In this episode you'll learn why adding variation to your life and routines might be one of the most powerful tools you have for performance and self-development.

Dr. Andy Bass, mental performance coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates, shares how his own experience with the YIPS reshaped the way he thinks about identity, resilience, and what athletes need beyond their sport. He reflects on why so many high performers feel trapped inside narrow definitions of success, and how small shifts in our habits and environments can open the door to creativity and freedom.

Together we explore the science of motor learning, why our minds crave variation, and how small moments of trying something new can expand our capacity. We also discuss burnout, the role of therapy, and the importance of having people who help us notice what we can’t always see in ourselves.