Second place, silver medal, best of the rest. The Sports world seems obsessed with differentiating performances that are, to the hundredth of second, incredibly similar. We explore the unique mindset of aiming for gold, why second is proven to be the least satisfying podium finish and how expecting the best of athletes is different from expecting 1st place. 

Hear Ryan Murphy’s take on golden expectations, both external and self-imposed. Understand the psychology at play with Dr. Mike Gervais of the Finding Mastery Podcast and relive how Mackayla Maroney’s disappointment with Silver became the most viral photo of 2012. 

Join host Lauren Shehadi for Season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium. 


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Second place, silver medal, best of the rest. The Sports world seems obsessed with differentiating performances that are, to the hundredth of second, incredibly similar. We explore the unique mindset of aiming for gold, why second is proven to be the least satisfying podium finish and how expecting the best of athletes is different from expecting 1st place. Hear Ryan Murphy’s take on golden expectations, both external and self-imposed. Understand the psychology at play with Dr. Mike Gervais of the Finding Mastery Podcast and relive how Mackayla Maroney’s disappointment with Silver became the most viral photo of 2012. Join host Lauren Shehadi for Season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See <a href="https://pcm.adswizz.com">pcm.adswizz.com</a> for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Podium: An NBC Olympic and Paralympic podcast. Join us for insider coverage during the intense competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

In the run-up to the Opening Ceremony, we’ll bring you deep into the stories and events that have you know and those you'll be hard-pressed to forget.

The Podium

Second place, silver medal, best of the rest. The Sports world seems obsessed with differentiating performances that are, to the hundredth of second, incredibly similar. We explore the unique mindset of aiming for gold, why second is proven to be the least satisfying podium finish and how expecting the best of athletes is different from expecting 1st place. 

Hear Ryan Murphy’s take on golden expectations, both external and self-imposed. Understand the psychology at play with Dr. Mike Gervais of the Finding Mastery Podcast and relive how Mackayla Maroney’s disappointment with Silver became the most viral photo of 2012. 

Join host Lauren Shehadi for Season 2 of NBC Sports’ The Podium.