Greg Merson on becoming a father, hypnotherapy and how poker saved his life | Ep: 36

The Heart of Poker Podcast

One of the more notable names from the ESPN era of the World Series Of Poker is undoubtably Greg Merson.

Merson, who took home $8,531,853 for winning the Main Event in 2012, instantly became a household name within the poker community. Having gotten sober a year prior, his story and accomplishment became an inspiration to many who battled addiction.

But where do you go after winning the Main Event? For Merson, his obsession with becoming the best version of himself motivated him to seek out ways to progress and increase his edge in the game. He shares how hypnotherapy and meditation have been powerful tools in his growth on and off the felt.

Interestingly, even more than a decade after winning the Main Event, he shares how he still gets a sense of euphoria from playing poker and how his focus has now shifted to competing with himself.

However, for all the excitement and achievements he’s earned in his poker career, Merson shares how becoming a father, not once but twice, is the greatest accomplishment of his life.

Other topics Kara and Greg touch are playing poker during the pandemic, his relationship with his parents and how he had the most fun at the WSOP this year since winning the Main Event.

Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Tiffany Michelle, Lon McEachern, Nadya Magnus, Phil Galfond, Jason Koon, Katie Lindsay, Benny Glaser, Maria Ho, Fedor Holz and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.