139: Michael Gervais -- On Unraveling the Secrets of Masters

Breaking Ordinary with Andy Petranek

Available On: iTunes | Google Play | Stitcher | Spotify

Throughout his career, Dr. Michael Gervais has followed a central question: Is there a common thread connecting those who change how we understand how the world works?

As a high-performance psychologist, published, peer-reviewed author and recognized speaker on optimal human performance, Michael Gervais works in the trenches of high-stakes environments, where there is no luxury for mistakes, hesitation, or failure to respond. While Dr. Gervais’ roster includes an MVP from every major sport, internationally acclaimed artists and musicians and Fortune 100 CEO’s, he is also the Co-Founder of Compete to Create, whose mission is to help people become the best they can be.

He recognizes that all of us are required to perform daily. We all navigate our own high-stakes environments and can benefit just as much with the right mindset training. Ultimately, Dr. Gervais’ goal is to unpack, then decode, how the greatest performers in the world use their minds to pursue the boundaries of human potential. To accelerate that aim, he has curated conversations with those who have dedicated their life toward Finding Mastery.

Applying that passion to explore human performance boundaries to his personal life, Dr. Gervais is an avid surfer who also enjoys skiing Canada’s backcountry.

He has come to understand that the answer to his central question lies in the space between hesitation and commitment.

From Andy:

I must say that this was one of the most fun and informative conversations I've had in recent memory - with anyone. Michael is as knowledgeable as he is personable, and his enthusiasm for the conversation about mastery is infectious. I learned a bunch of new things that have already opened up new wormholes of learning to dive into -- all that fascinates me.

Enjoy!

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Episode Links

• The default mode network
• Extreme skiing movies — Warren Miller movies, Glen Plake
• Jon Kabat-Zinn
• Felix Baumgartner and the Red Bull Stratos project
• CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and RET (rational emotive therapy)
• The 5 pillars of Compete to Create

Connect with Michael

• On Twitter: @MichaelGervais
• Michael's Podcast: Finding Mastery
• Collaboration with Pete Carroll: Compete to Create
• Instagram: @findingmastery

Questions? Feedback?

• Email - [e-mail]
• Instagram - @andypetranek
• Facebook - @andypetranek
• Twitter - @andypetranek

REVIEW THE PODCAST ON iTUNES - bit.ly/breakingordinary

If you liked this episode, try these:

107: Dr. Christopher Neck — The Surprising Benefits of Setbacks

98: Dr. Ron Hulnick — The Keys to Improving the Experience of Your Life

84: Traver Boehm — 4 Ways To Face Your Fears and Test Your Limits