#301 Tiger Woods

In the episode featuring Jeff Benedict and Armen Keteyian's biography "Tiger Woods," the host delves into the complexities of Tiger Woods' life, from his unprecedented rise in the golf world to his dramatic fall and eventual comeback. Woods, a child prodigy with a relentless work ethic, was shaped by his parents' extreme dedication and sometimes harsh methods, particularly his father Earl's controversial training techniques and his mother's ruthless competitive philosophy. Despite his introverted nature, Woods became the most famous athlete on earth, achieving a level of success that included dominating the PGA and becoming the Michael Jordan of golf. However, his pursuit of perfection and privacy, coupled with the immense pressure of fame and a series of injuries that led to an over-reliance on pain medication, contributed to personal and professional setbacks. The episode highlights Woods' introspective realization to play golf solely for himself, marking a significant turning point in reclaiming his life and career.

• Tiger Woods was earning over a hundred million dollars a year at one point in his career.
• His success attracted major sponsorships and endorsements.
• His financial achievements are comparable to the business acquisition ranges of Tiny, a company that buys businesses.

At one point in his career, Tiger Woods was making over a hundred million dollars a year.

This quote highlights the peak financial success of Tiger Woods' career, emphasizing the scale of his earnings through golf and related endorsements.

• Tiny sponsors the episode and is known for straightforward business acquisitions.
• Tiny can handle deals from a million to over a hundred million dollars.
• Meter, another sponsor, provides commercial internet and Wi-Fi solutions.

One of the sponsors of this episode, Tiny, can do deals of that size. They have bought businesses in the past for deals ranging from as little as a million dollars to deals well over a hundred million dollars.

This quote explains the scale of business deals Tiny is involved in, aligning their capabilities with the financial stature of Tiger Woods' sponsorships.

• Tiger Woods' influence extended beyond golf, impacting television ratings and social interactions.
• He was a transcendent star, compared to the rarity of Haley's comet.
• Woods' fame reached a level where he was known globally by just his first name, "Tiger."

Tiger Woods was the kind of transcendent star that comes around about as often as Haley's comet.

This quote captures the exceptional cultural and athletic impact Tiger Woods had on the world, likening his rarity to the infrequent appearance of Haley's comet.

• Despite his public fame, Tiger Woods was an introvert and valued privacy and loyalty.
• His enigmatic nature made him a subject of both admiration and curiosity.
• Woods mastered the art of maintaining a private life despite being a public figure.

The two qualities Woods values most are privacy and loyalty.

This quote emphasizes the personal values of Tiger Woods, which played a significant role in his life and public persona.

• The biography "Tiger Woods" provides an in-depth look into his life and career.
• The book is complemented by an HBO documentary also titled "Tiger."
• The biography explores the significant influence of Tiger's father, Earl Woods, on his life.

That is an excerpt from the book that I'm going to talk to you about today, which is titled Tiger Woods and was written by Jeff Benedict and Armin Keteyian.

This quote introduces the biography "Tiger Woods," which serves as the basis for the discussion and analysis of Tiger's life.

• Earl Woods played a central role in shaping Tiger's golf career from a very young age.
• Earl's predictions for Tiger's influence were grandiose, comparing his potential impact to that of Nelson Mandela, Gandhi, or Buddha.
• Tiger acknowledged his father as his best friend and hero, highlighting their close relationship.

Earl achieved worldwide acclaim for his almost mythical role in raising the most famous golfer of all time.

This quote highlights the significant and often mythologized role of Earl Woods in the development of Tiger's career.

• Tiger Woods and Mozart shared similarities in their prodigious talents and the influence of their fathers.
• Both were introduced to their respective fields at an extremely young age and showed exceptional discipline and skill.
• The relationship between Tiger and Earl is likened to that of Mozart and his father, with both sons viewed as geniuses by their fathers.

This reminds me of Mozart.

This quote draws a comparison between Tiger Woods and Mozart, focusing on their early exposure to their crafts and the role of their fathers in nurturing their talents.

• Tiger Woods' childhood was marked by an unusual focus on golf, with little time for typical childhood activities.
• His routine was structured and disciplined, with golf practice taking precedence over playtime.
• Tiger's early life was characterized by intense training and a clear focus on his future in golf.

By the time he was five, he'd already appeared on national television and performed in front of millions of people.

This quote illustrates the extraordinary nature of Tiger Woods' childhood, which included public performances and a structured routine centered around golf from a very young age.

• Earl Woods had a vision of Tiger not only revolutionizing golf but also impacting race relations.
• Earl's belief in Tiger's destiny was profound, likening his son's purpose to a divine mission.
• The intensity of Earl's training and his efforts to gain attention for Tiger's talent were significant.

