I would say mastery is intrinsically motivated brilliance and something that has channeled

through us that comes or rises from the deepest part of ourselves, but it has channeled through

us that helps us be spectacular in the manner that is aligned with our purpose.

Okay, welcome back or welcome to the Finding Mastery podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Michael

Jervé, by training a high-performance psychologist. And today, I am really excited to sit down with

Dr. Sheila Olson Walker. Sheila is a senior scientist at the Institute for Applied Research in

Youth Development at Tufts University and a visiting assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins

University School of Education. Her work and research interests lie at the unique intersection

of neuroscience, genetics, psychology, and social science, with a focus on how we can create context

in sports school and nature settings that unlock the potential of our youth. A former professional

tennis player, Sheila translates cutting-edge science to equip coaches, teachers, and parents

with knowledge skills and mindsets that promote flourishing in young people across life.

Sheila, I'm really excited to sit down with you today. First and foremost, how are you?

Thank you. So it's such an honor to be here. I listened to your your podcast and I have for

years, and I'm just I'm just deeply honored to be here. Speaking with you today, I'm very excited

for our conversation. I am good. I'm a combination of excited and nervous. Fritz Pearl said,

fear is excitement without the breath, so I'm trying to breathe. But I'm thrilled to be here today

to talk about the things that we both care about related to youth sports and human development.

That matters. That means a lot. And the reason that means so much is one, I really appreciate the

honesty in that, that you're feeling nervous and excitement. And you know, like it's it's fun to

hear that because I know your work and it's like there's a very tall tent pole that you work

through. Like you've done some significant work here. And so to hear that your nervous makes me go,

...