Even if you aren’t an athlete, adopting an athlete’s mental mindset and approach to reaching goals will increase your success. We reached out to our friend and former professional beach volleyball player Aaron Wexler for some insight and inspiration. He is now the host of Within the Game, a podcast where he sits with elite athletes and coaches to discover how they stay inspired to reach greatness and the tools that give them an edge over the competition. Here are some top interviews to help you adopt a high performance mindset and accomplish more this year.
Karch Kiray is a gold medal volleyball player and, recently, a gold medal Olympic coach for the women’s indoor volleyball team in 2021. He is the only player to win gold both indoor and on the sand, and he has the most successful professional record to date. Karch spoke about a low point in his career when he thought he would retire due to an injury. But, instead, he had “a meeting” with himself that enabled him to extend his beach career another ten years! Find out how he turned defeat into a decade of winning.
(TLDR) - I aspire to be good at the things I put time and effort into. It doesn’t mean perfect or great. It just means getting better… A never-ending pursuit of mastery.
Sue Enquist has been into six Hall of Fames and is the winningest softball coach coming out of UCLA. She is the only person in NCAA Softball history to win a championship as a head coach and a player. In addition, she has produced 65 All-Americans and 15 Olympians. She discusses how creating a persona and name for your inner “weak” voice is essential to get rid of the negative self-talk that keeps you from success.
(TLDR)- Start your day by taking inventory of your emotional well, which will allow you to be your best. If your well is low, how can you find inspiration? When your well is full, share the wealth.
Dr. Michael Gervais is a successful sports psychologist who has worked with the best in several sports. Currently, he works with Pete Carol and the Seattle Seahawks to help them find their winning edge in the NFL. He operates from the question, “Is there a common thread connecting how the greatest performers in the world use their minds to pursue the boundaries of human potential?” In this podcast, Dr. Gervais provides insight into the best mindset to adopt in order to get through the anxiety built into big decisions.
(TLDR) - Living in the right here and right now is a skill and takes vulnerability and courage. Nobody gets out of this life without trauma.
Laird Hamilton is a legendary big wave surfer, innovator, entrepreneur and adrenaline junkie. He discusses how the ocean has taught him how natural human tendencies keep us from accomplishing our goals, and how being connected to something greater can be the way to success.
(TLDR) -Don't bother kids when they are skateboarding because that process of learning mastery is the most important thing.