Finding Mastery: Conversations With Michael Gervais

What is the primary driver of effective and impactful leadership? Is it from science—or the soul? Is it a more practical, results-driven organizational practice? Or is it an inner, meditative sense of self?This week’s Finding Mastery guest, Dr. Hitendra Wadhwa, has spent his career exploring these questions… and his answer is, well, both.Hitendra fuses the mystical history of his Indian roots with the more results-oriented needs of Western business -- bridging the gap between spirituality and science, leadership and personal growth. It's a methodology that he teaches at Columbia Business School, the Mentora Institute (which he founded), on his podcast "Intersections" and in his book, Inner Mastery, Outer Impact.He’s turned what he’s found into powerful tools that any of us can use to be effective leaders and masters of our own lives.Hitendra’s message for us is simple and clear: when you cultivate your inner self, wisdom shows up in the outer self. And that wisdom can be used to lead. Hitendra does it with an

Human exploration of space is driven by a deep curiosity and a desire to understand our place in the universe.The individuals - and teams - on the forefront of this exploration are modern-day pioneers, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and capability.I’m excited to share the final installment of our 3-part series following one of these individuals, NASA Astronaut Dr. Woody Hoburg, on his journey into outer space.In Part 1, we learned about Woody’s rigorous mental and physical preparations before launch.In Part 2, we took an unprecedented look at life aboard the International Space Station and witnessed Woody's adaptability and resilience in zero gravity.And here, in Part 3, we dive deep into the insights Woody gained from his transformative experience of living 186 days—that’s 6 months—in outer space.I have always had a huge respect for astronauts – and Woody took that to a whole new level. I’ve said it before, but I think Woody represents 'the best of us,' – the way he commits to exploring his edges

Imagine a world where you wake up inspired, feel safe throughout the day, and go to bed at night feeling fulfilled by the work you do.Sounds like utopia, right?Well, Simon Sinek has not only imagined such a world, but he's also dedicated his life to making it a reality.Known for his viral TED Talk on finding your WHY, and his groundbreaking insights on leadership, Simon's ideas have reached millions. As a best-selling author and founder of The Optimism Company, he's on a mission to help us all think, act, and communicate better. In this conversation, Simon distills his journey into actionable insights on impactful leadership, the power of empathy, and the significance of authentic connections. His work challenges us to re-think modern leadership and shift from traditional success metrics to fostering a culture of service and infinite thinking.It was an absolute joy to sit down with Simon. I think you are going to love what he has to say, and our back-and-forth on what it takes to live a flourishing, fulf

We're thrilled to bring you the 17th volume of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) series. This edition dives deep into the essence of motivation, leadership, and the art of creating a positive work environment, all while emphasizing the crucial importance of self-understanding and authenticity.Joining us - as always - is our insightful co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, ready to unravel another set of thought-provoking topics and questions… In today's conversation, we explore:The inner workings of motivation How to foster environments of growth through competence, autonomy, and relationships.The nuanced art of leadershipThe power of optimism and how to train it in the face of adversityNavigating the delicate balance between image and individualityFacing your own fakeness without shameAnd so much more…Our hope is that this dialogue is more than just an exchange of ideas; that it can create some unlocks, inspiration, and guideposts for those looking to lead with integrity, embrace their true selves, and l

How do you navigate the uncertain terrain of your life? Does uncertainty fuel your drive, or does it bring anxiety that hinders your progress?Our guest today, Amelia Boone, is not only a four-time obstacle race world champion with three World’s Toughest Mudder wins and dubbed “The Queen of Pain”  – she also excels as a full-time attorney for a multinational corporation.And, she’s accomplished all this while grappling with not one, but two, lifelong mental health diagnoses -- OCD and an eating disorder. Amelia credits a hard-won ability to embrace uncertainty with helping her navigate the extreme mental and physical demands of her chosen life pursuits.Her story is a testament to the resilience we all require for facing life's mental and emotional hurdles. Through her eyes, we see the interconnectedness of physical endurance and mental toughness, and how fostering self-awareness, leading with vulnerability, and relentlessly pursuing personal growth in every aspect of life builds a foundation for success.Th

