Finding Mastery: Conversations With Michael Gervais

Welcome to the 11th installment of our Ask Me Anything series.The purpose behind these AMAs – is to hear from YOU and have conversations… to explore the topics and questions that you have been wrestling with on your path to becoming.The goal is to expand on the themes, lessons, and best-practices we’ve discussed on the Finding Mastery podcast in order to make them even more applicable to your own life.We’re back with our favorite co-host—O’Neil Cespedes—and today, we cover some really interesting and insightful territory, including:Where joy comes from (and the art of finding it, every day)Why we must practice self-careThe intricacies of ADD and ADHDBeing a good friend to yourselfThe nuances of narcissistic traitsThe power of imagery and imaginationAnd so much more…With fire, Dr. MikeThis AMA is brought to you by CAROL! CAROL is an AI-powered exercise bike that’s scientifically proven to give you the benefits of a 45-minute run in as little as five minutes. To learn more, head to carolbike.com and enter the c

Why do some people excel in the toughest of conditions while others fall short?This age-old question finds its answer in the lives and experiences of today’s guests: Rich Diviney and Brent Gleeson, both former Navy SEALs and known authors, speakers, and human performance consultants.Drawing on their background in Naval Special Warfare, Rich and Brent share their unique perspective on the blend of adaptability, resilience, and vulnerability required to achieve peak performance. But this wisdom doesn't just apply on the battlefield; it's also incredibly relevant in the boardroom, among teams, and when faced with seemingly impossible goals. In today’s episode, we explore:The critical traits of successful Navy SEALsHow to navigate deep emotional pain and turn it into fuel for growthFostering team buy-in during organizational change Defining, setting and achieving goals - even under extreme adversityWhether you're a leader trying to build a high-performing team or someone simply seeking a more fulfi

Success - in any arena - often demands a delicate dance between fearlessness, finesse and dedication. Mikaela Shiffrin, a true luminary in alpine skiing, has mastered this equilibrium like no other. With an astounding 88 World Cup wins to her name, Mikaela stands as the greatest alpine skier in history. Period.She's a two-time Olympic Champion, seven-time World Champion, and five-time Overall World Cup champion. But Mikaela's influence extends far beyond the slopes. In 2023, Time Magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and the ESPY Awards named her the Best Athlete in Women's Sports. And she’s done all of this before the age of 29.Clearly Mikaela has talent. Confidence. Discipline. But what sets her apart, as you’ll hear, is her commitment and honesty to work from the inside out. She’s developed incredible abilities to tune out toxic mental noise, perform at the knife’s edge, and bounce forward when it gets hard. More than anything, her success comes from her unflappabl

When it feels like the whole world has written you off, do you give in or keep going?Today's guest, Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Geno Smith, kept going. After spending 10 seasons in the NFL—enduring frustrating injuries, several trades, and the threat of becoming a “lifetime backup quarterback” —Geno stepped in as starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks last season. With the media deeming this as a “rebuilding year” for the Seahawks, Geno put forth a stellar performance that surprised many. He logged his first winning record, a playoff berth, led the league in completion percentage, and was selected to the Pro Bowl for the very first time.This impressive career resurgence earned Geno 2022’s Comeback Player of the Year (which probably should have been renamed Comeback Player of the Decade).I know Geno from my 9 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, and let me tell you… he is special.Geno’s career journey is marked by the kind of patience and resilience we can all marvel at, but it’s his mindset — the one th

Step into the riveting world of Tu Lam, whose journey from war-torn Saigon to becoming a Green Beret is a tale of courage, resilience, and modern-day samurai wisdom. Born amidst chaos, he escaped Vietnam's turmoil, eventually finding a new life in America. Enthralled by stories of elite warriors, he chased his dream, enlisting in the US Military right after high school.Deploying to over 20 countries, including conflict zones in the Philippines, Iraq, and Libya, Tu's career spanned 22 years of distinguished service. He retired as a master sergeant, having reached the pinnacle of elite forces—the special missions unit. In his post-military journey, Tu established Ronin Tactics, a tactical gear and training company. His expertise in martial arts and combat led to him being immortalized as a video game character in "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare." Beyond the battlefield, Tu’s pursuits encompass a profound exploration of life's meaning, emphasizing the importance of love, authenticity, and embodying the samura