Earl woods made a decision that would alter the course of his young son's life.

This quote signifies the pivotal role Earl Woods played in directing Tiger's life towards golf and the extraordinary expectations he had for his son's influence on the world.

• Tiger Woods was identified as a gifted child with natural golf abilities from a very young age.
• Despite financial constraints, Tiger's parents secured professional help for him, believing in his future success.
• By age 13, Tiger was being recruited by Stanford and offered free services by coaches and trainers who expected repayment once he turned professional.
• A golf coach named Duran recognized Tiger's talent at age four and provided free coaching, allowing Tiger's abilities to grow organically.

"By the time I think he's 13, Tiger is getting recruited by Stanford... And so they wind up getting this golf coach... this kid is so gifted, I'm willing to help him for free."

The quote highlights Tiger's early recognition as a potential golf prodigy and the support he received from individuals who believed in his future success.

• Visualization was a key technique used by Tiger Woods throughout his career.
• Tiger's golf coach introduced him to the concept at a very young age.
• Tiger used positive affirmation tapes provided by his father to reinforce his mental strength and focus.
• He wrote affirmations on paper and repeatedly read them to internalize the messages.

"Tiger was filling his mind with words that were intended to make him great... I believe in me. I will own my own destiny... My will moves mountains."

This quote exemplifies the powerful affirmations Tiger Woods used to bolster his confidence and determination, showcasing the importance of mental training in his development.

• Tiger Woods, along with other successful athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, studied the greats before them to improve their own skills.
• Tiger watched golf legend Jack Nicklaus and learned from his reactions and dedication to the game.
• He posted a list of Nicklaus's achievements on his wall, using it as a benchmark for his own goals.

"His reactions over those last holes of the 1986 Masters made an impression on me... I wanted to be where he was and doing what he was doing."

This quote reflects Tiger's admiration for Jack Nicklaus and his desire to emulate the golf legend's success and dedication.

• Superior athletes like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan benefit from lucrative endorsements due to their association with winning.
• Tiger's dedication to winning translated into significant endorsement deals, contributing to his wealth even after his peak athletic years.

"So Tiger woods at his peak... he was making over 100 million a year just from endorsements."

The quote underscores the financial benefits that come with athletic success and the long-term impact of building a strong personal brand.

• Tiger Woods's family environment was intense and focused on success, with his mother teaching him to be ruthless in competition.
• Despite disliking his father's infidelity, Tiger, in some ways, followed a similar path, highlighting the complexity of family influence.

"His mom was there just as much as his dad was and he hated what his dad did to his mom... yet in many ways he followed the path like the story of the fathers embedded in the son."

This quote reveals the profound impact of family dynamics on Tiger's personal life and the internal conflicts that arose from his upbringing.

• Tiger's father, Earl Woods, and a psychologist named Brunza worked to develop Tiger's mental toughness using unconventional methods.
• Earl Woods subjected Tiger to psychological warfare to toughen him up, aiming to make him the mentally strongest athlete.

"He would use psychological warfare and prisoner of war techniques... Tiger says my dad deliberately would use a lot of profanity when I was hitting golf balls."

The quote illustrates the extreme measures taken by Earl Woods to instill mental resilience in Tiger, reflecting the intense focus on mental training in his development.

• Tiger Woods's dedication to practice was instilled by his father and became a cornerstone of his success.
• His practice regimen was rigorous and focused, often exceeding 10 hours per day.

"The first thing I taught Tiger, aside from the love of the game of golf, was a love of practice... practice, practice, practice."

This quote emphasizes the importance of consistent and dedicated practice in achieving mastery, as exemplified by Tiger Woods's approach to golf.

• The influence of role models like Jack Nicklaus played a significant role in shaping Tiger's goals and aspirations.
• Tiger's ability to focus and visualize success is likened to the drive and passion of other successful figures like Steve Jobs and Mark Andreessen.

"The world is a very malleable place... the world will often reconfigure itself around you much more quickly and easily than you would think."

This quote, though not directly about Tiger, reflects the broader theme of how intense focus and clear vision can lead to extraordinary achievement, a principle that Tiger Woods embodied.

• Tiger Woods expressed a desire to be the best golfer, comparable to Michael Jordan's status in basketball.
• He was known for his intense training with the US Navy Seals, which may have contributed to his injuries.
• Tiger's swing was described with the term "violence of action," highlighting its power and speed.

"Tiger says, I want to be the Michael Jordan of golf. I'd like to be the best ever." "Violence of action in the form of a golf swing."

