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What truly separates extraordinary performers from everyone else? In this profound conversation with former professional golfer Josh Persons, we peel back the psychological layers that define elite achievement across sports, business, and personal development.
Drawing from their 30-year friendship, host Nick Lakoduk and Persons explore the mindset that propelled athletes like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods to legendary status – not just exceptional talent, but an unwavering, almost ruthless focus on winning at all costs. "They are literally going for one thing and they'll do anything to get there," Persons explains, highlighting how truly exceptional performers prioritize results over relationships or public perception.
The discussion takes fascinating turns as they examine whether hating to lose is more powerful than loving to win, with Persons candidly sharing how childhood experiences shaped his competitive fire. "It's got to be fun for kids and something that they want to do," he reflects, noting how early successes create essential momentum like "watering a plant" that fuels continued growth.
Perhaps most surprising is their exploration of the fear of success that haunts even elite performers. "If somebody said they were not afraid to succeed, I'd tell them they're a liar" Persons states, challenging conventional wisdom about fearlessness. This vulnerability creates a refreshing counternarrative to typical success stories.
As the conversation shifts to Persons' transition from professional golf to business, listeners gain invaluable insights into transferable skills and how to recognize when priorities have evolved. His perspective on regret – that the most troubling failures are those we can't understand, not those where we clearly fell short – offers a powerful framework for processing setbacks in any field.
Whether you're an athlete, business professional, or simply someone striving for excellence, this episode delivers profound wisdom about maintaining focus, handling adversity, and defining success on your own terms. The conversation ultimately circles back to Earl Nightingale's timeless definition: "Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal."