Brad took some time to answer a few questions about the book and share his insights into achieving peak performance with [iX3]sports:

How is your new book, How Lance Does It, doing and what was Lance's reaction?

"The book had initial sales that were very encouraging, 22,000 in the first two months. Based on the strong response, my publisher McGraw-Hill and I have agreed to work together on a theme-related sequel called How Tiger Does It. Lance reaction: He is suing me for libel but hey who cares he's a has been anyway...just kidding."

I've often found myself asking that question, "How does he do it?" while watching him pull away from the best in the world. What was the most surprising thing that you learned while researching and writing the book?

"When you really get to pondering how this phenomenon of Lance's comeback and 7 Tour wins took place, the most surprising thing is that his physical ability and work ethic are not really the most important elements. His positive attitude and his character are the things that really made a huge difference to the realization of his goals. Often, with celebrities and champion athletes, we see only the tip of the iceberg of what makes them special. I believe the Lance characterization of "macho Texas guy kicks cancer's ass and kicks opponents ass up the hill" is just a superficial glimpse of what is going on. yes, he is super tough, super talented and worked very very hard, but he loved what he was doing and that was even more powerful."

One of my favorite quotes is, "Luck is where opportunity and preparation meet." The success factors that you discuss in the book, Clarity of Purpose, Congruent Lifestyle, Specialized Intelligence, and Pure Confidence are related to unwavering preparation and recognizing opportunities. Do you think that the difference between elite athletes and good athletes is the commitment to preparation in all aspects of their sport - mental, physical, spiritual?

"Commitment to preparation is a great insight. Yes that is a big deal for an athlete - to prepare properly. There are many ways to describe success factors that contribute to peak performance. One interesting thing that I discussed in the book is how Lance's approach different quite substantially from another great champion, Jan Ullrich. Consider Ullrich would be hands down the greatest cyclist of all time without Lance in the picture (2 tour wins, 5 runner ups, a 4th, a gold medal, etc). Ullrich discovered his own way and so did Lance. Its a mistake to try and be something you are not. The book tries to provide guidance and inspiration that applies to all of us, not how to "Be exactly like Lance". That's impossible."

In one of your blog posts, "The Obsession With Winning," you wrote, "Sports at the highest level is still just a game and the players are just entertainers seeking personal growth by pursuing the highest expression of their talents in their area of passion." Bruce Lee once said that for him, martial art was about "expressing oneself honestly, not holding anything back, and that is something that's very hard to do." Are the athletes that transcend their sport able to achieve that honest, highest expression of themselves more consistently?

"Yes they are. The people in the middle of the pack, of sports and life, are ones obsessed with results and consumed by the pressure, tension and anxiety that can come from the competitive arena. Some athletes dread the big event - get worried, fearful, anxious and lose confidence. They might still do okay when they get out there and dig in. But the best peak performance mindset is what Lance's longtime agent Bill Stapleton (himself an Olympic swimmer and national champion) captured in this quote: "Lance hates losing, but is not afraid of it." Fearless: of the competition, the course, and even the result. that is the most powerful."

One of concepts that I tell teams and athletes that I work with about is the principle of introducing discontinous change. Often, to make a revolutionary shift in performance, you need to radically change your environment and routines. This seems to be one of the main themes of your book, Only Those Who Dare, Truely Live. How has that manifested itself in your life and how have you seen it produce dramatic change in others?

"Great comment/question! I have been inspired by people in my life who take risks and discard the comfortable, formal conventions of modern life in favor of speaking their minds, getting involved in something outside their comfort zone or pursuing incredible physical challenges. One of them was my old friend and legendary triathlete Don Weaver. He passed away last week at the age of 46 and left a profound impact on everyone who associated with him. He was absolutely fearless, not only physically but interpersonally. Most people would be well served to turn up the intensity of their lives, goals, relationships, parenting roles - everything."

What is the one mistake that athletes make in either their mental or physical preparation that, if changed, would make the most dramatic improvement in both their enjoyment and performance?

"Physically, athletes overtrain or train without a clear purpose. There is a great article in the NY Times PLAY magazine by Dan Coyle where he talks about brain research and developing peak performance with purposeful, repetitive practice and intense technique instruction."

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b>What's next for you? Is there another book in works?

The only guy at Lance's level to discuss, in my opinion, is Tiger. So it's on to the golfer!

Brad, thank you very much and good luck with www.bradventures.com.

You can learn more about Brad at his Website, www.bradventures.com, and Blog, http://www.bradkearns.com/. Also, go out and pick up a copy of How Lance Does It and for you triathletes, check out Breakthrough Triathlon Training.

Also Brad has set up a fund to help to help Don Weavers family. If you want more information about that contact Brad @ This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .