What if I told you that one of the most dominant athletes of our time began her life in unimaginable hardship - and then rewrote her story, chapter by chapter?

This week, we revisit one of the most powerful conversations in the Finding Mastery vault with Oksana Masters; multi-sport Paralympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in U.S. history (with 19 medals).

Born in Ukraine with birth defects caused by radiation exposure from Chernobyl, abandoned to an orphanage, and later adopted in the U.S, Oksana’s journey is a masterclass in grit, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of agency. Her story is not only about becoming a world-class athlete - it’s also about reclaiming her narrative, finding freedom through adversity, and turning deep pain into fuel for thriving.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How Oksana transformed unimaginable hardship into strength and purpose
• Why reclaiming agency - even in the smallest ways - can change the trajectory of a life
• The role joy and play can have as tools for survival in the darkest moments
• How she navigated trauma while striving for greatness on the world stage
• What resilience really looks like when challenge isn’t avoided, but embraced

This is a conversation about courage, hope, and an indomitable human spirit, an episode that will stay with you long after you’ve listened.

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How do you know when you have “enough” money—and what does that mean for how you live?

In this episode of Finding Mastery, we sit down with Brian Werdesheim, expert financial advisor and founding member of the Summa Group at Stifel Financial Corporation, to explore the deeply personal and emotional relationship we have with money.

Brian goes beyond numbers and spreadsheets, asking the questions that matter: What are your dreams? Your values? Your full life story? This conversation will challenge you to rethink your approach to wealth—not just as a goal, but as a means to a meaningful life.

Together, we reveal why saving alone isn’t enough and unpack the mindset wealthy people use to grow money with purpose. This conversation invites you to define what “enough” truly means—beyond finances—and build a healthier relationship with money that serves your whole life.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why understanding your values is critical before making financial decisions
• How wealthy people leverage a mindset beyond just saving
• The role of clarity in defining “enough” for your life, not just your bank account
• The emotional challenges and opportunities in investing for the future
• Practical steps to align your money with your dreams and daily living

Tune in to hear Brian’s unique approach and rethink your relationship with money in a way that serves your whole life.

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What if the real risk isn’t failure—it’s spending your whole life chasing a version of success that was never yours to begin with?

That question sparked a radical transformation in Sahil Bloom’s life. A NYT best-selling author, entrepreneur, and investor, Sahil once had a sobering realization: he might only see his parents 15 more times in his lifetime. That gut-check moment became a catalyst for deep change—he left his high-powered career, moved across the country, and set out to architect a life rooted in meaning rather than momentum.

In this conversation, Sahil shares the mental frameworks, emotional reckoning, and actionable systems he’s used to redesign his life. Together, Sahil and Dr. Mike unpack the hidden cost of conventional success, the power of mortality to clarify purpose, and how to build a life worth living.

You’ll learn:

• Why “success” can become a trap—and how to redefine it for yourself
• The simple framework Sahil uses to make high-quality life decisions
• How to overcome fear when walking away from something “good”
• The role mortality plays in clarifying what really matters
• Strategies to realign your life around purpose, not performance

This one’s for anyone who wants to rewrite the script on what "success" means to you.

Links & Resources

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What if some of the traits that drive high performance – are also at the very core of narcissism?

This week on Finding Mastery, we welcome clinical psychologist and narcissism expert Dr. Ramani Durvasula to explore one of the most complex psychological dynamics of our time.

Narcissism isn’t always loud or obvious. Dr. Ramani breaks down how narcissism lives on a spectrum, from subtle manipulation and gaslighting to full-blown disorders, and how it shows up in high performers, workplaces, relationships, and even within ourselves.

In this conversation, we explore:

• The 4 major types of narcissism and how gender influences their expression
• Why high achievers may unknowingly enable narcissistic tendencies
• How to recognize gaslighting, and why we often miss it
• Her 5-step framework for managing narcissistic relationships
• The cost of constantly accommodating others at the expense of your own wellbeing

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating tough personalities, leadership challenges, or recovering from emotionally confusing relationships. Dr. Ramani’s insights are practical, powerful, and grounded in decades of research and clinical experience.

Links & Resources

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What if one of the greatest choreographers and dancers of our time found mastery not in movement… but in stillness?

This week on Finding Mastery, we’re joined by Derek Hough—four-time Emmy Award winner, six-time Dancing with the Stars champion, and one of the most respected dancers and choreographers in the world.

This conversation isn’t just about dance. It’s about self-discovery, emotional resilience, and the quiet power of going inward.

Derek opens up about the intense challenges he faced growing up—from early trauma and feeling like an outsider to finding belonging in rhythm and movement. He shares the surprising moment that forced him to stop dancing—and what he found in the stillness that followed.

This episode explores:

• Why comfort, not control, was the key to Derek’s healing
• How early trauma shaped his drive for perfection—and how he redefined success
• What it takes to lead others through fear and unlock performance through empathy
• The shift from external validation to internal alignment
• The daily practices that help Derek stay grounded in a high-pressure world

Whether you’re an artist, a coach, or someone navigating your own path to self-mastery—this one’s for you.

Links & Resources

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What are the three things you need to know to love better?

This week, we’re joined by Yung Pueblo — a meditator, poet, bestselling author, and one of the most impactful modern-day wisdom teachers whose work is grounded in lived experience.

Diego shares his deeply personal journey: from hitting rock bottom in his early twenties to rebuilding his life through Vipassana meditation, emotional honesty, and the daily discipline of inner work. Together, we explore what it means to heal, how to let go of reactivity, and how real love is shaped through compassion, kindness, and growth.

In this powerful conversation, Yung Pueblo reveals:

• The 3 things you need to know to love better
• How emotional maturity is built through repetition and presence
• Why meditation changed his life — and how it can support yours
• What “letting go” really means
• How to build relationships rooted in healing, not pain

This one’s for anyone on the path of self-discovery, deeper love, or emotional transformation.

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The question is not if AI will advance. It will. The real question is whether humans will advance with it?

This week on The Finding Mastery Podcast, we sit down with Soren Gordhamer — founder of Wisdom 2.0, a global movement exploring the intersection of mindfulness, purpose, and technology.

Soren’s latest book, The Essential: Discovering What Really Matters in an Age of Distraction, invites us to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with what truly counts — even as the world speeds up around us.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How suffering and early identity struggles shaped Soren’s life
• Why achievement alone isn’t enough for true fulfillment
• How to stop performing and start being
• Why cultivating inner power is essential in the age of AI

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by technology or stuck chasing external success, this episode offers a grounded path forward — toward presence, purpose, and authentic living.

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

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How do you stay true to your values when others are playing political games? What if your purpose feels too small compared to others? And how do we raise kids who can handle life's inevitable hard blows?

We're back for Part 2 of our special Finding Mastery Ask Me Anything with Dr. Michael Gervais and our good friend—author, documentarian, podcaster, football analyst, and renaissance man, Yogi Roth. Through thoughtful questions from our community, we dive deep into the messy realities of modern life: workplace politics, purpose discovery, and parenting with intention.

Drawing from years of experience with elite performers and leaders, we explore practical strategies for maintaining integrity in competitive environments while building the inner foundation that sustains long-term success and fulfillment.

Key insights we explored:

• When workplace politics get messy - How to protect your team's expertise while staying true to your values
• Purpose doesn't need to be grand - Why "being a great parent" is just as meaningful as "wells in Africa"
• The three pillars of authentic purpose - It must matter to you, be bigger than you, and have future orientation
• Building self-efficacy in children - Let them figure things out, celebrate effort over outcomes, and create safety in their struggles
• The discovery model vs. formal instruction - Why guided discovery creates deeper, more resilient learning
• Managing the "hungry ghost" - How connection to something bigger than yourself dissolves achievement addiction
• Signal vs. noise in feedback - Treating both praise and criticism as noise while trusting your inner circle

This conversation reminds us that the most meaningful work often happens in the quiet moments—how we handle daily challenges, raise our children, and stay connected to what truly matters. Whether you're navigating office politics, questioning your purpose, or trying to raise resilient kids, these insights offer practical wisdom for living with greater intention and authenticity.

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