Why Inner Excellence Creates Outer Success

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Overview

In this episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast, John Jantsch interviews Jim Murphy, high-performance coach, speaker, and creator of the Inner Excellence Methodology. Jim has coached world-class athletes, Olympians, and business leaders, helping them master the inner game that leads to breakthrough results. He shares the story behind his book’s viral moment with NFL star AJ Brown, the practical spiritual approach to peak performance, and why detaching from outcomes is the secret to true excellence—on the field, in business, and in life.

About the Guest

Jim Murphy is a high-performance coach, author, and creator of the Inner Excellence Methodology. With a background as a professional athlete and decades of experience coaching Olympians, pro athletes, and top business leaders, Jim’s work blends science, spirituality, and practical tools for living—and performing—at your best. His book, “Inner Excellence: Train Your Mind for Extraordinary Performance and the Best Possible Life,” has sold over half a million copies and is available in more than 25 languages.

• Website: interexcellence.com
• Book:
• Retreats & Newsletter: VIP Newsletter Signup
• Instagram: @interexcellence

Actionable Insights

• Viral validation: Wide receiver AJ Brown’s sideline reading of “Inner Excellence” sparked global interest, taking the book from niche to worldwide bestseller.
• Lasting results come from mastering your inner game—moving beyond tactics to focus on mindset, heart, and presence.
• Detach from outcomes: The best performers focus on the process and personal growth, not just external results or wins.
• Redefine success: Go beyond achievements and ask, “Who do I want to become? What do I truly value? How do I want to live?”
• Freedom to fail is essential for high performance—joy, excitement, and learning are key to resilience and breakthrough.
• Inner Excellence applies equally to athletes, business leaders, and entrepreneurs: the inner game is universal.
• Daily practices for entrepreneurs and marketers: Learn and grow every day, give the best you have, be present and grateful, focus only on what you can control.
• Embracing vulnerability and humility (accurate self-view, not over or under-inflated ego) leads to greater confidence, peace, and fearlessness.
• Lasting change happens when you strip away “doing” and shift toward “being”—starting with speaking the truth and expanding beliefs about what’s possible.

Great Moments (with Timestamps)

• 01:30 – AJ Brown’s Sideline Reading Goes Viral
  How an NFL star’s ritual turned “Inner Excellence” into a bestseller overnight.
• 04:37 – From Minor League Struggles to Mindset Breakthrough
  Jim’s journey from pro baseball disappointment to coaching and creating his method.
• 06:41 – Letting Go of Outcome Control
  A Ryder Cup client story and the power of trading “small lollipops” for a bigger vision of success.
• 09:11 – Fear of Failure and Redefining Success
  Why baseball teaches resilience and how to focus on what truly matters.
• 10:49 – The Inner Game for Athletes and Executives
  How mindset mastery is the same for business leaders as for pro athletes.
• 12:08 – Daily Practices for Entrepreneurs and Marketers
  The four goals: Learn and grow, give your best, be present and grateful, focus on what you control.
• 14:21 – Vulnerability, Humility, and Embracing Failure
  How accurate self-view and “letting go” drive real breakthroughs.
• 17:25 – Shifting from Doing to Being
  Why speaking the truth and expanding your beliefs unlocks new levels of possibility.
• 18:46 – How Viral Success Changed (and Validated) the Work
  Jim reflects on confidence, humility, and seeing himself as a messenger, not the “originator.”

Insights

“Detach from outcomes. Go for the whole candy store: fullness of life, not just small tangible wins.”

“Redefine success. Ask who you want to become, what you value, and how you want