660: How the Ultra Successful Think (and Why Most People Self-Sabotage) with Dr. Julie Gurner

Many high achievers look successful on paper but feel constrained, overwhelmed, or quietly dissatisfied behind the scenes.  In this episode, Ted sits down with executive performance psychologist Dr. Julie Gurner to explore why driven people struggle with stress, control, motivation, and identity as their responsibilities grow. The conversation breaks down how success can outpace personal growth—and what happens when it does.  This episode offers a clear, grounded look at the psychological shifts required to sustain performance, health, and fulfillment at higher levels. Listen now!   Today's Guest  Dr. Julie Gurner  Dr. Julie Gurner is a doctor  psychology and executive performance coach who works with high-level executives, founders, and elite performers in tech, finance, and other high-stakes industries. She is the founder of Ultra Successful, a widely read newsletter focused on the psychology of exceptional performance, and has been described by The Wall Street Journal as a real-world counterpart to Wendy Rhoades from Billions.    Connect to Dr. Julie Gurner  Website: DrGurner.com   Substack: DrGurner.substack.com   X: @drgurner  Instagram: @drgurner    You'll learn:    Why high performers often sabotage success as their identity lags behind growth  How control, stress, and overload quietly limit cognitive performance  The difference between productive stress and stress that undermines decision-making  Why motivation, discipline, and grinding are often misunderstood at high levels    What Ted and Julie discuss in this episode:  00:00 Introduction  00:42 Meet Dr. Julie Gurner: Performance Psychologist  02:13 High Performers and Fitness  03:40 The Role of Sleep in Performance  05:24 Cognitive Optimization for High Achievers  11:05 Managing Stress for Executives  14:01 Letting Go of Control to Succeed  14:49 The 80% Rule: Delegating for Growth  15:33 Building a Team: The Key to Scaling  16:18 Personal Growth for Business Success  17:03 Balancing Control and Delegation  18:31 Choosing the Right Business Partner  20:00 The Importance of Self-Belief  26:17 Final Thoughts