From Depressed to NFL MVP in 1 Year — Steve Young

Steve Young's Miserable State and Trip to See Brother00:00

Steve Young was miserable, not sleeping well, in a deep funk. Tuesday is the NFL day off, so Monday night he flew to Salt Lake City to see his brother in University of Utah Med School, hoping for help. Walking around town, his brother said, "Steve, I got two kids and broke in medical school. Like your life looks sweet to me." It didn't help. Steve told him he didn't know how to get to Christmas.

Encounter with Steve Covey on Plane Back00:30

On the plane back, Steve Covey sat next to him. Steve said, "I've always wanted to meet you." Covey asked, "How you doing?" In a vulnerable state, Steve recited his misery for 25-30 minutes. Covey responded, "Huh, wow, man. I can feel that. The expectations, how tough it is to not get the help you think you need and things working against you."

Covey's Questions Shifting Perspective01:04

Covey asked about owner Eddie DeBartolo: Steve praised him as the only owner who saw players as partners, amazing. About coach Bill Walsh: Talks about hydration, nutrition, sleep, mental health, partnership; West Coast offense is revolutionary. Covey said he'd heard that and wanted to meet them. Then, "Is Joe Montana on the team?" Steve said yes, but he's hurt, and that's the problem. Covey asked if Steve could seek mentorship from Montana. Steve said yeah.

Covey's Philosophy on Platforms02:00

Covey travels the world looking for platforms, companies, organizations that enable humans to see how good they can get, iterate, and find out—that's what life is about. He wanted to talk to DeBartolo and Walsh about their platform. Then, "From my perspective, the platform you're on might be the greatest one I've ever seen."