How many of us do everything we can to avoid pain and suffering? It’s a natural response, deeply ingrained to protect ourselves. But what if we didn’t run from suffering, and actively engaged and encouraged it to create meaning and purpose in our lives?

That’s the philosophy of Akshay Nanavati – Iraqi war veteran, entrepreneur, extreme athlete, and author of Fearvana: The Revolutionary Science of How to Turn Fear Into Health, Wealth and Happiness. His unique take comes out of his military experience - his struggles with PTSD, alcoholism and debilitating depression - and he combines that personal story with neuroscience, religion, philosophy and tools for designing an amazing life.

In his second appearance on Finding Mastery, Akshay takes us through the preparation for what will be his most daring endeavor yet: a 110 day, 1700 mile flat-ski trek across one of the most -- if not the most -- unforgiving environments on Earth: Antarctica. It’s never been done before. And he’s doing it alone.

Akshay’s story and the insights he’s uncovered make for an exciting and thought-provoking conversation. You won’t want to miss it.

NOW… To embark on this epic journey, Akshay needs some support. Let's come together as a community and help Akshay out! I’d love for you to consider supporting Akshay by donating to his project – myself and the FM team will be supporting as well. Let's show up and get this across the finish line! No one does it alone!

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What drives us to pursue impossible dreams, fail repeatedly, and keep trying?

Our guest, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, truly embodies the spirit of never giving up.

Despite a fear of heights, bad eyesight, multiple rejections from NASA, and other setbacks, Mike's unwavering determination led him to perform heroic spacewalks to repair the Hubble Telescope and to send the first-ever Tweet from beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

But how did he maintain his persistence? What psychological skills did Mike need to master to face down failure after failure and keep reaching higher?

This conversation isn't just about outer space; it's about the space within us all that holds the power of persistence, teamwork, and awe.

Mike's journey from New York neighborhood to NASA is a testament to the extraordinary feats we’re all capable of achieving. His story is a beacon of hope for anyone who's ever been told they can't. And he's here to share the wisdom gained from a lifetime of looking up and stepping forward into the unknown.

So, as we embark on this journey with Mike Massimino, prepare to be inspired, to learn, and to see our own challenges a little differently. Because sometimes, reaching for the stars teaches us more about ourselves than we ever imagined.

I’m excited for you to apply what Mike has to teach us!

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Welcome to Volume 16 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) 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.

It is your insights and questions that fuel these epic conversations – so thank you again for all the thoughtfulness, honesty, and trust you put into these questions. Keep ‘em coming!

Our co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, is back to guide us through another fun and insightful discussion.

In this conversation, we explore a variety of compelling themes like:

• Infusing joy into the mundane aspects of life.
• Understanding People Pleasing and Codependency
• How to remain true to oneself while navigating societal pressures
• What makes a strong support system
• Embodying the “Noble Warrior”
• Balancing strength with kindness and vulnerability.

And so much more… 

I hope you walk away with some insights about how to navigate life's challenges with grace, strength, and authenticity… and how to find joy just a little more often.

Wishing you an epic week.

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What if mastering love is the ultimate high-performance skill?

This Valentine's Day, we're taking a deep dive into the heart of relationships with two special guests—our host Dr. Michael Gervais and his wife, Lisa Gervais —a creative powerhouse with a rich background in dance, acting, and truth telling.

In this episode hosted by our favorite AMA co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, Mike and Lisa open their lives and their love to us—sharing the joys, challenges, and profound lessons learned on their journey together. From their initial spark to building a foundation of trust and support, they discuss what it means to be best friends with your partner and how honesty paves the way for deep connection.

They don't just stop at their story; they explore the essence of Valentine's Day, offer solace and inspiration for those flying solo, and dive into their unique talents – revealing Lisa's passion for dance and Mike's unexpected venture into rap and hip hop (you read that right).

This episode is a treasure trove of insights on building a high-performance relationship, navigating life's ups and downs, and the importance of seeing and accepting each other for who you truly are. Whether you're in love, looking for love, or celebrating self-love, join us for an open, honest, and vulnerable conversation on the art of mastering relationships of all kinds.

With Fire + LOVE,

The Finding Mastery Team

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In this special LIVE episode recorded at Radio Row in Las Vegas for Super Bowl 58, we had the privilege of sitting down with Lisa McCaffrey, the mother of 49ers star running back, Christian McCaffrey.

Despite Christian's status as one of - if not THE - best running backs in the NFL, and his 2023 Offensive Player of the Year Award, Lisa's excitement and nerves during this Super Bowl week are palpable.

Now, the McCaffrey family boasts an impressive athletic history, with Lisa playing college soccer at Stanford University, her husband Ed winning three Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos, and her father earning a silver medal in the Olympics. All four of Lisa's sons have played collegiate football as well. I mean… talk about a formula!

