Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff, facing an inch-wide line of webbing that stretches across a vast expanse. It’s tensioned between two secure anchor points but it’s a dynamic surface that will bounce, sway, and stretch when you step out on it. This line isn't just a piece of equipment; it's a gateway to mastering fear and discovering your true potential.

This is the world of highlining, and Faith Dickey stands at its forefront – embodying resilience and mental fortitude.

Since 2008, Faith has been redefining what's possible in highlining, a sport that demands extreme focus and courage. She's not only one of the few women excelling in this field but also a record-setter and a barrier-breaker. From free soloing a highline 3,000 feet off the ground to crossing a 100-meter highline and walking a highline in high heels, Faith's achievements are a testament to her extraordinary capabilities.

But Faith's impact extends beyond her highlining feats. She's an advocate for women in extreme sports and has created the first US business offering highline experiences, making this exhilarating sport accessible to more people.

Whether you're facing your own metaphorical highline or seeking to manage fear more effectively, Faith's journey offers invaluable lessons in courage, commitment, and the power of the human spirit.

With Fire,

MG

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Hey everybody, Mike here… we’re doing something a little different today…

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, you probably recognize the name Dan Harris – he’s a friend, journalist, fellow podcaster, and was actually one of our earliest guests on Finding Mastery back in 2016. 

We had some fantastic conversations together and I was lucky enough to be an early guest on his incredible show – Ten Percent Happier – 

I’ve been a big fan and follower of his show ever since. And today… we are stoked to share one of their episodes with you on our feed!

On Ten Percent Happier, Dan is on a quest to help others achieve peace and happiness. Every week, he talks to top scientists, meditation teachers, and even the occasional celebrity in wide ranging conversations that explore topics like productivity, anxiety, enlightenment, psychedelics and relationships.

This episode of Ten Percent Happier is with the one-and-only, actor and comedian Bill Hader—who you may know from Saturday Night Live, countless roles in comedy films, and from starring in the Emmy award-winning Netflix series Barry. 

It’s an awesome episode, I think you’re really going to enjoy it… 

So with that, be sure to go check out Ten Percent Happier wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy this episode featuring Bill Hader!

From Ten Percent Happier:

The star of SNL and Barry discusses how he channels his anxiety into his work. Plus, an imitation of Joseph Goldstein.

Bill Hader has made the transition from being a master of stand-out characters and impressions on eight seasons of Saturday Night Life to becoming a true multi-hyphenate by creating, directing, writing, producing and starring as a burned-out assassin trying to break into Hollywood as an actor in HBO’s award-winning and critically lauded dark comedy, Barry.‍

In this episode we talk about:

• How Bill deals with anxiety
• His panic attack on live television
• His love of directing and the importance of having the right collaborators

Sign up for Dan Harris’ weekly newsletter here

Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok

Ten Percent Happier online bookstore

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What does leadership look like in the middle of a war zone—one of the most dynamic, agile, and consequential environments on the planet? General Stanley McChrystal knows intimately what it’s like – and is committed to teaching his hard-earned leadership insights to others. 

Heading up the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), he led the U.S. military’s most elite special ops teams against Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and from there was commissioned to command the war on terror in Afghanistan.

That mission in itself is treacherous… and General McChrystal also crashed head-on with a political controversy – one that led to the end of his military career but opened the door to teaching leadership at Yale university, authoring multiple bestsellers, founding the McChrystal Group (his well-known management consulting company) and even being portrayed by none other than Brad Pitt in the movie War Machine.

What General McChrystal teaches isn’t about battlefield maps and tactics, it’s about building a team that’s informed, committed and focused. And even when the mission isn’t immediately successful, it’s about teaching the importance of risk, failure, and ultimately marching forward.

It's a fascinating discussion, rich with gems and insights. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

With Fire, 

MG

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Imagine this... you're a NASA Astronaut. You're on a spacewalk, floating in the vastness of outer space, and suddenly... you go blind.

What do you do?

You might recognize today’s guest, Chris Hadfield, from his viral video on the International Space Station, where he performed David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' – a performance that garnered over 35 million views worldwide.

But Chris is so much more than a musical talent in orbit. He's not only a retired NASA astronaut but also a skilled engineer, a former combat pilot, and a New York Times bestselling author of both fiction and non-fiction works.

One of his standout books, 'An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth,' is a must-read for every high performer. In it, he shares an unconventional philosophy: 'Prepare for the worst—and enjoy every moment of it.'  It's a mindset I find incredibly powerful, and I think you will, too.

