Fueling Performance with Purpose: Don’t Chase the What, Discover the Who with Brad Cooper, PhD

In this episode of What Are You Made Of? with Mike “C-Roc”, endurance athlete, executive coach, and mental toughness expert Brad Cooper, PhD joins the show to talk about the powerful difference between who you are and what you do—and why that distinction can change your life. Brad shares his awe-inspiring story of biking over 3,000 miles across America in just over seven days, a feat he accomplished only weeks after a serious cycling accident that left him with multiple fractures. The conversation dives deep into identity, resilience, purpose, and performance—highlighting how Brad’s journey through athletics, academics (he earned a PhD at age 50), and faith helped him strip away ego and redefine success on his own terms. Together, Mike "C-Roc" and Brad explore the dangers of tying your self-worth to external achievements, how faith and clarity of purpose can fuel elite performance, and why being a “catalyst” for others is the most fulfilling path of all. Whether you're navigating a personal pivot or chasing your next big goal, this episode will challenge you to stop chasing the “what” and finally get clear on the “who.”Website-https://drbradcooper.com/https://catalystcoaching360.com/https://www.catalystcoachinginstitute.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/optimalhumanperformance