What if instead of chasing a seat at the table, you built an entirely new game — and the world fell in love with it?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Jesse Cole, founder and owner of the Savannah Bananas and creator of Banana Ball. Jesse has built one of the most extraordinary, fast-growing sports movements by breaking every rule in the book. In an era where attention is the hardest currency, he’s turned baseball into a full-blown entertainment experience — part sport, part show, and all heart.

From selling out ballparks across America to giving foster families standing ovations mid-game, Jesse’s vision is driven by one principle: Fans First. He shares the habits and systems behind that mindset — from his “Learn, Change, Plus” culture of constant improvement to the leadership lessons that came from adopting two daughters during COVID. It’s a conversation about leading with joy, embracing risk, and using creativity as a form of love.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to design sold-out experiences by removing friction — and why iteration beats perfection
• Why culture must evolve from “team” to “teammates”
• The simple system that keeps the Savannah Bananas innovating nightly
• Why “winning” is redefined as a remarkable show and shared joy–not just the score
• How Jesse and his wife Emily turned their foster journey into Bananas Foster
• What it means to “play your own game” — in business and in life

This is a masterclass in building something meaningful — not by following the rules, but by following your heart.

--------------------------

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

Banana Foster: https://bananasfoster.org/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if being overlooked; dismissed as too slow or too average, was actually the foundation for becoming one of the greatest of all time?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Luc Robitaille; Hockey Hall of Famer, NHL’s all-time leading left-wing scorer, Stanley Cup champion, and President of the LA Kings. Recorded live at the California Surf Club, Luc pulls back the curtain on the mindset that carried him from ninth-round afterthought to hockey immortality: the daily commitment to get a little better, the discipline to quiet corrosive self-talk, and the belief that being underestimated can be a gift.

Luc’s story is the stuff of legend. In this candid, emotionally intelligent conversation, we dig into self-talk, flow, and the small daily behaviors that compound into greatness—plus how to transition from athlete to executive without losing your edge (or your humanity).

You’ll learn:

• How to move from negative mind → positive mind → no mind (flow)
• The simple rituals Luc used to build consistency and confidence
• Why service to the team is the quickest path out of doubt
• How elite organizations align inputs (not just talk about “winning”)
• What modern leadership looks like when you prioritize people

If you’ve ever been underestimated—or are leading people who are—this conversation will give you a grounded blueprint for turning doubt into durable confidence.

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the very thing you’ve been hiding from the world is actually the doorway to real connection?

On today’s episode, we sit down with legendary comedian, TV host, actor, and producer Howie Mandel - best known for Deal or No Deal, America’s Got Talent, and decades of stand-up. But the real story isn’t what Howie does. It’s how he thinks.

In this candid and deeply human conversation, Howie shares his lifelong journey with OCD and anxiety, his complex relationship with performance, and how comedy became both a shield and a bridge. Together with Dr. Mike, he explores what it means to embrace our humanness, manage the noise inside our heads, and show up vulnerably - onstage and off.

You’ll learn:

• How Howie Mandel transformed lifelong struggles with OCD and anxiety into creative fuel.
• Why vulnerability—even accidental—creates the deepest connections.
• How to become “comfortable with discomfort” and why that unlocks mastery.
• The difference between chasing fame and living from true contentment.
• Why engagement—not achievement—is the real key to a fulfilling life.

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you brought your hidden self into the light, this episode is your invitation to find out.

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if your deepest insecurity could become the catalyst for building something extraordinary?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Giorgos Tsetis - engineer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Nutrafol. As a young model, Giorgos faced the fear of hair thinning head-on and made a radical choice: to engineer a healthier, science-backed path. That choice would eventually serve millions and build a billion-dollar wellness brand.

This is more than a story about hair. It’s about identity, confidence, stress, and what it takes to transform pain into purpose. Giorgos shares openly about the anxiety of losing something that defined him, the science behind whole-body health, and the leadership lessons that fueled his journey from struggle to impact.

In this conversation, you’ll discover:

• Why hair health is a mirror of overall wellness
• How stress and lifestyle choices trigger genetic predispositions
• The importance of integrity and clinical rigor in building trust
• The leadership philosophy that carried Nutrafol to a billion-dollar valuation
• Leadership lessons rooted in kindness and psychological safety

Listen in and discover how Giorgos Tsetis turned one of life’s great personal confidence challenges—into a mission to elevate millions.

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does it take to win an Olympic medal—while navigating the mental and emotional rollercoaster of the Games?

On today’s episode, Dr. Gervais sits down with Olympic silver medalists Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes, their legendary coach Marcio Sicoli, and moderator David Belasco to go behind the curtain of Team Canada’s incredible 2024 beach volleyball run.

This is more than a sports story, it’s a masterclass in resilience, trust, and unlocking human potential under the world’s brightest spotlight. From navigating emotional turbulence to breaking routines that held them back, this conversation reveals the uncommon mindset and team culture that fueled their breakthrough.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• How radical honesty built trust that carried them through pressure
• Why shared values created unshakable team alignment
• The emotional reality of Olympic highs and lows
• How breaking routines unlocked their best performance
• Lessons in leadership, resilience, and culture from the Olympic stage

This rare inside look at Team Canada’s silver medal journey will inspire you to rethink what’s possible when purpose, honesty, and courage collide.