Today, we’re really excited to share the 10th installment of our Ask Me Anything (AMA) series! Thanks for coming along this journey with us over the last 10 months—sending in your questions and sharing your notes of appreciation. It’s an honor to sit down and film each video. We’re stoked on this 10th AMA and all the excellent questions we received. Our co-host, O’Neil Cespedes, is back again to make sure we keep it real. In this video, we dive into topics like:How to find your purposeWhat do you do if you’re given 6 months to live?Dealing with your feelings and emotionsWhy perfectionism is a fool’s gameDesigning your life for your eulogyHow to find a rewarding jobAnd so much moreSubmit YOUR questions to info@findingmastery.net-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check out our exclusive sponsor deals and discounts CLICK HERE!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com

Imagine being suspended in the cosmos, gazing down at Earth, experiencing a sense of freedom that transcends gravity's pull.It’s an almost impossible task to pinpoint the most interesting thing about this week’s guest… she’s a remarkable human who’s never met a dream she didn’t turn into reality.Anousheh Ansari is an extraordinary entrepreneur, engineer, and trailblazer who has etched her name in history as the first self-funded woman – as well as the first Iranian and Muslim woman – to journey to the International Space Station.Anousheh’s life story reads like an adventure novel, starting with her curiosity that led her to explore the skies and ask the questions that would eventually take her beyond our planet. Born in Iran and later immigrating to the United States, her journey was marked by the Iranian Revolution, a war with Iraq, and personal challenges that shaped her unbreakable spirit.As an engineer, Anousheh is a problem solver at heart. Her passion for tackling challenges led her to co-found and chai

When you talk to yourself, are you listening? What are the thoughts that dominate your thinking? Do they empower you? Elevate you? Connect you to something bigger than yourself? Jon Gordon believes that how you answer these questions is critical to how you show up as a leader, a teammate, a spouse or a friend. Simply put: your performance and your relationships move in the direction of your strongest thoughts. He’s best known as an author, but Jon doesn’t just write books. He lives his life making sure the principles he values most reach and inspire audiences of all kinds, all over the world. So it’s not a surprise that his 28 books – including 15 best sellers and 5 children’s books – hold universal truths that have been tested and embraced by Fortune 500 companies, hospitals, professional and college sports teams, school districts and individuals alike. In his new book, “The One Truth: Elevate Your Mind, Unlock Your Power, Heal Your Soul,” Jon extols the concept of oneness and its power t

Sleep is fundamental to our survival. It’s kind of like oxygen, yet most of us don’t view these essential functions through the same lens. In order to perform at our best, live long & healthy lives, and to explore our potential… we have to put the same value on sleeping that we do breathing. Lucky for us, our guest today does exactly that - Dr. Aric Prather is a renowned professor, sleep scientist, clinical psychologist, and head of one of the world’s most successful sleep clinics at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Aric’s expertise lies in the fascinating world of sleep and its effects on our health and emotions.In his latest book, "The Sleep Prescription: Seven Days to Unlocking Your Best Rest," Aric offers a simple yet powerful plan to transform your sleep in just one week. Beyond the typical solutions, he shares surprisingly simple yet deeply effective techniques that will guide you in embracing the magic of restorative sleep.In this conversation, you’ll hear about why sleep starts

I think it’s fair to say we all know a thing or two about stress. Hopefully we’ve all found a practice (or several) to help us manage it. Our guest today has gone a few steps further…Dr. David Rabin – Dr. Dave as he’s better known – has dedicated much of his life’s work as a neuroscientist, psychiatrist, and innovative health tech entrepreneur to studying the impacts of chronic stress and developing groundbreaking approaches to stress management, treatment-resistant illnesses, and our bodies’ inherent ability to heal itself. As co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of Apollo Neuro, Dr. Dave led the way in creating the first scientifically-validated wearable technology that actively improves your health by strengthening your nervous system and resilience to stress over time. This revolutionary tech has been a game changer in my life, and it’s one of the reasons I’m so stoked to have Dr. Dave back on the podcast and to have partnered with his company, Apollo Neuro.Last time he was on the podcast, over 2 yea

Today, we’re really excited to share the 9th installment of our 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.The goal is to expand on the themes, lessons, and best-practices we’ve discussed on the Finding Mastery Podcast in order to make them even more applicable to your own life.This time around, our co-host O’Neil Cespedes and I cover some really interesting and insightful territory – we discuss:What makes a psychologically healthy humanHow to engage in open, curious conversations in a polarized worldWhether it’s better to be a generalist or a specialistKeys to parenting in modern timesA best practice you can try out called “The Miracle Question”And so much more-----WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.To check

Today’s guest gives us a behind the scenes look at one of modern business’s greatest corporate turnarounds. When Oscar Munoz became CEO of United Airlines in 2015, this global organization was anything but united – and its reputation was in free fall.Oscar's journey at United began with a whirlwind of challenges and it's through those experiences that he gained invaluable insights into the power of listening, learning, empathy and resilience. In this conversation, we dive into Oscar’s first 100 days at the helm of United as he faced a daunting task of reshaping the company's culture, addressing severe customer concerns, and navigating a rapidly changing global industry. All while 37 days into his new leadership role… he suffered a severe heart attack. In this episode, you’ll hear about that story, how Oscar was able to persevere, and the warning signs that saved his life. We also talk about his first principles – the ones that guided his leadership approach, and how he stayed true to them even during a v

Wellness has become a buzzword and it can feel like we’ve lost its true meaning. While the industry is overflowing with “experts” touting the latest and greatest in self-care, this week’s guest has a different approach – Candice Kumai believes that when it comes to wellness practices, newer isn’t always better, and there’s good reason ancient wisdom often endures the test of time.As a 12-time award-winning writer, classically trained chef, and former TV host, Candice made her mark in several notable industries—earning her the unofficial title, ‘The Golden Girl of Wellness.’ However, it’s been the deep exploration of her culture and the honoring of her roots that has had the most profound impact on her identity and purpose. Though food and culture have long been tied, Candice spent years exploring this relationship for herself. By thoughtfully mining the traditions of her Japanese heritage and unlocking modern-day relevance of ancient Buddhist principles, she’s pioneered a transformative approach to

What is it like staring down the barrel of a 70-foot wave? How do we challenge ourselves to do bigger and riskier things in life? How do we take the first step towards something that seems unimaginable at first?One of the best big wave surfers and risk takers on the planet, Kai Lenny has found true freedom in the powerlessness that comes with confronting one of Mother Nature’s most spectacular monsters – the big wave. As a multi-disciplinary athlete who surfed his fist wave at four-years-old, Kai has successfully conquered various water-based disciplines, earning him the title of a true waterman. Whether it's big-wave surfing, kiteboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, windsurfing, or hydrofoiling, Kai's unmatched skills and unwavering determination have led him to become a trailblazer in each field. Kai’s list of world championship honors include being an eight-time SUP Surfing World Champion, VICE KSP Kiting World Champion, two-time Molokai to Oahu Foil Boarding World Champion and World Record Holder, Molo

Welcome to PART TWO of our conversation with Vice Admiral John Mustin. If you missed part one of the conversation, I strongly recommend you go back and check that one out first. It’s the episode immediately preceding this one in your feed.Episode Description:What is it like to lead 59,000 people? What if those people are spread out all over the world? What does readiness as a leader look like? Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR), Vice Admiral John Mustin, knows exactly what it’s like and he leads with a singular, laser-guided priority in mind: warfighting readiness. When it comes to performing at the highest level, Vice Admiral Mustin is steadfast in his belief that individual performance is informed by both competence and character. We’ll find out how he helps instill these traits in his force and the challenges that come with it. Vice Admiral Mustin has an extraordinary grasp on leadership philosophy, communicating effectively across large organizations, and using his civilian experiences to inform strate

Welcome to PART ONE of our conversation with Vice Admiral John Mustin. What is it like to lead 59,000 people? What if those people are spread out all over the world? What does readiness as a leader look like? Chief of Navy Reserve (CNR), Vice Admiral John Mustin, knows exactly what it’s like and he leads with a singular, laser-guided priority in mind: warfighting readiness. When it comes to performing at the highest level, Vice Admiral Mustin is steadfast in his belief that individual performance is informed by both competence and character. We’ll find out how he helps instill these traits in his force and the challenges that come with it. Vice Admiral Mustin has an extraordinary grasp on leadership philosophy, communicating effectively across large organizations, and using his civilian experiences to inform strategy within his military career – and he’s generous enough to share some of his insights with us around both organizational and personal high performance. We covered so much ground in o

Where do I begin with the man who only needs one name?Moby has been a prominent figure in the music scene for decades – a punk rocker-turned-electronica artist who has sold over 20 million records worldwide, Moby’s genre-defying soundscapes have captivated audiences around the globe, earning him Grammy nominations, a devoted fanbase, and countless other accolades. Beyond his musical success, Moby is also an activist, a filmmaker, and an author – as you’ll hear about in this conversation, his journey has been one of profound introspection, self-discovery, and relentless pursuit of personal growth.Lindsay Hicks brings her own unique brilliance to the table – she is a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert, recognized for her collaboration with Moby to amplify the message of climate change activism. Together, Moby and Lindsay have formed an extraordinary partnership, blending their passions for music, activism, and thought-provoking conversations into the recently launched Moby Pod. In this c

Today, we’re really excited to share the 8th installment of our Ask Me Anything (AMA) series.The ever-insightful and entertaining O’Neil Cespedes is back to co-host this month’s AMA and – per usual – we have some fun diving into your questions. On this episode, we chat about:  What to do if you’re feeling burnt out and overworkedGrappling with the need to prove yourself to others How to build culture and hire appropriatelyThe difference between high performance and masteryFeeling like you’re “behind” in lifeAnd, one question to chew on… Are you a thermostat? Or a thermometer?Lastly – as always – reply to this email with feedback or any questions you have for future AMAs. Wishing you an epic week.With Fire, Dr. Mike-----You can WATCH this episode on our YouTube channel.Connect with us on our Instagram.For more information and shownotes from every episode, head to findingmastery.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://a

How can we ensure that we function optimally and feel great as we age? What makes a durable human? How do we combat the effects of our modern, more sedentary ways of being on our body’s need for activity?  These are a few of the questions that this week’s guest, Dr. Kelly Starrett, can help us answer. Known as a “mobility pioneer,” Kelly’s career as a doctor of physical therapy has led him to some extraordinary places. He consults athletes and coaches from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, US Olympic Team and CrossFit; he works with elite military personnel; and he consults with world-leading corporations on employee health and well-being. Kelly’s work, however, is not limited to coaches and athletes – he believes that every human being should know how to move and be able to perform basic maintenance on themselves.The author of two best-selling books, “Becoming a Supple Leopard” and “Ready to Run,” and co-founder of the mobility training platform, The Ready State, Kelly’s work offers comprehensive tools and f

2x World Cup Winner and 3x Olympic Medalist Julie Foudy discusses the importance of finding joy, championing the future of women's sports, and unlocking the true power of being an extraordinary teammate and parent.“Success comes when you are a great teammate and work your ass off. People want to be around you and they know that you got their back. You're in the foxhole with them. That's the greatest place they could be, because you're going to take care of them and vice versa.”Julie Foudy's list of achievements is nothing short of awe-inspiring. As a two-time FIFA World Cup Champion, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, she has left an indelible mark on her field. However, her impact extends far beyond her accolades – Julie is also a dominant and energizing voice in the world of women’s sports. On camera, she lends her talents as an ESPN analyst and commentator; and off, she’s a former President of the Women’s Sports Foundation and a tireless advocate for young f