Seeking Balance
Jared Alderman
Welcome to Seeking Balance, a podcast that delves into the art and science of performance in poker—and life. Hosted by Jared Alderman, a seasoned performance coach with a unique blend of experiences, this show explores what it truly means to succeed.Drawing from years as a Navy EOD tech, professional poker player, and now a mindset and lifestyle coach, Jared brings a depth of understanding to high-pressure situations and the mental game behind peak performance. With an extensive background in meditation, Jared takes listeners beyond typical strategies to explore how inner well-being and mindset fuel real achievement.Each episode offers insights into the soft skills that separate good players from great ones, uncovering the hidden edges found in emotional regulation, healthy habits, and peak performance strategies. With a focus on balancing achievement and personal well-being, we’ll challenge conventional definitions of success and look at how to thrive both at the table and beyond it.Join us for candid conversations with poker pros, industry leaders, and performance experts as we explore how to cultivate the habits, mindsets, and skills that lead to real, lasting success. Whether you're chasing poker greatness or looking to level up in your life, Seeking Balance is your guide to mastering the game within the game.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 10, 2025 • 1h 7min
Elliot Roe on Mindfulness, Meaning, and Performance
In this engaging conversation, Elliot Roe, a hypnotherapist and performance coach with extensive experience, shares insights into his unique approach to coaching high achievers. He explains how hypnotherapy helps access and reframe subconscious memories, enhancing performance. The discussion explores the significance of authentic self-identity, the importance of continuous growth, and how emotional triggers can indicate areas for personal development. Elliot also emphasizes the value of coaches having their own mentors to foster growth in their clients.
6 snips
Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 4min
Owen Messere on Mastery, Precision, and, Ambition
Owen 'Pr0digy' Messere, a high-stakes poker player known for his precision and ambition, joins to discuss his journey with Guerrilla Poker. He shares insights on using solver-driven precision to improve gameplay strategies and the importance of analyzing mistakes and opponent tendencies. Owen highlights the necessity of creative play and high-EV deviations, emphasizing that top players thrive under pressure. The conversation also touches on ambitious goals and introduces an exciting new mid-stakes training course he's developing.
24 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 16min
Rene "TheWakko" Kuhlman on What Makes Good Players Great!
Rene "TheWakko" Kuhlman, a brilliant poker mind and host of the Mechanics of Poker podcast, discusses what elevates good players to greatness. He explores the mental game, connecting strategy and emotional awareness for better decision-making, especially under pressure. Rene shares insights on navigating emotions, emphasizing the balance of passion and rationality. The conversation dives into performance anxiety in poker and the importance of fostering self-awareness for personal growth, ultimately promoting a creative and resilient approach to the game.
6 snips
Aug 15, 2025 • 1h 14min
Uri Peleg on Why GTO Needs Exploits
Uri Peleg, a Poker Pro and Upswing Coach, shares his insights on why relying solely on Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategies isn't enough for success. He breaks down clever bet sizing techniques that can outsmart opponents and emphasizes the importance of adapting strategies based on player tendencies. The conversation also delves into the psychological aspects of poker, such as navigating emotional highs and lows, and highlights the value of self-reflection and adaptability in improving one's game.
Aug 4, 2025 • 58min
Purpose Before Performance: Espen Jorstad on Community Purpose and Health
Espen Jørstad, a professional poker player and WSOP Main Event champion, opens up about navigating burnout and life after monumental success. He shares how constant travel impacted his health and routines, emphasizing the importance of community in recovery and motivation. Espen reflects on the hollowness of solo celebrations post-win and explores future paths in coaching and content creation. He also discusses the challenges of social media, loneliness, and his analytical approach to high-stakes tournaments, highlighting a shift toward holistic well-being.
Jun 27, 2025 • 1h 10min
Can You Train Luck? Intuition, Vibes & Peak Poker with Lucky Chewy
Lucky Chewy, aka Andrew Lichtenberger, is a poker pro and creator of the Khemset app, aimed at training intuition. He delves into how 'vibratory states' can impact poker outcomes and shares insights on the intertwining of probability, knowledge, and intuition. Chewy explores the nuances of coherence under pressure and its significance in decision-making. They also discuss the potential effects of body language, the limits of luck, and how maintaining an open mindset can enhance performance. Chewy shares his personal experiences with caffeine and self-care's role in achieving a competitive edge.
May 14, 2025 • 59min
The Joy of Poker - Jason Su on Dirty Fuel and How to Find Reliable Motivation
In this engaging discussion, Jason Su, author of The Joy of Poker and founder of PokerWithPresence, delves into the difference between mere achievement and true success. He reveals how common motivational strategies, or 'dirty fuels,' can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction. Instead, he advocates for 'clean fuels' like confidence and curiosity, essential for sustainable joy in poker and life. Jason emphasizes the importance of presence for improving performance, making bolder decisions, and celebrating small wins to foster emotional well-being.
Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 17min
Fear, Flow & Poker: Justin Saliba's Guide to Mental Dominance
Send us a textIn this powerful episode, we sit down with high-stakes poker pro and mindset expert Justin Saliba. Justin shares deep insights into managing the mental battle of high-stakes poker, balancing intense competition with mental clarity, and staying sane in pressure-packed situations. He opens up about his unique poker journey, working closely with legendary poker coach Jonathan Little, and reveals critical strategies for gaining intuitive edges at the table. This conversation dives into the heart of what makes a poker player truly resilient and successful beyond just technical skill.🔖 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:24 - Jeju Recap00:06:07 - Jeju Mental Game00:32:43 - Justin's Story00:39:29 - What Makes A Good Coach00:48:06 - Justin's Strengths/Theory Discussion1:11:49 - Playing to Your Strengths1:15:37 - Wrapping Up📲 Connect with Justin Saliba:Website: https://www.pokercoaching.comTwitter: @justin_salibaInstagram: @jsalib1Support the show
9 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 1h 22min
Joey Ingram Reveals High-Stakes Mindset, AI Training Secrets, and Poker Network Hacks
Joey Ingram, a prominent figure in the poker community known for his insightful analysis and engaging interviews, shares his journey through poker and content creation. He discusses how most players misinterpret AI tools and reveals unconventional training methods. Ingram opens up about managing online criticism and maintaining mental health, emphasizing positivity in content creation. He also outlines his ambitious plans for hosting major poker events in Las Vegas, blending personal anecdotes with actionable strategies for aspiring players.
Feb 19, 2025 • 1h 17min
Disrespect, Preflop Mastery & The Mental Edge with Chris Brewer
Send us a textIn this episode, I sit down with high-stakes tournament crusher Chris Brewer to explore the finer points of preflop complexity, ICM considerations, and the mindset required to excel in today’s toughest poker games. We also dive into his past as a competitive runner, how that journey shaped his approach to poker, and why “humans suck at poker” is a motto worth embracing.Connect with Chris BrewerTwitter: @Chris_D_BrewerInstagram: @cbrewer4893For private coaching inquiries, DM Chris on Twitter or Instagram.Support the show