-------------------------------------

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if your success as a leader, parent, or partner depends less on IQ — and more on emotional intelligence?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Travis Bradberry — best-selling author and one of the world’s leading voices on emotional intelligence (EQ). With over 5 million books sold, including his latest The New Emotional Intelligence, Dr. Bradberry has spent decades studying how EQ shapes performance, relationships, and well-being.

In this conversation, we explore what emotional intelligence looks like in action: how it shows up in leadership under pressure, how it impacts the quality of your relationships, and what happens when it’s missing.

You’ll learn:

• Why EQ often outperforms IQ and technical skills as a predictor of success
• How to recognize blind spots that undermine relationships and performance
• What leaders with high EQ do differently when stakes are high
• Strategies for cultivating self-awareness and self-regulation
• Why EQ is central to living a “great life”

Tune in to hear Dr. Bradberry share practical strategies for building EQ in the modern world — and why doing so can unlock deeper trust, resilience, and clarity in every part of your life. 

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if our deepest human needs, for connection and belonging, hold the real answers for navigating a world racing ahead with technology?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Simon Sinek, globally renowned thinker, bestselling author, and long-time friend of the show. 

Back for a second conversation with us, Simon brings his trademark clarity and storytelling to the questions that matter most: What does it mean to be human in an age of measurement, data, and artificial intelligence? Why do friendships not only enrich our lives but help us survive? And how can we reorient toward what’s real, irreplaceable, and deeply fulfilling?

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why friendship isn’t just “nice to have,” but essential for health, happiness, and survival.
• The hidden costs of measuring everything, and how it can pull us away from our humanity.
• How to think about AI not as dystopia, but as a reflection of what makes us uniquely human.
• The practices Simon uses to deepen belonging and strengthen relationships.
• How to reframe success in a way that aligns with values and meaning, not just metrics.

This conversation cuts to the core of modern life. Simon challenges us to rethink the dangers of over-indexing on performance metrics, from sleep scores to step counts, while reminding us of the profound grounding power of authentic friendship. He also invites us to view AI not as a looming threat, but as a mirror, forcing us to ask bigger questions about meaning, aliveness, and connection.

Simon’s insights remind us that mastery isn’t about optimization, it’s about being more deeply, fully human. Tune in to reimagine connection, technology, and the art of living well.

Links & Resources:

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if reframing one simple word, and one simple practice, could reshape how you experience your life?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Tim Ferriss, bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, host of The Tim Ferriss Show, angel investor, and relentless experimenter in human potential. Known for his curiosity and cultural impact, Tim opens up about the intentional practices that support calm, focus, playful awareness, and deep presence in his everyday life.

Tim explores how language shapes experience, why play is essential (not optional), and how to design your days for the states that matter most. He also shares the thinking behind Coyote, his new card game built to spark laughter, sync groups, and unlock connection, not just competition.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How a single word reframed can shift your nervous system and your day
• Practical ways Tim cultivates calm, focus, and presence
• Why play is essential to performance, creativity, and connection
• Designing for “states” vs. chasing outcomes
• The intention behind Coyote: syncing up, group flow, and joy

Tune in to learn how one of the world’s most prolific thinkers approaches mastery from the inside out—and what that might unlock in your own life.

------------------------------------------

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

Extra Resources: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988, or visit the website: https://988lifeline.org/ 

Full List of Crisis Hotlines and Resources — https://www.apa.org/topics/crisis-hotlines 

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if I told you that one of the most dominant athletes of our time began her life in unimaginable hardship - and then rewrote her story, chapter by chapter?

This week, we revisit one of the most powerful conversations in the Finding Mastery vault with Oksana Masters; multi-sport Paralympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in U.S. history (with 19 medals).

Born in Ukraine with birth defects caused by radiation exposure from Chernobyl, abandoned to an orphanage, and later adopted in the U.S, Oksana’s journey is a masterclass in grit, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of agency. Her story is not only about becoming a world-class athlete - it’s also about reclaiming her narrative, finding freedom through adversity, and turning deep pain into fuel for thriving.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How Oksana transformed unimaginable hardship into strength and purpose
• Why reclaiming agency - even in the smallest ways - can change the trajectory of a life
• The role joy and play can have as tools for survival in the darkest moments
• How she navigated trauma while striving for greatness on the world stage
• What resilience really looks like when challenge isn’t avoided, but embraced

This is a conversation about courage, hope, and an indomitable human spirit, an episode that will stay with you long after you’ve listened.

_______________________________________________

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do you know when you have “enough” money—and what does that mean for how you live?

In this episode of Finding Mastery, we sit down with Brian Werdesheim, expert financial advisor and founding member of the Summa Group at Stifel Financial Corporation, to explore the deeply personal and emotional relationship we have with money. 

Brian goes beyond numbers and spreadsheets, asking the questions that matter: What are your dreams? Your values? Your full life story? This conversation will challenge you to rethink your approach to wealth—not just as a goal, but as a means to a meaningful life.

Together, we reveal why saving alone isn’t enough and unpack the mindset wealthy people use to grow money with purpose. This conversation invites you to define what “enough” truly means—beyond finances—and build a healthier relationship with money that serves your whole life.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why understanding your values is critical before making financial decisions
• How wealthy people leverage a mindset beyond just saving
• The role of clarity in defining “enough” for your life, not just your bank account
• The emotional challenges and opportunities in investing for the future
• Practical steps to align your money with your dreams and daily living

Tune in to hear Brian’s unique approach and rethink your relationship with money in a way that serves your whole life. 

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.