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runitonce.comOn this episode of A Hero's Journey, guest Jonathan Little chats with our host Lee Davy about:
0:01:06
How he’s handling life during the COVID-19 lockdown.
0:01:53
Growing up in Pensacola, Florida, in a household where gambling was looked down upon. His childhood fondness for games.
0:02:49
Finding poker at age 17, and using Magic The Gathering cards as currency in his first game.
0:03:48
What motivated him to pursue poker.
0:05:01
What his relationship with money was like growing up.
0:06:00
Being a nerd in school. Social circles based around games like chess and Magic The Gathering.
0:06:56
Thoughts on his childhood and teenage relationship with self esteem, success, and failure.
0:09:58
What motivated him to succeed in different pursuits in childhood, and the differences between fun-based motivation and profit-based motivation.
0:12:04
Thoughts on the inevitability of failure and learning to accept things you cannot control.
0:14:06
What he was like academically. High school success vs college difficulty.
0:15:01
His lack of academic motivation, especially in the face of his growing interest in poker.
0:15:56
His lack of specific career motivation, and how he thinks it relates to other poker players.
0:16:47
The books he read and studied early in his poker career.
0:18:27
The origins of his prolific career as a poker writer. Where that career stands today.
0:22:49
How the process of writing a book on poker can positively impact your game.
0:24:59
How the process of editing a book can relate to your poker game in terms of concepts like maintaining consistency and knowing when to deviate.
0:26:44
What was the inciting incident in his Hero’s Journey of poker?
0:30:02
His thoughts on the difference between natural talent and “grit” (study, practice, and hard work). His dedication to the latter.
0:32:44
His preference and appreciation for other people who also have “grit”, and how it relates to the early landscape of professional poker vs the current landscape.
0:34:30
An interesting story of how his parents found out about the financial potential of his poker pursuits.
0:37:06
How his financially responsible approach to poker helped build trust, acceptance, and support from his parents.
0:40:41
HIs early dedication to the grind, and how it affected his social life.
0:44:56
Thoughts on why he’s not a perfectionist.
0:46:42
Thoughts on the dedication required to be a top poker player, and why he no longer devotes the majority of his life to poker.
0:48:36
How specializing in sit & go poker prepared him for playing MTT final tables.
0:50:24
Was there a moment when he refused the call to enter the world of professional poker?
0:52:38
Who have been the major “villains” in his poker career? The importance of being realistic about what stakes you should be playing.
0:56:06
His reluctance toward shot-taking, a particular instance of regretting that reluctance when Guy Laliberté started playing high stakes cash, and thoughts on determining whether or not you should take a shot.
0:59:39
How his first 7-figure wins affected his life, and the benefits of having a big bankroll.
1:02:10
Thoughts on passion, and what motivates him to write books.
1:04:04
Thoughts on his WPT wins, and being realistic about variance.
1:08:08
How tournament structures have changed over the years, and how that interacts with luck, skill, and variance.
1:10:00
The role of luck and variance in all of life’s pursuits and successes, not just in poker.
1:11:34
Who have the major mentors been his poker career and his life outside of poker?
1:12:54
The exchange of value in relationships, and how poker can be considered a “team sport” in certain ways.
1:15:17
How “villains” can also be allies. How delusional confidence can help in certain ways. Thoughts on being your own worst enemy.
1:17:33
What are the “treasures” in his life right now, and what is he doing to obtain them?
1:19:13
What metrics does he use to gauge his progress toward his current goals?
1:20:32
How he structures his time to optimize his goals.
1:24:33
How did it feel to win Poker Personality Of The Year at this year’s Global Poker Awards?