What's The Rusch – Details, episodes & analysis

In this inaugural episode of What's the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch sits down with renowned performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais for an intimate conversation about the journey from high performance to true mastery. Together, they explore how sometimes our greatest breakthroughs come not from pushing harder, but from having the courage to be still.

Show notes:

In this episode, Rebecca and Dr. Gervais discuss: 

1. The distinction between high performance and mastery
2. Why the first rule of mastery is to stop worrying about what others think
3. The power of vulnerability in personal growth
4. Finding wisdom through stillness and self-examination

Transformative Insights:

1. The three foundational practices for meeting yourself: meditation, journaling, and conversations with people of wisdom
2. How trauma and hardship can be gateways to deeper understanding
3. Why purpose and connection are the two key variables for a fulfilled life
4. The difference between being thoughtful and true meditation

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Rebecca opens up about hiding her concussion symptoms for years
2. Dr. Gervais shares his journey of understanding his own drive for achievement
3. Rebecca discusses her mother's recent passing and the tools for processing grief
4. Both explore their ongoing work to shed perfectionism and find play

Practical Wisdom:

1. How to approach meditation as a practice of starting over
2. The importance of creating space for vulnerability in high achievement
3. Why awareness is fundamental to high performance
4. Tools for building authentic community

Personal Growth:

1. Dr. Gervais's ongoing journey to embrace play over intensity
2. Rebecca's evolution from "Queen of Pain" to embracing vulnerability
3. How traumatic experiences can become catalysts for transformation
4. The power of sharing our struggles to help others

Helpful Links: 

https://findingmastery.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/michaelgervais/?hl=en 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaelgervais/ 

https://x.com/michaelgervais?lang=en 

The First Rule of Mastery: Stop Worrying About What People Think of You

Finding Mastery Podcast: Explorer's Guide to Self-Discovery with Rebecca Rusch

SPONSOR

Thank you so much to our sponsor Momentous. They are offering you 20% off your first order.  Livemomentous.com Use code RUSCH20.

PROMOTIONAL OFFERS:

“Our minds are our greatest asset… and if you want to learn more about how you can train your mind, I want to encourage you to check out Dr. Gervais’ online high performance mindset course -- Finding Your Best – where he’s pulled together THE best practices to help you unlock your potential and perform at your best in any environment.

In Finding Your Best, Dr. Gervais teaches the same high-performance...

In the inaugural episode of 'What's the Rush' podcast, Rebecca Rusch shares her journey as a world champion athlete and adventurer, exploring themes of personal growth, identity, and the importance of introspection. Through her experiences in endurance sports and transformative expeditions, particularly the emotional journey of finding her father's crash site, she emphasizes the significance of slowing down and looking inward. The podcast aims to uncover the true selves beneath the armor of achievement and invites listeners to join her in exploring life's profound lessons.

1. Rebecca's journey from competitive athlete to mindful adventurer
2. The pivotal moment tracing her father's footsteps that changed everything
3. Redefining success beyond achievements and accolades
4. The balance between external adventure and internal exploration

A Hall of Fame endurance athlete and seven-time world champion, Rebecca has conquered some of the world's most challenging terrains. Now, she's embarking on her most meaningful expedition yet—exploring the landscape within.

Join Rebecca as she introduces a new kind of adventure story, one that teaches us that sometimes the most important discoveries happen when we dare to slow down.

Partner with us

https://www.rebeccarusch.com/_files/ugd/e51e56_a4f5d124f3584aff85f267fa6148f558.pdf

Links

Website

Blood Road

Brain Storm Podcast

Ted Talk

thebegoodfoundation.org

Social Media Links

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Substack

YouTube

In this revealing episode of What's the Rusch, Rebecca sits down with fitness pioneers Kelly and Juliet Starrett to strip away the polished exterior of their fitness empire and explore the raw, human journey that shaped their approach to resilience, relationships, and redefining strength.

