Ever noticed that the athlete standing in second place sometimes looks less happy than the one in third? Turns out, it is not just your imagination, it is neuroscience.
In this episode, Dr. Bray dives into thirty years of research showing why bronze medalists often leave the podium smiling while silver medalists are silently stewing. The culprit? The way our brains process expectations, comparisons, and reward prediction errors.
He will explore:
Why your brain is wired to feel loss when you almost win, but joy when you barely make it
How dopamine, the amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex play tug of war with your emotions
What Olympic medalists can teach you about managing expectations in your career, leadership, and life
So, whether you are chasing your own gold medal or just trying to survive your inbox, don't miss this episode. You will walk away with strategies to feel happier, perform better, and cut yourself some slack the next time you finish in third place.
Quotes by Dr. Bray
"Happiness doesn't always come from being the best. It often comes from how we frame our situation and what we expect to happen."
"Train the brain to see opportunity rather than loss."
"Silver is coded as loss because the brain expected gold. Bronze is coded as gain because the brain expected nothing or less."