We all have many great conversations in life – conversations where we learn, explore, express, question – but there are some conversations that stand out among the rest. Conversations so rich with insights and revelation, that they fundamentally change you. They inspire you to be better.My conversation with Seth Godin was just that.In this episode, we're diving deep with Seth, the mind behind 21 best-selling books including The Dip, This Is Marketing, and Purple Cow. His latest, The Song of Significance, has sparked creative revolutions, making him a dual inductee into both the Direct Marketing and Marketing Halls of Fame.More than his titles, Seth is a master teacher who reshapes how we think about leadership and the art of making an impact. He describes his purpose as “turning the lights on for others” so they can create change.This conversation is a dynamic exchange on leadership, meaningful work, and the power of meta-awareness. Seth brings his A-game, challenging us to elevate our understanding of connec

How many of us do everything we can to avoid pain and suffering? It’s a natural response, deeply ingrained to protect ourselves. But what if we didn’t run from suffering, and actively engaged and encouraged it to create meaning and purpose in our lives?That’s the philosophy of Akshay Nanavati – Iraqi war veteran, entrepreneur, extreme athlete, and author of Fearvana: The Revolutionary Science of How to Turn Fear Into Health, Wealth and Happiness. His unique take comes out of his military experience - his struggles with PTSD, alcoholism and debilitating depression - and he combines that personal story with neuroscience, religion, philosophy and tools for designing an amazing life.In his second appearance on Finding Mastery, Akshay takes us through the preparation for what will be his most daring endeavor yet: a 110 day, 1700 mile flat-ski trek across one of the most -- if not the most -- unforgiving environments on Earth: Antarctica. It’s never been done before. And he’s doing it alone.Akshay’s story and the i

What drives us to pursue impossible dreams, fail repeatedly, and keep trying?Our guest, former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino, truly embodies the spirit of never giving up.Despite a fear of heights, bad eyesight, multiple rejections from NASA, and other setbacks, Mike's unwavering determination led him to perform heroic spacewalks to repair the Hubble Telescope and to send the first-ever Tweet from beyond Earth’s atmosphere.But how did he maintain his persistence? What psychological skills did Mike need to master to face down failure after failure and keep reaching higher?This conversation isn't just about outer space; it's about the space within us all that holds the power of persistence, teamwork, and awe.Mike's journey from New York neighborhood to NASA is a testament to the extraordinary feats we’re all capable of achieving. His story is a beacon of hope for anyone who's ever been told they can't. And he's here to share the wisdom gained from a lifetime of looking up and stepping forward into the unknown.S

Welcome to Volume 16 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) series. The purpose behind these conversations - behind these AMAs – is to hear from you… to explore the topics and questions that you have been wrestling with on your path to becoming.It is your insights and questions that fuel these epic conversations – so thank you again for all the thoughtfulness, honesty, and trust you put into these questions. Keep ‘em coming!Our co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, is back to guide us through another fun and insightful discussion.In this conversation, we explore a variety of compelling themes like:Infusing joy into the mundane aspects of life.Understanding People Pleasing and CodependencyHow to remain true to oneself while navigating societal pressuresWhat makes a strong support systemEmbodying the “Noble Warrior”Balancing strength with kindness and vulnerability.And so much more… I hope you walk away with some insights about how to navigate life's challenges with grace, strength, and authenticity… and how to fi

What if mastering love is the ultimate high-performance skill?This Valentine's Day, we're taking a deep dive into the heart of relationships with two special guests—our host Dr. Michael Gervais and his wife, Lisa Gervais —a creative powerhouse with a rich background in dance, acting, and truth telling.In this episode hosted by our favorite AMA co-host, O'Neil Cespedes, Mike and Lisa open their lives and their love to us—sharing the joys, challenges, and profound lessons learned on their journey together. From their initial spark to building a foundation of trust and support, they discuss what it means to be best friends with your partner and how honesty paves the way for deep connection.They don't just stop at their story; they explore the essence of Valentine's Day, offer solace and inspiration for those flying solo, and dive into their unique talents – revealing Lisa's passion for dance and Mike's unexpected venture into rap and hip hop (you read that right).This episode is a treasure trove of insights on b

