Bonus Episode: Aaron Lazar & Dr. Michael Gervais on the Mastery of Self and the Journey to Reverse ALS | Impossible Dreams Podcast
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this profound conversation, Dr. Michael Gervais joins Aaron Lazar on his podcast "Impossible Dreams" for a moving discussion about mastery, mindset, and resilience in the face of life's greatest challenges. (02:08) Aaron, a Broadway and television actor diagnosed with ALS, is on a mission to become the 64th person on record to reverse symptoms from the disease. Together, they explore how mastery of self - not just mastery of craft - becomes essential when facing adversity, and how awareness, purpose, and the right psychological tools can transform what seems impossible into possible. (02:57)
- Core themes include the distinction between high performance and mastery, the power of psychological training for life's storms, and how to move from "my team" to "the team" when facing challenges.
Speakers
Dr. Michael Gervais
Dr. Michael Gervais is a high-performance psychologist who has worked with world-class athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, and elite performers across various fields for over 20 years. He specializes in mastery of self through mastery of craft and is the author of "First Rule of Mastery," focusing on overcoming the fear of others' opinions. He currently works with NFL teams and other elite organizations to develop psychological skills and first principles for sustained excellence.
Aaron Lazar
Aaron Lazar is a Broadway and television actor, singer, and storyteller who has been diagnosed with ALS. Despite facing this life-changing diagnosis, he has launched the "Impossible Dreams" podcast and is pursuing the seemingly impossible goal of becoming the 64th person on record to reverse ALS symptoms. He has transformed his approach to life from fear-driven high performance to purpose-driven mastery, using his platform to inspire others facing adversity.
Key Takeaways
Master Your Inner World Before External Challenges Hit
Dr. Gervais emphasizes that "you're either in a storm or heading to it" as a first principle for life. (07:37) Aaron's story powerfully illustrates this - while his Broadway career looked successful externally, he was internally struggling with anxiety, self-worth tied to validation, and a disconnect from his true purpose. When ALS struck, those who had already developed psychological skills were better equipped to handle the crisis. The key is developing awareness, self-talk mastery, and emotional regulation skills in calm environments first, then progressively training in more stressful conditions until you can maintain inner command even in hostile situations.
Excellence Is Being at Home with Yourself
Rather than defining excellence by external achievements, Dr. Gervais operationalizes it as "being at home with myself wherever I am." (25:19) This internal definition of excellence puts you in a position of real power because it's 100% under your control. Aaron discovered this through his journey with ALS - he realized he could choose to be happy washing dishes or sitting in a chair needing assistance, focusing on thriving rather than just surviving. This shift from external validation to internal peace became the foundation for everything else.
Distinguish Between High Performance and Mastery
The conversation reveals a crucial distinction between the "proverbial treadmill of high performance" - grinding until you can't anymore - versus the path of mastery. (15:37) High performance can achieve results but often leads to anxiety, burnout, and a "metallic feeling." Mastery involves contour, warmth, and alignment with deeper principles found in world religions and spiritual practices. Aaron's pre-diagnosis life exemplified high performance - constantly pushing for more roles, more success, driven by fear and external validation. His transformation represents the shift to mastery - sustainable excellence rooted in purpose and inner alignment.
Build Awareness Through Three Core Practices
Dr. Gervais outlines three essential practices for developing awareness: mindfulness/meditation (8-20 minutes daily), journaling (because it's hard to fake yourself when writing), and conversations with wise people who can hold up a mirror. (27:06) Without awareness, you can't change your inner world or choose your thoughts consciously. These practices help you understand what's happening inside and outside of you without judgment, identify your psychological tripwires, and learn to keep your mental "aperture" open even when your brain wants to constrict in challenging situations.
Shift From "My Team" to "The Team"
A powerful moment occurs when Dr. Gervais challenges Aaron to shift from thinking about "my team" to "the team." (54:32) This reframe acknowledges that everyone supporting someone through a crisis has also changed their life in response to that situation. It requires the person facing the challenge to not just receive support but also support and challenge others to be their very best. This prevents the self-absorption that can cost relationships and recognizes that extraordinary achievements require mutual support and accountability within a team structure.
Statistics & Facts
- According to Dr. Gervais, 8 minutes is the minimum threshold for effective daily meditation practice, with 20 minutes being more optimized for developing awareness. (27:22)
- Aaron mentions there are now 63-64 documented cases of people who have reversed ALS symptoms, tracked at alsreversals.org. (42:00)
- Dr. Gervais has been working in the field of high-performance psychology for over 20 years, developing first principles for NFL teams, Fortune 500 CEOs, and elite performers.
