Finding Mastery: Conversations With 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 co

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

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.-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Insta

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.With Fire,The FM TeamThis episode is brought to you by Capgemini and Microsoft. Capgemini is building a human-centric AI-driven workplace with Copilot for Microsoft 365.-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.O

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 Mic

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.With Fire,The FM

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 brough

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

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 themThe real meaning of “potential” and how to nurture itThe dangers of cognitive bias Finding a healthy level of FOPO, and avoiding FOPO’s dark sideHow to move forward from trauma without looking backWhat it means to work from the inside outAnd 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.With Fire,MG and the FM Team-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect

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 m

Today, we've got a really special conversation for you.Our guest today is a real trailblazer… A boundary breaker in the world of ballet… An incredibly special human… She went from living in motel rooms to performing on the world’s biggest stages… She is the legendary Misty Copeland.Misty’s journey from living in motel rooms to becoming the first African American female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre is nothing short of inspiring.Misty started ballet at the late age of thirteen and rose to perform lead roles in iconic productions like Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet. During her meteoric rise, she was also featured on the covers of Time, ESSENCE, and Women's Health. Misty didn’t just enter the ballet world; she transformed it, merging classical finesse with her powerful narrative. She has not only shattered ceilings but also redefined what safety and success look like in the arts.Misty’s influence extends well beyond dance, collaborating with artists like Taylor Swift, Camila Cabello and H.

If you’re familiar with professional hockey, you likely know the name Zdeno Chara (also known as, ‘Big Zee’). He’s the legendary 6-foot-9 defenseman, enforcer, and team captain of the Stanley Cup-winning Boston Bruins who was a dominant force in the NHL for an incredible 24-season career.He also represented his home country of Slovakia in numerous world championships and three Olympics.What you might not know is that humility, kindness, and leading by example are the cornerstones of his leadership philosophy. Not what you think when you consider his legendary status in the rough-and-tumble world of pro hockey.You also may not know that since retiring from the NHL, Zee has not slowed down – he’s competed in 8+ marathons, a half iron man, and a 50K race. Not typical for someone with Zee’s monstrous 6’9” build.  That’s the thing about Zee – he’s more than meets the eye.In our conversation we discuss how he puts his philosophy into practice:How good days as well as bad days are opportunities for learnin

What would we do without all of our modern conveniences? Things like instant access to food, water, clothing, information, and entertainment. Science, chemistry, and technology have made our lives bigger, better, faster and - well, more convenient.The question is… at what cost?Returning to the podcast this week is Darin Olien, health entrepreneur, activist, podcaster, co-host of the number one Netflix docuseries Down to Earth with Zac Efron, and author of bestsellers like SuperLife and Fatal Conveniences.Darin says the chemicals and systems that process our food, our water, what we wear --  basically everything we consume -- is killing us and destroying the planet.That’s a big statement. And a pretty shocking one, at that. But it didn’t come out of nowhere – Darin’s been traveling the world, sounding this alarm for decades with real concern for our collective health and the planet’s future.And if he's intense about exposing the problems, he's even more passionate about finding the solutions.In our c

What defines a true champion? Is it winning? Or… is it a way of living?While winning games and striving to be the best are parts of it, there's so much more beneath the surface. It’s not just about the technical skills honed through relentless practice—rep after rep, day after day. Exceptional athletes are forged through a deeper, more holistic approach.In this episode of the Finding Mastery podcast, we dive into the essence of becoming your best self with Dr. Jerry Lynch – a renowned author, guide, coach, and sport psychologist who has mentored athletes and teams across a variety of sports including basketball, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and golf.With an impressive portfolio of 17 books (yes, 17!), including The Way of the Champion - one that I’ve handed out to more athletes and parents than any other - Jerry’s philosophy goes beyond physical training and into… you guessed it… the inner game.He emphasizes daily spiritual and emotional development, cultivating qualities like courage, resilience, integrity, and

