Episodit
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In this episode, we explore one of the most powerful mindset tools high performers use: reframing. You’ll hear the inspiring story of Spanx founder Sara Blakely and how her father helped her see failure as a sign of courage and growth. We break down how reframing allows you to reinterpret challenges with strength and optimism—turning setbacks into comebacks and adversity into fuel. You’ll learn: What reframing really is and why it’s essential to high performance. Practical questions and tools to help you shift your perspective in real-time. Everyday examples—from tough conversations to public speaking—where reframing can give you an edge. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, educator, or executive, this episode will help you see challenge through a new lens—and move forward with clarity and confidence. Power Phrase: “I see challenge through the lens of growth. I flip the frame to fuel my strength and stride forward.” Quote of the Week: “When you change your story, you change your power.” – Brené Brown
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In this powerful episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with internationally respected sport psychologist Dr. Richard Thelwell to explore the psychology behind high-performance coaching. Drawing on decades of research and applied practice, Dr. Thelwell shares why coaches must see themselves as performers and how their emotional intelligence, communication, and self-awareness directly shape athlete performance and team culture.
Richard is a Professor of Applied Sport Psychology and currently serves as the Executive Dean at the University of Portsmouth. He’s a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society and his groundbreaking research has helped shape how we understand the coach-athlete relationship, emotional intelligence in sport, and how coaches thrive under pressure.
You’ll learn:
Why the coach-athlete relationship is central to consistent performance
The surprising impact of nonverbal cues on athlete engagement and confidence
How coaches can manage pressure, burnout, and organizational volatility
Why rest is a psychological skill—and how coaches can develop a rest strategy
Practical strategies to help coaches stay composed, reflective, and effective under pressure
Dr. Thelwell also offers insights from his research on coach stress, organizational change, and the powerful role of emotional regulation. Whether you're on the sideline or in the boardroom, this conversation will help you lead with more purpose, presence, and performance.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
LISTEN TO OUR CONFIDENCE FOR ATHLETES FREE WEBINAR
CONNECT WITH RICHARD HERE
MENTIONED RESEARCH DOCUMENT (Psychology of Rest in Athletes)
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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In this episode of the High Performance Mindset Podcast, Dr. Cindra explore the impact of setting stretch goals - ambitious, meaningful targets that push us out of our comfort zones and closer to our potential.
Backed by research from Harvard Business School, they explain how high-effort goals can fuel innovation, focus, and sustained performance when they're supported by belief and purpose.
You’ll also learn why writing down your goals matters, how to break the habit of playing small, and how to shift your thinking when self-doubt shows up.
Power Phrase of the Week: “I pursue bold goals because greatness lives just beyond my comfort zone.”
Quote of the Week: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” — Norman Vincent Peale
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Today’s episode features a powerful conversation with two standout leaders in sport and performance—Melissa Hager and Brock Thompson.
Melissa is one of the only women in Minnesota coaching boys high school basketball and brings a wealth of insight on leadership, resilience, and building trust with athletes. Brock is the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at South Dakota State University and a seasoned leader with over 25 years in college athletics. Both are certified Mentally Strong Coaches and bring real-world perspective on what it takes to develop confident athletes and teams.
Together, we discuss:
Why confidence is the most fragile and most essential performance skill
How to help athletes recover after a setback or tough feedback
The different ways confidence shows up in male and female athletes
What mentally strong coaching really looks like—and how to model it
Why relationships are foundational to performance and growth
We’ll also share a sneak peek into our upcoming free webinar on June 10—Building Confidence for Athletes and Coaches—and the exciting launch of the Mentally Strong Academy for Athletic Coaches, starting June 19.
To register for the webinar or learn more about both opportunities, visit mentallystronginstitute.com.
If you're listening after June 10, head to confidenceforathletes.com to catch the replay.REGISTER FOR THE WEBINAR
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COACHES ACADEMY
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In this episode of the High Performance Mindset podcast, Dr. Cindra shares how the way we talk to ourselves can shape our confidence, performance, and leadership.
Drawing from Serena Williams’ affirmation practice before winning Wimbledon in 2015, we explore how powerful self-talk can override doubt and pressure—especially when things aren’t going perfectly.
You’ll learn how thought patterns are formed early in life to protect us, and how those same patterns can now limit us unless we choose to rewire them through consistent mental conditioning.
This episode covers four tools you can use to shift your mindset, respond to challenges with intention, and talk to yourself in a way that builds strength instead of stress.
Power Phrase of the Week: “Speak louder than your doubt.”
Quote of the Week: “I am strong. I am a champion. I’ve got this.” – Serena Williams
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I’m incredibly excited about today’s guest—Sylvie di Giusto—who is a globally recognized expert in personal branding, leadership presence, and first impressions.
Sylvie helps professionals and organizations explore how people make decisions about them—and what they can do to influence those decisions effectively. With a background in corporate training and a multicultural career across Europe and the United States, she brings a unique and powerful perspective to leadership development.
She is the author of The Image of Leadership and Fair Advantage, and she’s worked with some of the world’s top organizations, from the U.S. Air Force to Google, McDonald’s, and the NBA. Sylvie is also a CSP—Certified Speaking Professional—and a highly sought-after keynote speaker who combines psychology, strategy, and practical tools to help leaders take ownership of their personal brand.
