In this episode, Mateos shares his journey from casual COVID-era home games to playing poker professionally, emphasizing that his growth came not from a single breakthrough but from years of obsession, trial and error, and learning how to learn. He discusses how active deliberate study replaced passive consumption. How documenting his struggles and progress on social media helped him build a personal brand during a difficult downswing, and how success milestones often failed to deliver lasting fulfillment. Throughout the conversation Mateos reflects candidly on burnout, identity, and motivation, ultimately highlighting the importance of process over outcomes, community over isolation, and aligning daily actions with personal values as the real foundation for long-term performance.

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