The Inner Workings of Motivation, Optimism, and Leadership | AMA Vol. 17 w/ Dr. Michael Gervais

Think back to the most pivotal moments of your life… What parts of you did you bring forward? Which parts did you hold back? How did these experiences shape your way of being?These questions lie at the heart of our conversation today with Nastia Liukin, a gold medal gymnast whose name is etched in history for winning the All-Around title at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Beyond her monumental achievements – including tying the record for the most gymnastics medals won by an American in a single Olympic Games with FIVE medals – Nastia's journey is one of relentless pursuit, resilience, and the courage to redefine success.In this episode, Nastia reveals the significant moments of her career – from a pivotal conversation with Kobe Bryant that reshaped her self-perception, to the standing ovation that followed what she considers to be her worst performance.Nastia’s lived experience shows us all how to find meaning and success beyond external achievements. And she continues to walk her talk.We dive deep into the dynamics of perfection and control, vulnerability, and the power of being present. Nastia's insights offer a practical guide for embracing the profound impact we have when we can be at home with ourselves, wherever we are.I’m excited for you to discover new ways to define your own success, respond with courage, and meet the moment. With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How good are you at really communicating? In a world drowning in words, how do you make your words matter?I'm not talking about small talk or working a room or the gift of gab. I'm talking about the kind of communication that works on a deeper level – a level where we truly connect, challenge, grow with, and inspire each other.Back on the podcast this week is Charles Duhigg, who's spent a career in journalism diving into what makes humans do what they do – and today, he’s here to talk about what it takes to be a ‘Supercommunicator’. Charles is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for the New York Times and the New Yorker, and he's written two best-sellers about personal excellence that mesh neuroscience with great storytelling and practical tools: The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better.Charles’ newest book is Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. And this one's a little different -- instead of focusing on how we can maximize our own personal abilities, this one is all about how to be extraordinary in our interactions with each other – the ability to genuinely engage, to echo emotions, and to create space for real, heartfelt exchanges. Charles says communication is humanity's superpower, and lately that ability has become strained. There’s evidence of that everywhere -- in politics, on social media, online -- but with the right tools and practice, we can get it back.In our conversation today, we unravel how to reclaim our conversational depth in a world buzzing with superficial interactions.With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Explore powerful strategies to conquer public speaking anxiety with Dr. Michael Gervais and O'Neil Cespedes in this insightful AMA episode, delving into personal growth, purpose-based identity, and the untapped potential of the human mind.We also explore topics like:Practical insights for managing anxiety and nervesHow to be your own tuning fork of excellenceCreating space in your life for experimentation and exploration Putting yourself in positions of power in your own lifeHow to shift from a performance-based to a purpose-based identity.And so much more…Thank you for the great questions, and... stay curious! If you have any questions for the next AMA's, email [email protected] you an epic week.With Fire,Mike-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With every season of sport, we witness various feats of greatness -- and getting to witness a true dynasty (and what it takes to get there) can be once in a generation.That’s why I am super excited to share a fresh version of our previous conversation with the 2024 National Championship winning basketball coach, Dawn Staley.As you might know, this past Sunday, Dawn led South Carolina to their 3rd national championship in the past 7 years to top off a perfect, undefeated season. Dawn also rightfully earned the 2024 Naismith Coach of the Year Award. What a year.As if that wasn’t enough, South Carolina also became the first team in the past 25 seasons to reach the Final Four (let alone go undefeated) without returning any starting players from last year – an amazing testament to Dawn’s leadership, and the culture she has built.When you listen to this conversation from 2021, it will be no surprise to you how - and why - she is considered one of the best to ever do it.I think we all have a lot to learn from Dawn’s insights – like the qualities needed to build resilience; how to develop psychological agility in the face of adversity; and why relationships are at the center of her coaching philosophy.I hope you enjoy this incredible conversation with 3-time National Champ, 3-time Olympic gold medalist, Hall of Famer, and your 2024 coach of the year, Dawn Staley.With Fire,MG______Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What is the primary driver of effective and impactful leadership? Is it from science—or the soul? Is it a more practical, results-driven organizational practice? Or is it an inner, meditative sense of self?This week’s Finding Mastery guest, Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, has spent his career exploring these questions… and his answer is, well, both.Hitendra fuses the mystical history of his Indian roots with the more results-oriented needs of Western business -- bridging the gap between spirituality and science, leadership and personal growth. It's a methodology that he teaches at Columbia Business School, the Mentora Institute (which he founded), on his podcast "Intersections" and in his book, Inner Mastery, Outer Impact.He’s turned what he’s found into powerful tools that any of us can use to be effective leaders and masters of our own lives.Hitendra’s message for us is simple and clear: when you cultivate your inner self, wisdom shows up in the outer self. And that wisdom can be used to lead. Hitendra does it with an engaging sense of story, and telling examples from the lives of Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, and Steve Jobs.Today, we talk about cultivating inner awareness and outer engagement, unlocking human energy to lead, checking emotion before making decisions, finding meaning in every experience, and much, much more. This entire conversation was full of insights and I think you may just leave it thinking about success, leadership, and your relationship to it in a whole new way.With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Human exploration of space is driven by a deep curiosity and a desire to understand our place in the universe.The individuals - and teams - on the forefront of this exploration are modern-day pioneers, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and capability.I’m excited to share the final installment of our 3-part series following one of these individuals, NASA Astronaut Dr. Woody Hoburg, on his journey into outer space.In Part 1, we learned about Woody’s rigorous mental and physical preparations before launch.In Part 2, we took an unprecedented look at life aboard the International Space Station and witnessed Woody's adaptability and resilience in zero gravity.And here, in Part 3, we dive deep into the insights Woody gained from his transformative experience of living 186 days—that’s 6 months—in outer space.I have always had a huge respect for astronauts – and Woody took that to a whole new level. I’ve said it before, but I think Woody represents 'the best of us,' – the way he commits to exploring his edges and living in alignment with his values embodies the pinnacle of human potential.In this conversation, you’ll learn about the importance of meticulous preparation, what it means to be a high performing teammate, how to reframe failure, and a rare glimpse into a “ridiculous” and “fun” six months aboard the International Space Station.I can’t wait for you to discover more about how Woody navigates the unknown!With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Imagine a world where you wake up inspired, feel safe throughout the day, and go to bed at night feeling fulfilled by the work you do.Sounds like utopia, right?Well, Simon Sinek has not only imagined such a world, but he's also dedicated his life to making it a reality.Known for his viral TED Talk on finding your WHY, and his groundbreaking insights on leadership, Simon's ideas have reached millions. As a best-selling author and founder of The Optimism Company, he's on a mission to help us all think, act, and communicate better. In this conversation, Simon distills his journey into actionable insights on impactful leadership, the power of empathy, and the significance of authentic connections. His work challenges us to re-think modern leadership and shift from traditional success metrics to fostering a culture of service and infinite thinking.It was an absolute joy to sit down with Simon. I think you are going to love what he has to say, and our back-and-forth on what it takes to live a flourishing, fulfilled life.I hope this conversation ignites your passion, challenges your thinking, and inspires action toward a more optimistic and impactful world.With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're thrilled to bring you the 17th volume of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) series. This edition dives deep into the essence of motivation, leadership, and the art of creating a positive work environment, all while emphasizing the crucial importance of self-understanding and authenticity.Joining us - as always - is our insightful co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, ready to unravel another set of thought-provoking topics and questions… In today's conversation, we explore:The inner workings of motivation How to foster environments of growth through competence, autonomy, and relationships.The nuanced art of leadershipThe power of optimism and how to train it in the face of adversityNavigating the delicate balance between image and individualityFacing your own fakeness without shameAnd so much more…Our hope is that this dialogue is more than just an exchange of ideas; that it can create some unlocks, inspiration, and guideposts for those looking to lead with integrity, embrace their true selves, and lean into a life of exploring potential and flourishing.With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do you navigate the uncertain terrain of your life? Does uncertainty fuel your drive, or does it bring anxiety that hinders your progress?Our guest today, Amelia Boone, is not only a four-time obstacle race world champion with three World’s Toughest Mudder wins and dubbed “The Queen of Pain”  – she also excels as a full-time attorney for a multinational corporation.And, she’s accomplished all this while grappling with not one, but two, lifelong mental health diagnoses -- OCD and an eating disorder. Amelia credits a hard-won ability to embrace uncertainty with helping her navigate the extreme mental and physical demands of her chosen life pursuits.Her story is a testament to the resilience we all require for facing life's mental and emotional hurdles. Through her eyes, we see the interconnectedness of physical endurance and mental toughness, and how fostering self-awareness, leading with vulnerability, and relentlessly pursuing personal growth in every aspect of life builds a foundation for success.This conversation is a powerful blend of grit, grace, and introspection that will resonate with anyone striving to level up – it serves as a reminder that we can shape our lives in any way we want, from the inside out. I can’t wait for you to learn from Amelia’s insights.With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We all have many great conversations in life – conversations where we learn, explore, express, question – but there are some conversations that stand out among the rest. Conversations so rich with insights and revelation, that they fundamentally change you. They inspire you to be better.My conversation with Seth Godin was just that.In this episode, we're diving deep with Seth, the mind behind 21 best-selling books including The Dip, This Is Marketing, and Purple Cow. His latest, The Song of Significance, has sparked creative revolutions, making him a dual inductee into both the Direct Marketing and Marketing Halls of Fame.More than his titles, Seth is a master teacher who reshapes how we think about leadership and the art of making an impact. He describes his purpose as “turning the lights on for others” so they can create change.This conversation is a dynamic exchange on leadership, meaningful work, and the power of meta-awareness. Seth brings his A-game, challenging us to elevate our understanding of connection, creativity, and courage in leadership.In doing so, he brings out the best version of me so we can disagree, play, learn, and expand together.He offers us a playbook for anyone eager to make a dent in the universe, and a call-to-action: to lead with purpose, create with intention, and inspire change that echoes.Ready to be part of the change? Then tune in for a conversation that might just redefine your approach to work - and life.With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.