Join co-hosts Dr. Ewell Gordon and Chris Costa for an engaging discussion with Dr. Brent Hogarth, a clinical psychologist focusing on flow states in sports and business environments. In this episode, listeners will explore the impact of mindset on performance across various domains such as athletics, corporate settings, and personal growth.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Dr. Brent's Journey:
• From a turbulent childhood to becoming an elite athlete.
• The transformative experience at a Buddhist monastery that introduced him to cognitive behavioral therapy principles.
• Academic pursuits leading to expertise in sports psychology and flow state research.
• Understanding Flow States:
• Definition of flow state as optimal consciousness where individuals perform their best.
• Exploring the "dark side" of flow when it leads to high-risk behavior or negative life impacts.
• Training the Mind for High Performance:
• Techniques for achieving mental clarity and focus through mindfulness practices.
• Importance of self-compassion over self-criticism for sustained motivation and resilience.
• Mindset Training at Scale:
• Work with large enterprises like Microsoft on implementing mindset training programs.

Practical Insights:

• Developing trust in oneself by committing fully to goals despite challenges (e.g., ultramarathons).
• Morning routines that prime the mind for success include deep breathing exercises, gratitude reflection, setting intentions, etc.

Addressing Athlete Challenges:

• Tailoring psychological strategies based on individual athlete needs—recognizing different definitions of success from personal bests to world records.
• Building strong therapeutic relationships is crucial; effective coaching depends heavily on these connections rather than just techniques alone.

Listener Takeaways:

1. Define what living a "good life" means personally before pursuing high-performance goals.
2. Embrace kindness towards oneself as foundational for long-term achievement without burnout or dissatisfaction.

This episode dives into how athletes can harness their inner potential while maintaining balance between ambition and well-being through strategic psychological approaches led by experts like Dr.Hogarth who advocate holistic development both inside & outside competitive arenas.