logo
episode-header-image
Aug 20
1h 6m

From Chernobyl to World Champion | Oksan...

DR. MICHAEL GERVAIS
About this episode

What if I told you that one of the most dominant athletes of our time began her life in unimaginable hardship - and then rewrote her story, chapter by chapter?

This week, we revisit one of the most powerful conversations in the Finding Mastery vault with Oksana Masters; multi-sport Paralympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes in U.S. history (with 19 medals).

Born in Ukraine with birth defects caused by radiation exposure from Chernobyl, abandoned to an orphanage, and later adopted in the U.S, Oksana’s journey is a masterclass in grit, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of agency. Her story is not only about becoming a world-class athlete - it’s also about reclaiming her narrative, finding freedom through adversity, and turning deep pain into fuel for thriving.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

  • How Oksana transformed unimaginable hardship into strength and purpose
  • Why reclaiming agency - even in the smallest ways - can change the trajectory of a life
  • The role joy and play can have as tools for survival in the darkest moments
  • How she navigated trauma while striving for greatness on the world stage
  • What resilience really looks like when challenge isn’t avoided, but embraced


This is a conversation about courage, hope, and an indomitable human spirit, an episode that will stay with you long after you’ve listened.

_______________________________________________

Links & Resources

Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more conversations at the intersection of high performance, leadership, and wellbeing: https://www.youtube.com/c/FindingMastery

Get exclusive discounts and support our amazing sponsors! 

Go to: https://findingmastery.com/sponsors/

Subscribe to the Finding Mastery newsletter for weekly high performance insights: https://www.findingmastery.com/newsletter 

Download Dr. Mike's Morning Mindset Routine: findingmastery.com/morningmindset!

Follow on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Yesterday
NHL Hall Of Famer | From Underdog to Hockey Legend ; Luc Robitaille - LA Kings President
What if being overlooked; dismissed as too slow or too average, was actually the foundation for becoming one of the greatest of all time?On today’s episode, we sit down with Luc Robitaille; Hockey Hall of Famer, NHL’s all-time leading left-wing scorer, Stanley Cup champion, and P ... Show More
1h 8m
Oct 1
From Panic Attacks to Prime-Time: Howie Mandel’s Survival Story
What if the very thing you’ve been hiding from the world is actually the doorway to real connection?On today’s episode, we sit down with legendary comedian, TV host, actor, and producer Howie Mandel - best known for Deal or No Deal, America’s Got Talent, and decades of stand-up. ... Show More
56m 49s
Sep 24
The Truth About Hair Thinning | Nutrafol’s Giorgos Tsetis
What if your deepest insecurity could become the catalyst for building something extraordinary?On today’s episode, we sit down with Giorgos Tsetis - engineer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Nutrafol. As a young model, Giorgos faced the fear of hair thinning head-on and made a ra ... Show More
42m 40s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2024
Keely Hodgkinson: Building a Gold-Medal Mindset (E272)
Jake and Damian are joined by Great Britain Olympic medal favourite Keely Hodgkinson, to dive deep into her journey as a middle-distance runner and her mindset as an elite athlete. Keely Hodgkinson is a rising star in athletics, winning 800m silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at j ... Show More
55m 28s
Oct 2024
How To Overcome ANY Adversity & Achieve Your Full Potential | Muniba Mazari
Muniba Mazari's story of resilience and transformation is truly awe-inspiring. From surviving a devastating car crash that left her paralyzed to becoming Pakistan's first wheelchair-bound model and TV host, Muniba's journey is a testament to the power of the human spirit. In this ... Show More
59m 10s
Oct 2024
089: How Cancer Transformed Amanda Kimiko's Life and Mindset to Conquer Leadville 100
In this episode, we dive into the story of Amanda Kimiko—military veteran, cancer survivor, and ultra-endurance athlete. Amanda’s mantra, Unbreakable, is more than just a word; it’s how she approaches life’s toughest moments. From overcoming cancer to taking on the Leadville 100 ... Show More
1h 13m
Sep 22
Boris Becker: Surviving Prison, My Truth & Rebuilding Life (E371)
Boris Becker is one of tennis’s most iconic figures, a prodigy who won Wimbledon at just 17, a champion who reached the sport’s highest peaks, and a man who has faced extraordinary highs and devastating lows both on and off the court.In this episode, Boris reflects on the mindset ... Show More
2h 5m
Dec 2024
How to cultivate resilience and get through tough times (with Lucy Hone) (re-release)
Life can throw curveballs that you feel wholly unprepared for-- just ask Dr. Lucy Hone, a resilience researcher, who tragically lost her 12-year-old daughter in a road accident. While all of us may experience tragedy in our lives, not everyone knows how to manage it. In this epis ... Show More
33m 35s
Nov 2024
The Invisible Injury: Champion Cyclist Rebecca Rusch On Healing From A Traumatic Brain Injury, Concussion Awareness & Why Acceptance Is Strength
Rebecca Rusch is a legendary endurance athlete, 7x world champion, and protagonist of the Emmy-winning film “Blood Road.” This conversation explores the esoteric intersection of trauma and transformation, sparked by a fateful bike crash on Veterans Day 2021. We discuss her Byzant ... Show More
2h 4m
Mar 2025
SLP 460: Being Proud Of Yourself with Jade Sharp
‘For me, I lived a sort of downplayed life. I wanted to be a stay-at-home mum, and at the same time, I didn’t share anything with anyone. I would never have done a podcast, I would never have done a speech for International Women’s Day, I would never have done that. I did not wan ... Show More
1h 12m
Jul 2024
Michael Johnson: The Truth Behind 4 Olympic Golds, Doping & Team USA (E274)
Four-time Olympic Champion Michael Johnson joins us on High Performance to explore the mindset and strategies that propelled him to extraordinary record-breaking athletics success. Known for his electrifying running style, Michael Johnson made history at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics ... Show More
1h 1m
May 2024
Brittney Griner On Coming Home & Recovering From Trauma
308. Brittney Griner On Coming Home & Recovering From Trauma  Glennon and Abby talk with athlete, humanitarian, activist–and one of the bravest people they’ve met–Brittney Griner. Brittney discusses her harrowing experience in the Russian prison system, as well as her basketball ... Show More
51m 58s
Oct 2023
037: The Mindset Of A Marathon World Champion - Ken Rideout
Joining the show today, we have Nashville local and Chicago Marathon age group winner Ken Rideout. Ken shares valuable lessons from his remarkable transformation story - overcoming a chaotic childhood, working on Wall Street, and a drug addiction that derailed his life. This epis ... Show More
2 h