Miles of Books: The Way of Excellence with Coach Liz Waterstraat
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In this episode of Miles of Books, host Sarah Bowenshaw and coach Liz Waterstraat dive into 'The Way of Excellence' by Brad Stuhlberg, exploring the mindset and practices behind sustained high performance. The conversation begins with a vibrant preview of Feisty Fest, a women-focused festival celebrating movement, learning, and community, setting the tone for a discussion on authenticity, flow, and resilience. Liz and Sarah reflect on what 'being at your best' feels like—emphasizing ease, presence, and alignment—before unpacking Stuhlberg’s core thesis: excellence is not a destination but a dynamic, sustainable process rooted in discipline, recovery, and deep personal meaning. They explore key concepts like situated cognition, the interplay of quit, fit, and grit, and the power of curiosity and reflection. The hosts challenge some of Stuhlberg’s ideas—such as the notion that excellence isn’t about obsession—while affirming the book’s value as a thoughtful, non-prescriptive guide to growth. The episode closes with a celebration of small wins, mental resilience, and the joy of progress over perfection.
Excellence is less about achieving goals and more about the sustainable, joyful process of growth and becoming.
True performance comes from 'situated cognition'—acting with your whole being, not just your mind.
Discipline and consistency matter more than constant motivation; mood often follows action.
Caring deeply about what you do—especially when it breaks your heart—fuels genuine excellence.
Reflection after experience is the true engine of growth.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Feisty Fest: A Weekend of Movement, Learning, and Community
“The vibe? Think less intense fitness retreat more the best weekend you've had in years.”
Introducing 'The Way of Excellence' by Brad Stuhlberg
Sarah and Liz launch into their weekly book discussion, focusing on Brad Stuhlberg’s 'The Way of Excellence.' They set the stage by explaining the book’s core idea: excellence is not a how-to guide but a way of being—a mindset rooted in growth, discipline, and authenticity.
What Does 'Being at Your Best' Feel Like?
“It's just this sense of ease. There's a sense of this is who I am. This is fully me.”
Excellence as a Process, Not a Destination
Liz explains how Stuhlberg’s book differs from typical self-help: it’s not a manual but a philosophical framework. The focus is on sustainable growth, internal mastery, and the importance of caring deeply about what you do.
Foundations of Excellence: Biology, Psychology, and Philosophy
“It is the mark of a great athlete, one who just says, OK, this is where we're at now. We're just going to move forward.”
“Experience plus reflection equals growth.”
“He plays to figure things out. To learn, to stay in the moment, to stay connected and not feel anything other than what's in front of you.”
“It is the mark of a great athlete, one who just says, OK, this is where we're at now. We're just going to move forward.”
Host
Guest
Liz Waterstraat
person
Sarah Bowenshaw
person
The Way of Excellence
book
Brad Stuhlberg
person
Feisty Fest
other
Pickleball
other
Another Mother Runner
media
IQ Bar
brand
Wahoo
brand
Dimity
person
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