from Tim’s Fearless show
guest Dr. Michael Gervais
Felix Baumgartner jumped from highest point ever
became claustrophobic in space suit – was about to scrub the project
asked Dr. Gervais to assist
How to extinguish fear
1. Systematic desensitization
2. Flooding
Flooding – if fear response, put them in environment until they no longer experience the fear, overwhelm them
Fears become loops – tension and exit
Systematic desensitization – arousal control and thought management
List fear triggers, and systematically put them into those environments, manage heart rate and emotional response
Surfing was huge part of his life – but his anxiety during it prevented him from pursuing it professionally
Fine with free surfing, but not with judges / fans
Brain became overloaded
Met 3 professors who changed his life
Art of Seeing book
Did a one week survival course with just that book, pen & paper, and can’t meet anyone for a week
Figuring out who you are is largest work you can do as a person
How to articulate this in 1-20 words
Words that make your heart skip a beat
Jesus: Love
Buddha: Love and Kindness
MLK: Equality
Tim’s philosophy: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst
First athlete client, hockey player – has “potential” – but this can be a crippling word
Pre-performance routines
Routines are useful – different from superstitions
1-3 things that are triggers for you to think the right way
When I tie my shoes, what do I say to myself; when I put on my helmet, what do I say to myself
Team routines differ from individual routines
Learnings from Pete Carroll
Begins with relationship – with himself, with team, with staff
3 rules
1. Always protect your team – especially when things are hard
2. No whining, no complaining, no excuses; Own your stuff
3. Be early
Message, “Championship game” / “Championship opportunity” from pre-season
Every game is big, every practice is huge, maximize the moment
Right after “the loss”, Pete Carroll devastated for 2 secs, and then realized: I gotta be there for my guys
Role of mindfulness
-to be centered, be here now
-“invisible process of becoming more aware”
Mindfulness recs
sit and pay attention to one breath at a time
“the practice is the work”
natural state of mind is drunk monkey
integrating senses, and just listen
when you’re around people that are truly mindful, you’ll naturally want it
practice openness, vulnerability, saying the hard things
being present with people is a loving act
how to come back from eg, a super bowl loss
value of front loading a philosophy – being prepared
feel the pain first
only reason people change is because of pain
“know who you are and let it rip”
advice for everyday 9-5
being present
have great conversations
get after it every day, put yourself into emotionally uncomfortable situations so you can adjust
role of Stoicism in his life – know what you can and can’t control
Billboard message to world
“Just fricking love”
“Make a decision. Build capacity. Test yourself.”
Request to audience
your unique journey is determined not by what you DO, but who you ARE. self discovery, share those insights with others
get into rugged hostile environments, what it feels like on razors edge, learn to love it