Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

A few months back, we recorded our first ever AMA in front of a live audience in New York City. The energy in the room was incredible, and it brought a whole new level of depth and spontaneity to the conversation. 

Your favorite co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, and I dove headfirst into the questions that matter most to you. And this time, it wasn’t just us talking—our audience had a chance to steer the conversation in real time.

We dug into some fascinating topics, including:

• The delicate balance between striving for success and maintaining mental health
• How to rewire your brain to change habits
• The difference between high performance and mastery
• Navigating the pitfalls of the ‘Self-Help Industrial Complex’
• Revolutions in the workplace that are shaping the future of success.
• And much, much more!

These AMAs are always a highlight for us, and this live session took it to another level. The questions were sharp, the dialogue was rich, and the energy was palpable. I think you’re going to love this one as much as we did.

Recorded at Two Forty Thirty in New York City.

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Why do some memories seem to stick with us forever while others just… fade away?

The ideal person to help us wrestle with this question is Dr. Charan Ranganath, a renowned memory researcher with a unique approach to improving our memories. Instead of working to remember more, he suggests we should work to remember better.

Charan has spent more than 25 years as a professor of psychology and neuroscience, unraveling the complexities of memory. He’s a pioneer in understanding how our brains allow us to remember past events and use those memories to shape our present and future.

Charan’s latest book, "Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters," is an exploration of memory's influence on our daily experiences and its potential as a tool for personal transformation.

In this conversation, we dive deep into how memory can be used as an accelerant for personal growth and learn how it can help us heal from trauma. We discuss practical strategies for improving memory and the performance benefits it brings to our decision-making and overall quality of life. 

I’m excited for you to enjoy this memorable conversation with Dr. Charan Ranganath.

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"Love is not a feeling, it's an ability." - Sharon Salzberg

Can we really change the world by changing how we relate to our own thoughts? Our guest this week, Sharon Salzberg, has spent five decades proving we can.

Sharon is a pioneer in meditation and New York Times bestselling author who brought mindfulness and loving-kindness meditation into the mainstream in America nearly 50 years ago.

Sharon’s work has guided millions toward deeper self-compassion and interconnectedness. She co-founded the Insight Meditation Society and has authored thirteen influential books, including her latest, Real Life.

In this episode, we explore how mindfulness and loving-kindness can help us navigate our divided world and create more meaningful connections.

Sharon explains how working from love, rather than anger, can drive positive change. And it all stems from the concept that love isn’t just a feeling, but an ability… and beyond that, a responsibility.

Taking a deep dive into the practical applications of mindfulness, and acting on them in our daily lives, can transform how we handle challenges and relationships.

This conversation is packed with insights that will challenge and inspire you to rethink your approach to mindfulness. We’re in this together, and I can’t wait for us to experience the results.

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All good things must come to an end…

In our closing episode of The Game Inside The Games, gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais reflect on the most inspiring moments of the series and The Games in Paris. 

They discuss pivotal stories from Paris – from Simone Biles and Suni Lee’s comeback to Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikeç’s casual precision, Noah Lyles’ photo finish, Katie Ledecky’s dominance, and how Stephen Nedoroscik captured the world’s attention – emphasizing the human side of their journeys and the mental skills required to succeed. 

The episode encapsulates the spirit of The Games, highlighting the importance of mental strength, authenticity, and the universal lessons that extend beyond the world of sports.

Our hope with this series is that you're able to find one thing – one practice or insight from these conversations – that you can incorporate into your own life to get just a little bit better… and to be more at home with yourself in any environment. 

Olympians are a great emblem for what humans are capable of when we commit to exploring our potential – but that is not reserved for Olympians alone. That is available to you too – to all of us. We have so much more inside of us if we are willing to go there. 

This episode is brought to you by LTIMindtree and Microsoft.

LTIMindtree gets you to the future faster with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

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It’s moments before the biggest competition of your life… you’re rattled by something your coach just said… you have one minute alone to yourself before go time. You look in the mirror… What do you say to yourself to get in the zone – to ground yourself – before the race begins?

On Day 13 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with Summer Sanders, a two-time gold medalist and renowned television commentator. 

They delve into the evolution of the Olympic experience from Summer's 1992 games to the present, exploring the impact of social media, technology, and mental health awareness on athletes today. 

Summer reflects on the pivotal moments that defined her career, including the three powerful questions she asked herself in the mirror before her gold medal race. 

They also dig into what makes a great coach, the crucial role of parenting in shaping an athlete’s journey, and what Summer believes is the real “game inside The Games” for Olympians today. Having been to 13 Olympic games, Summer has a unique inside perspective on the state of The Games today, and what it takes for an athlete to excel. 

This episode is brought to you by Capgemini and Microsoft.