In this special LIVE episode recorded at Radio Row in Las Vegas for Super Bowl 58, we had the privilege of sitting down with Lisa McCaffrey, the mother of 49ers star running back, Christian McCaffrey.Despite Christian's status as one of - if not THE - best running backs in the NFL, and his 2023 Offensive Player of the Year Award, Lisa's excitement and nerves during this Super Bowl week are palpable.Now, the McCaffrey family boasts an impressive athletic history, with Lisa playing college soccer at Stanford University, her husband Ed winning three Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos, and her father earning a silver medal in the Olympics. All four of Lisa's sons have played collegiate football as well. I mean… talk about a formula!I loved this conversation. We get an exclusive look into the universal theme of parental emotions, capturing the essence of any parent watching their child pursue a passionLisa shares insights on love, support, purpose, and genuine excitement for her family, making for an inspiring an

How does someone turn a two-bedroom apartment into the world’s largest hedge fund? Our guest today - the one and only Ray Dalio - knows. A master of global macro investing, Ray founded Bridgewater Associates and led it to unparalleled heights, redefining financial excellence along the way.Ray isn't just a finance legend; he's a visionary author and a vanguard in idea meritocracy. With bestsellers like 'Principles: Life and Work,' he's influenced minds around the globe. His journey from a finance graduate to a figure on the Time 100 and Bloomberg Markets' most influential people lists is nothing short of remarkable.Beyond finance, Ray’s a dedicated family man and philanthropist, deeply invested in ocean exploration and equal opportunity initiatives.In our insightful chat, Ray breaks down his success pillars: radical transparency, idea meritocracy, and the power of transcendental meditation. He also opens up about loss, failure and how to align your life path to your true nature.Prepare to dive into a mind that

A couple months back I was in Austin doing some promo for The First Rule of Mastery and had the opportunity to be a guest on Ryan Holiday’s incredible podcast, The Daily Stoic.It’s always such a joy to connect and flow with Ryan – we had a fantastic conversation that I wanted to share here today. This time around was especially fun… not only was the conversation great, but we also got to record it in Ryan’s epic bookstore, The Painted Porch.If you’re in or near Austin… you have to check it out. It is awesome. And you might even find a couple signed copies of The First Rule of Mastery lying around ;)Please enjoy this conversation with me and the ever-insightful Ryan Holiday on The Daily Stoic.Follow Ryan and The Daily Stoic:IG: @RyanHoliday and @DailyStoicYoutube: @DailyStoicX: @RyanHoliday and @DailyStoicwww.dailystoic.comwww.thepaintedporch.com-----------Connect with Finding Mastery on our Instagram.Order my book, "The First Rule of Mastery" HERE!For more information and shownotes from every e

Today’s guest needs no introduction – but I’m thrilled to do it anyway. Rich Roll is a world-renowned ultra-endurance athlete, plant-based fitness advocate, bestselling author, host of the hugely popular Rich Roll Podcast, husband, father.... and the list goes on.He's also a good friend – this is Rich’s fourth time on the podcast. His episodes are often our most popular, and there’s a good reason for that. Rich’s humility and frank discussion of his sobriety and recovery – as well as his courage and commitment to exploring his limits – are an inspiration to me, and so many others.In today’s conversation, we dive deeper into what it means to be present in every moment, the rewards of service and giving back, the distinctions between greatness and mastery, and the everyday search for moments of awe.Then, you’ll want to stay tuned to the back half of our conversation, as we’re doing something a little different. We sourced your questions for Rich and I to wrestle with, and we had an absolute blast diving into th

Many of us who are seeking optimal health, performance, and wellness take a variety of supplements. And I think it’s only natural to find ourselves questioning— what's really in these supplements? How do we know if those ingredients are actually doing anything for our bodies and minds?Our guest today, Katerina (Kat) Schneider had the same questions – and she took action to get to the truth. What she discovered led her to develop a new standard in the world of vitamins and supplements.Kat is the visionary founder and CEO of Ritual – a company dedicated to re-envisioning transparency, traceability, and quality standards in the vitamin and supplement industry.And, Kat's personal story is as remarkable as her products. In our conversation, we delve into the founding story of Ritual, and discuss the philosophy that underpins their mission – a deep-rooted belief in transparency, quality, the power of science, and the foundational belief that “everyone has the right to know exactly what they're putting into their bo

