THE ED MYLETT SHOW

Episode: They Didn’t Think They Were Good Enough...Until They Did This

Date: February 14, 2026
Host: Ed Mylett | Cumulus Podcast Network

Overview

This special episode of The Ed Mylett Show is a masterclass in overcoming self-doubt, building resilience, and finding purpose through adversity. Featuring in-depth, honest conversations with Michael Chandler, Fallon Taylor, Andre Ward, Jason Wilson, Dean Graziosi, and NFL safety Damar Hamlin, Ed draws out real stories of vulnerability, discipline, faith, and tenacity from some of the world’s top performers in sport, business, and personal development. The result is an inspiring and practical podcast that shows no one thinks they’re “good enough” until they do the inner work—and keep swinging at their goals, no matter the odds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Michael Chandler: Imposter Syndrome, Resilience, & Preparation

[00:36–17:25]

• Imposter Syndrome in Elite Performance

  • Chandler candidly admits that, despite his UFC success, doubts about belonging at the top still arise (02:33).

    “If you don't have a bunch of fruit on the back of your cart, you can't pass it out to people… I have a duty to be successful because I can then use it to change people's lives.” – Michael Chandler (03:25)

  • Discusses how embracing a small amount of “imposter syndrome” keeps one humble and working hard (04:27).

• Resilience: Taking Punches in the Ring & in Life

  • Chandler draws a powerful parallel: Fighters must recover from getting hit instantaneously or risk defeat, while life’s setbacks often cause paralysis due to worrying about others' judgments (06:45).
  • True persistence is “continuing in a course of action with complete disregard to previous failures and future opposition.”

    “If I sit and I dwell on that one punch… the second, the third, the fourth are going to come, and the knockout is going to ensue. Whereas in life, a lot of times we are stifled and stymied so much by… what’s everybody else thinking?” – Michael Chandler (07:23)

• Preparation as the Foundation for Confidence

  • Chandler’s legendary work ethic began as a 14-year-old wrestling rookie and still drives him at 38.
  • He reflects on gratitude for his physical gifts and the perspective gained by witnessing others’ struggles (10:13–13:14).

• Mindset, Faith, & Internal Work

  • Chandler credits mental training and faith for sustaining his career after nearly 700 days of defeat, saying he became a “subpar version” of himself until he learned to build self-image (14:23).

    “All I was doing was building up a bigger, faster, stronger, subpar version of the man that I was really created to be. Because inside of here, inside of my mind, was lacking…” – Michael Chandler (14:48)

2. Fallon Taylor: Surviving, Thriving, and Defying the Odds

[20:24–44:29]

• Shattering All Odds: From Crippling Injury to World Champion

  • Fallon recounts her 2009 accident: thrown from a horse, 2% chance to live, and paralyzed. Her humor and grit shine in the retelling.

    “He came back in the room. He said, ‘You have a 2% chance to live… you're never gonna ride horses again.’” – Fallon Taylor (23:28)

• Overcoming Discouragement & Proving the Doubters Wrong

  • Hospital staff told her she’d never walk again; she vowed to walk the hall and return with flowers the next day (25:23–29:25).

    “Instead of me being angry at these people… I went and got floral arrangements for every single person that told me I couldn’t do it.” – Fallon Taylor (29:25)

• The Relentless Journey: Comebacks & Setbacks

  • Shares her difficult return to riding, battling persistent self-doubt, public scrutiny, and second-place stigma.
  • The power of setting a bright, compelling goal—her world title became the “light at the end of the tunnel” (31:58–36:09).
  • Ultimately, she becomes world champion against all (literal) odds, showing that consistent, simple effort (“one foot in front of the other”) changes destinies.

3. Andre Ward: World-Class Mindset—Courage Amid Fear

[45:37–60:41]

• Not Being “the Favorite”—Fueling the Fire

  • Early in his boxing career, Ward was overlooked in the “Super Six” tournament; he used this disrespect as motivation (47:36–49:52).

    “I took exception to that. I got on the phone, I called Vir[gil], I said, ‘Man, they don't really expect me to win this.’ … Now it was personal.” – Andre Ward (49:22)

• What Champions Feel Moments Before the Fight

  • Ward reveals pre-fight fear and anxiety are universal, but must be harnessed:

    “That moment [in the locker room] can break a lot of men… You can let fear overtake you and somehow convince yourself that you’re not worthy to be there.” (52:00)

  • He emphasizes self-talk, faith, and the power of a “made-up mind” before stepping into the ring (54:12–56:05).

• The Breaking Point: Psychological Advantage

  • Shares an exhilarating anecdote about breaking opponent Chad Dawson’s will at the weigh-in by referencing a whispered secret about his training mishap (57:33–60:32).

4. Jason Wilson: Redefining Masculinity & Healing Through Love

[61:46–68:17]

• From Toughness to True Strength

  • Wilson, author and men’s coach, shares how his methods evolved from imposing discipline to creating safe spaces for boys to heal.

