Finding Mastery with Dr. Michael Gervais

How do you stay true to your values when others are playing political games? What if your purpose feels too small compared to others? And how do we raise kids who can handle life's inevitable hard blows?

We're back for Part 2 of our special Finding Mastery Ask Me Anything with Dr. Michael Gervais and our good friend—author, documentarian, podcaster, football analyst, and renaissance man, Yogi Roth. Through thoughtful questions from our community, we dive deep into the messy realities of modern life: workplace politics, purpose discovery, and parenting with intention.

Drawing from years of experience with elite performers and leaders, we explore practical strategies for maintaining integrity in competitive environments while building the inner foundation that sustains long-term success and fulfillment.

Key insights we explored:

• When workplace politics get messy - How to protect your team's expertise while staying true to your values
• Purpose doesn't need to be grand - Why "being a great parent" is just as meaningful as "wells in Africa"
• The three pillars of authentic purpose - It must matter to you, be bigger than you, and have future orientation
• Building self-efficacy in children - Let them figure things out, celebrate effort over outcomes, and create safety in their struggles
• The discovery model vs. formal instruction - Why guided discovery creates deeper, more resilient learning
• Managing the "hungry ghost" - How connection to something bigger than yourself dissolves achievement addiction
• Signal vs. noise in feedback - Treating both praise and criticism as noise while trusting your inner circle

This conversation reminds us that the most meaningful work often happens in the quiet moments—how we handle daily challenges, raise our children, and stay connected to what truly matters. Whether you're navigating office politics, questioning your purpose, or trying to raise resilient kids, these insights offer practical wisdom for living with greater intention and authenticity.

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How do you stay calm and focused when you’re 3,000 feet off the ground — with no ropes, no safety lines, and no room for error?

Legendary climber and free soloist Alex Honnold returns to The Finding Mastery Podcast for a raw, insightful conversation about mindset, being great with fear, and what it means to live at the edge of human performance.

Alex is best known for his historic, ropeless ascent of El Capitan — captured in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo (which you should watch if you haven’t seen it yet). But in this episode, we go far beyond climbing.

We explore:

• How Alex manages fear, consequence, and risk with rare mental clarity
• What it takes to perform under pressure — and when to walk away
• How fatherhood and loss reshaped his relationship with ambition and danger
• The underrated power of optimism and framing hard moments as growth

This isn’t just a conversation about climbing. It’s about the psychology behind pushing your limits, the skill of regulating your mind under stress, and how to chase a bold, purposeful life — even when the summit feels out of reach.

Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or anyone seeking mastery under pressure, Alex’s honesty, humor, and hard-earned wisdom deliver lessons for all of us.

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This episode is brought to you in part by Momentous. In a space that’s crowded with bold claims and limited regulation, Momentous stands out. Every product is rigorously tested, NSF Certified for Sport®, and developed alongside leaders we deeply respect, people like Dr. Andy Galpin and Dr. Stacy Sims. To experience the Momentous Standard for yourself and get 35% off your first subscription, use the code FINDINGMASTERY at livemomentous.com.

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What does it take to rebuild your life after public failure — and bet on yourself again?

This week, we sit down with Julie Wainwright — a trailblazing entrepreneur who went from the CEO of Pets.com during the dot-com crash to building The RealReal into a billion-dollar luxury resale powerhouse… all in her 50s.

Julie was one of only 23 women to ever take a company public — and she did it after facing national scrutiny and setbacks that would have ended most careers. Instead, she started over with clarity, grit, and heart — redefining what leadership and reinvention really look like.

In this conversation, Julie shares:

• How to lead through failure and chaos without losing yourself
• Why reinvention starts with self-honesty, not confidence
• The mindset that helped her scale The RealReal from her kitchen table
• How to use setbacks as fuel — in business, relationships, or life
• The inner dialogue and frameworks that kept her grounded and growing

If you’re navigating a challenge, career pivot, or new season of life — this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom you’ll want to carry forward.

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What can we learn from the same person who helped unlock greatness in Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson? The answer is: a lot.

Meet George Mumford — the mindfulness coach behind some of the most legendary names in sport. Known as “The Mindfulness Performance Whisperer,” George has worked with elite NBA players, Olympic athletes, world-class artists, and top-tier CEOs to help them master their inner game.

This timeless episode from the Finding Mastery vault is as relevant today as ever. In a world filled with chaos, distraction, and performance pressure, George reminds us that our greatest growth comes not from pushing harder — but from turning inward.

In this conversation, George shares:

• How dark moments can become doorways to deep transformation
• Why vulnerability and mindfulness are powerful tools for performance
• How to embrace the masterpiece within
• What he learned from working directly with Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, and MJ
• Why real strength starts with self-awareness and service

Whether you're a coach, athlete, creative, or simply trying to live more intentionally — this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

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What does it take to be a great leader in moments of calm and crisis? And how do you maintain strength in a heartfelt way?  

Ben Minicucci is the CEO of Alaska Airlines — where he leads with a values-first approach rooted in trust, accountability, and care. With a background in engineering, military service, and operations, Ben is redefining what it means to lead a high-performance culture at scale.

Ben is one of the most respected leaders in modern aviation, guiding Alaska through bold transformation — including their recent acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines — while doubling down on the values that got them here: be remarkable, be kind-hearted, deliver performance, own safety, and do the right thing.

Ben leads with unwavering values, deep relational intelligence, and a sharp sensitivity to culture. As you listen to this episode, I’d invite you to reflect, how do you hold space for truth and vulnerability? What’s your relationship with accountability, especially when the stakes are high? And where in your own life might deeper care create greater outcomes?

