In Episode 39, Jess explores:
• Why Action Orientation is what separates elite performers from the rest
• Steve Magness’s research on Olympians and high performers
• The neuroscience behind action: emotion regulation, reframing, and focus
• What “You gotta go!” really means in the cage—and in life
• 3 tactical ways to train your action mindset starting today
Key takeaway: You don’t need to be fully ready or fearless. You just need to take action. The next best step is the one in front of you.
BONUS: Vintage footage from one of Jess's training sessions in the cage from July 25, 2015 that perfectly illustrates how action orientation actually looks under pressure. Share this with someone who needs a push off the starting line sometimes (hey, who doesn't?)—and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s next.
🟢 Green light. Let’s go.
Resource List:
• Magness, S. Instagram post, July 2025. @stevemagness
• Magness, S. (2020). The Passion Paradox (co-authored with Brad Stulberg). Rodale Books
• Magness, S. (2022). Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness. HarperOne.
• Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). “The Role of Positive Emotions in Positive Psychology: The Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions.” American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.
• Gross, J. J. (1998). “The Emerging Field of Emotion Regulation: An Integrative Review.” Review of General Psychology, 2(3), 271–299.
• Troy, A. S., Wilhelm, F. H., Shallcross, A. J., & Mauss, I. B. (2010). “Seeing the silver lining: Cognitive reappraisal ability moderates the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms.” Emotion, 10(6), 783–795.
• Gable, S. L., & Harmon-Jones, E. (2010). “The motivational dimensional model of affect: Implications for breadth of attention, memory, and cognitive categorization.” Cognition & Emotion, 24(2), 322–337.
Are you looking for a speaker to energize and empower your organization to develop a fighter's mindset and master their mental performance every day? Or are you interested in a talk or workshop on The Green Light Method, a neuroscience- and performance psychology-based system that helps individuals and teams live and work with Fierce Agency (TM), override fear-based hesitation, rewire limiting beliefs, and take aligned, empowered action toward peak performance and purpose-driven success?
DM me today on LinkedIn or email me at jess@thelegalathlete.com.
Ready to win more at trial without burnout? Limited spaces are still available to secure your own 1:1, 8-week Accelerated Trial Fight Camp.
DM me today on LinkedIn or email me at jess@thelegalathlete.com.
The Legal Athlete Website: Click to learn more about engaging Jess Sargus as a speaker for your group or event, or to explore coaching with Jess Sargus to master your mindset, execute under pressure, and thrive in your career and life for the long term through science and sports psychology.
Also, through the website, you can download a free copy of The Legal Athlete Daily Planner to help you organize and prioritize easily to grow and get better every day, practice the 6 longevity habits studies show have the greatest positive impact, and implement your Daily Glimmer habit to bring more resilience and happiness into your life. Or, download and print the 4 Steps to Elite Habits flow chart PDF for free to guide your daily and weekly elite habits.
Music: Bounce Like This, by Wolves - YouTube ID UUFGDERWUSZ9LXWL
Ready to Fight, by Arenas - YouTube ID XKO39W3SJHGS9EKW
