their home soil.Stuart was let go soon there after.Stuart takes us through the pressure he felt in the lead up to the games and what he felt what wrong.He has some incredible insight on building culture, developing resiliency, and becoming a better leader of men and ultimately becoming a better man himself.Stuart has lived his life on the edge – seizing opportunities when they come his way – and I hope this conversation makes you think about what you’re willing to risk.What scares you the most?Where does pressure come from for you? What type of value system guides your thoughts?These are some great things to think about as we head into the New Year._________________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 conversation is with Sharon Salzberg on Being Present, Letting Go, and Having FaithIf you know her name, you know where this conversation will go: Mindfulness.Sharon has played a crucial role in bringing mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture. She first began teaching mindfulness in 1974.(Note: be careful who teaches you about mindfulness — it’s a very, very “in” thing to talk about, and just like most skills in any field, the nuances that come with a deep commitment to understanding and living in alignment are imperative for anyone you’re going to trust in the process of progression.)In 1971, in Bodh Gaya, India, Sharon attended her first meditation course. She spent the next three-and-a-half years engaged in intensive practice and study with highly respected teachers from India, Burma and Tibet.In 1976, she established, together with Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield, the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Massachusetts.In this conversation you’ll hear depth. You’ll hear the sensitivities that come with a life commitment to the nuances.We explore how Sharon discovered mindfulness and how it can serve as a toolbox for managing suffering.When Sharon first encountered mindfulness, she was fascinated that there were actual mental tools available to anyone who wants to practice them.Sharon’s definition of faith is not about dogma or adherence to dogma, but getting off the sidelines and moving right to the center of possibility, offering your heart to something even though you don’t know how it’s going to work out.And that’s precisely what she did once she had her first taste of meditation.For Sharon one of the most important things she learned is the ability to “let go.”To come back to your intention, to come back to the now, without being disheartened, without blaming or hating yourself, for what occurred in the past.It’s the eloquent returning to now that is the hallmark of world-class doers and thinkers. This is a skill. And mindfulness is one of the many skills that can accelerate the ability to stitch together moments of full engagement.We also explore how practicing compassion doesn’t mean you can’t still compete and can still have a mindset that allows you to progress and achieve.Sharon has great insight – for both the seasoned and those just getting into mindfulness/meditation world.We are living in a highly digital world that is challenging our ancient brain in ways that we are not fully prepared. I hope this conversation stimulates you to step back and remember what matters most: time — and how we live “on-time” with our self, with others, with nature.It’s through relationships that we become — and that depth only happens in the present moment._________________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 Tom Carroll on being a maverick, honesty, and risk.Tom is best known as one of Australia’s great surfers and sportsmen. I have known of Tom since I was a grom (stoked little kid who flat out loved surfing).With two world professional surfing championships and three wins at Pipeline (one of the heavier waves in the world) under his belt, you’d be forgiven for thinking he’s just a champion athlete.Rather Tom is a maverick -- in many ways.Reaching the professional level of any sport has its fair share of challenges, but in the modern era, there is generally some sort of path or map to follow -- like in baseball, gymnastics, or soccer -- there's a variety of developmental clubs / teams / or university systems that help cultivate and weed out those that have "it" and those that don't.Coaching and feedback along the way and physical training would be assumed,Tom emerged in an era where none of this existed and essentially had to figure it out as he went. He was part of the beginnings of the action sport and surf industry, before it was an industry. He was making the map, or at least looking for the bread crumbs that other legends before him left behind. Tom won 2 titles before he ever saw footage of himself surfing.That is just hard to conceive in the world we live in today.This conversation is with a man who fell in love with the water at age 7 and has lived it ever since.Tom has a relaxed and engaging way of sharing his experiences: as a kid falling for the wild elegance of the waves, as a pro surfer ripping and partying his way around the globe with a bunch of like minded maniacs in the days before social media, as a big wave charger hunting down unridden mountains of water, and as a man who fell into heavy drug use and almost tore it all to bits, before embracing sobriety and re-discovering his better self in the process.For Tom, rediscovering his better self, came down to honesty. Once he was able to be honest with himself, he could start working on being a better man.When we think about mastery, I think we are learning there are many paths, many triggers for what drives each of these unique people to go the distance for what they want most. What I love so much about Tom and this conversation is it’s raw authenticity -- his humility -- his vulnerability -- his ability to take risks (some to progress his skill, others on the darker side of humanness) -- and his track record of going big on the world-stage. He's earned and is still earning his insights.It’s easy to get caught up in what you should or shouldn’t be doing. The norms of society: how much money you should make, when you should get married, whether you should do this or that.Tom has carved his own path.In this conversation it feels like we get to go back to a simpler time where we get to learn about a journey of a man engaging in the purest forms of life.Tom is authentic, he’s genuine, and he has an incredible story to share.I hope you enjoy this conversation._________________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 Women’s Senior National Team Water Polo head coach Adam Krikorian.Since taking over the Women's Senior National Team, Adam Krikorian has been just about perfect.From his arrival in 2009 Team USA has competed in 18 major FINA Championships and come away with Gold in 15. This includes the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, 2009, 2015, and 2017 FINA World Championships, the 2010 and 2014 FINA World Cups, seven FINA World League Super Final crowns and the 2016 Olympic Qualification Tournament.He's helped the United States maintain a number-one world ranking for the majority of his tenure.Following the 2016 Olympic Games, Krikorian was named Coach of the Games by the USOC at the Team USA Awards. And in early 2017, Krikorian was also honored by the Los Angeles Sports Council and the LA Sports Awards by receiving the first ever "Extraordinary Achievement In Olympic Sport" honors.Based on Adam’s impressive resume, you might expect Adam’s definition of success to align with winning, but this isn’t the case.In Adam’s first year coaching the national team, they won gold at the world championships yet Adam described it as one of his most frustrating and least satisfying moments as a coach because the culture and relationships weren’t right.For Adam, it’s not about selecting the best athletes but it’s about selecting the best team and there’s so many variables that go into that.Building great relationships is at the core of Adam’s coaching philosophy and in this conversation we learn about the factors that impact these relationships, how Adam goes about selecting players and creates an environment where people can be honest with others and themselves.We also discuss why Adam’s competitive fire, which has driven him his whole life, can be both a blessing and a curse.There is so much packed into this conversation – in Adam’s words, “Mastery is the journey of trying to become the best version of yourself.” And I hope this conversation helps you get a little bit further on your own journey._________________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.