Super U Podcast | The Neuroscience of Time with Olympian John K. Coyle

Equalman sits down with Olympic silver medalist and Emmy-winning NBC sports producer John K. Coyle for a powerful conversation on time, design thinking, and unlocking human potential. From growing up in Michigan and discovering speed skating late, to breaking world records by designing around his unique strengths, Coyle shares how reframing “weakness fixing” into “strength designing” changed his life and career. He dives into his upcoming book “Counterclockwise,” explaining the neuroscience of time perception, why life seems to speed up as we age, and how to create more “kairos moments” that make life feel longer and richer. Along the way, John tells unforgettable stories—from winning Olympic silver and an Emmy, to running with the bulls in Pamplona and inspiring a young skater who would later race in an Olympic final—illustrating how memories are the true currency of time. This episode will challenge how you think about success, stress, and how to invest your time for the greatest return.

Need a sneak peek? Below are the main takeaways from the episode.

Super U Podcast | The Neuroscience of Time with Olympian John K. Coyle

Episode Preview:

“I made the Olympic team. I went to the Olympics. I won a silver medal.

I remember standing on the podium, asking myself whether I should keep skating for four more years. I was 26 years old. By the next Olympics, I’d be 30—which felt really old. I had no money and had never had a real job. At the time, all I could think was: I didn’t win. In my head, I was a first loser.

So I decided to train for four more years.

At age 30, I rejoined the Olympic team and started training again—but I didn’t make the team. Not only did I not win a gold medal, I didn’t even qualify. For the next 10 years, I thought of myself as a one-time, first loser.

There’s actually research that shows the most disappointed person at the Olympics is often the silver medalist. They’re so close—right there. The bronze medalist is happy: I got a medal. Everyone else is thrilled just to be on the Olympic team. But the silver medalist thinks, I almost had the gold.

Honestly, looking back, any medal—or even just making the team—would have been enough. It’s amazing. But that’s not how I felt then. For 10 years, I carried that disappointment. It probably sounds ridiculous from the outside.

Eight years after I retired, NBC asked me to come back as an analyst. I couldn’t say no. Suddenly, I was back at the Olympics. I was warmly welcomed. Everyone knew who I was, and I knew everyone.

But in my head, I was still that one-time, first loser.

Then, the night before the gold medal final in my sport—the last night of the Olympics—one of the parents pulled me aside at dinner. In about 20 seconds, he changed the entire trajectory of my life. It’s the reason we’re even having this conversation now.

We were sitting across from each other when he said, “I need to tell you something.” He looked nervous, which made me nervous. I joked, “Okay, what did I do?” and we stepped away to a corner of the room.

He said, “I just want you to know that we wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for you.”

I told him I didn’t understand.

He said, “You probably don’t remember this, but 12 years ago, after you won your silver medal, you brought it to a small reception in Bay City, Michigan. I brought my son, Alex. He’d never skated before. He was 11 years old. You put your medal around his neck and signed an autograph.”

He paused and said, “The next day, he joined the Bay City Speed Skating Club. And tomorrow, he’s skating in the gold medal final.”

Just like that, my entire life changed.

I went from seeing myself as a one-time first loser to realizing: That actually mattered. Even if it only mattered to one person.

And that’s when I decided to get my daughter skating.”

About John K. Coyle:

Hire John to speak, blog, videos, and details: JohnKCoyle.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JohnKCoyle1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkcoyle1/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnkcoyle/

Instagram: @coylejohnk

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The Super U Podcast is hosted by #1 bestselling author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman.