Who on Earth is Josh Waitzkin?

“Great ones are willing to get burned time and again as they sharpen their swords in the fire.”

“Growth comes at the point of resistance. We learn by pushing ourselves and finding what really lies at the outer reaches of our abilities.”

“If I want to be the best, I have to take risks others would avoid, always optimizing the learning potential of the moment and turning adversity to my advantage.”

“In every discipline, the ability to be clearheaded, present, cool under fire is much of what separates the best from the mediocre.”

“In my experience, successful people shoot for the stars, put their hearts on the line in every battle, and ultimately discover that the lessons learned from the pursuit of excellence mean much more than the immediate trophies and glory.”

“It is rarely a mysterious technique that drives us to the top, but rather a profound mastery of what may well be a basic skill set.”

“Mental resilience is arguably the most critical trait of a world-class performer, and it should be nurtured continuously.”

“One idea I taught was the importance of regaining presence and clarity of mind after making a serious error.”

“One of the most critical strengths of a superior competitor in any discipline—whether we are speaking about sports, business negotiations, or even presidential debates—is the ability to dictate the tone of the battle.”

“The key to pursuing excellence is to embrace an organic, long-term learning process, and not to live in a shell of static, safe mediocrity. Usually, growth comes at the expense of previous comfort or safety.”

“There will be nothing learned from any challenge in which we don't try our hardest.”

“To walk a thorny road, we may cover its every inch with leather or we can make sandals.”

“While a fixation on results is certainly unhealthy, short-term goals can be useful developmental tools if they are balanced within a nurturing long-term philosophy.”