THE ED MYLETT SHOW
Episode: How to Build a Bulletproof Mindset Through Preparation
Host: Ed Mylett | Date: January 17, 2026
Episode Overview
This packed episode of The Ed Mylett Show explores the keys to building a bulletproof mindset, focusing especially on the often-overlooked power of preparation, embracing uncertainty, and the value of continual self-improvement. Ed Mylett welcomes peak performers from sports and business—including UFC fighter Michael Chandler, Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, NFL Hall-of-Famer Terrell Owens, MLB All-Star Sean Casey, and author Ryan Holiday—for deep discussions on discipline, embracing adversity, and achieving lasting success by doing the work when no one’s watching.
Key Themes & Discussion Points
1. Striving for Excellence, Not Perfection (w/ Michael Chandler)
[01:41 – 09:52]
- Chandler’s Mental Approach: Michael Chandler emphasizes the importance of training to be the best version of yourself rather than focusing solely on beating an opponent.
- “I don’t need to train to beat that opponent. I just need to be the best version of myself that night inside the octagon.” – Michael Chandler [02:31]
- Faith & Self-Worth: Chandler openly shares his Christian faith as central to his process. He focuses on being in flow and performing without fear, knowing that win or lose, he is loved by God, his family, and himself.
- “Win, lose or draw, my God still loves me, my family still loves me, and I still love me.” – Michael Chandler [03:46]
- The Trap of Perfection: Both Chandler and Mylett discuss the destructive effects of perfectionism on confidence and self-love.
- “If that’s your standard, you have wired yourself for misery.” – Ed Mylett [05:53]
- Chandler credits his mentor for shifting him from pursuing “perfect” to focusing on consistent “success” and incremental improvement.
- “It took me 12 years to become an overnight success.” – Michael Chandler [08:00]
2. Harnessing Fear, Preparation, and the Underdog Mindset
[09:52 – 18:25]
- Fear Before Fights: Chandler candidly says he does not fear injury; rather, he fears underperforming relative to his preparation.
- “The biggest fears that I have are… going out there and performing at a subpar level.” – Michael Chandler [11:35]
- Underdog Advantage: Chandler explains how, when he’s considered the underdog, he actually feels more free and performs better.
- “The underdog is in such an advantageous situation because they have nothing to lose.” – Michael Chandler [14:04]
- Self-Reflection & Preparation: Both Chandler and Mylett agree that any subpar performance usually traces back to preparation, not the opponent.
- “If I step inside the cage and there is doubt about my preparation, I'm never ever going to perform at the highest level.” – Michael Chandler [17:00]
3. Physical Preparation and Longevity
[21:17 – 26:00]
- Athlete’s Edge: Chandler attributes much of his longevity to his D1 wrestling background and emphasizes always training to be a superior athlete, not just a fighter.
- Body Maintenance: Details weekly bodywork (massage, targeted muscle work) and tools like the “Pso Rite” for injury prevention and pain management.
- “I've been training now for 12 years and probably only about the last five or six years have I been doing body work every single week.” – Michael Chandler [22:44]
- Identity as Athlete: Mylett encourages listeners—even non-athletes—to adopt the mindset and self-definition of an “athlete” for confidence and health.
4. The Central Role of Faith and Gratitude
[25:21 – 29:26]
- Faith as Foundation: Chandler shares how gratitude and faith keep him grounded, humble, and motivated.
- “All of it ties back to my faith... I live in a constant state of gratitude.” – Michael Chandler [27:50]
5. Preparation, Opportunity, and Leadership (w/ Dabo Swinney)
[37:12 – 55:00]
- Preparedness for Opportunity: Dabo Swinney tells his journey from unlikely interim coach to successful head coach at Clemson, attributed to constant preparation and taking notes for years even when he wasn’t at the top.
- “You gotta be prepared for your opportunity. You may not ever get it, but...better be prepared.” – Dabo Swinney [45:14]
- Bloom Where You're Planted: Swinney stresses excellence in whatever role you have, no matter how small; don’t chase the title, focus on the job.
- “The grass is green where you're watering it, right?...bloom where you're planted.” – Dabo Swinney [43:02]
- No Shortcuts: He warns young coaches against seeking quick advancement.
- “You gotta take the steps, all right? There's no elevator to being a head coach... There's no elevator to greatness.” – Dabo Swinney [53:34]
- Love of Preparation: Swinney and Mylett agree that the greats fall in love with the process, not just the results.
- “Everybody loves to play...but it's falling in love and embracing the suck along the way. That's what separates us.” – Dabo Swinney [55:03]
6. Taking Initiative and Creating Opportunity (w/ Sean Casey)
[77:56 – 90:01]
- Unlikely Success Story: Casey details going from overlooked high school player to MLB All-Star by relentless practice and proactively reaching out to colleges himself.
- “You want to play college baseball? You’ve got to start playing offense, not defense, and quit waiting for somebody to come.” – Sean Casey (recounting advice from his father) [84:27]
- Compound Effort: Consistent daily effort—what Casey calls “compound pounding”—delivers transformation over time.
- “It was just such great lessons...preparation meeting opportunity.” – Sean Casey [88:50]
7. Embracing Humility, Preparation, and Continuous Learning (w/ Ryan Holiday & Ed Mylett)
[92:00 – 97:24]
- Humility and Confidence: Mylett reflects on the importance of combining self-confidence with genuine humility, no matter how much you achieve.
- “I try to have a lot of self-confidence with a degree of humility. And most of the people I surround myself with have that as well.” – Ed Mylett [95:34]
- Curiosity & Connection: Mylett emphasizes curiosity, learning from everyone, and never tying your identity solely to achievements or possessions.
- "I want to meet real people…That’s the juice of life, is to have humility. It’s where you learn and you reach people." – Ed Mylett [97:24]
8. NFL and MLB Legends on Preparation and Mindset
Terrell Owens (NFL Hall-of-Famer)
[56:49 – 74:43]
- Preparation for the Big Moment: Owens describes outworking others, preparing for opportunities, and embracing adversity.
- “I was afraid to be average. I wanted to be great.” – Terrell Owens [68:08]
- Team Mindset: Recognizes his own success as a product of creating value for the team and being ready to step up when opportunity knocked.
- Handling Challenges: Describes playing in the Super Bowl with a broken leg as a defining moment of grit.
Memorable Quotes & Takeaways
- “You just need to be the best version of yourself that night inside the octagon…I truly believe that in that moment, if I’m inside that octagon and that cage door closes, if I perform at my best, I’m not going to lose.” – Michael Chandler [02:31]
- “If that’s your standard, you have wired yourself for misery…” – Ed Mylett on perfectionism [05:53]
- “The underdog is in such more of an advantageous situation because they have nothing to lose compared to the guy who is on top, who has everything to lose every single time he steps into an arena.” – Michael Chandler [14:04]
- “Preparation, meeting opportunity…It would be a shame, Sean, if the opportunity came along and you weren’t prepared.” – Sean Casey (quoting his father) [82:53]
- “Championships are won when nobody’s watching.” – Dabo Swinney [50:46]
- “There’s no elevator to greatness…You gotta put the work in and take the steps, period. And you know what? Enjoy it.” – Dabo Swinney [53:33]
- “I try to have a lot of self-confidence with a degree of humility.” – Ed Mylett [95:34]
- “I was afraid to be average. I wanted to be great.” – Terrell Owens [68:08]
Timestamps of Key Segments
- 01:41 – Chandler on training for self vs. opponent, faith, and self-love
- 09:52 – Embracing uncertainty, fear before fights, preparation as the confidence source
- 21:17 – Michael Chandler on bodywork, longevity, and athleticism
- 25:21 – The role of faith and gratitude in sustaining performance
- 37:12 – Dabo Swinney on earning his shot and seizing the interim coach opportunity
- 45:14 – Swinney’s preparation for head coaching, the “head coach book”, and learning from others
- 53:34 – The necessity of taking the stairs to greatness; loving the “suck” of preparation
- 77:56 – Sean Casey’s journey from overlooked to MLB All-Star, writing 30 letters to get a shot
- 92:00 – Ed Mylett with Ryan Holiday: on humility, curiosity, and identity beyond achievement
Final Thoughts
This episode is a testament to preparation, humility, self-love, and the daily choices that separate the merely good from the truly great. Whether in sports, leadership, or life, every guest affirms: put in the quiet work, embrace discomfort, never chase perfection, and remain grateful and humble through every step. Preparation isn’t just a means to success—it’s the foundation of a bulletproof mindset.