Happy Monday! Today we’re excited to share Volume 20 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything. As always, we have so much fun during these AMAs – we love these conversations because we get to wrestle with the questions that matter most to you… and they inspire personal introspection in us as well. They’re incredible. We’re back with our co-host – O’Neil Cespedes – and in today’s we explore:The roses - and thorns - of vulnerability and opennessHow to use the power of your imaginationNavigating change in professional relationshipsControlling the controllables (and what those controllables are)Flow StateThe art and impact of great storytellingAnd so much more…Keep those questions coming in! Kindly email info@findingmastery.net to submit!With Fire,MG and the FM Team-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive

What does it mean to have power, courage and integrity? We throw those words around a lot when talking about athletes or people we admire. Many times it’s justified – but how many truly possess these traits even when the chips are down? Today on the podcast is a human that embodies those three words fully. Her name is Kara Goucher. You might recognize her as an Olympic runner, the third place finisher in the Boston and New York Marathons, and ranked as one of the fastest female distance runners in American history. That’s power.And, there's something even more notable to recognize her for – in 2019 and 2023 Kara was instrumental in exposing doping and sexual abuse at the Nike Oregon Project. She put her career and reputation on the line to go up against one of the biggest corporations in the world. That’s courage. And integrity. Full stop.  Kara put it all in writing in her newest book: The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike's Elite Running Team.

Movement—however you do it—is an essential part of being human. And I believe being able to move well, for as long as possible, is a staple of living “the good life.”That’s why I am excited to introduce a guest today who is committed to helping people do just that – Scott Perkins. Scott is the Founder & CEO of pliability – a company that is helping people move better ________ through their yin yoga inspired mobility training. However, Scott was not always known as the “fitness guy” – in fact, far from it. In this conversation, we explore his journey from taking college classes at age 12 to starting his first business at 18 to acquiring what is now pliability by the age of 25. However, for the first six years at its helm, Scott was 60 pounds overweight and he was sacrificing his health for what he thought was “success.”Then… he made a change.In this conversation, you’ll hear from a person who was grinding, burnt out, overwhelmed, but eventually found a better way – and now, Scott is on a mission to sh

We all know about FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out. We’re scrolling through our social media feeds, and there it is: post after post of a friend who’s somewhere exotic, having a great time, or at an exciting new job… and we’re not. We can’t help but compare our lives with people who seem to be doing so much more.The result can be an uptick in anxiousness, distress, grinding to “keep up” and sometimes FOMO can even stop us from taking action…that feeling of being overwhelmed. FOMO – the acronym and the idea – really struck a nerve in the social media age. Not only is it now in the Merriam Webster dictionary, but it’s spawned a whole slew of related acronyms: FOBO (Fear of Better Options), JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) and even inspired me to coin the term FOPO, the Fear Of People’s Opinions.Today on the podcast is writer and entrepreneur Patrick McGinnis, who invented the term FOMO back in the early 2000s. He did it flippantly, but then the idea took off, and he’s been owning it and studying it ever since.Pat

Can profitable businesses change the world for good?John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, has proven the answer is a resounding YES… for the last four decades. John grew a single ‘hippy grocery store’ in Austin, Texas, into a global chain with $22 billion in annual sales and 540 locations worldwide.And he did it all with an unwavering commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, showing us all what’s possible when entrepreneurs embrace positive values and transformative leadership.His pioneering and widely influential books, Conscious Capitalism and Conscious Leadership, serve as blueprints for integrating ethical values into successful businesses.And his most recent book, The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life, and Capitalism, gives us an intimate look inside the personal and spiritual journeys that fueled his groundbreaking approach.In this conversation, John shares insights from his personal transformation—from spirituality to psychedelics – along with the milestones of his experien

In this 19th installment of our Ask Me Anything with high performance psychologist Dr, Michael Gervais, we explore topics like:- How to re-define failure- Why facing your deepest pains can be transformative- How to overcome defensiveness in order to establish meaningful connections- Why parents need to focus on more than their child's academic achievementsAnd so much more…We love these conversations and it’s because we get to wrestle with the questions that matter most to you. They’re incredible. Thank you for challenging us with great questions…. and keep them coming.We hope you enjoy Volume 19 of Finding Mastery's "Ask Me Anything."With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERESee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy