#39 How to Respond to Adversity: Alan Stein Jr.’s ‘Next Play’ Mindset for Growth

Welcome to this episode of Curveball, where host Scott Reich sits down with renowned performance coach, keynote speaker, and author Alan Stein Jr. for an honest and deeply personal conversation about resilience, growth, and the art of responding to life's biggest challenges.

In this episode, Alan opens up about the adversity he's faced—from career pivots and burnout to navigating divorce and confronting old patterns shaped by childhood experiences. You'll hear how Alan has transformed setbacks into powerful life lessons, sharing how a "Next Play Mentality" helps him—and can help all of us—move forward thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.

Together, Alan and Scott break down practical strategies for dealing with disappointment, fear, and shame, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, slowing down, and giving ourselves grace. If you’re looking for inspiration and actionable insights to help you handle life's curveballs and become a better version of yourself, this episode delivers a candid roadmap for doing just that.

Tune in for a meaningful conversation about how to turn adversity into advantage, why growth is an ongoing journey, and how we can all prepare for our next play.

Listeners Will Learn:

1. Alan Stein Jr. talks about viewing his upcoming 50th birthday as "halftime" and preparing for the next 50 years.
2. The concept of a “Next Play Mentality” is central to Alan’s philosophy.
3. Alan candidly discusses his experience with divorce and how, with time, he now sees it as one of the best things that happened to him.
4. Shame was a recurring theme, especially connected to failed relationships and perceived expectations.
5. Both Scott and Alan mentioned the importance of slowing down before responding to emotional triggers.
6. Alan openly shares his ongoing struggle with people-pleasing and the baggage carried from childhood.
7. The analogy of skiing down a new hill versus the well-grooved paths we’re accustomed to is used to describe forming new habits.
8. Scott and Alan discuss the value of practicing grace with yourself and others.
9. Regulating emotions, rather than letting them dictate actions, is described as a foundational skill.
10. Alan says, “None of this is easy. If it was, I’d have figured it out by now.”

Key Moments:

(00:00) Halftime Optimism at age 50

(04:12) Next Play Mentality

(09:44) Internal Struggles and Inherited Trauma

(12:51) Awakening Through Divorce and Healing

(15:25) Burnout from a Dream Job

(19:52) Embracing Emotions with Intentionality

(22:01) Practicing the Art of Slowing Down

(26:50) Embracing Discomfort Builds Strength

(30:19) Lincoln's Letter-Burning Practice

(33:21) Emotional Awareness and Regulation

(36:29) None of This Is Easy

(37:37) Growth and Resilience Insights