Ep121: Breaking Down Impossible Obstacles to Make (Almost) Anything Achievable | with Jessie Graff, ANW Optimize Yourself
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- Zelfhulp
If you’ve been listening to this show for any amount of time, you know that I love breaking seemingly impossible goals down to small, manageable steps. I’m all about creating tiny habits and incrementally building upon them to progress gradually - hence playing chess with your life instead of checkers. This is one of the key elements in my coaching and mentorship program and it’s also the foundation that today’s guest has used to build herself up to one of the top competitors in American Ninja Warrior (which is frankly being modest - she’s a LEGEND).
Jessie Graff, also known as the modern-day Wonder Woman, is the first woman to finish stages 1 & 2 in the Las Vegas finals of American Ninja Warrior, she is an accomplished stunt woman in Hollywood working on such films as G.I. Joe, Transformers, Wonder Woman, and Alita: Battle Angel (to name a few), and she is also the daughter of fellow American Ninja Warrior and recent podcast guest Ginny McColl.
In today’s conversation, Jessie and I go deeeeeeeeeep into the inner psychology that drives her to compete and perform with such consistency and at such a high level. We talk about the practices and habits that have led to her success as well as the struggles, injuries, and the challenges she has overcome both as a child and an adult. And most importantly we discuss how she developed the mental toughness and fortitude that has led to her becoming the badass she is today (spoiler alert: Her mom had a lot to do with it).
But don’t let all of that scare you away...Jessie is also one of the nicest, sweetest, and down-to-earth “celebrities” I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing.
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Here's What You'll Learn: The story of how a chicken dress opened a new career door for her in stunt work. What she learned from her mom that she carries with her into Ninja training. How she keeps herself inspired even through injury. The secret to tackling any obstacle you encounter. The embarrassing story of what happened in Season 7 of ANW and the drastic change she made in her training after that injury. How she accidentally learned about the career of stuntwomen and became inspired to be one. The mindset shift she uses to avoid disappointment when she doesn’t achieve a goal. What obstacle she conquered that made her scream, “Anything is possible! I did it!” The exact method and approach she uses to mentally and physically prepare herself for each obstacle. Why Jessie thinks confidence is the number one Ninja killer. The different levels of commitment required for training to build up strength and experience while staying safe. What magic phrases Jessie has printed on a sign that hangs in her workout room to keep her accountable and inspired to do her dreaded squats. Jessie’s best advice for achieving impossible dreams.
Useful Resources Mentioned: Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW
Epic Chick Fight Video
Epic Chick Fight (Live Action Chicken Fight)
Jessie Graff: First Woman to Finish Stage 1 - American Ninja Warrior
Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast
As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.
» Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast
P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!
This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at the
If you’ve been listening to this show for any amount of time, you know that I love breaking seemingly impossible goals down to small, manageable steps. I’m all about creating tiny habits and incrementally building upon them to progress gradually - hence playing chess with your life instead of checkers. This is one of the key elements in my coaching and mentorship program and it’s also the foundation that today’s guest has used to build herself up to one of the top competitors in American Ninja Warrior (which is frankly being modest - she’s a LEGEND).
Jessie Graff, also known as the modern-day Wonder Woman, is the first woman to finish stages 1 & 2 in the Las Vegas finals of American Ninja Warrior, she is an accomplished stunt woman in Hollywood working on such films as G.I. Joe, Transformers, Wonder Woman, and Alita: Battle Angel (to name a few), and she is also the daughter of fellow American Ninja Warrior and recent podcast guest Ginny McColl.
In today’s conversation, Jessie and I go deeeeeeeeeep into the inner psychology that drives her to compete and perform with such consistency and at such a high level. We talk about the practices and habits that have led to her success as well as the struggles, injuries, and the challenges she has overcome both as a child and an adult. And most importantly we discuss how she developed the mental toughness and fortitude that has led to her becoming the badass she is today (spoiler alert: Her mom had a lot to do with it).
But don’t let all of that scare you away...Jessie is also one of the nicest, sweetest, and down-to-earth “celebrities” I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing.
Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One? » Click here to subscribe and never miss another episode
Here's What You'll Learn: The story of how a chicken dress opened a new career door for her in stunt work. What she learned from her mom that she carries with her into Ninja training. How she keeps herself inspired even through injury. The secret to tackling any obstacle you encounter. The embarrassing story of what happened in Season 7 of ANW and the drastic change she made in her training after that injury. How she accidentally learned about the career of stuntwomen and became inspired to be one. The mindset shift she uses to avoid disappointment when she doesn’t achieve a goal. What obstacle she conquered that made her scream, “Anything is possible! I did it!” The exact method and approach she uses to mentally and physically prepare herself for each obstacle. Why Jessie thinks confidence is the number one Ninja killer. The different levels of commitment required for training to build up strength and experience while staying safe. What magic phrases Jessie has printed on a sign that hangs in her workout room to keep her accountable and inspired to do her dreaded squats. Jessie’s best advice for achieving impossible dreams.
Useful Resources Mentioned: Ep120: The Ninja Warrior Mother-Daughter Dynamic Duo, Part 1 | with Ginny MacColl, ANW
Epic Chick Fight Video
Epic Chick Fight (Live Action Chicken Fight)
Jessie Graff: First Woman to Finish Stage 1 - American Ninja Warrior
Our Generous Sponsors: Struggling With Real-Time Remote Collaboration? Meet Evercast
As work begins to slowly trickle in again, perhaps the most pressing challenge we as creative professionals face in our post-pandemic reality is real-time collaboration. Zoom is great for meetings, but it sure doesn't work for streaming video. Luckily this problem has now been solved for all of us. If you haven't heard of Evercast, it's time to become acquainted. Because Evercast's real-time remote collaboration technology is CHANGING. THE. GAME.
» Click here to be the first to gain early access to the new Evercast
P.S. It's (finally) priced for freelancers and indie creatives like us!
This episode is made possible for you by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone who stands at the
1 u. 11 min.