The Learning Leader Show With Ryan Hawk #295: Todd Herman - Using Alter Egos To Transform Your Life To read the full show notes, go to www.LearningLeader.com Notes: Commonalities of sustaining excellence: "Negative capability" (John Keats term) The ability to pursue your dream despite the fact that circumstance tells you it won't happen. Not losing faith despite the long odds Mental toughness - "The ability to be flexible & adaptable despite what the world is throwing at you." The OPP framework for goal setting: Outcome Performance - Resources Process - Who, what, when, where What Todd does? He's on a mission to give people smart thinking models.  He helps ambitious people. Revenue generation: He's built programs and systems and licensed it to sports teams He does sport science and peak performance coaching Grew up doing speaking competitions. Did 68 speeches in 90 days.  All for free.  Have to "get the reps" "This is how I know I've made it... I loved doing a free speech for four people.  I loved it!" "You must show up.  Continue to show up no matter what.  Even if nobody is there, show up anyway." "The answers are never waiting for you to sit still. The answers are out there doing it.  It's action that matters." How Todd developed strong mental toughness? Rough upbringing -- He was sexually abused at a church camp when he was 12 He retreated and developed mental toughness to deal with it Skills developed as an athlete that translated to life outside of sports: Preparation Routines Visualization/Imagery Why are alter-egos so powerful? They help you get into flow state and not get out of your head The Bo Jackson story -- "Bo Jackson never played a down of football.  It was Jason from Friday The 13th.  I was crazy out there."