Dive into the minds of the world’s greatest athletes, leaders, thinkers, and doers with Dr. Michael Gervais—a high performance psychologist and world-renowned expert on the relationship between high performance and the mind. Dr. Gervais’s client roster includes Super Bowl winning NFL teams, Fortune 50 CEOs, Olympic medalists, internationally acclaimed artists, and more.
On Finding Mastery, Dr. Gervais sits down with the best at what they do, like David Goggins, Brene Brown, Toto Wolff, soccer legend Abby Wambach, neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman, and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella — translating their life stories, mental skills, and personal practices into applicable tools you can use to unlock your potential.
Walk with us to the edge of human possibility and learn what you are capable of. New episodes every Wednesday.
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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