Master What’s in Your Control | AMA Vol. 20 w/ Dr. Michael Gervais

Today, we’re diving deep with someone who redefines what it means to excel — the legend, Gabby Reece. Gabby was Nike’s first female spokesperson, she’s a successful entrepreneur with her husband Laird Hamilton, a best-selling author, and a former supermodel named one of the "Five Most Beautiful Women in the World" by Elle Magazine. As if that wasn’t enough, she also played professional beach volleyball for five seasons – two of which she was named the tour’s Top Offensive Player.Gabby has created a life she loves – and she’s here to share the principles that have guided her extraordinary adventure.From overcoming a challenging childhood to becoming a household name, Gabby talks about turning fear into fuel, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the power of gratitude. She’s not just about success on the court or in the boardroom—she’s about thriving in every aspect of life.So, whether you’re looking to conquer your own challenges or just curious about the mindset of a true champion, I’m confident you’ll be able to connect with Gabby’s insights and wisdom.With Fire,Dr. Mike and the FM Team-----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.

Kids who grow up playing American football dream of doing a few things: winning the Heisman Trophy; being a top NFL draft pick; winning a Super Bowl, and… in their wildest dreams… perhaps even winning a Super Bowl MVP.Our guest today is one of the rare few who made all of those dreams a reality – Desmond Howard. Desmond’s career is a highlight reel of jaw-dropping plays at the University of Michigan and in the NFL—a journey that’s left an indelible mark on the sport. And now, he is a prolific broadcaster for ESPN College GameDay – making him not just an athlete but a true icon in the world of sports. What's equally remarkable, if not more so, are the strategies that have fueled his success. Desmond’s approach to life—marked by meditation, a positive mindset, deep humility, and a commitment to continuous growth—offers powerful lessons for all of us.And I want to give a quick shout out to our partners at Mack Weldon for introducing us to Desmond – great brands attract great people, and this is certainly no exception. To experience the comfort of Mack Weldon clothing for yourself and receive 20% off orders over $100, just head to the following link and enter the code FINDINGMASTERY at checkout: https://mackweldon.com/findingmastery Enjoy this incredible conversation with Desmond Howard.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.

There's an age-old question: Are humans fundamentally good or evil? Are we hardwired towards greed and cynicism... or towards compassion and goodness?Our guest today, Dr. Jamil Zaki, is a leading psychologist and empathy researcher who has dedicated his career to exploring this question. He believes that humans are fundamentally good – and he has the science to back it up.Jamil is at the forefront of research at Stanford's Social Neuroscience Lab, where he's exploring how we understand emotions, conform to social norms, and choose to do good.Cynicism is on the rise in the United States, and Jamil refers to this rising tide as a disease. But the good news? There is hope for a cure.His latest book, Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness, lays out a practical roadmap to transform cynicism into hopeful skepticism—an approach that could make our world a better place.In this conversation, we dive deep into actionable strategies to build trust and empathy, like "social savoring" and "positive gossip." If you’re looking to create lasting positive change in your life and those around you, this episode is for you.With Fire,MG and The FM Team-----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.

When was the last time you felt completely free? Not just “happy”.. but you felt a profound sense of clarity and calm from within?Dr. Emma Seppälä has spent over a decade proving that this state of inner freedom – which she refers to as “sovereignty” – is not only achievable but essential for our wellbeing.Emma is a psychologist, best-selling author, and leading researcher in the science of happiness and social connection. As the director of the Women's Leadership Program at the Yale School of Management, she's guided thousands of individuals towards greater emotional intelligence and resilience. In this episode, we dive deep into Emma's groundbreaking research from her new book, "Sovereign: Reclaim Your Freedom, Energy, and Power." She reveals how cultivating moments of clarity and calm can unlock a powerful state of being that goes beyond happiness.Get ready for an enlightening discussion that challenges our approach to wellbeing. Whether you're aiming to enhance your work, relationships, or personal growth, Emma's insights offer a fresh perspective on thriving in our complex world.With Fire,MG and the FM Team-----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.

A few months back, we recorded our first ever AMA in front of a live audience in New York City. The energy in the room was incredible, and it brought a whole new level of depth and spontaneity to the conversation. Your favorite co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, and I dove headfirst into the questions that matter most to you. And this time, it wasn’t just us talking—our audience had a chance to steer the conversation in real time.We dug into some fascinating topics, including:The delicate balance between striving for success and maintaining mental healthHow to rewire your brain to change habitsThe difference between high performance and masteryNavigating the pitfalls of the ‘Self-Help Industrial Complex’Revolutions in the workplace that are shaping the future of success.And much, much more!These AMAs are always a highlight for us, and this live session took it to another level. The questions were sharp, the dialogue was rich, and the energy was palpable. I think you’re going to love this one as much as we did.Recorded at Two Forty Thirty in New York City.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Why do some memories seem to stick with us forever while others just… fade away?The ideal person to help us wrestle with this question is Dr. Charan Ranganath, a renowned memory researcher with a unique approach to improving our memories. Instead of working to remember more, he suggests we should work to remember better.Charan has spent more than 25 years as a professor of psychology and neuroscience, unraveling the complexities of memory. He’s a pioneer in understanding how our brains allow us to remember past events and use those memories to shape our present and future.Charan’s latest book, "Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters," is an exploration of memory's influence on our daily experiences and its potential as a tool for personal transformation.In this conversation, we dive deep into how memory can be used as an accelerant for personal growth and learn how it can help us heal from trauma. We discuss practical strategies for improving memory and the performance benefits it brings to our decision-making and overall quality of life. I’m excited for you to enjoy this memorable conversation with Dr. Charan Ranganath.With Fire,MG and the FM Team-----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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Love is not a feeling, it's an ability." - Sharon SalzbergCan we really change the world by changing how we relate to our own thoughts? Our guest this week, Sharon Salzberg, has spent five decades proving we can.Sharon is a pioneer in meditation and New York Times bestselling author who brought mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation into the mainstream in America nearly 50 years ago.Sharon’s work has guided millions toward deeper self-compassion and interconnectedness. She co-founded the Insight Meditation Society and has authored thirteen influential books, including her latest, Real Life.In this episode, we explore how mindfulness and loving-kindness can help us navigate our divided world and create more meaningful connections.Sharon explains how working from love, rather than anger, can drive positive change. And it all stems from the concept that love isn’t just a feeling, but an ability… and beyond that, a responsibility.Taking a deep dive into the practical applications of mindfulness, and acting on them in our daily lives, can transform how we handle challenges and relationships. This conversation is packed with insights that will challenge and inspire you to rethink your approach to mindfulness. We’re in this together, and I can’t wait for us to experience the results.With Fire,The FM Team-----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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

All good things must come to an end…In our closing episode of The Game Inside The Games, gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais reflect on the most inspiring moments of the series and The Games in Paris. They discuss pivotal stories from Paris – from Simone Biles and Suni Lee’s comeback to Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç’s casual precision, Noah Lyles’ photo finish, Katie Ledecky’s dominance, and how Stephen Nedoroscik captured the world’s attention – emphasizing the human side of their journeys and the mental skills required to succeed. The episode encapsulates the spirit of The Games, highlighting the importance of mental strength, authenticity, and the universal lessons that extend beyond the world of sports.Our hope with this series is that you're able to find one thing – one practice or insight from these conversations – that you can incorporate into your own life to get just a little bit better… and to be more at home with yourself in any environment. Olympians are a great emblem for what humans are capable of when we commit to exploring our potential – but that is not reserved for Olympians alone. That is available to you too – to all of us. We have so much more inside of us if we are willing to go there. With Fire,The FM TeamThis episode is brought to you by LTIMindtree and Microsoft.LTIMindtree gets you to the future faster with Copilot for Microsoft 365.-----Click HERE for ALL content from The Game Inside the Games.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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s moments before the biggest competition of your life… you’re rattled by something your coach just said… you have one minute alone to yourself before go time. You look in the mirror… What do you say to yourself to get in the zone – to ground yourself – before the race begins?On Day 13 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with Summer Sanders, a two-time gold medalist and renowned television commentator. They delve into the evolution of the Olympic experience from Summer's 1992 games to the present, exploring the impact of social media, technology, and mental health awareness on athletes today. Summer reflects on the pivotal moments that defined her career, including the three powerful questions she asked herself in the mirror before her gold medal race. They also dig into what makes a great coach, the crucial role of parenting in shaping an athlete’s journey, and what Summer believes is the real “game inside The Games” for Olympians today. Having been to 13 Olympic games, Summer has a unique inside perspective on the state of The Games today, and what it takes for an athlete to excel. With Fire,The FM TeamThis episode is brought to you by Capgemini and Microsoft.Capgemini is building a human-centric AI-driven workplace with Copilot for Microsoft 365.-----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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rowing is a sport that brings the mind into play like no other. When they are maxing out their physical capacity, completely mentally drained, and have little left in the tank – how do they summon the internal resources to push through?On Day 12 of The Game Inside the Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with rowing legends – and brothers – Martin and Valent Sinkovic, who recently won their third gold medal here in Paris.  The Sinkovic brothers discuss their thrilling gold medal race, detailing the mental and physical challenges they faced, particularly when they were behind and had to summon the strength for an incredible comeback late in the race.They break down their perspective on pain, perseverance, trust, internal motivation, and managing pre-race emotions. And most importantly, they share their powerful perspective on life – that high performance and joy can co-exist, and that sometimes we all need to experience a little pain… a little discomfort… to live a more fulfilling life. The Sinkovic brothers are an emblem for the good life, and we all have something to learn from their experience and insight. With Fire,The FM TeamThis episode is brought to you by NTT Data and Microsoft.NTT Data is transforming the workplace with Copilot for Microsoft 365.-----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.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.