The Art and Science of Going All-In: 7 Questions to Ask Yourself or Your Team

Have you ever wondered why some people consistently achieve extraordinary results while others, despite significant effort, consistently fall short? I can tell you that the difference isn't merely talent, luck, or effort—it lies in their capacity for unwavering commitment. True commitment means eliminating backup plans, distractions, and hesitation. It means being honest about your level of dedication and fully embracing the discomfort inherent in genuine commitment.

But you probably, generally, know that already.

And yet, ask someone to describe, in detail, what going “all-in” means, and they’ll fumble around with platitudes such as "giving 110 percent," "pushing through," or "wanting it more.” Phrases that sound good but ultimately tell you nothing about what true, unwavering actions of commitment actually demand from you, every single day.

Recently, I've seen people enthusiastically fanboying about my former coach, Stu McMillan, after his appearances on two of the largest podcasts in the world, the Huberman Lab and Rich Roll. Watching their admiration for someone I spent nearly every day with for a decade reminded me vividly why training with Stu was transformational. I saw it 25 years ago and moved to Calgary to train with him. It wasn't just his methods, but the rare environment he created—coaching, philosophy, relationships—that made going all-in truly possible.

Without naming names, I saw athletes with more natural talent than I ever had quietly fade into obscurity, while training partners who seemed to have no business at the national level rose to become Olympians.

Stu and those teammates showed me what "all-in" truly means—a lesson most never fully grasp nor are fortunate enough to witness. True commitment gives you a real shot at your dreams, while holding anything back risks lifelong regret, forever wondering "what if."

Going all-in transcends motivational speeches or bursts of enthusiasm. It's a radical mindset and behavior shift that demands complete honesty about your intentions and actions. This is what made that Stu training group that I joined in Calgary in the early 2000’s, that I rode to Olympic Gold, special. 

Here are key questions to help you understand, embrace, and master true commitment—drawn directly from deep experience and backed by the research. They open up the secrets of the “all-in” crowd to anyone.

Answer these questions for yourself, or if you’re a leader—with your team— and real success isn’t merely probable; with true commitment, it becomes inevitable…

Prerequisite ingredient: Do You Have a Clear, Big Goal? Describe it.

If your goals feel safe or easily achievable, you'll never feel the urgency needed to truly go all-in. Comfortable goals breed complacency—without high stakes, there’s no compelling reason to fully commit. True Goals must be ambitious and even a bit daunting to ignite the deep drive necessary for extraordinary results.

Yet ambitious doesn’t mean hyper-specific goals like Olympic gold, becoming CEO, or getting the next promotion. True Goals can be broader yet meaningful: becoming an incredible parent who breaks generational cycles, living fully aligned with your core values, creating real community impact, achieving financial freedom, or reaching peak health.

In the past, aiming for the seemingly impossible—like make an Olympic team or create a sustainable global organization—created urgency and forced me to commit deeply. Today, the True Goals that keep me focused and intent don’t “seem” as big, yet existentially they are—find gratitude and meaning while reaching success in my work, be a present dad who is loved while pushing my kids to be their best selves, and more.

The Science:
Research strongly supports this. Psychologists Edwin Locke and Gary Latham have shown that difficult and challenging goals dramatically improve motivation, commitment, and ultimately performance. Goals that are clearly ambitious generate higher effort, resilience, and long-term dedication because the stakes are inherently greater—there's a compelling reason to go all-in.

Question 1: Are You Willing to Fully Commit, Even if the Plan Isn't Perfect?

Many people delay full commitment because they’re waiting for the perfect plan, ideal conditions, or more data to tell them this is the plan to commit to. This hesitation often disguises itself as prudence but actually masks fear—the fear of failure, criticism, or uncertainty. The doers, however, understand that absolute commitment to even an imperfect plan surpasses tentative engagement with a flawless one. Imperfect action with unwavering commitment almost always outperforms perfect, or greatly delayed, inaction.

When I began training with Stu, I quickly realized the power of this principle. His methods were exceptional but not flawless, yet my results dramatically improved—not because the plan was perfect, but because for the first time, I embraced it fully. My first summer in Calgary was transformative when I made that commitment. I decided to believe in him and our methodologies, and I vividly remember being outside of my basement suite in the Dalhousie neighborhood of Calgary on the phone with my team’s driver, defending Olympic Silver Medalist Todd Hays, saying I couldn’t believe my progress. I felt like I was “on something,” my gains were so big. I was not.

This experience mirrors that of many successful individuals who prioritize complete commitment above waiting for perfect opportunities.

The rare example Stu offered was the incredibly high-quality plan that, coupled with high-quality commitment, meant your dreams would be within reach. But as with any commitment—you still need to know your goals, figure out your plans, and then commit.

The Science:
Scientifically, psychologist K. Anders Ericsson’s extensive research underscores the concept of deliberate practice, revealing that expertise results from highly focused, sustained, and effortful practice rather than innate talent or ideal conditions. Ericsson’s work demonstrates that persistent engagement with imperfect but intentional practice consistently outpaces sporadic practice, no matter how perfect.

Question 2: Do You Honestly Understand and Respect Your Limits?

Elite performance requires more than continuous effort; it demands a nuanced understanding of one's physical and psychological boundaries. Often, athletes and high achievers mistakenly equate exhaustion with progress, pushing themselves to injury or burnout. True mastery involves knowing precisely how and when to push and when to pull back—an artful balance between exertion and recovery.

We’re not going for a “Goggins” approach where experiencing the pain, and what we gain from it, is the goal, but rather we’re seeking all-around growth as our focus. Don’t confuse one for the other, as they both have their own, separate purposes.

During intense periods of my training under Stu, I learned firsthand about this balance. There were days spent privately grappling with physical and emotional pain, pushing my limits in isolation (a.k.a throwing up in the middle of a workout hiding in the restroom!), because there was a pride in that. Yet, crucially, Stu taught me that strategic recovery was equally important—something many ambitious athletes overlook. Elite marathoners, renowned entrepreneurs, and top-performing artists regularly emphasize the significance of deliberate rest periods.

The Science
Research into periodization supports this practice robustly, outlining structured cycles of intense training interspersed with strategic recovery phases to optimize performance and prevent overtraining. This science confirms that recognizing, respecting, and systematically integrating rest is as crucial to success as the intensity of effort itself.

Question 3: Are Your Daily Habits Consistent Enough to Create Extraordinary Results?

Exceptional outcomes are rarely the result of sporadic bursts of brilliance; they are built through disciplined, repetitive behaviors practiced consistently over time. True commitment is characterized by quietly consistent actions that don't necessarily attract attention but incrementally compound into extraordinary results. It's not about occasional heroic gestures but daily, deliberate discipline.

In my training experience, this consistency manifested through rigorous attention to details: daily nutrition, sleep schedules, regular training routines, and proactive injury prevention. These habits executed intentionally everyday for a decade, seemingly mundane, became the bedrock of my athletic success. The same principle applies to legendary figures like Michael Phelps, who credits his repeated daily routines for his unparalleled Olympic success.

The Science:
Scientific studies on habit formation highlight the importance of repeated behavior performed consistently over approximately ten weeks. This research reveals how routine actions, repeated often enough, become ingrained habits requiring less conscious effort, thus freeing cognitive resources for tackling higher-level challenges.

Question 4: Are You Clear, Honest, and Respectful in Your Most Difficult Conversations?

Commitment to excellence isn’t an isolated pursuit. It invariably involves collaboration and navigating complex relationships. Direct and honest communication—though often uncomfortable—is essential to building trust and achieving collective goals. High-performing teams thrive on clarity and openness, even when it involves challenging conversations.

My experiences with teammates, like my roommate and best friend, the late Pavle Jovanovic, underscored this lesson profoundly. Pavle was exceptionally driven and who I learned what true focus was from, but he occasionally crossed boundaries in pushing teammates, creating friction and damaging crucial team dynamics. Reflecting on this, I've recognized how critical honest yet empathetic communication is—an insight consistently reflected in the leadership of figures like legendary basketball coach Phil Jackson.

The Science:
Research by organizational psychologist Adam Grant emphasizes that effective team performance requires transparent and respectful dialogue. Teams achieving sustained excellence consistently demonstrate open communication, direct yet respectful feedback, and mutual accountability—principles validated extensively in organizational behavior studies.

Question 5: Do You Treat Hardship as Fuel for Growth—or as an Excuse to Stop?

Adversity is a common thread among high achievers, serving not as a barrier but as powerful fuel for determination and resilience. The journey to greatness is rarely linear or comfortable. The most successful individuals often possess deep reservoirs of grit developed precisely through overcoming profound hardships and setbacks.

Throughout my athletic career, hardships often preceded significant breakthroughs. Just last issue I dove deep into my struggles in college that laid the groundwork for my team’s Team USA Hall of Fame announcement. Stu frequently reminded us that athletes who've faced substantial challenges often exhibit unmatched resilience. Historical examples abound, from Oprah Winfrey's rise after severe personal adversity to Steve Jobs' profound comeback after significant professional setbacks.

Angela Duckworth's extensive research into "grit" emphasizes precisely this point. Her studies show that individuals who exhibit high levels of passion and perseverance—traits encapsulated in her concept of grit—are significantly more likely to succeed long-term. Duckworth's findings underscore that resilience built through overcoming adversity is a core predictor of achievement, clearly distinguishing individuals who excel from those who merely participate. Angela’s TED talk on grit is one of the most-watched of all-time, with over 35 million views.

Question 6: Are You Authentically Grateful for the Journey, Not Just the Outcome?

Genuine fulfillment transcends mere achievement; it arises from authentically aligned effort and profound gratitude. True commitment, therefore, involves aligning one's actions deeply with personal values and sustaining an attitude of gratitude throughout the journey, not merely at its conclusion.

Training under Stu, I developed an authentic appreciation for each milestone precisely because of the significant commitment required and the wisdom gained through the experiences. By the last year of my Olympic career, by far my most successful, I appreciated everything—I knew it was my last summer training and I savoured the pain, I enjoyed the European towns I’d come to know like the back of my hand, and I recognized my privilege and the seeds for Classroom Champions were planted.

This gratitude was not superficial and it’s only been recently I’ve recognized this as the final piece of the puzzle—but it simply emerged naturally from sustained effort and genuine struggles. Legendary figures such as Nelson Mandela embody this principle, maintaining deep gratitude and authenticity despite immense hardship.

The Science:
Martin Seligman’s PERMA model (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment) reinforces this scientifically. This comprehensive model shows that authentic fulfillment derives not only from success itself but from meaningful, grateful engagement in the process.

The Bottom Line: Why Going All-In Matters

The profound environment Stu created wasn’t merely about rigorous physical training. It imparted invaluable lessons about genuine commitment that most individuals never fully grasp. Understanding and embodying true commitment—through imperfection, intelligent boundary-setting, disciplined habits, clear communication, adversity leveraging, and authentic gratitude—is precisely what separates champions from everyone else.

-Steve