Episode 179- Mike McDaniel on Leading with Authenticity

Mike McDaniel has been called “the most interesting coach in the NFL” and it’s easy to see why. In his second season as the Miami…

Episode 179- Mike McDaniel on Leading with Authenticity

Mike McDaniel has been called “the most interesting coach in the NFL” and it’s easy to see why. In his second season as the Miami…

Mike McDaniel has been called “the most interesting coach in the NFL” and it’s easy to see why. In his second season as the Miami Dolphins head coach, McDaniel has captured the attention of the league. The 40-year-old Yale graduate has earned a reputation as a creative, offensive-minded coach and an authentic leader. He landed his first job in the NFL at age 22, but his journey to head coach didn’t come without struggle. On this episode, Mike opens up about how a drinking problem almost cost him his career—and how going through adversity has made him a better coach. We talk about embracing vulnerability as a leader, showing up authentically, and finding the opportunity in adversity.

“Adversity is opportunity.”

Click To Tweet

Show Notes

You have to be passionate about your work to sustain excellence (2:07)
Be willing to fail (5:34)
How his family dynamics fueled his drive to be great (9:13)
A defining moment in Mike’s career (10:33)
His decision to quit drinking on January 4, 2016 (13:22)
The problem with “A to B” thinking (16:56)
The pressure to keep up with his peers as a young assistant in the NFL (18:28)
The 865 days he was out of the NFL that motivated him to come back better (20:13)
How his own life journey makes him a better coach (21:25)
Mike’s leadership philosophy (24:02)
The pressure he put on himself by focusing on the wrong things (25:28)
The importance of being present (27:55)
Stay humble: you are the product of your daily output (35:46)
Don’t pattern yourself after anyone else (38:30)
What he looks for when hiring staff (42:10)
One thing he’s always done to connect with his team members (43:20)
How he builds his players’ confidence (47:15)
Adversity is opportunity (50:25)
What he expects from his quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this season (51:19)
The biggest lessons he learned in his first year as a head coach (54:18)

Resources / People Mentioned

Miami Dolphins
Yale University football
Mike Shanahan, NFL coach
San Francisco 49ers
Denver Broncos
Julio Jones, NFL receiver
Dan Quinn, NFL coach
Russ Rausch
Vision Pursue
Kyle Shanahan, NFL coach
Matt LaFleur, NFL coach
Sean McVay, NFL coach
Tua Tagovailoa, NFL quarterback
Emmanuel Sanders, NFL receiver
Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin

Recommended For You

Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:

Thanks for checking out Game Changers with Molly Fletcher. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app and leave a rating or review.

Get Molly’s Free 5-Minute Morning Routine to Build Better Relationships

LATEST BOOK

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success

“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

A #1 USA TODAY BESTSELLER

Dynamic Drive

The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success

In a world fixated on fleeting success, a bold framework for pursuing your goals unapologetically without compromising what matters most. This isn’t just another self-help theory: Dynamic Drive is your practical guide to unlocking your true potential. Through her decades of experience working with top athletes and peak performers across industries, renowned keynote speaker and leadership expert Molly Fletcher has created a proven formula backed by research that outlines the seven keys to sustainable success. The truth is fulfillment doesn’t come from setting and accomplishing goals in isolation. It comes from Dynamic Drive—a holistic approach that connects all parts of you with your purpose and allows you to engage in meaningful growth, both personally and professionally. Unlike traditional approaches that dilute drive into a mere means to an end, which can lead to burnout, Dynamic Drive is a way of life, a mindset. It’s about figuring out the parts of your life where you are playing small or safe or are dissatisfied. Dynamic Drive is the process by which we implement and sustain intentional change. The greatest reward isn’t in what you achieve, but who you become in the process. Your path to sustained high performance in all areas of your life begins here. This is your manual for an aligned, joyful, and relentless pursuit of a better you.

“A very special book about finding your purpose, getting amazing things done and leading your finest life.”

Episode 236- Dr. Becky Kennedy on Raising Resilient, Confident Kids

What if your hardest parenting moments are actually your greatest opportunities to lead with confidence, connection, and trust? Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the founder of Good Inside—a global parenting movement changing the way we raise our kids. In this episode, Dr. Becky shares practical...

Episode 235- How to Create Buy-In and Build Trust with NBA Coach Will Hardy

Want to know the secret to success? Show up, say yes, and outwork everyone in the room. That mindset helped Will Hardy become one of the youngest head coaches in the NBA. Now in his third season leading the Utah Jazz, Will previously served as an assistant coach with the...

Episode 234- There’s No Such Thing as Overnight Success with Multi-Platinum Singer-Songwriter Rachel Platten

Rachel Platten’s Fight Song became a global anthem of resilience, but her journey to success—and what came after—is an even more powerful story. In this episode, Rachel opens up about the grind before her breakthrough, the emotional rollercoaster of fame, and how stepping away from the industry led her to...

Episode 233- From Model to Mogul: Molly Sims on Career Pivots and Betting Big on Yourself

Success isn’t about following a straight path—it’s about knowing when to pivot. Molly Sims has done just that. From supermodel to Hollywood to building YSE Beauty from the ground up, she’s proof that reinvention is always possible. In this episode, Molly reveals how she’s navigated major career transitions, taken bold...

Episode 232- The 5 Types of Wealth with Sahil Bloom

What if the way we measure success is broken? In this episode I sit down with Sahil Bloom, author of the new book The 5 Types of Wealth, to explore a new definition of true wealth. Sahil shares the wake-up call that forced him to reevaluate his career, relationships, and...

Episode 231- Never Knocked Out: Kendall Toole on Reinvention, Resilience, and Life After Peloton

Life will knock you down—but it doesn’t have to knock you out. In this episode, I sit down with Kendall Toole. A top fitness and wellness expert, mental health advocate, and content creator, Kendall has inspired millions with her energy and authenticity. But behind her success is a powerful story...

Resources