Let’s dive into this masterclass episode with Ben Minicucci.

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What if the greatest obstacle to reaching your potential isn't external barriers, but a mindset in which you see yourself as a victim?   

Today, I’m stoked to welcome back my good friend and one of my favorite thinkers, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman. This is Scott’s third time on the podcast, and he always delivers. Scott is a humanistic psychologist, bestselling author, and host of The Psychology Podcast. His new book Rise Above: Overcome a Victim Mindset, Empower Yourself, and Realize Your Full Potential dives deep into what it means to move through suffering with both self-awareness and strength.

In this conversation, we talk about the difference between victimization and a victim mindset, how subtle thought patterns like hostile attribution bias or over-personalization can limit growth, and why a mindset rooted in empowerment is the key to self-actualization.

As you listen, reflect on your own internal narratives…. Maybe even the core triggers for when you tend to blame, deflect, or shrink back when things get hard? How might a shift toward a more powerful mindset — toward a deeper trust in yourself — change how you respond to life’s challenges? 

Please enjoy this powerful conversation with my friend, Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman.

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Scott Barry Kaufman: https://scottbarrykaufman.com

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What if one of the most powerful business minds of our time wasn’t a CEO or a founder—and instead, a singer-songwriter who’s been redefining her brand strategy since age 13?

Today, we’re diving into the business brilliance of Taylor Swift — and to help us do it, I’m joined by Kevin Evers, Senior Editor at Harvard Business Review and author of There's Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift.

I got to know Kevin because he was the editor of my most recent book, The First Rule of Mastery. He was fantastic and I fell in love with the way he thought and his deep knowledge and reference points of business. Kevin has spent years studying how great leaders express their ideas, and when he told me he was writing a book about Taylor Swift, I knew we had to have him on to discuss what she’s built. 

This conversation is not about her songwriting or her latest mega-tour; it’s about how she built a billion-dollar brand using clarity, intense connection, and creative risk-taking. It’s about strategy, reinvention, and staying relentlessly close to what lights you up — even when that comes with severe risk. 

As you listen, use the conversation as a way to reflect on your own relationship with reinvention. Are you playing it safe when boldness is what’s required? How do you stay connected to the core of who you are – stay connected to your purpose — even when external success might tempt you to stay small?

I hope you enjoy this week's awesome conversation with Kevin Evers.

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Kevin Evers; Instagram https://www.instagram.com/there_is_nothing_like_this/ and Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-evers1/

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What if one of the keys to sustaining high performance wasn’t just about going harder, but learning how to recover smarter—and move better—every single day?

This week, we’re pulling one from the Finding Mastery Vaults. It’s a conversation I had with Dr. Kelly Starrett—performance coach to some of the world's top athletes, Olympians, elite military personnel, and corporations, bestselling author of Built to Move, and co-founder of The Ready State.

We originally recorded this in the summer of ‘23 back in our old Mastery Lab studio—but in a time when burnout, physical stagnation, and chronic stress are on the rise, it feels even more relevant now. Kelly’s work bridges the gap between elite performance and everyday movement, helping us all move, feel, and live better.

As you listen, notice how Kelly reframes recovery and mobility as essential daily habits, not extras—and think about the “session costs” in your own life. Are your small behaviors helping you feel ready for the demands of your day… or adding to the strain? Let’s jump into this epic episode from the Finding Mastery vault with Dr. Kelly Starrett.

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For more on Dr. Kelly Starrett go to https://thereadystate.com/starrett-system/

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What does it take to thrive in today’s high-pressure, constantly shifting world?

We’re back with a special Finding Mastery Ask Me Anything with Dr. Michael Gervais! In this AMA, we're thrilled to welcome our good friend, Yogi Roth, for a powerful conversation on navigating life's most challenging moments. Drawing from our extensive experience with elite performers, educators, and healthcare professionals, we dig deep into questions that resonate with all of us trying to thrive in today's complex world.

Through thoughtful questions from our community, we explore the delicate balance between performance and self-worth, recovery strategies for busy professionals, and how to maintain purpose when facing uncertainty.

We dig into some fascinating topics, including:

• The "tail wagging the dog" trap - Never let your performance dictate your self-worth
• Recovery isn't optional - Elite performers prioritize recovery with training
• Mastering the spaces between moments - Find presence in small pauses throughout your day
• Why every world-class performer shares fundamental optimism - And how you can develop it
• When to double down on purpose - Using your values as an anchor during times of uncertainty
• The power of micro choices - Making thousands of small right decisions each day creates transformation

Join us for this illuminating conversation that reminds us how our daily choices shape not just our performance, but who we become. We hope these insights can offer practical wisdom that applies whether you're leading a team, supporting others, or simply trying to find your footing in challenging circumstances.

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How do you lead with conviction... without losing your center?

Tenzin Seldon is a global climate advocate, human rights leader, and a pathbreaking Himalayan-American Rhodes Scholar, educated at Stanford and Oxford. But her story isn't about prestige... it's about purpose.

Born to refugee parents in the Himalayas, Tenzin's life has been shaped by activism, faith, and a deep connection to community. In this conversation, she shares what it means to be "the first," how ritual and compassion help her stay grounded, and why indigenous wisdom is essential to solving the climate crisis.

We explore the inner practices that support outer impact, and the tension between ambition and integrity. Tenzin offers a refreshing perspective, one that moves beyond fear and toward meaningful action.

Originally recorded last fall, this episode feels more urgent than ever. As you listen, reflect on what it takes to stay rooted when the world feels uncertain... and how you show up when your values are tested.

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Learn more about Tenzin’s climate investment work at www.pulsefund.com

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