Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

It’s time to meet the moment. 

In Part 2 of this riveting conversation on The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais continue their deep dive into the psychological intricacies of women's gymnastics.

Building on their previous discussion about the preparation and lead up to the Women’s All Around Final, this episode focuses on the different components of this iconic event and the mental challenges unique to each apparatus.

Nastia reveals the intense psychological and physical preparations required for the uneven bars, including the hidden complexities like dealing with different grip substances used by international competitors. She shares her personal pre-performance routines, the internal dialogue that guides her through her performance, and what it’s like to look up at the scoreboard after competing in the event she had dreamed about for so long.

The conversation also highlights the upcoming historic competition between Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee – the first two gold medalists to compete against each other in an All Around Final. 

Nastia and Dr. Mike explore the razor-thin margins in gymnastics scoring and the mental fortitude required to perform under such precise conditions.

Whether you're a gymnastics enthusiast or simply fascinated by the psychology of elite performance, this conversation provides an unprecedented look into what it takes to compete at the highest level of sport.

In case you missed it, be sure to check out Part 1 (Day 6) on our feed.

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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For an Olympian gymnast, a lifetime of preparation leads to a single event – an event that totals just four exhilarating minutes of performance, expression, and competition… an event that will either make or break their wildest dreams. 

On Day 6 of The Game Inside The Games, gold medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais uncover the intense psychological landscape of one sport’s most iconic events – the Women's All-Around Final in gymnastics. 

They explore the mental strategies and pivotal moments that define an athlete's performance, revealing an unprecedented look into an Olympian’s mind when they step onto the competition floor.

Nastia recounts her gold medal run in vivid detail – from the intensity of warm-ups to her mindset walking down the tunnel and the intricate details of the competition unseen by viewers at home.  

Through Nastia’s experiences and Dr. Mike’s expertise, this conversation illuminates the razor-thin mental edge that separates champions from contenders on one the world’s biggest stages.

This episode is brought to you by Hitachi Solutions and Microsoft.

Hitachi Solutions is at the forefront of innovation with Copilot for Microsoft 365.

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How do Olympians balance the tension between being roommates and supportive teammates one day - and fierce rivals the next? 

On day 5 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais break down the psychological conflict athletes face when striving for their individual success while also supporting the success of their team - and offer a way forward.

Nastia recounts her own experience with teammate Shawn Johnson, revealing how their close bond was tested as they competed for gold. This episode highlights the delicate balance between camaraderie and rivalry – and explores how athletes navigate these complex moments and relationships.

And in the end, Dr. Mike unveils the psychological strategies that we can all use to maintain relationships while striving for individual excellence.

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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Are elite athletes a good population to teach us about mental health?

Despite what coverage in the media might suggest… YES! Elite athletes have so much to teach us about how to work from the inside out.

On Day 4 of The Game Inside The Games, five-time medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais explore the topic of mental health in the context of one of the biggest sporting events on the planet.

They discuss the importance of mental skills training, the evolving conversation around mental health in sports, and how athletes like Simone Biles have influenced this dialogue.

The topic of mental health exists on a large spectrum – and right now, the conversation is focused on dysfunction, not health. It’s time to flip the script.

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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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Do other people’s expectations make or break an athlete’s Olympic dream?

On day 3 of The Game Inside The Games, Dr. Michael Gervais and Nastia Liukin sit down with one of the most decorated athletes in skiing history, Lindsey Vonn, to explore how expectations impact performance. 

Lindsey shares her journey as a world-class skier, discussing the mental and emotional challenges she faced throughout her career. She delves into how she used negativity and doubt from others as fuel for her success, the importance of control and precision in skiing, and her mindset during her most significant races. Lindsey also offers valuable advice for the next generation of athletes, emphasizing the power of resilience and self-belief.

While Lindsey has her own unique lived experience, what she has to say can benefit all of us – don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the world’s best in this episode of The Game Inside The Games.

This episode is brought to you by KPMG. With the KPMG value realization framework for Microsoft Copilot, KPMG professionals can help you identify the specific value of Copilot for Microsoft 365 and build a strategic roadmap for your business. Learn more at kpmg.com/microsoftcopilot. 

Click HERE to take our poll on expectations designed by Microsoft Copilot.

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Imagine if every email you sent – every phone call you took – was scrutinized, critiqued, and scored by the person who writes your paycheck.

In day 2 of The Game Inside The Games, Nastia Liukin and Dr. Michael Gervais explore the unique psychological challenges athletes face in judged sports like gymnastics. 

They discuss how the constant evaluation by judges – even during pre-competition training sessions – impacts athletes’ performances, mental states, and ultimately their ability to podium. 

Nastia shares compelling stories from her own journey, revealing how her father’s coaching philosophy helped her navigate the subjective nature of judging. 

This episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the psychological strategies that can make or break an Olympic dream – and the human behind it – when your every move is being watched.

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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WELCOME TO... The Game Inside the Games, brought to you right from the heart of Paris.

In the premiere episode of The Game Inside The Games, five-time Olympic medalist Nastia Liukin and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais explore the psychological challenges athletes face at the start of the Olympics. 

If you had the biggest exam of your life tomorrow… would you go to a party the night before? Many viewers may not realize, but this is a critical decision many Olympians face when deciding whether or not to attend the opening ceremony. 

They break down the impact of often unseen moments – like missing practice due to transportation issues or navigating the hype of the opening ceremony – on an athlete’s mindset and performance. 

And they bring in a very special guest – 3-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the greatest beach volleyball players to ever do it, Kerri Walsh Jennings – to explore her unique Olympic perspective.

Enjoy Day 1 of The Game Inside The Games.

*This episode is brought to you by PwC and Microsoft. PWC elevates your AI transformation with Copilot for Microsoft 365. Learn more here.

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Our guest today is back for the third time – and with Ryan Holiday, each conversation seems to be better than the last.

For those who aren’t familiar, Ryan is a bestselling author, host of the Daily Stoic podcast, and a thought leader who has become a leading advocate for modern Stoicism. For years now, Ryan has been on a journey to reveal how the teachings of ancient Stoic philosophers can integrate into our modern lives.

We’re here today to discuss his latest book, "Right Thing, Right Now" – which emphasizes the virtue of justice, and challenges us all to live ethically and authentically, with purpose.

Ryan’s ability to turn ancient philosophical concepts into practical advice make his work a unique asset for leaders and high performers in any field. 

In this episode, we discuss how the principles of Stoicism support compassion and empathy, the importance of open dialogue, and the balance between authenticity and audience expectations. 

I can't wait for you to hear Ryan’s latest insights into living a purposeful, ethical life.

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Blackjack! Welcome to Volume 21 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything. 

We’re back once again with our entertaining and insightful co-host – O’Neil Cespedes – and in today’s conversation, we explore topics like:

• How to show our kids that we’re invested in their success without pressuring them
• The real meaning of “potential” and how to nurture it
• The dangers of cognitive bias 
• Finding a healthy level of FOPO, and avoiding FOPO’s dark side
• How to move forward from trauma without looking back
• What it means to work from the inside out
• And so much more…

And as always, we have a lot of fun with this. You’ll hear about my regrettable diet as a college student, and what O’Neil learned in his disastrous audition for The Lion King.

These AMAs are some of our favorite episodes. Your insightful questions both challenge and inspire us… they allow us to go deeper into the core principles we talk about here… it’s awesome. Keep them coming.

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Today, we have a really special episode that takes us to the heart of high-stakes performance and leadership. Our Finding Mastery team recently had the incredible privilege of embarking on a unique mission: we flew to Japan and then took a cargo plane out to the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered Nimitz-class aircraft carrier currently patrolling the volatile waters of the South China Sea.

Imagine being one of nearly 6,000 sailors and pilots on board, operating in an environment where tensions are high, and combat could become a reality at any moment. How do you maintain a state of constant readiness and cohesion?

To address this challenge, our team – including Olympic mindset coaches Dr. Nicole Davis and Kaya Turski, UFC champion Vitor Belfort, and world-renowned climber Tommy Caldwell – conducted 12 intensive workshops. We worked with everyone from the Carrier Strike Group leadership to the pilots to the crew managing the nuclear reactors, focusing on resilience, adversity management, and high-performance mindset training.

One of the many highlights of this extraordinary experience was sitting down with Captain Daryle Cardone and Captain Patrick Corrigan – the Commanding Officer and the Commander of the Air Group (CAG) respectively. Together, they represent over 50 years of military experience and leadership at the highest level.

In our conversation, we explore their unique approaches to leadership in one of the most consequential environments imaginable. What may surprise you is that their command style isn't rooted in rigid military doctrine, but in something far more empathetic and human-centered.

We dig into how they foster resilience, handle prolonged separation from family, and create an environment where every crew member can thrive under immense pressure. Their insights on mentorship, personal growth, and maintaining sustained high performance are not just applicable to military operations, but to any high-stakes environment.

This episode offers a rare glimpse into leadership at sea and the mastery required to command a floating city of 6,000 souls. Whether you're leading a team, facing personal challenges, or simply interested in human performance, the lessons from Captain Cardone and Captain Corrigan are both profound and practical.

***The views expressed herein are solely those of the persons expressing them and do not represent the views of the United States, Department of Defense, or Department of the Navy.

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