How does an integrative approach to living “the good life” - one that blends mental, physical, and spiritual development — help to unlock new levels of human potential? 

That’s a big question. 

To help us answer it, I am honored to welcome one of my own mentors to the podcast for this week’s conversation – Dr. Cristina Versari. Cristina is a pioneer in the world of sports psychology and the president of the San Diego University for Integrative Studies. She is renowned for her work mentoring athletes, executives, and high performers using an innovative approach to performance and personal growth.

In this conversation, we discuss how Cristina’s near-death experience shaped her perspective on growth and resilience, how she teaches her students using a “business-minded” approach, and so much more.  

We are all navigating challenges – whether it’s anxiety, grief, financial challenges or simply the pressure to perform. Cristina offers a refreshing perspective that’s grounded in integrative psychology. I’m really excited for you to learn from her insights…. And to learn a bit more about me along the way.

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What does it take to cultivate a mindset that thrives on challenge and discomfort?... To have the courage to be radically honest with yourself to experience extraordinary growth?

And how can having that courage lead to personal growth and winning multiple times on the world-stage?

Today we’re joined by the legendary Kerri Walsh Jennings. Kerri is a five-time Olympian with three gold medals and one bronze medal – the most decorated beach volleyball player in history, known for her relentless pursuit of growth on and off the court. 

Kerri and I got to catch up in Paris during the Olympics – it was such a joy to reconnect, to learn from her, and to reminisce on some of the work we had done together years ago. 

There’s no one like her. Her fire, her care for others, her commitment to be her very best as a competitor, a wife, a mother, and a friend is all part of her recipe to becoming one of the all-time greats in her sport. 

Her unique mindset allows her to embrace challenges, redefine failure, and lean into the full spectrum of human experience.

We all have adversity - she walks us through how she uses it for growth and sustained success. I’m so excited to share it with you.

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What happens when athletes translate their competitive edge and discipline from sports into the business world?

Today, we have an extraordinary guest—Jeff Byers. Jeff is a former NFL player turned entrepreneur, cofounder, and CEO of Momentous, a leading company in human performance nutrition. 

With a unique background in professional sports and business, Jeff is passionate about translating the discipline and resilience learned on the field into strategies for health, wellbeing, and high performance.

I LOVE what Jeff is building at Momentous – it’s really special. Our values and visions around high performance and helping others reach their potential are so aligned that we’ve worked out an awesome partnership – and I’m really excited to support their mission. 

And – Jeff is an amazing human as well. If you’re interested in pushing your own boundaries, fueling yourself for optimal results, and learning from someone who has excelled both on the field and in the boardroom, then this conversation is for you.

P.S. If you’re serious about making an investment in your health and want to learn more about Momentous, just head to www.livemomentous.com/findingmastery where you can receive 20%+ your first order.

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Today, we are stoked to share Volume 25 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything.

Joining us, as always, is our co-host O’Neil Cespedes, and today’s AMA is a little bit different – instead of having O’Neil read your questions, we had you call in to ask questions yourselves. We loved this format, it was great to hear some of your voices, and we dove into some really fun concepts like:

• Combating burnout at the end of the year
• Building habits and the importance of morning routines
• How to build self-trust, calm, and confidence
• If there is utility in cultivating “alter-egos”
• How to maintain high performance while not being connected to results
• And so much more…

Thank you to those who called in – we love digging into what matters most to you. Keep the questions coming, and we hope you enjoy this AMA as much as we did.

To learn more about our partner MUD\WTR and receive an exclusive discount, head to: https://mudwtr.com/MASTERY

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What if the pursuit of happiness is making us miserable?

On the podcast today to help us answer that question is Dr. Arthur Brooks. Arthur is a Harvard professor, social scientist, and bestselling author known for his work on well-being, leadership, and human flourishing. 

His journey is anything but traditional—starting out as a professional musician before transitioning to academia, where he’s become a leading voice in the study of happiness… But as you’ll hear in this episode, the path of happiness might not be exactly what you think it is.

Whether you’re a high performer seeking more fulfillment or simply looking to understand happiness from a deeper perspective, this conversation offers a powerful roadmap for living fully.

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How do we navigate all the changes that come with radical growth – the fortunes, the fame, social challenges…all while staying true to ourselves?