I loved this conversation. We get an exclusive look into the universal theme of parental emotions, capturing the essence of any parent watching their child pursue a passion

Lisa shares insights on love, support, purpose, and genuine excitement for her family, making for an inspiring and relatable discussion - for sports enthusiasts, football fans, anyone interested in family dynamics, and parents who can relate to the emotions of watching their children chase their dreams.

With that, live from Las Vegas on the eve of Super Bowl 58, enjoy jumping into the world of a nervous, excited and loving mother, Lisa McCaffrey.

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How does someone turn a two-bedroom apartment into the world’s largest hedge fund? Our guest today - the one and only Ray Dalio - knows. A master of global macro investing, Ray founded Bridgewater Associates and led it to unparalleled heights, redefining financial excellence along the way.

Ray isn't just a finance legend; he's a visionary author and a vanguard in idea meritocracy. With bestsellers like 'Principles: Life and Work,' he's influenced minds around the globe. His journey from a finance graduate to a figure on the Time 100 and Bloomberg Markets' most influential people lists is nothing short of remarkable.

Beyond finance, Ray’s a dedicated family man and philanthropist, deeply invested in ocean exploration and equal opportunity initiatives.

In our insightful chat, Ray breaks down his success pillars: radical transparency, idea meritocracy, and the power of transcendental meditation. He also opens up about loss, failure and how to align your life path to your true nature.

Prepare to dive into a mind that’s navigated the complex tides of global finance with steadfast principles and innovative strategies.

Whether you're charting your course in business, sports, or any other area, Ray's insights offer keys to unlock your potential and create a life that resonates with your deepest aspirations.

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A couple months back I was in Austin doing some promo for The First Rule of Mastery and had the opportunity to be a guest on Ryan Holiday’s incredible podcast, The Daily Stoic.

It’s always such a joy to connect and flow with Ryan – we had a fantastic conversation that I wanted to share here today. 

This time around was especially fun… not only was the conversation great, but we also got to record it in Ryan’s epic bookstore, The Painted Porch.

If you’re in or near Austin… you have to check it out. It is awesome. And you might even find a couple signed copies of The First Rule of Mastery lying around ;)

Please enjoy this conversation with me and the ever-insightful Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic.

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Today’s guest needs no introduction – but I’m thrilled to do it anyway. Rich Roll is a world-renowned ultra-endurance athlete, plant-based fitness advocate, bestselling author, host of the hugely popular Rich Roll Podcast, husband, father.... and the list goes on.

He's also a good friend – this is Rich’s fourth time on the podcast. His episodes are often our most popular, and there’s a good reason for that. Rich’s humility and frank discussion of his sobriety and recovery – as well as his courage and commitment to exploring his limits – are an inspiration to me, and so many others.

In today’s conversation, we dive deeper into what it means to be present in every moment, the rewards of service and giving back, the distinctions between greatness and mastery, and the everyday search for moments of awe.

Then, you’ll want to stay tuned to the back half of our conversation, as we’re doing something a little different. We sourced your questions for Rich and I to wrestle with, and we had an absolute blast diving into those – they’re provocative, insightful, and surprising.

I think you’ll find that this conversation with Rich is – as always – compelling, inspirational, and full of hard-earned wisdom.

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Many of us who are seeking optimal health, performance, and wellness take a variety of supplements. And I think it’s only natural to find ourselves questioning— what's really in these supplements? How do we know if those ingredients are actually doing anything for our bodies and minds?

Our guest today, Katerina (Kat) Schneider had the same questions – and she took action to get to the truth. What she discovered led her to develop a new standard in the world of vitamins and supplements.

Kat is the visionary founder and CEO of Ritual – a company dedicated to re-envisioning transparency, traceability, and quality standards in the vitamin and supplement industry.

And, Kat's personal story is as remarkable as her products. In our conversation, we delve into the founding story of Ritual, and discuss the philosophy that underpins their mission – a deep-rooted belief in transparency, quality, the power of science, and the foundational belief that “everyone has the right to know exactly what they're putting into their bodies and why.”

It’s this philosophy – and these beliefs – that make me so excited to be partnered with a company like Ritual (and… a founder like Kat).

With our partnership, Ritual is offering a huge discount for Finding Mastery listeners - click HERE get 40% off your first month of Ritual. I mean... Awesome.

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Welcome to Volume 15 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) series. In this latest installment, O'Neil Cespedes and I explore the intricate dance between our physical and mental states, especially during times of challenge and change.

Key topics covered this week include:

• The profound connection between our physical and mental health.
• Strategies for maintaining an optimistic mindset during setbacks.
• The role of psychological agility in viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
• The changing definition of ‘manhood’.
• Best practices for coaches and teammates in supporting athletes through injury.
• The transformative power of humor in relieving tension in high-stress situations.
• Embracing mistakes and overcoming the fear of failure for personal growth and resilience.

As always, we are grateful for your questions and insights that continue to drive these meaningful conversations. Your engagement is what makes this series so rich and impactful.

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