Welcome to Volume 15 of Finding Mastery’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) series. In this latest installment, O'Neil Cespedes and I explore the intricate dance between our physical and mental states, especially during times of challenge and change.Key topics covered this week include:The profound connection between our physical and mental health.Strategies for maintaining an optimistic mindset during setbacks.The role of psychological agility in viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.The changing definition of ‘manhood’.Best practices for coaches and teammates in supporting athletes through injury.The transformative power of humor in relieving tension in high-stress situations.Embracing mistakes and overcoming the fear of failure for personal growth and resilience.As always, we are grateful for your questions and insights that continue to drive these meaningful conversations. Your engagement is what makes this series so rich and impactful.With Fire,MG-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect w

Imagine standing on the edge of a cliff, facing an inch-wide line of webbing that stretches across a vast expanse. It’s tensioned between two secure anchor points but it’s a dynamic surface that will bounce, sway, and stretch when you step out on it. This line isn't just a piece of equipment; it's a gateway to mastering fear and discovering your true potential.This is the world of highlining, and Faith Dickey stands at its forefront – embodying resilience and mental fortitude.Since 2008, Faith has been redefining what's possible in highlining, a sport that demands extreme focus and courage. She's not only one of the few women excelling in this field but also a record-setter and a barrier-breaker. From free soloing a highline 3,000 feet off the ground to crossing a 100-meter highline and walking a highline in high heels, Faith's achievements are a testament to her extraordinary capabilities.But Faith's impact extends beyond her highlining feats. She's an advocate for women in extreme sports and has created the

Hey everybody, Mike here… we’re doing something a little different today…If you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while, you probably recognize the name Dan Harris – he’s a friend, journalist, fellow podcaster, and was actually one of our earliest guests on Finding Mastery back in 2016. We had some fantastic conversations together and I was lucky enough to be an early guest on his incredible show – Ten Percent Happier – I’ve been a big fan and follower of his show ever since. And today… we are stoked to share one of their episodes with you on our feed!On Ten Percent Happier, Dan is on a quest to help others achieve peace and happiness. Every week, he talks to top scientists, meditation teachers, and even the occasional celebrity in wide ranging conversations that explore topics like productivity, anxiety, enlightenment, psychedelics and relationships.This episode of Ten Percent Happier is with the one-and-only, actor and comedian Bill Hader—who you may know from Saturday Night Live, countless r

What does leadership look like in the middle of a war zone—one of the most dynamic, agile, and consequential environments on the planet? General Stanley McChrystal knows intimately what it’s like – and is committed to teaching his hard-earned leadership insights to others. Heading up the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), he led the U.S. military’s most elite special ops teams against Al-Qaeda in Iraq, and from there was commissioned to command the war on terror in Afghanistan.That mission in itself is treacherous… and General McChrystal also crashed head-on with a political controversy – one that led to the end of his military career but opened the door to teaching leadership at Yale university, authoring multiple bestsellers, founding the McChrystal Group (his well-known management consulting company) and even being portrayed by none other than Brad Pitt in the movie War Machine.What General McChrystal teaches isn’t about battlefield maps and tactics, it’s about building a team that’s informed, c

Imagine this... you're a NASA Astronaut. You're on a spacewalk, floating in the vastness of outer space, and suddenly... you go blind.What do you do?You might recognize today’s guest, Chris Hadfield, from his viral video on the International Space Station, where he performed David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' – a performance that garnered over 35 million views worldwide.But Chris is so much more than a musical talent in orbit. He's not only a retired NASA astronaut but also a skilled engineer, a former combat pilot, and a New York Times bestselling author of both fiction and non-fiction works.One of his standout books, 'An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth,' is a must-read for every high performer. In it, he shares an unconventional philosophy: 'Prepare for the worst—and enjoy every moment of it.'  It's a mindset I find incredibly powerful, and I think you will, too.In our conversation, we dive into Chris’s rich experiences, including a harrowing story where he was struck blind while clinging to an orbiting s