Episode 27 of The Mike O’Hearn Show was published on Generation Iron‘s YouTube channel on Dec. 30, 2022. It featured an interview with one of the all-time greatest bodybuilders ever to compete: seven-time Mr. Olympia champion Phil Heath.
In Heath’s conversation with O’Hearn, the duo chats about overcoming self-doubt and having the awareness to recognize weaknesses so one can take the requisite steps toward accurately correcting them. Check it out below:
[Related: Behold Derek Lunsford’s Cheat Meal of Double Cheeseburgers One Day After Winning Silver at the 2022 Mr. Olympia]
There’s a part of all of us that says, “you can’t do that.”
The conversation opens with Heath expressing the inner voice that expresses doubt in one’s abilities, whether it be about becoming the top bodybuilder in the world, getting a promotion at work, or any other desired goal. While Heath acknowledges that that voice “will always be a part of you,” for him, the goal is to determine whether or not that doubt is truthful.
If that’s my reality, then I’m going to be mediocre.
That point of self-reflection for Heath comes in moments of stillness. He shutters away the business of his work and other commitments to check in with himself. It’s a self-awareness that led him to the second most Olympia titles of all time (tied with Arnold Schwarzenegger).
[Related: Here’s How Six-Time Figure Olympia Champion Cydney Gillon Thinks About Cheat Meals]
One’s hard work trying to seek validation through other people.
That notion can be dangerous to one’s mindset, as Heath suggests that it can create a loss of self — meaning the reason for something can become convoluted. Heath doesn’t feel that striving for something to “prove someone wrong” is sustainable.
Attempting to prove others wrong, particularly on social media, leads to what Heath calls “negative dopamine hits,” where seeking out negativity becomes desirable.
You’ve got to learn to love yourself throughout the experience.
Check out the entire interview to hear everything Heath had to say about mindset.
Featured image: @philheath on Instagram
