In this episode, we reconnect with Daniel Rubin (@steelydanrubin) who is currently drumming live with Gavin Adcock and a touring force who's played shows with major acts like Morgan Wallen, 311, The Offspring, In Her Own Words, and Capstan, to go deeper into the mental mechanics of high-level performance.

After exploring his leap-of-faith journey in Part 1, this conversation focuses on where Daniel is now: thriving in the pressure cooker of sold-out shows, high-stakes sessions, and the daily demands of mastery. We talk about flow state, what it is, how to tap into it on command, and why mental training gets you to a point where you don’t need to think about the skills anymore — you just play.

Daniel also opens up about pre-show rituals, overcoming doubt when he got a call to tour on short notice, and why gamifying hard work helped him push through. We even dive into the frequency of music, how our perception of it changes with skill, and how live shows reflect something primal: like tribes dancing by the fire after a hunt, each member with a role. In concerts and in life, that same ancient rhythm still plays.

Whether you're in music, sport, or business, this episode is a powerful reminder that anyone can reach mastery when they find their lane and commit to the craft and the mindset behind it.

Dan is currently on tour with Gavin Adcock, find dates here:https://store.gavinadcockmusic.com/pages/tour

Check out Gavin's new album here: https://www.gavinadcockmusic.com/ownworstenemy

In this episode, we sit down with touring drummer Daniel Rubin for a raw, inspiring conversation about chasing the dream — and what it really takes to make it your reality.

From playing local venues to betting on himself to make music a full-time career, Daniel shares the mindset, process, and clarity it took to commit to a life in music. We talk about how to recognize the pull of a dream, how to break it down into concrete steps, and how risk, uncertainty, and even failure can become your best friends.

Daniel also opens up about the surreal experience of selling out a 70,000-person stadium and how staying grounded, and adaptable lets him thrive on stages that he once only dreamed of.

This episode is packed with lessons for anyone pursuing a big goal — in sports, business, or life. And if you're curious about the realities of life on tour or what it's like playing or touring with major acts like Morgan Wallen, Gavin Adcock, and The Offspring — stay tuned. We had so much to explore, we recorded a Part 2.

We're so grateful that Dan could come on and share the mental skills that help him process his experiences and live in alignment with his vision. This is exactly what every artist aspiring to get to the next level needs to hear.

The Northstar Method is our flagship podcast that teaches you to use the mental skills the pro's do.

Hosted by Northstar’s cofounders Sean and Sebastian, the series takes a deep dive into the science of performance psychology, how the world's best leverage it, and how it transfers to your day to day life too.

Watch more of The Northstar Method on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnn0QG__V4UzUIgArMqKanPwk0pe51pUw

Follow us on Instagram:

Podcast page: @northstarmethod

Sean Mahoney: @seanmahoneympc

Sebastian Scalera: @sebastianscalera

Northstar HQ: @northstarknows

Find us on TikTok: Podcast page:

@northstarmethod

Northstar HQ:

@northstar.knows

In this episode, we sit down with former D1 gymnast Kielyn McCright (@kielynmccright), an ACC All-Tournament athlete with Clemson gymnastics. We discuss how mental performance impacted her success and wellbeing throughout her career, tips on how to navigate NIL and the changing landscape of NCAA athletics, how to optimize injury recovery from a mental perspective, and how identity changes during and after sport. This episode is a must watch for any gymnasts, gymnastics coaches, and parents of gymnasts who not only aspire to go D1, but who want to maximize their experience as an athlete in general.

The Northstar Method is our flagship podcast that teaches you to use the mental skills the pro's do.

Hosted by Northstar’s cofounders Sean and Sebastian, the series takes a deep dive into the science of performance psychology, how the world's best leverage it, and how it transfers to your day to day life too.

Watch the video form of The Northstar Method on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnn0QG__V4UzUIgArMqKanPwk0pe51pUw

Follow us on Instagram:

Podcast page: @northstarmethod

Sean Mahoney: @seanmahoneympc

Sebastian Scalera: @sebastianscalera

Northstar HQ: @northstarknows

Find us on TikTok:

Podcast page: @northstarmethod

Northstar HQ: @northstar.knows