Capgemini is building a human-centric AI-driven workplace with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

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Rowing is a sport that brings the mind into play like no other. When they are maxing out their physical capacity, completely mentally drained, and have little left in the tank – how do they summon the internal resources to push through?

On Day 12 of The Game Inside the Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with rowing legends – and brothers – Martin and Valent Sinkovic, who recently won their third gold medal here in Paris.  

The Sinkovic brothers discuss their thrilling gold medal race, detailing the mental and physical challenges they faced, particularly when they were behind and had to summon the strength for an incredible comeback late in the race.

They break down their perspective on pain, perseverance, trust, internal motivation, and managing pre-race emotions. 

And most importantly, they share their powerful perspective on life – that high performance and joy can co-exist, and that sometimes we all need to experience a little pain… a little discomfort… to live a more fulfilling life. 

The Sinkovic brothers are an emblem for the good life, and we all have something to learn from their experience and insight. 

This episode is brought to you by NTT Data and Microsoft.

NTT Data is transforming the workplace with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

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You work your whole life towards one goal… and you come up short by a fraction of a second. How do you bounce back from that? How do you move forward?

On Day 11 of The Game Inside The Games, gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais explore the psychological and emotional complexities that athletes face when they fall just short of a gold medal or podium. 

They discuss the flood of emotions that can overwhelm an athlete in pivotal moments, the importance of processing those emotions, and how to use past experiences to fuel future success. 

With personal stories and expert insights, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what an athlete experiences when they come up just short – and how they can turn the agony of "almost" into a driving force for excellence.

This episode is brought to you by KPMG and Microsoft. 

KPMG is unlocking the value of Copilot for Microsoft 365. Learn more at https://kpmg.com/microsoftcopilot

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In the high-pressure world of elite sport, the unwavering support of loved ones can be both a powerful boost and a perilous distraction.

In this episode of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais explore the significant impact that family and friends can have on an athlete’s performance at The Games. They discuss how the presence of loved ones, while a vital source of encouragement, can also become a significant distraction that impacts focus and performance.

For athletes, The Games represent the pinnacle of their careers—a moment that requires complete mental and emotional focus. However, for family and friends, they are often seen as a celebration, which can unintentionally pull the athlete's attention away from their performance. 

Nastia shares her unique perspective as a gold medalist, including how her father, who was also her coach, helped her navigate these distractions.

They also address modern challenges, such as the impact of social media, which has introduced new distractions that previous generations of athletes didn't face.

In this episode, you’ll get an inside look at the emotional management required at the highest level of competition, where the difference between winning and losing often comes down to the ability to stay focused despite the myriad of distractions. 

Through personal stories and expert insights, the conversation uncovers valuable lessons not just for athletes, but for anyone striving to achieve high performance in high-pressure situations.

This episode is brought to you by PwC and Microsoft.

PwC and Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365 together provide a powerful, multifaceted strategy tailored to the evolving AI landscape, enhancing business operations, communication, and problem-solving. At PwC, we embody this transformation by deploying Copilot for Microsoft 365 across our global network, transforming our operations across all functions to better serve our clients through the power of AI. 

Learn more: Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365: PwC

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Rejection, resilience, and unexpected glory: a tale that proves it's never too late to rewrite your story.

On Day 9 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with Alev Kelter, a remarkable athlete who not only just won the first medal in USA Women’s Rugby history, but has represented the U.S. in three different sports.

Alev shares her journey from facing the heartbreak of being cut from the U.S. Ice Hockey team to discovering a new passion in rugby, competing in three consecutive Olympic games, and ultimately winning The United States’ first ever women’s rugby medal, in one of the most electric finishes in Paris so far.

In this conversation, you’ll hear a behind-the-scenes perspective on pivotal moments, the power of a culture built by its players, and a play-by-play the stunning finish in the weening seconds of the bronze medal match. 

Alev is a treasure trove of insights – she beautifully highlights the resilience required to overcome setbacks, the courage to pursue new opportunities in the face of adversity, and the ability to use sport as a canvas for self-expression. 

This episode is brought to you by Accenture, Avanade, and Microsoft.

Accenture and Avanade are reimagining the workplace with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

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“It took me 16 years to heal from being an Olympian.” That is a remarkable statement. 

On day 8 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais sit down with former Olympian swimmer Katie Hoff to explore the pivotal moments of her Olympian experience.

Katie reflects on her journey from a young prodigy to a two-time Olympian, discussing the psychological challenges she faced, including the intense pressure to succeed and the impact of bullying. 

Katie shares her experiences of overcoming these obstacles, the importance of investing in your mental health, and the process of healing and finding self-worth beyond medals. 

This candid conversation offers a deep insight into the authentic lived experiences and the resilience required to navigate the highs and lows of life as an Olympian.

This episode is brought to you by IBM and Microsoft. 

IBM is unlocking business transformation with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

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