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.

 

Episode Highlights:

• John’s journey: late start in speed skating, breaking world records, and winning Olympic silver

• Using design thinking to focus on strengths instead of fixing weaknesses in sport, career, and life

• The concept of “chronoception,” why time feels faster as we age, and how memories are the currency of time

• Creating “kairos moments” using risk, uncertainty, uniqueness, emotional intensity, beauty, and flow to slow the perceived acceleration of time

• Practical ways for busy parents and professionals to design surprise-and-delight experiences that expand life through richer memories

• Time as capital: trading money for time once you’re financially secure and intentionally investing in high-return life experiences

• Stress and flow: why the right kind of stress boosts performance and helps you enter the flow state

• Storytelling, meaning, and designing moments that are “worth a year” in memory, including Coyle’s run with the bulls in Pamplona.

• Procrastination, pressure, and how John uses deadlines to write books and ship important work.

• The powerful story of inspiring a young skater who later competes in an Olympic gold medal final—and how that reframed John’s own silver medal.

Is there a guest you want Equalman to interview on the podcast? Do you have any questions you wish you could ask an expert? Send an email to our team: [e-mail]

 

5x #1 Bestselling Author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman has performed in over 55 countries and reached over 50 million people this past decade. He was voted the 2nd Most Likable Author in the World behind Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling.

 

Have Erik speak at your conference: [e-mail]

 

Motivational Speaker | Erik Qualman has inspired audiences at FedEx, Chase, ADP, Huawei, Starbucks, Godiva, FBI, Google, and many more on Focus and Digital Leadership.

 

Learn more at https://equalman.com