In our conversation, we dive into Chris’s rich experiences, including a harrowing story where he was struck blind while clinging to an orbiting spacecraft. I think you’ll love his practical approach to maintaining calm in what must have been one of the most high-stakes situations imaginable.

We also explore how he uses competence as a tool to master fear, his strategies for problem-solving and teamwork, and his step-by-step approach to making even the most daring dreams a reality. His stories are a masterclass in thriving across diverse environments – in space, business, sports, and family life.

This episode is one I'm sure I'll revisit multiple times, and I'm pretty confident you'll feel the same.

I can’t wait to share with you Chris's insights, which offer a practical and inspiring roadmap to achieving peak performance, deep fulfillment, and a purpose-driven life.

With Fire, 

MG

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In a world increasingly obsessed with self-image and social validation, how do we truly understand the role of self-esteem in our lives? Is it merely a reflection of our ego? What purpose does it serve?

These questions form the core of our conversation with Dr. Mark Leary, a former professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, who retired after 39 years of teaching, publishing 14 books and 250+ scholarly articles and chapters on topics such as social motivation, emotion, and self-relevant thought.

Mark is also a disruptor – and that’s not usually a word we associate with professors of psychology and neuroscience. But in this case it’s appropriate because Mark’s sociometer theory didn't just make waves; it created a whole new ocean in the field of psychology. This was a groundbreaking idea that redefined self-esteem. It's a perspective that turned heads and opened minds in a way that challenged academics and practitioners alike.

In this episode, we peel back the layers on how to reshape your self-esteem into a dynamic tool for personal and professional growth, strategies to shift from external validation to a more authentic, self-grounded approach, navigating social anxiety with ease to enhance your everyday performance, the keys to unlocking effective leadership by tuning into the fundamental needs of your team, and so much more...

Whether you're leading a team, competing in sports, studying for your future, or simply navigating the complexities of daily interactions, there's a wealth of insights waiting for you in this conversation.

With Fire, 

MG

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Today’s podcast is a really special one, as we have on CNN’s 2023 Hero of the Year, Dr. Kwane Stewart, a.k.a. “The Street Vet.” Kwane is a veterinarian who provides free veterinary care for the animals society often forgets—the pets of people living without homes.

In this heartfelt conversation, Kwane demonstrates the courage it takes to explore the messy edges of emotion, and he opens up about how honoring his feelings propelled him to take life-changing actions. Kwane’s story isn’t just about animal care; it's a profound narrative on finding purpose, losing sight of it, then finding it again… on a sidewalk outside a Seven-Eleven.

His current endeavor, as co-founder of Project Street Vet, is capturing hearts and minds around the world. This initiative provides free veterinary care to pets of the unhoused. In essence, he’s creating a movement of care and compassion. 

In this episode, Kwane walks us through his transformative journey, sharing moving stories of hope, sacrifice, and the human-animal bond. Our conversation also touches on the heavy emotional toll of working in animal shelters, and how Kwane navigated his own mental health challenges. His journey is a testament to the resilience found in living a life of purpose.

You don’t have to be an animal lover to find Dr. Kwane Stewart's story a compelling exploration of compassion, resilience, and the impact one person can make.

You’re invited to learn more about Project Street Vet.

With Fire, 

MG

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Today, we’re super excited to share the 14th installment of our Ask Me Anything series. The purpose behind these conversations - behind these AMAs – is to hear from you… to explore the topics and questions that you have been wrestling with on your path to becoming.

The goal is to expand on the themes, lessons, and best-practices we’ve discussed on the Finding Mastery podcast in order to make them even more applicable to your own life.

By now, our incredible co-host needs no introduction – we’re back with O’Neil Cespedes – and just a quick note of gratitude here… This show does not happen without you and your incredible questions. This is the last AMA of 2023, and O'neil and I are grateful for you challenging us with hard questions. It’s so energizing and inspiring to know our community is full of people that are pointing to a high quality inner-life, and are committed to getting better, and helping others do the same. 

I feel the fire in your belly. Keep creating a rising tide. 

 Today, we dive into:

• The psychology and physiology of aging
• Why trust is a mental skill and how to train it
• Best practices for goal-setting
• The dangers of advice-giving
• Dealing with rejection
• Performance-based vs purpose-based identities 
• And so much more… 

Wishing you an epic week, and hope you enjoy volume 14 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything! 

