• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Farnam Street Logo

Farnam Street

Mastering the best of what other people have already figured out

  • Newsletter
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • Articles
  • Log In
  • Become a Member
TweetEmailLinkedInPrint

The Knowledge Project Podcast

Todd Herman: Unleashing Your Secret Identity [The Knowledge Project Ep. #182]

We all inhabit different identities throughout our day. Perhaps we’re entrepreneurs or employees, mothers or fathers, athletes or CEOs. But how can you harness the strengths of these different identities to get the best out of yourself? And can these different identities be used to get through tough times? Todd Herman calls on more than two decades of experience working with top performers on performance, strategy, mindset, and execution to discuss his thoughts on peak performance, the value of patience, the fear that prevents us from performing our best, imposter syndrome, and how he worked with Kobe Bryant to build the legendary alter-ego of The Black Mamba.

Available now: YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Transcript

Herman has worked with elite athletes, peak performers, and entrepreneurial leaders for over 22 years. He helps them achieve their most ambitious goals by becoming more resilient, creative, confident, and courageous. He is also the author of the bestselling book The Alter Ego Effect.

Here are a few highlights from the episode:

I want to look at your identity because your identity—the person or the view of yourself that’s going out to perform on that field—is where all of your habits, attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs sit; they’re on top of that identity of you as that performer.

Success has a lot more to do with not making stupid mistakes than it ever does [with] making phenomenally right choices.

If you want to win, you’ve got to know how to execute. And it’s in the execution that so many people break. They just don’t want to do the things. Everyone wants the noun without the verb.

Everybody gets knocked down. I just want to ensure I get knocked down pursuing the things that I want to go and pursue.

Pressure is not real. Pressure is only delivered by the human itself.

We throw around the word “focus” and say, “You just gotta focus more,” and what I would say to people is, “I think you need to add more meaning to the activity and what it’s doing for you and where it’s taking you.”

Transcript

Get transcripts, early access, ad-free episodes, and so much more. Learn more or sign up now.

Already a member? Head over to the Members Only area to access transcripts and other Member Only content.

Become a Member

More Episodes

Morgan Housel: Wealth is What You Have Minus What You Want

Morgan Housel breaks down the exact framework he uses to build wealth, minimize financial stress, and buy freedom. Available Now: Apple …

Listen NowMorgan Housel: Wealth is What You Have Minus What You Want

[Outliers] The Multidisciplinary Approach to Thinking | Peter D. Kaufman

One of the people I’ve learned the most from is Peter D. Kaufman.  Peter has been the chairman and CEO of GlenAir since 1977. And …

Listen Now[Outliers] The Multidisciplinary Approach to Thinking | Peter D. Kaufman

James Clear: How to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

James Clear is the author of Atomic Habits, a global bestseller that has shaped how millions of people think about habits, consistency, and …

Listen NowJames Clear: How to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
The Knowledge Project Podcast with Shane Parrish

The Knowledge Project

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out. The Knowledge Project focuses on insights and lessons that never expire. You’ll walk away from every episode with actionable insights that help you get better results and live a more meaningful life.

Listen now onApple Podcasts
More Options
  • Spotify
  • Overcast
  • g id="Pocket-Casts-Roundel---Red">Pocket Casts
  • RSS

Never miss an episode

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out.

Articles

  • Mental Models
  • Decision Making
  • Learning
  • Book Recommendations
  • All Articles

Podcast

  • Latest Episodes
  • Organized by Theme
  • ChatBot

Books

  • Clear Thinking
  • The Great Mental Models
  • All Books

Newsletter

  • Archive
  • Sign Up

About

  • About Shane
  • Speaking
  • Inquire about Sponsorship

Farnam Street Logo

© 2026 Farnam Street Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Proudly powered by WordPress. Hosted by Pressable. See our Privacy Policy.

We’re Syrus Partners.
We buy amazing businesses.


Farnam Street participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commissions by linking to Amazon.