Steve Magness (@stevemagness)
Topics they write about
When you’re standing in line, how do you handle it? In 2004, you’d talk with someone or let your mind wander. In 2025, you scroll. We’ve eliminated boredom from daily life. But boredom is a spark for creativity, curiosity, and connection....
"The coach's job is 20% technical and 80% inspirational. He may know all there is to know about tactics, technique, and training, but if he cannot win the confidence and comradeship of his pupils he will never be a good coach." -Franz Stampfl, advisor to Roger Bannister...
The science of performance is clear: humans thrive when basic needs are met. Autonomy. Mastery. Belonging. Challenge. These aren’t luxuries, they’re predictors of who excels when it matters. Meet these needs, and performance follows....
What I learned as a college coach: The kids who come to college used to being pushed—by parents, teachers, or coaches—often don’t make it. External motivation works in the short term. But when no one’s there to push, it fades. The key to thriving long-term isn’t force. It’s learning to moti...
The science of performance is clear: humans thrive when basic needs are met. Autonomy. Mastery. Belonging. Challenge. These aren’t luxuries, they’re predictors of who excels when it matters. Meet these needs, and performance follows....
I'm world class at failure. But a specific kind... getting really freaking close, then falling just short. A few examples: -Ran a 4:01 mile, instead of getting under 4. -Missed HS national XC championships by 1 spot. -Missed NCAA championships by 0.06 seconds. -Missed qualifying for USA champs...
The best advice for financial investments: do the boring basics for a long time. The best advice for fitness, health, and longevity: do the boring basics for a long time. The best advice for mastering a craft: do the boring basics for a long time. Stop chasing hacks. Stop searching for shiny obje...
Charlie Parker said: “Learn your instrument. Practice, practice, practice. Then forget all that and just wail.” Neuroscience shows he was right. Researchers found that jazz musicians and freestyle rappers train their brains to quiet the inner critic and turn up self-expression when they perform....
We love to talk about confidence as if it’s magic. Act like you’ve got it. Fake it until you make it. Believe in yourself, no matter what. But real confidence isn’t built on bravado. It’s built on evidence. On aligning expectations with reality. On knowing you’re ready because you’ve put in ...