Today’s guest is Deryck Whibley, lead singer and guitarist for the iconic punk rock band Sum 41. Over two decades, Sum 41 has sold over 15 million records, earned Grammy nominations, and won numerous awards, including a Juno for Group of the Year. Known for hits like "Fat Lip," "In Too Deep," and "Still Waiting," Deryck and his band have defined punk rock for a generation, and sold out arenas around the world. 

Beyond the stage, Deryck’s journey has been marked by psychological and emotional battles that includes both addiction the road to recovery—chronicled in his new book, Walking Disaster: My Life Through Heaven and Hell. 

This is a special conversation – we dive deep into how he uses his mind to create and how he is navigating the challenges of creating his next chapter. We also get an insider look at the untold stories behind Sum 41’s rise to stardom and what it takes to push boundaries - in a punk rock way.

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What makes rational people adopt irrational beliefs? And, what can we do to bridge the growing divide in society?

Here to help us answer those questions is today’s guest, Dr. Dan Ariely. Dan is a renowned behavioral economist, Duke University professor, and author, known for his groundbreaking research on human decision-making, irrationality, and the psychology behind beliefs and behavior. 

I’ve admired Dan’s work for a long time – his insights into how stress, cognition, and social factors influence our beliefs have been groundbreaking. He’s the author of multiple best-selling books, including Predictably Irrational and his latest work, Misbelief – where he tackles how seemingly rational people come to believe in, and fiercely defend, things that just aren’t true.

In today’s conversation, we dive deep into the psychology of belief and the importance of challenging our own assumptions. Dan shares the fascinating ways stress and cognitive biases can lead us down paths of misbelief, and how empathy and curiosity can help us bridge divides in this polarized world. 

Whether you’re interested in the intricacies of human psychology, the challenges of navigating modern-day stress, or simply want to learn how to better understand those around you, this episode is packed with insights that will make you think deeply about the world we live in. It may just change how you think about your own beliefs and rationality.

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Wondering how to create time for your life priorities when it’s not part of your employer’s culture? Then this is the AMA for you.

Back once again is my co-host O’Neil Cespedes, and in today’s conversation, we get into topics like:

• How to design your own life based on *your* priorities 
• Bridging the gap between who we were in our younger years and who we’re becoming.
• The hidden dangers in giving – and asking for – advice.
• How to fully experience the range of your emotions, from joy to sadness, without muting them.
• The difference between “getting good” and “feeling good” 
• And so much more…

And there’s a lot of fun stuff along the way – O’Neil uncovers a bit about my past, and I get a window on his obsession with anime.

Thank you once again for challenging us with great questions -- keep them coming in!

With Fire,

MG, OC, and the FM Team

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Today’s episode is a special one. It wasn’t recorded in our studio, but live from Balboa Theater in San Diego for a Live Talks LA event, where I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with one of the most influential thinkers of our time: Malcolm Gladwell.

This conversation was so much fun – we explored his writing process, the lessons he learned from his father about effort and resilience, and big questions about the future—like the real impact of AI and the time it takes to fully understand emerging technologies. 

We also dive into Malcolm’s latest book, Revenge of the Tipping Point: Overstories, Superspreaders, and the Rise of Social Engineering. 

This was one of those wonderfully refreshing conversations – I think you’ll be really surprised by where Malcolm and I go. It’s full of emotion, insight, and energy. I can’t wait for you to learn from Malcolm’s insights and the way he shapes his words and stories. You’re in for a real treat.

With Fire,

The FM Team

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What if your biggest risk in life is playing it safe? 

Today, I am stoked to welcome back to the podcast one of the most dynamic voices in the creative world, Chase Jarvis. 

Chase is an award-winning photographer, entrepreneur, and the founder of CreativeLive, a leading online learning platform that has supported millions of creators worldwide. As a thought leader in the creative industry, Chase is dedicated to helping people unlock their potential through creativity, risk-taking, and embracing discomfort for personal growth and fulfillment.

He also just released his latest book, Never Play It Safe: A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity, and A Life You Love.

In this conversation, we dive deep into Chase’s life design – revealing his key insights on how creativity is a skill that can be cultivated and harnessed for personal and professional success. We explore the importance of taking risks, challenging conventional thinking, and embracing vulnerability as part of the creative process.

I always love when I get to sit down with Chase and can’t wait for you to learn from his rich perspective and insights.

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