Overcoming the Impossible: Cystic Fibrosis, Pro Football, and Beyond with NFL Vet Mike Pawlawski
Former professional football player and inspirational figure Mike Pawlawski shares his journey from overcoming cystic fibrosis to becoming a world champion quarterback. Mike discusses his success in building companies, his work as a TV producer and broadcaster, and his role as a keynote speaker and high-performance coach. He emphasizes the importance of persistence, adaptation, and the interplay between psychology and physiology in achieving greatness. Mike also recounts a harrowing encounter with a grizzly bear during the filming of an outdoor documentary. He concludes by offering actionable advice for setting and achieving audacious goals and describes how anyone can train themselves to reach their full potential.
Takeaways:
- Overcoming Hurdles: To overcome incredible hurdles like a serious disease, it’s essential to have an unwavering mindset and the support of those around you. Mike’s story of overcoming cystic fibrosis showcases the power of persistence and a supportive environment.
- Your Body Adapts: Your body is designed to adapt to the stresses you put it through. By persistently challenging it—whether through physical activities or mental tasks—you can enhance your capabilities. Mike’s journey from a sickly kid to a world champion is a prime example of this adaptive ability.
- Developing Discipline: To develop discipline, start by breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable pieces. Focus on doing one small piece consistently until it becomes a habit, and then add the next piece. Over time, these small habits will compound to form a disciplined lifestyle.
- Perform at Your Peak: Achieving peak performance involves a combination of physiological and psychological preparedness. Understanding and harnessing your body's acute stress response can turn anxiety into a performance enhancer.
- Make a Deal with Yourself: When facing a tough situation, make a deal with yourself to take just one more step. This method helps to break down overwhelming tasks and ensures continuous progress, much like how Mike pushed through his early running struggles.
- Focused Effort: Focused effort yields focused results. It’s essential to have intentional, planned actions toward your goals. This structured approach helps ensure that you’re making the most efficient progress possible.
- Set Your Identity: Establish a clear identity for who you want to be. This identity will guide your habits and help align your actions with your goals. Mike’s experience in setting his identity as a world-class quarterback, despite initial inadequacies, demonstrates the power of a strong self-concept.
Quote of the Show:
- "Greatness comes from maximizing your talent, optimizing your nervous system. Accomplishment takes audacity."
Links:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepawlawski/
- Website: https://mikepawlawski.com/
- Book Link: https://a.co/d/9pkTkPL
- Text “GREAT” to 55444 to receive a free worksheet on how to develop your identity
Ways to Tune In:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ghmiiaRwVtQ9kqqqvmVQY
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/built-to-finish/id1781753842
- Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/665cacbf-79ed-4745-8856-1d8465943c65
- Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/built-to-finish-5907037
- YouTube: https://youtu.be/e4TReM3bu6Q
Creators and Guests