Show Notes:

The Layers We Shed:

1. Kelly's journey from competitive paddler to injury, forcing him to shed his athlete identity and find a new path
2. Juliet's experience with cancer at age 20, challenging her perception of invincibility and physical prowess
3. Their shared process of removing the armor of perfectionism in the fitness industry
4. How letting go of traditional work-life boundaries led to a more authentic partnership

Finding the Masterpiece Within:

1. The evolution from physical durability to emotional resilience
2. Creating the "feelings meeting" as a tool for vulnerable communication
3. Building meaningful relationships beyond professional achievements
4. Breaking generational patterns of divorce and dysfunction
5. The courage to speak publicly about personal struggles despite industry judgment

Key Insights: "We feel like being durable is the golden key. Things are gonna happen to you... What is your plan to make yourself as durable as you can to hit that hit?" - Kelly Starrett"I had to cast aside that feeling of 'am I, this cancer person, to be shucking out advice to people?'" - Juliet Starrett

Transformative Moments:

1. Their first meeting during high-stakes whitewater racing in Chile
2. Kelly's transition from elite athlete to movement specialist
3. Juliet finding her public voice beyond the business
4. Creating space for meaningful male friendships and community
5. 
   

The Art of Slowing Down:

1. Juliet's vision of the "four-hour workday" by age 55
2. Kelly's journey to create space for deeper relationships
3. Finding balance between high achievement and personal connection

About the Guests: Kelly and Juliet Starrett have revolutionized how we think about movement and resilience. Beyond their New York Times bestseller "Built to Move" and their platform The Ready State, they've spent 25 years showing that true strength comes not just from physical capability, but from the courage to be vulnerable and authentic.

Join Rebecca Rusch as she explores how these fitness pioneers have learned to shed their armor, embrace their struggles, and find power in their most human moments. This conversation reveals that sometimes our greatest achievements come not from what we build up, but from what we're brave enough to let go.

Discover more at www.RebeccaRusch.com 

SPONSOR

Thank you so much to our sponsor Momentous. They are offering you 20% off your first order.  Livemomentous.com Use code RUSCH20.

Links:

1. "Built to Move" by Juliet Starrett and Kelly Starrett
2. "Deskbound" by Kelly Starrett, Juliet Starrett, and Glen Cordoza
3. “Becoming a Supple Leopard” by Dr. Kelly Starrett 
4. The Ready State website: https://thereadystate.com/

Connect with Our Guests 

1. Instagram: @thereadystate  
2. Facebook:

In this powerful and intimate conversation, Rebecca Rusch sits down with renowned scientist and women's performance expert Dr. Stacy Sims. Together they explore the intersection of science, athletics, mental health, and what it means to be a woman pushing boundaries in male-dominated fields. From childhood curiosity to professional triumphs and personal struggles, this conversation dives deep into the reality behind public personas and the importance of vulnerability and support systems.

Key Topics & Timestamps:

00:04 - Introduction and mutual admiration between Rebecca and Stacy 

01:52 - Discussion of public personas versus private realities 

02:54 - Early life influences: The convergence of science and athletics 

04:30 - Brain-body connection and the importance of hypothalamic function 

07:11 - Breaking barriers in women's health research and COVID's impact on sex-based medicine 

10:22 - Personal story of challenging gender norms in military careers 

15:32 - Mental health struggles and rebuilding after crisis 

24:52 - Creating a new path in academia and entrepreneurship 

35:27 - Evolution from competitive athlete to advocate for purposeful movement 

49:54 - Current challenges with international travel and work-life balance 

53:18 - New project announcement: NextGen course focusing on puberty education

Notable Quotes:

"We put on this thing to get through stuff, but the real person's behind it." - Dr. Stacy Sims

“Do you think that growth has to come from these really deep, dark places? Like, do we have to get to that point?” - Dr. Stacy Sims 

“Because we are expected to put on a front and take everything stoically, people I don't think realize that we are actually human.” -Dr. Stacy Sims 

"By the nature of being human, we're not designed to be alone. And we're not designed to build the burden and hold that burden for everyone else." - Dr. Stacy Sims

"If I'm going to get in the ocean and do a swim, I want to do it because it's fun and relaxing, not because someone's trying to swim over me and get out first." - Dr. Stacy Sims

Key Takeaways:

1. The importance of support systems in both professional and personal success
2. How mental health challenges can lead to transformative growth
3. The evolution from competitive athletics to purposeful movement
4. Breaking down barriers in women's health research and education
5. The value of vulnerability in leadership and advocacy

LOVE THE SHOW? DON'T FORGET TO FOLLOW AND REVIEW THE SHOW! THANKS FOR LISTENING!

Resources Mentioned:

1. Dr. Stacy Sims' books and online courses
2. TED Talk: "Women Are Not Small Men"

Follow Along:

Connect with Dr. Stacy Sims:

1. Website: https://www.drstacysims.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drstacysims/?hl=en 
3. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drstacysims
4. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drstacysims 
5. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-t-sims-phd/ 
6. YouTube: