THE ED MYLETT SHOW
Episode: The Unfiltered Truth About Peak Performance with Jim Murphy
Date: August 26, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Ed Mylett sits down with Jim Murphy, acclaimed author of "Inner Excellence," to explore what truly drives peak performance—not just in sports or business, but in life itself. Murphy, known for his deep work with elite athletes and executives, brings a faith-based and deeply introspective approach to achieving lasting excellence, focusing on transformation from the inside out. The conversation covers the pillars of extraordinary performance, the difference between joy and happiness, the critical importance of beliefs and identity, and practical insights for cultivating inner peace, resilience, and purpose.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Inner Excellence: Competing to Grow (02:15–04:50)
- Foundational Mindset:
Ed begins by quoting Murphy's mission: "I compete to raise the level of excellence in my life, to learn and grow in order to raise it in others." (02:17) - Identity Over Achievement:
Murphy stresses the importance of who one is over what one accomplishes: "Who you are as a person is the most important thing that you bring to the world... and that means learning and growing is the number one thing." (02:50) - Growth as a Daily Pursuit:
He emphasizes consistent learning: "The most important thing every day that we do is to learn and grow." (03:16)
2. The Three Pillars of Peak Performance: Belief, Freedom, Focus (04:02–05:50)
- BFF Framework:
- Belief: "The subconscious comfort level with what you feel is possible in your life."
- Freedom: "To play like a kid and have joy."
- Focus: "To be fully engaged in the moment, heart, mind, and body unattached to outcome." (04:02)
- Joy vs. Happiness:
"Joy is a deep sense of well being, freedom, and gratitude—independent of circumstance. Happiness is a positive temporary feeling based on what's happening." (04:50)
3. The Power of Detachment and Meaningful Joy (05:50–06:48)
- Freedom from Conditional Happiness:
Both agree that true joy is "non-circumstantial," not dependent on fleeting achievements or setbacks. - Notable Quote:
Ed Mylett: "Truly free people... their joy, their freedom, their peace is extremely conditional on what's going on at any given time." (05:54)
4. Beliefs vs. Thoughts: A Foundational Breakthrough (06:48–09:00)
- You're Not Your Thoughts:
Murphy: "The most successful people in the world at anything have terrible thoughts sometimes... and they have nothing to do with you." (06:48) - Beliefs are Deeper:
"Your heart is what's running your life. We need to get to the neural level where when you're squeezed, what comes out is inner strength." (08:00) - Beliefs as Feelings:
"Beliefs are feelings. Not every feeling is a belief, but beliefs are feelings." (08:40)
5. Practical Tools to Shift Beliefs (09:00–11:57)
- Language and Self-Talk:
Jim emphasizes accurate language: "When you say ‘I’m struggling with my putting’—in the present tense—you’re reinforcing a limiting belief." (09:08) - Speak Truth About the Past, Create Possibility for the Future:
"Anything we don't want to continue, we state in the past tense." (10:16) - Changing Identity and Belief:
“Your identity can change, which is crucial... The problem with imposter syndrome is it’s a self-centered thing.” (11:09)
6. Ego, Humility, and Self-Centeredness (11:57–15:18)
- Humility as Accuracy:
"Humility is an accurate view of self—it's not overinflated or underinflated." (13:00) - Selfless is Fearless:
"When we're at our best, there's no thoughts of self... you're fully in the moment." (13:33) - Self-Centeredness Breeds Fear:
Murphy shares, "Self-centeredness is the biggest challenge that we face in performance and in life because it leads to fear." (14:20)
7. The Heart Over the Mind—Peak Performance Reimagined (18:34–21:21)
- Training the Heart:
"We use the mind to train the heart. When you squeeze a person, what's inside their heart is what's going to come out." (18:39) - Deep Motivation:
"Your heart is where your deepest fears and greatest dreams are." (19:09) - Identity as a Learner:
Ed: "Most people who are great, their internal identity is that of a learner." (20:40)
8. Everything (and Everyone) Happens For You (21:21–24:34)
- Radical Acceptance:
"Everything and everyone I encounter is here to teach me and help me. It's all working for my good." (21:21) - Perspective in Adversity:
Ed shares a story about helping his family member find meaning in deep tragedy, tying this back to faith and resilience. (22:04)
9. Love, Connection, and Our True Pursuits (24:34–25:41)
- The Deepest Need:
"Our deepest need as humans is for love and connection... and our greatest fear is rejection." (23:38) - Success Confusing Love for Recognition:
"Most people spend their lives trying to get more love and connection by being successful and gaining recognition." (24:49) - A Purpose Beyond Results:
“It’s crucial to have a clear purpose that goes beyond results and circumstances.” (25:41)
10. Compassion and Judgment (29:19–32:01)
- “Everyone Does the Best They Can” Principle:
"Everyone does the best they can with what they have in their heart... if you can see that, compassion is the only wise response." (29:19) - Inner Power:
"The person who's in the most control of their inner world has the most power." (30:50)
11. Maintaining Inner Excellence Amidst Chaos (32:01–35:59)
- Discipline is Inner, Not Outer:
On staying centered: "Whoever wins the British Open walks by faith, not by sight... they stay connected to the vision, not the circumstances." (32:01) - Gratitude as the Doorway to Peace:
Murphy’s practice: "Look for at least three small gifts each day... we want to train the subconscious to see beauty and gifts by looking for the specific moments." (33:38, 34:49)
12. Letting Go of Judgment and Past (37:56–38:43)
- Reduce Judgment:
"If you want to have an extraordinary life... really reduce the judgment. Lay down the negative verdict about self, circumstances or others." (37:56) - Detachment and Curiosity:
Judgment "narrows your vision and kills curiosity and creativity." (38:20)
13. The Affluenza of Western Culture (40:00–40:46)
- The "PALMS" Virus:
"Western culture has this affluenza virus obsessed with... possessions, achievements, looks, money, and status." (40:00) - Surface vs. Substance:
"It’s this surface level obsession with getting something that's far more deep and meaningful than we know how to pursue." (40:46)
14. Daily Practices, Goals, and Surrender (41:22–46:50)
- Fueling Your Heart:
Be careful about what and whom you consume: "Everything you read, watch, listen to... is creating who you're becoming." (41:22) - Solitude and Audit of Desire:
Regularly question: “Why do I want what I want? Are my goals even good for me?” (42:15) - Prepare, Then Detach:
Have goals, but "hold your goals loosely"—work towards them, but “focus more on who you’re becoming.” (43:00) - Not Always Getting What You Want:
"What you really want is not always what's best for you." (44:18) - Be Willing to Fail and Detour:
“You have to be willing to fail. You have to be willing to look foolish and master your ego in order to do anything great.” (46:42)
15. Identity: The Underlying Driving Force (47:12–49:36)
- True Identity:
"Identity is one of the five deep needs of the heart—to feel like you have a sense of worth and that you are somebody." (47:12) - Universal Longing for Love:
"Unconditional love is our greatest need and desire... That's what inner excellence is: the pursuit of that." (47:52) - Letting Go of the Past:
"You are not your past... Are you willing to let go of who you’ve been? Are you willing to face your fears? ...Then you can do great things. The world needs hope, and you are what the world needs." (48:52)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Jim Murphy: "You are not your mind. You're going to have some terrible thoughts sometimes. The most successful people in the world at anything have terrible thoughts sometimes... and they have nothing to do with you." (06:48)
- Ed Mylett: "Selfless is fearless." (11:57)
- Jim Murphy: "Compassion is the only wise response." (29:19)
- Ed Mylett: "The person who’s in the most control of their inner world has the most power." (30:50)
- Jim Murphy: "Everyone does the best they can with what they have in their heart." (29:19)
- Jim Murphy: "You are not your past... The world needs hope, and you are what the world needs." (48:52)
- Ed Mylett: "Most people who are great, their internal identity is that of a learner." (20:40)
Key Segment Timestamps
- 02:15 – Introduction to Jim Murphy and concept of competing to grow
- 04:02 – The “BFF” pillars: Belief, Freedom, Focus
- 06:48 – Thoughts vs. beliefs; you're not your mind
- 09:08 – Speaking truth: Language’s effect on belief
- 11:57 – Self-centeredness, humility, and the real nature of ego
- 14:20 – How self-centeredness leads to fear and underperformance
- 18:39 – Training the heart, not just the mind
- 21:21 – The radical idea that everything happens for our growth
- 23:38 – Love and connection as our deepest need
- 29:19 – Compassion, judgment, and “everyone does their best”
- 32:01 – Control your inner world, not the outer
- 33:38 – Gratitude practices for daily peace
- 40:00 – The "Affluenza" of achievement culture
- 43:00 – Goal-setting, letting go, and becoming
- 47:12 – Identity as the core of performance and fulfillment
Tone & Style
The conversation is motivating, deeply philosophical, practical, and honest. Both Ed and Jim weave personal stories with actionable strategies, blending faith, science, and lived wisdom. The tone is compassionate, encouraging, and resolutely focused on helping listeners transcend limiting beliefs and embrace a purpose-driven, heart-centered life.
Recommended Action:
Check out Jim Murphy's book "Inner Excellence" for a deeper dive and consider reflecting today on:
- How do your current beliefs shape your world?
- What small moments can you find gratitude for today?
- Where are you confusing recognition or achievement for true connection and love?
- What identity are you living from—and is it aligned with your heart?
End note: "This was an extraordinary experience for me and conversation. And I want to thank you for today. It was excellent, no pun intended." – Ed Mylett (49:36)