    “I discovered that our boys didn’t need more discipline. They needed more love… I became what I wanted. And that’s what it is.” – Jason Wilson (66:26)

• Changing the World by Changing Men

  • Emphasizes that when men access both strength and gentleness, they can transform communities and root out toxic patterns: “When we change as men… This world will change.” (67:57)

5. Ed Mylett’s Solo Segment: The Pinata Principle—Resilience as the Ultimate Talent

[68:17–81:40]

• Availability Is the Greatest Ability

  • Ed argues the key to winning is resilience and not quitting—being “available” to win long after others quit (68:17).
  • Powerful analogy: Life is like a pinata party—most people leave before the “candy” (success) comes out.

    “They leave before the candy comes out… Just the fact that while I’ve been speaking, you’re still after your dream, you’re ahead of them.” – Ed Mylett (71:10)

• Celebrate Compound Effort

  • Each effort—even unseen—brings you closer to your breakthrough. Stay in the game long enough for your payout and for those around you to benefit (73:00–75:00).

6. Dean Graziosi: Leaving the Safe Harbor—Facing Your One Big Thing

[81:40–92:11]

• The Cost of Avoidance

  • Dean admits years of placating himself with partial success, while hiding the pain of an unfulfilling relationship. He compares comfortable but limiting situations (relationships, jobs) to harbors that trap us (83:05–85:30).

    “I wasn't facing something because it was scary to me. It grew… it doesn’t go away.” – Dean Graziosi (83:34)

• The Storm Is the Way Forward

  • The only way to transformation is to “sail your ship through the storm,” endure the pain, and emerge with a new map, a new you (85:37–90:35).
  • Reflects on Ed’s idea of God showing you the “video of the person you could have become” if you’d only had courage.

7. Damar Hamlin: Surviving the Unimaginable & Accepting Your Calling

[93:35–102:05]

• Processing Trauma & Why Me?

  • Damar describes the fleeting moments of asking “why me?” after his cardiac arrest on-field, but ultimately decides to reframe it as “Who better than me?” (94:44).

    “I never asked myself—or tried to let myself—get the perspective of why me? Because I know why me. Because I was doing the work, and who better than me?” – Damar Hamlin (97:15)

• Faith, Humility, and Steadfastness

  • Candidly discusses his imperfect faith, understanding God uses “ordinary” people, and the importance of showing up with a full heart (96:00–98:05).

• Perspective: The Ripple Effect

  • Henry’s near-death experience changed not just him, but the people who love and follow him.

    “People see me, they just want a hug. People see me, they want to tell me a little bit about their story or how they were affected…” (99:48)

  • Immediate family kept him grounded; “the people that truly love me and love me with no expectation… are all the same people with me, and we all have a different appreciation for life.” (101:27)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Michael Chandler

• “If you don’t have a bunch of fruit on the back of your cart, you can’t pass it out to people.” (03:25)
• “The definition of persistence is continuing in a course of action with complete disregard to previous failures and future opposition.” (07:53)

Fallon Taylor

• “You don’t always get what you want. Sometimes you get something so much cooler, so much better.” (40:39)
• “Maybe you’re not asking the right person, you know?” (29:27)

Andre Ward

• “That moment… can break a lot of men. You can have a great training camp… and lose your confidence, you can let fear overtake you.” (52:00)
• “A made-up mind is a hard thing to break.” (55:43)

Jason Wilson

• “When we change as men… This world will change.” (67:57)
• “I became what I wanted.” (66:26)

Ed Mylett

• "The best ability is availability." (68:30)
• “Life is like a piñata… The vast majority of people in life don’t stick around for the candy.” (71:45)
• “Someone’s gonna get the candy. In life, there’s always candy in life. That pinata eventually always breaks down.” (76:00)

Dean Graziosi

• “The thing you’ve been avoiding is growing, even though you think it’s not. And it's got roots, and the roots are creeping over all areas of your life.” (83:34)
• “Your next level lives on the other side of the thing you’re avoiding.” (91:10)
• “When those roots were gone… my life exponentially grew.” (90:15)

Damar Hamlin

• “Who better than me, you know?” (97:15)
• “I truly let my heart walk into every room before I did. With no expectations in return.” (96:00)
• “The people that truly love me… are all still in my life. We're all still the same people with me, and we all have a different appreciation for life.” (101:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Michael Chandler: 00:36–17:25
• Fallon Taylor: 20:24–44:29
• Andre Ward: 45:37–60:41
• Jason Wilson: 61:46–68:17
• Ed Mylett (“Piñata Principle”): 68:17–81:40
• Dean Graziosi: 81:40–92:11
• Damar Hamlin: 93:35–102:05

Conclusion

This episode delivers a sweeping, highly personal look at how world-class performers face self-doubt, adversity, and critics—and turn those challenges into fuel for monumental comebacks and deeply meaningful lives. Whether it’s in the octagon, the rodeo arena, the boxing ring, or the ambiguous battles of our personal and emotional lives, the message is consistent: Everyone struggles with feeling “not enough.” The solution is relentless self-honesty, faith (in oneself, in God, or in one’s community), extreme preparation, and the refusal to ever stop swinging at the pinata of your dreams.

Fans and first-timers alike will find wisdom, encouragement, and practical tools for becoming the best version of themselves—one round, one comeback, and one resilient day at a time.