These quotes show Tiger Woods' clear goal to become a legendary figure in golf, similar to Michael Jordan in basketball. The term "violence of action" reflects the intensity he brought to his game.

• Tiger Woods had a complex relationship with his father, Earl Woods, who was both a best friend and a source of conflict.
• Earl Woods' behavior, including his treatment of Tiger's mother and his psychological warfare, impacted Tiger's development.
• Tiger distanced himself from his father as he gained independence and wealth.

"He loved him and considered him his best friend, yet he hated some of the things that he did." "When he gets a little cocky, I say, you weren't shit before, you weren't shit now, and you'll never be shit."

These quotes illustrate the duality of Tiger's feelings toward his father—admiration mixed with resentment. Earl's harsh treatment was a form of psychological pressure that shaped Tiger's mindset.

• Tiger Woods' family faced financial pressures, relying on his golfing success for upward mobility.
• His parents' lack of resources and connections placed a heavy burden on him from a young age.
• The dysfunction within his family, including his father's behavior, affected him deeply.

"His family had little money and few connections, their only real chance for upward mobility." "The family dysfunction at home weighed heavily on Tiger at college."

The quotes highlight the financial and emotional challenges Tiger faced, which were compounded by family issues. Tiger's success was seen as the family's path to a better life.

• At Stanford, Tiger Woods built a relationship with Bill Walsh, a respected coach with a similar mindset.
• Tiger admired Walsh's coaching philosophy and organizational skills, and they formed a strong connection.
• Tiger was given unique privileges at Stanford, such as his own key to the weight room.

"Tiger had long admired Walsh and his reputation as a genius coach, and so he went to pay him a visit." "Within a month, woods was practically living in the weight room."

These quotes underscore the impact of Tiger's college experience and his relationship with Bill Walsh, which contributed to his development as an athlete. The special treatment he received at Stanford is indicative of his exceptional dedication.

• Tiger witnessed his father, Earl, mistreat his mother, which likely caused long-term damage.
• Merchant, a friend of Earl, confronted him about his behavior, indicating a toxic family environment.
• Tiger's mother was his greatest fan, but Earl's treatment of her was a source of tension.

"He knew how much Tiger revered and loved his father. And seeing his father mistreat his mother was bound to do long term damage." "But Earl treated her like dirt. And it pissed me off. It really did."

These quotes reveal the damaging effects of Earl's behavior on Tiger's psyche and the conflicting emotions he experienced within his family dynamic.

• Tiger Woods had an extreme practice regimen, hitting hundreds of balls and spending hours in the gym.
• His relentless drive to practice and win often came at the expense of his health and rest.
• The book suggests that a more balanced approach, like Bill Bowerman's emphasis on rest, could have been beneficial.

"A typical practice day for him entailed hitting 600 balls, working on his short game, working on his putting, and then playing around a golf and working out in the gym for two or 3 hours." "You work too hard and rest too little and you get hurt."

These quotes depict Tiger's intense dedication to practice, which bordered on compulsion, and the potential negative consequences of such an extreme work ethic.

• Tiger Woods' mother instilled in him a sense of independence and the mentality of a loner, which contributed to his mental toughness.
• His mother's influence was a key factor in his ability to disconnect emotionally from others and focus on his goals.

"I'm a loner and so is Tiger. I don't have many close friends and never have. I'm independent and strong willed. That way you survive."

This quote reflects the mindset that Tiger inherited from his mother, which helped him to survive and thrive in a competitive environment.

• Tiger Woods turned professional with the encouragement of Nike and Phil Knight, quickly rising to fame and wealth.
• He idolized Michael Jordan and was recognized by Jordan as a hero, which was a significant public validation.
• Tiger's father made grandiose claims about his son's destiny, comparing him to historical figures like Gandhi and Mandela.

"Jordan. The world's most famous athlete publicly stated that his only hero on earth is Tiger woods." "He's going to be Gandhi, he's going to be Mandela. He's going to be better than all of them."

These quotes capture the high expectations and admiration surrounding Tiger as he transitioned to professional golf, including the immense pressure from his father's predictions.

• Tiger Woods was known for his relentless pursuit of improvement and his willingness to completely rebuild his swing to maintain long-term success.
• His competitive spirit was evident in his refusal to let go of trophies, signifying his focus on winning above all else.

"He played for the hardware. He played for the win." "I don't know if anybody can play the way he does."

These quotes highlight Tiger's intense competitive nature and his single-minded focus on victory, which was more important to him than fame or money.

• Tiger Woods practiced visualization techniques, imagining every shot before a tournament, which contributed to his confidence and success.
• Visualization is a common theme among successful individuals, as seen in the practices of Estee Lauder and others.

"No one else stands a chance tomorrow." "Projecting your mind into a successful situation, which is exactly what Tiger is doing."

The quotes demonstrate the importance of mental preparation and visualization in Tiger's routine, a technique that is validated by other successful figures and their experiences.

• Successful individuals across various fields use visualization as a tool to achieve their goals.
• Visualization is a common practice among great athletes, business people, inventors, and achievers.
• The concept of visualizing success before it materializes is highlighted as a powerful technique.

"I have visualized success, then created the reality from the image."

This quote emphasizes the practice of visualizing success as a precursor to actual achievement, suggesting that the mental image is a blueprint for reality.

• Tiger Woods' transition from being relatively unknown to extreme fame is a central theme.
• The book discusses how Woods coped with fame, including purchasing yachts named "Privacy" and "Solitude."
• Woods found peace in scuba diving, a hobby where he was unrecognizable and undisturbed.
• The pressure of fame is portrayed as a challenge that is difficult to comprehend without personal experience.

"And so a large part of the book, too, is Tiger dealing. Know, being relatively unknown to being literally one of the most famous people on the planet."

This quote describes Tiger Woods' rapid rise to fame and the focus of a significant portion of the book, which deals with the impact of fame on his life.

• The book details Woods' relationship with Michael Jordan, who influenced Woods' attitude toward fame, women, and power.
• Woods and Jordan shared experiences of extreme fame and formed a bond over their unique positions.
• The book explores Woods' time in Las Vegas and his struggles with the paradox of fame.

"Jordan exercised considerable influence over Tiger's attitude toward fame, women and power."

The quote highlights the significant impact Michael Jordan had on Tiger Woods, particularly in how Woods perceived and navigated his fame.

• Tiger Woods' meticulous attention to detail in his golf game is emphasized.
• His ability to discern subtle differences in his equipment, such as the weight of golf drivers, is noted as a testament to his dedication.
• The book suggests that incremental improvements can lead to a competitive edge that is difficult to rival.

"Tiger paid attention to every single detail, every single aspect of any little piece, part of his game or any aspect of it that he could improve."

This quote underscores Tiger Woods' extreme dedication to improving every facet of his game, a characteristic that the book suggests is valuable for entrepreneurs to learn from.

• The author discusses Robert Caro's approach to biography as a means to explore the workings of power in the real world.
• Caro's methodical and detailed process of writing is seen as deliberately inefficient but insightful.
• The author relates Caro's perspective on power to the importance of understanding Tiger Woods' story.

"I'm using the form of biography to tell a story of how power works in the real world."

This quote, attributed to Robert Caro, illustrates the idea that biographies can be used as a vehicle to understand the practical dynamics of power beyond theoretical classroom discussions.

• The book addresses the public revelation of Woods' personal issues, including his multiple mistresses.
• The role of the media, particularly tabloids like the National Enquirer, in documenting and profiting from celebrity downfalls is examined.
• The extent of surveillance and betrayal by those around celebrities is revealed, including the involvement of family members.

"The national choir made its business to know what a list celebrities were doing after the sun went down."

This quote reveals the invasive and systematic approach tabloids take to uncover and exploit the private lives of celebrities for profit.

• The book delves into Woods' history of injuries and his use of painkillers to cope with the pain.
• The consequences of Woods' relentless pursuit of excellence, despite physical pain, are discussed.
• Woods' struggle with painkiller use is linked to his poor decision-making and the potential risk to his life.

"His first reported instance of using painkillers was in 2002."

The quote provides a timeline for when Tiger Woods began using painkillers, indicating a long-term struggle with pain management.

• Tiger Woods' fascination with Navy SEAL training and its impact on his golf career is explored.
• His extreme workout regimen and SEAL activities are suggested to have contributed to his physical decline.
• The book discusses Woods' consideration of leaving golf for a military career, despite being past the age limit for Navy SEALs.

"Terry Tiger would do as many as ten parachute jumps per day."

This quote illustrates the extent of Woods' commitment to Navy SEAL-style training, which was a significant diversion from his golf career.

• The book concludes with Woods' realization that he should play golf for himself rather than for external validation.
• The importance of maintaining sanity amidst extreme levels of success is emphasized.
• Woods' journey is portrayed as a lesson in personal growth and self-realization.

"The problem isn't getting rich, it's staying sane."

This quote, attributed to Charlie Munger, encapsulates the challenge of dealing with success and maintaining mental well-being, a theme that resonates with Woods' experiences.