Steve Magness
The Surprising Truth About Elite Performance & The Youth Sports Epidemic
In this insightful episode of The Ready State Podcast, Kelly and Juliet Starrett sit down with Steve Magness—performance coach, author, and expert on mental and physical resilience. They explore the complexities of human performance and how embracing the basics can lead to extraordinary results. From the Instagramification of fitness to the critical role of intrinsic motivation and belonging, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways for athletes, coaches, and anyone striving to perform at their best.
For more information on what Steve is doing, pick up a copy of Win the Inside Game and follow him on Instagram.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why focusing on foundational habits like sleep, nutrition, and recovery is more effective than chasing fads.
- How social media has distorted our understanding of true performance.
- The surprising power of intrinsic motivation in sports and personal development.
- Why belonging and connection can literally change how you perceive challenges.
- How to identify and address “kinks in the pipe” to unlock your full potential.
Key Highlights:
00:00 – Intro
01:25 – Steve’s Role and Impact
04:58 – Performance Manifesto Explained
08:37 – Elite Performance Accessibility
10:56 – Misplaced Precision in Sports
17:35 – Imperfection in Elite Athletes
19:58 – Value of Generalists in Sports
23:17 – Youth Sports Development
24:10 – Time Constraints in Training
24:42 – Current Trends in Athletics
26:55 – Steve’s Mile Record Achievement
31:38 – Elementary School Mile Championship
33:18 – Intrinsic Motivation’s Importance
36:23 – Solutions for Improvement
42:14 – Win at All Costs Mentality
45:03 – 3-Part Performance Framework
49:12 – Competence vs. Belonging in Sports
53:45 – Enhancing Performance Under Pressure
58:41 – Physiological Disruptors in Performance
61:25 – Surprises from Writing the Book
66:20 – Where to Connect with Steve
Sponsors
This episode of The Ready State Podcast is brought to you by The Starrett System. We are thrilled to announce our brand new 12-week fitness and movement mentorship program designed to help you build unshakable strength, access lasting durability, and maximize your longevity. With weekly LIVE coaching calls with Juliet and Kelly, 4x weekly expert fitness programming for strength, mobility & recovery in our signature Starrett System App, a supportive, high-energy community where you can chat & ask questions, and a bonus vault of content like pain protocols, recipes, and travel workouts for sustainable health & performance. Go to starrettsystem.com to learn more and sign up today!
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