
Dr. Michael Gervais: How to Perform Under Pressure Without Destroying Your Mental Health | Mental Health | E383
How do you master the psychology of performing under pressure without falling apart? For over 25 years, Dr. Michael Gervais has worked with elite athletes and high performers who look unstoppable on paper, yet crack when the stakes are highest. Through decades of research and coaching, he’s uncovered what separates those who rise in high-pressure moments from those who spiral. In this episode, Michael breaks down the mental skills top performers use to stay calm, focused, and creative under pressure, and how entrepreneurs can apply the same frameworks to protect their mental health and perform at their best. In this episode, Hala and Dr. Michael will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (03:13) Mastery of Self in an AI World (06:47) Why Entrepreneurs Need Mental Training (10:25) Practical Ways to Train Your Mind Daily (18:20) Mastering Breath Work and Mental Imagery (27:40) The Psychology of High-Pressure Performance (38:11) Goal Setting Without Fear of Opinions (47:35) Managing Emotions in Leadership (54:56) Building Psychological Safety Within a Team (1:00:10) How to Truly Understand Your Team Dr. Michael Gervais is a high-performance psychologist, bestselling author, and host of the Finding Mastery podcast. He has worked with world record holders, Olympians, internationally acclaimed artists and musicians, MVPs from every major sport, and Fortune 100 CEOs to optimize mindset and performance. Dr. Michael is widely known for his work on mastery of self, emotional regulation, and thriving under pressure.