The Northstar Method Podcast

In this episode, we reconnect with Daniel Rubin (@steelydanrubin) who is currently drumming live with Gavin Adcock and a touring force who's played shows with major acts like Morgan Wallen, 311, The Offspring, In Her Own Words, and Capstan, to go deeper into the mental mechanics of high-level performance.After exploring his leap-of-faith journey in Part 1, this conversation focuses on where Daniel is now: thriving in the pressure cooker of sold-out shows, high-stakes sessions, and the daily demands of mastery. We talk about flow state, what it is, how to tap into it on command, and why mental training gets you to a point where you don’t need to think about the skills anymore — you just play.Daniel also opens up about pre-show rituals, overcoming doubt when he got a call to tour on short notice, and why gamifying hard work helped him push through. We even dive into the frequency of music, how our perception of it changes with skill, and how live shows reflect something primal: like tribes dancing by the fire after a hunt, each member with a role. In concerts and in life, that same ancient rhythm still plays.Whether you're in music, sport, or business, this episode is a powerful reminder that anyone can reach mastery when they find their lane and commit to the craft and the mindset behind it.Dan is currently on tour with Gavin Adcock, find dates here:https://store.gavinadcockmusic.com/pages/tourCheck out Gavin's new album here: https://www.gavinadcockmusic.com/ownworstenemy

In this episode, we sit down with touring drummer Daniel Rubin for a raw, inspiring conversation about chasing the dream — and what it really takes to make it your reality.From playing local venues to betting on himself to make music a full-time career, Daniel shares the mindset, process, and clarity it took to commit to a life in music. We talk about how to recognize the pull of a dream, how to break it down into concrete steps, and how risk, uncertainty, and even failure can become your best friends.Daniel also opens up about the surreal experience of selling out a 70,000-person stadium and how staying grounded, and adaptable lets him thrive on stages that he once only dreamed of.This episode is packed with lessons for anyone pursuing a big goal — in sports, business, or life. And if you're curious about the realities of life on tour or what it's like playing or touring with major acts like Morgan Wallen, Gavin Adcock, and The Offspring — stay tuned. We had so much to explore, we recorded a Part 2.We're so grateful that Dan could come on and share the mental skills that help him process his experiences and live in alignment with his vision. This is exactly what every artist aspiring to get to the next level needs to hear.

In this episode, we sit down with former D1 gymnast Kielyn McCright (@kielynmccright), an ACC All-Tournament athlete with Clemson gymnastics. We discuss how mental performance impacted her success and wellbeing throughout her career, tips on how to navigate NIL and the changing landscape of NCAA athletics, how to optimize injury recovery from a mental perspective, and how identity changes during and after sport. This episode is a must watch for any gymnasts, gymnastics coaches, and parents of gymnasts who not only aspire to go D1, but who want to maximize their experience as an athlete in general.

In this episode, we sit down with UFC fighter Bassil "The Habibi" Hafez (@bassil_hafez) who shares his world class insights on the mental skills required to fight at the highest level. We touch on how he uses adversity and values to motivate him in a sustainable way, how those mental skills translate to daily life, and the full story behind his "Fight of the Month" UFC debut.

In this episode, we give you the same skills that pushed Rory over the edge to win The Masters, talk about how mental skills and injury recovery are intimately related, and answer more questions from our community.

In this episode, we dive into the mailbag to answer questions about mental toughness, team culture, what it means to be a man, and how AI will impact the psychology space.

In this episode, we dive into the scientific "why" behind pessimism, how you can get trapped by it, and what optimism can do for your performance, health, and beyond.

In this episode, we discuss "the flow state," what you need to get into it, and how it can be the key to taking control of your inner experience in a world that often disrupts it.

In this episode, Sean and Sebastian dive into some of the science of what people refer to as "vibes," how we influence each other's states, and what you can do to be in the right state for whatever you're doing or feeling whether it's a halftime speech or a tough conversation with a loved one.

In this episode, Sean and Sebastian introduce you to what The Method is by covering the "why" behind starting the business, where they want to take it, and what some of the mental skills that go into The Method are via Q&A from the community.