The Mental Edge That Separates Great Leaders From the Rest | Dr. Michael Gervais | E18
2026-10-27
The world's best athletes train their minds to perform under pressure. So why do so many business leaders overlook theirs? Today's guest has turned the psychology of championship-winning teams into a business helping some of the world's biggest organizations perform better.In this episode, high-performance psychologist and Finding Mastery founder Dr. Michael Gervais joins Sammy to share how his work with NFL coach Pete Carroll evolved into a business serving companies like Microsoft. He reveals the challenges of scaling his expertise, the financial lessons behind his podcast, and how he learned to price his work. Michael also explains what leaders get wrong about company culture, how fear of judgment holds entrepreneurs back, and the 90-second routine for better performance.In this episode, Sammy and Dr. Michael discuss: (00:00) Introduction(03:58) Scaling High Performance From NFL to Microsoft(09:42) The Missing Piece of High-Performance Leadership(22:04) The Real Cost of Building a Successful Podcast(28:03) How to Price Your Expertise at the Highest Level(36:00) How Fear of People's Opinions Holds You Back(41:41) The Hidden Cost of High Performance(45:42) The Future of Finding Mastery and AI Coaching(54:25) The 90-Second Morning Routine for Better PerformanceDr. Michael Gervais is a high-performance psychologist, USA Today bestselling author, and founder of Finding Mastery. He has spent his career working with some of the world's top performers, including professional athletes, championship-winning sports teams, and Fortune 100 executives. His work with the Seattle Seahawks and coach Pete Carroll helped lay the foundation for Finding Mastery, which brings psychological skills training to organizations and leaders. Dr. Gervais is also the host of the Finding Mastery podcast and author of The First Rule of Mastery.Resources Mentioned: Dr. Gervais’ Book, The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying about What People Think of You: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0BTJDS2XQ Connect with Dr. Michael: LinkedInInstagramFacebookFinding MasteryConnect With Sammy: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeBecome a Business MVP:Ready to level up the way you lead, build, and grow? The Entrepreneur’s Boardroom is where ambitious business owners come together to sharpen their next move, unlock bigger opportunities, and become the MVP of their business.Join Sammy Peterson today at www.theentrepreneursboardroom.com/
Business MVP
Sammy Peterson- No. of episodes
- 19
- Latest episode
- 2026-10-27
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The best business leaders aren't just talented — they're trained. And for some of them, that training started long before they ever stepped into a boardroom.
Business MVP takes you inside the real stories of elite athletes, coaches, and sports entrepreneurs who've translated what they learned on the field into extraordinary success in business. Through candid conversations, we break down the habits, mindset, and leadership principles that drive performance under pressure — and explore how these leaders are building businesses, leading teams, and using their platforms to create meaningful impact through philanthropy and community work.
We go beyond the highlight reel. This is about the discipline, the setbacks, the pivots, and the championship mindset that turns competitors into business leaders.
Hosted by Sammy Peterson — legal strategist, executive leader, and mom of three competitive athletes — this show sits at the intersection of sports, business, and leadership. Sammy brings both strategic insight and real-world perspective to every conversation.
If you want to think sharper, lead better, and compete at an MVP level — in business and in life — this is the playbook.
Connect with Sammy:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesammypeterson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-peterson-0442586/