Michael Gervais (psychologist)

Michael "Mike" Gervais, Ph.D., is an American high-performance psychologist, author, and host of the Finding Mastery podcast. He is recognized for his work with elite performers across various domains, including sports, music, and business.
Early life and education
Gervais earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University. He completed his Ph.D. in psychology, specializing in sport performance, under the mentorship of Dr. Bruce Ogilvie at San Diego University for Integrative Studies. Additionally, he holds a master's degree in kinesiology.
Career
Over a 20-year career, Gervais has developed a framework for mental skills and practices that enable individuals and teams to excel under pressure. His clientele includes Super Bowl champions like the Seattle Seahawks, Olympians, world record holders, internationally acclaimed artists, and 50 CEOs.
In 2012, Gervais helped Felix Baumgartner overcome psychological challenges, including claustrophobia, to successfully complete his record-breaking jump from 127,852 feet during the Red Bull Stratos mission.
In 2015, Gervais launched the Finding Mastery podcast, where he engages in-depth conversations with leading figures to explore the psychology behind their success. The podcast has consistently ranked in the top 1% globally, surpassing 25 million downloads by 2021.
Gervais co-founded Finding Mastery (formerly Compete to Create), a digital platform offering mindset training to individuals and organizations. He also co-created the Performance Science Institute at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business, focusing on research and education in high-performance psychology.
Publications
In 2020, Gervais co-authored Compete to Create: An Approach to Living and Leading Authentically with NFL coach Pete Carroll. He released The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying About What People Think of You in November 2023, published by Harvard Business Review Press.
Gervais is also peer-reviewed researcher in the field of sport and high psychology.
Personal life
Gervais is married with one son. He’s an avid surfer and skier.
Research
* Aoyagi, M., Cohen, A., Gervais, M., Borlabi, W., Pensgaard, A.M., & Gordin, R. (October 2021). The More I Learn the Less I Know: Experienced Practitioners Discuss Their Journeys Toward Wisdom. Panel Presentation to the Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
* Gervais, M. (2019). Keynote Address. Sharing Insights About the Applied Field of Sport Psychology. Association for the Advancement of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP).
* Larson, N.C., Sherlin, L.H., Talley, C. & Gervais, M. (2012). Integrative Approach to High Performance Evaluation and Training: Illustrative Data of a Professional Boxer. Journal of Neurotherapy, 16(4), 285-292
* Sherlin, L., Gervais, M., Talley, C., Larson, N. C., & Walshe, A. (September 2012). An Integrative Approach to High Performance Evaluation and Training: Illustrated by Data of a Professional Boxer. Presentation at the Annual meeting of the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research, Orlando, FL.
* Sherlin, L., Gervais, M., Talley, C., Larson, N. C., & Walshe, A. (August 2012). An Integrative Approach to High Performance Evaluation and Training: Illustrated by Data of a Professional Boxer. Presentation at the Annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Orlando, FL.
* Larson, N.C., Sherlin, L., Baker, A. R., Gervais, M., & Walshe, A. (March 2012). Physiological Reactivity and Performance Outcomes Under High Pressure in Golfers of Varied Skill Levels. Oral Presentation to the World Scientific Congress of Golf, Phoenix, AZ.
* Baker, A., Sherlin, L., Larson, N.C., Gervais, M., & Walshe, A. (March 2012). Skill Level of Golfer Impacts the Variability of EEG Measures Under Different Pressure Settings: A Pilot Investigation. Oral Presentation to the World Scientific Congress of Golf, Phoenix, AZ.
* Sherlin, L., Gervais, M., Talley, C., Larson, N. C., & Walshe, A. (August 2012). An Integrative Approach to High Performance Evaluation and Training: Illustrated by Data of a Professional Boxer Presentation at the Annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Orlando, FL.
* Sherlin, L., Gervais, M., Talley, C., & Walshe, A. (2011). Comprehensive sport performance program. Biofeedback, 29(3), 119-122.
* Sherlin, L., Gervais, M., & Walshe, A. (September 2011). Where fear, risk, thrill, and performance mastery meet: Action sport athlete brain states. Poster presentation at the 19 Annual meeting of the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research, Carefree, AZ.
* Sherlin, L & Gervais, M. (August 2011). Where fear, risk, thrill, and performance mastery meet: Action sport athlete brain states. Poster presentation at the Annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
* Gervais, M. (2009). National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Chapter Title: Performance Psychology: Integrating Physical and Mental Training.
* Gervais, M. (2009). National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Chapter Title: Performance Psychology: Integrating Physical and Mental Training.
* Gervais, M. (2008). Emotion Awareness and Regulation Training with Combat Sport Athletes. Paper presentation, Toronto Canada, APA.
* Gervais, M. (2008). Achieving Success in Combat Sports Through Emotional Intelligence. Paper presentation, Boston, APA.
* Papadogiannis, P., Logan, D., Gervais, M., Mann, D., & Gorewich, A. (2008). Emotional Intelligence and Athletes’ Attention Level: Individual and Group Findings. Paper presentation, Boston APA.
* Papadogiannis, P., Logan, D., Mann, D., & Gervais, M. (2007). The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Athletes’ Level of Attention. Research paper presented at the 115th American Psychological Association Psychology Conference, San Francisco, CA.
* Vick, K. & Gervais, M. (2005). Improving Running Speed with Resisted Treadmill Sprinting.. Research paper for Woodway, Waukesha, WI.
* Gervais, M. (2004). An examination of a sport-based life skills and alcohol and other drug prevention program: Late Night Sports. Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
* Gervais, M. (2003, October). Late night sports: Using sport psychology to teach life skills. Paper presentation at the 6th Annual California Prevention Summit Conference for the California Prevention Collaborative, San Jose, CA.
* Barbosa, H., Versari, C., & Gervais, M. (2003, October). Introduction to psychological type: A tool to enhance performance. Paper presentation at the 6th Annual California Prevention Summit Conference for the California Prevention Collaborative, San Jose, CA.
* Gervais, M. (2001). Late night sports: A psycho-socioeducational model of drug prevention for inner-city youth and young adults. Proceedings of the International Society of Sport Psychology: 10th World Congress of Sport Psychology, Greece, 4, 325-327.

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