I’ve read every one of Brad’s books and his latest “The Way of Excellence” is my favorite (which says a lot since I’ve got incredible value from all of them). This is Brad’s second appearance on the podcast and I’m always grateful for our conversations and the insights and clarity he shares.

In this episode of the Brad and Luka delve into the concept of excellence, exploring its biological roots, the importance of grit, and the journey of mastery. They discuss the significance of finding one's fit in coaching, the pitfalls of the arrival fallacy, and the necessity of setting meaningful goals. The conversation also touches on the balance between pushing through challenges and knowing when to rest, the role of discipline, and the power of focus in achieving excellence. Additionally, they highlight the value of patience and wisdom in long-term success, the future of performance enhancement, and the critical role of youth sports in developing character and resilience.

Brad is the author of the books The Way of Excellence, Master of Change and The Practice of Groundednessand coauthor of the books Peak Performance and The Passion Paradox.  He writes about these concepts on The Growth Equation, his popular blog and multimedia platform. He is on faculty at the University of Michigan’s graduate school of public health, the same institution from which he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees.  He lives in Asheville, NC, with his family.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

=> Excellence needs to be reclaimed from misconceptions, first and foremost; here’s what that means.

=> Excellence is NOT winning at all costs, a 37-step morning routine or a perfect diet, the highest performers say excellence is _. 

=> The pursuit of excellence is a biological drive and natural to us, but here is what is blocking it for you and how to unlock it.

=> The systems that hack our brain and deprive us from the feeling of aliveness and fulfillment, what you MUST avoid.

=> Grit is necessary for mastery and long-term success. But before there is grit, there needs to be “fit” or it won’t work out.

=> Avoid the arrival fallacy by focusing on the journey, not just the destination. Sure you’ve heard it before, but here’s what research shows that will blow your mind. 

=> Set goals that align with your personal values and aspirations otherwise your progress could make you feel longing and emptiness.

=> Are SMART goals the best way to set goals or is there a better way Brad shares what he advises the highest performers.

=> Why the “1% better every day” mentality can steer you wrong and what actually happens when you grow and improve.

=> Balance is an illusion; focus on minimum effective doses in life in certain areas of life while you pursue excellence in others (discover what the best in the world do).

=> In the long term, excellence starts to look a lot like love, here’s what that means and why you should listen.

=> How some of the best performances come after feeling like crap, and why you need to have “activation energy.”

=> When to say “fuck it, let it rip” and when to say “I need to rest and recover”, and why both are very important. 

=> At the beginning motivation comes from chasing metrics, but after a while the best driver is _______ (most people will change their mindset when they hear this).

=> Why phones can take away our connection and why you have to create boundaries, what the research shows, and strategies to improve your life and being present.
=> What is algorithmic mass distraction, how it’s ruining our lives, and how we fight it with environmental design. 

=> Why you shouldn’t train with an app, here’s how to improve your training experience and get more PR’s.

=> Arrogance is loud, confidence is quiet, and how to convince yourself (evidence) you’re great at what you do. 

LINKS & RESOURCES:

The Way of Excellence (Brad Stulberg)

Brad's Website & Instagram

Vigor Ground Fitness Gym 

Super Coach Mentorship 

Luka's YouTube Channel