What does it really mean to live with courage and conviction?

On today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. John Amaechi — organizational psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and the first openly gay NBA player. Along his journey, John always set out to be himself in a world that repeatedly told him he was too big, too soft-spoken, too smart, too different.

In this conversation, John brings us into parts of his internal world that are hard for any of us to talk about: navigating shame, identity, belonging, and the responsibility of not shrinking so others can stay comfortable. He talks about the cost of visibility, and the radical power of deciding that your worth is not up for negotiation.

In this episode, we explore:

• How to move from clarity to conviction in your personal and professional life
• Why vulnerability is a core strength of courageous leadership
• The key to creating relationships rooted in empathy and presence
• How to develop moral courage — and know when to walk away
• What it means to lead from your first principles

Through stories drawn from sport, psychology, and leadership, John challenges our cultural obsession with individual achievement and redefines what it means to succeed — not by how high you climb, but by how deeply you care and how many people you lift along the way.

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Links & Resources:

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What if the most powerful thing you can do for your health isn’t diet or exercise — but investing in the people you love?

Today’s episode is from the Finding Mastery Vault — a timeless conversation with Dr. Robert Waldinger, psychiatrist, Harvard professor, Zen master, and Director of the world’s longest-running scientific study on happiness.

In this conversation, we explore the science of connection — how relationships literally get into our bodies, lower stress, improve our health, and expand our capacity to live well. We also discuss why loneliness can be as dangerous as smoking, and how small acts of social fitness, paired with the courage to be vulnerable, can change the trajectory of your life.

You’ll learn:

• How to build “social fitness” and maintain meaningful relationships over time
• Why relationships get into our bodies and improve long-term health
• The science behind loneliness, stress, and emotional regulation
• What it means to live a psychologically rich and purposeful life
• How leaders can foster connection and belonging at work

This episode is timeless — and a powerful reminder: no one does it alone.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

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What if the key to becoming a champion isn’t about chasing wins—but knowing when to pause, prioritize the inner work, and trust that the rest will follow?

On today’s episode, filmed in front of a live audience at California Surf Club, we sit down with Caroline Marks — the 2023 World Surf League Women’s Champion and 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist. By 23, Caroline has already reached the pinnacle of her sport, becoming one of the most dominant surfers of her generation. But what makes her story remarkable isn’t just the medals—it’s the emotional and psychological work behind them.

In this conversation, Caroline opens up about rebuilding after the heartbreak of Tokyo, the self-doubt that almost sidelined her, and how therapy, family, and faith in herself helped her rediscover her love for surfing. Dr. Mike and Caroline unpack what it means to train not just the body, but the mind—to develop emotional awareness, to redefine success, and to keep the joy alive in high-stakes environments.

You’ll learn:

• How to rebuild confidence and purpose after a major setback
• Why emotional awareness is the foundation for high performance
• The key to balancing ambition with inner peace
• How to strengthen trust—in yourself and in others
• What it means to find motivation after reaching the top
• Why mastering your emotions is a major competitive advantage

This is a powerful look into the mindset of a young champion who’s rewriting what it means to win...inside and out. Tune in to hear how Caroline Marks is defining mastery on her own terms.

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Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Location: Thanks to California Surf Club, 239 N Harbor Dr, Redondo Beach, CA.

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors!

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.