With Fire, 

MG

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“Be bold, dream big. Take the risk. Figure out what it takes to accomplish your goals, and then you will win. Or if you don't, at least you'll get damn near close… We all need to take risks to keep growing and to keep learning.”

Imagine the possibilities if you were to take radical and relentless action towards your biggest (maybe even intimidating) dreams – defying fear and uncertainty. 

Today’s guest, the remarkable Liz Elting, doesn’t need to imagine. She’s living it. 

Her story is a true testament to what can happen when vision and action align. 

Now recognized as one of Forbes’ Richest Self-Made Women, Liz’s dreams had humble beginnings in her NYU dorm room in 1992 when she co-founded TransPerfect – from scratch.

TransPerfect has since grown into the world’s largest language and business solutions provider, with over $1.1 billion in revenue and operations in more than 100 cities worldwide.

Her new book, ‘Dream Big and Win’ is a must-read for anyone who is pioneering their own path to purpose-led success. It offers practical wisdom on not just how to dream big but also how to win in both business and life. 

Now, in today’s conversation, we delve deep into:

• How to take radical action in pursuit of your dreams
• The definition of modern leadership
• How to use adversity to fuel extraordinary growth
• The art of balancing self-discipline with self-compassion
• The secret to cultivating enduring passion and purpose, no matter life’s circumstances

And so much more!

With Fire,

MG

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Where are wearables leading us? In the dynamic, fast-paced world of health technology, what does the future hold? What possibilities can we unlock? How can we leverage the power of wearables to transcend mere physical tracking and genuinely enhance our psychological well-being?

These questions form the perfect springboard for our conversation with Dr. Kapil Parakh, a renowned cardiologist and the Senior Medical Lead at Google. Kapil is more than a doctor, he’s a leader in the wearable movement with keen insight into current trends and future directions.

Raised in Zambia and educated at Johns Hopkins, Kapil's diverse background infuses Silicon Valley innovations with the deep empathy of human-centered medicine. His trailblazing work is redefining healthcare and guiding us toward a healthier, more informed future.

Kapil's forward-thinking approach spans multiple domains, and his impressive body of work includes the book, Searching for Health: The Smart Way to Find Health Information Online and Put It to Use. It’s a practical guide for navigating the complexities of today's healthcare landscape.

At his core, Dr. Kapil Parakh is dedicated to empowering as many people as possible. His initiatives have already impacted over a billion lives, and he's just getting started.

Join us in this insightful, forward-looking conversation, where Kapil shares his personal perspectives and insights on the transformative potential of wearable tech. He invites us to look beyond the basic functions of fitness trackers and embrace technology as a partner in achieving optimal health and peak performance.

Whether you're a passionate tech enthusiast, a health professional, or simply looking to level up your wellbeing, Kapil's insights promise to elevate your perception of what's possible with wearables, and empower you to make informed decisions that resonate with your body's own unique needs.

With fire,

MG

Discount Code for Dr. Kapil Parakh’s Book, Searching for Health

Finding Mastery Podcast listeners may use the discount code HTWN to receive a 30% discount on Searching for Health:The Smart Way to Find Health Information Online and Put It to Use, when purchased through the John’s Hopkins Press website.

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What can we learn about success from the phenomenal growth of digital technology and the extraordinary achievements of Silicon Valley teams?

And almost more importantly, what can we learn from the shell-shocking failures of some other seemingly great businesses?

Today’s guest has been researching the digital transformation of businesses for three decades, and he’s landed on some fascinating— and extremely practical— conclusions.

In this episode, I’m thrilled to have Andrew McAfee join us for a deep dive into cultures of innovation— environments where risks are not just taken but embraced, where failures are seen as pivotal learning opportunities, and where the status quo is openly challenged.

Andrew is not only a principal research scientist at MIT but also a visionary thinker and a best-selling author. His latest work, 'The Geek Way,' is providing a framework to help teams work well in our rapidly changing business landscape – where success means more than profits and market share.

Andrew has identified four pillars of ‘the geek way’: science, speed, ownership, and openness. 

The beauty of the geek way is it's not confined to the boardroom or the tech lab. This approach can have profound implications for all of us, in every aspect of our lives. 

Whether you’re in business, sports, arts, or really any field, Andrew has some fascinating insights, frameworks, and tools that I think you’ll find helpful on your personal and professional journeys. 

I’m excited for what we can learn together as we dive into this week’s conversation with Andrew McAfee.

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