In today’s conversation, we talk about how to craft a powerful presence, why first impressions matter more than we think, and what it means to lead from the outside in.
🔑 Key Takeaways from Sylvie di Giusto
Perception Drives Opportunity
Sylvie was inspired to focus on perception because it's often the silent deal-maker or breaker. The way people perceive us influences the decisions they make about our credibility, leadership, and potential—often before we speak.First Impressions Are Fast and Lasting
First impressions are made in seconds and are difficult to reverse. They impact sales, leadership trust, and client relationships. In high-stakes environments, your visual and behavioral cues can speak louder than your resume.Unconscious Biases Are Always at Play
Every human has cognitive shortcuts (biases) that affect how they perceive others. Professionals and leaders can’t eliminate these, but they can become more aware and intentional in how they present themselves to mitigate misperceptions.The Five Cornerstones of Decision-Making
Success today requires mastery of five key areas:Visual intelligence – how you look
Behavioral intelligence – how you act
Verbal intelligence – how you speak
Digital intelligence – how you show up online
Social intelligence – how you connect with others
Perception Can Be Reality
While perception isn’t truth, it influences how others treat us. Therefore, managing perceptions is not manipulation—it’s leadership.Balancing Authenticity with Professionalism
Professionals often struggle between “being themselves” and meeting organizational expectations. Sylvie suggests “authenticity within context”—knowing your audience and adjusting your expression, not your values.Rebuilding a Damaged Reputation
To recover from a misstep, be transparent, consistent, and patient. Rebuilding trust is a process—and how you communicate and behave over time tells your story more than any apology.Managing Difficult Conversations
Leaders must be mindful of the perception ripple effect. Sensitive conversations should be clear, kind, and anchored in purpose, recognizing that how something is said often matters as much as what is said.Technology + Human Connection
Embracing tech doesn’t mean losing the human touch. High performers must use digital tools to amplify trust, not replace it. Leaders must be intentional about showing up in real and relational ways—even in virtual spaces.3D Immersive Keynotes
Sylvie is known for pioneering the first-ever 3D immersive keynote experience, combining storytelling with cutting-edge visuals. Her goal? To not just inform—but transform how audiences feel, think, and act.Final Message to High Performers
Perception is your silent business partner. Take ownership of how you show up in every setting, every platform, and every interaction. You don’t have to be perfect—but you do have to be intentional.HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH SYLVIE HERE
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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In this episode of High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra dives into the science of worry—and how to take back control of your mind and energy. Drawing on research from Dr. Robert Leahy, she shares that 85% of what we worry about never actually happens. Even more powerful: when our fears do come true, we tend to handle them better than expected. Cindra unpacks why our brains are wired to worry—usually about the people and priorities we care most about—and how unchecked worry can steal our joy, drain our energy, and keep us stuck in the future. She then shares three practical strategies to reduce worry: Notice and label your thoughts instead of reacting to them. Schedule a “worry window” to contain anxious thinking. Let go of perfectionism and the need to plan for every possible outcome. The episode closes with a calming power phrase to carry with you: “I quiet my mind and return to the present.”
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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I’m thrilled to bring you a high-energy, insight-packed conversation with the dynamic and fearless Anne Bonney. After moving 27 times, attending 13 different schools, living on four continents, and navigating six distinct careers, Anne has turned change into her comfort zone.
She’s a keynote speaker, leadership trainer, and emotional intelligence expert who helps individuals and organizations embrace discomfort, lead courageously, and ignite positive momentum in their teams.
In this episode, Anne shares her personal journey of mastering change, along with actionable strategies to lead through transition, elevate emotional intelligence, and conquer tough conversations.
How to turn discomfort into a leadership advantage The three steps every leader needs to navigate change What emotionally intelligent leadership looks like during tough transitions How to handle difficult conversations without avoiding or escalating them Ways to build a fired-up team culture that performs under pressureAnne’s energy is contagious, her insights are practical, and her message is clear—growth comes when we get uncomfortable on purpose.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH ANNE HERE
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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This week when you notice yourself overthinking or believing a thought that doesn’t serve you, use The Truth Meter. Your mind tends to lie to you to keep you safe and small. Instead, take control of your mind and choose a different thought that would serve you right now. Your mind does not control you, you can control your mind!
Quote of the Week: "You don’t have to believe every thought you think." — Byron Katie
Power Phrase of the Week: “I choose my thoughts. I create my reality."
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Dr. Amy Climer teaches teams and organizations how to increase their creativity so they can maximize innovation. She works with forward-thinking organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, Stanford University, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Amy is the author of the best-selling book Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results. She is also host of The Deliberate Creative Podcast, where she shares practical advice and strategies to help leaders build innovative teams. Amy has a Ph.D. in Leadership and Change and is a Certified Speaking Professional.
In this episode, Amy shares her powerful “Deliberate Creative Spectrum,” and she unpacks her three-part model explains how psychological safety fuels innovation.
Cindra and Amy discuss:
Why creativity is essential for organizational relevance and survival
The Deliberate Creative Spectrum: from destructive to scalable teams
The three essential elements of creative teams
Brainstorming guidelines for creativity: suspend judgment, combine ideas, aim for wild ideas, prioritize quantity
Tips for fostering psychological safety and handling conflict in teams
The leadership insight: to do something new, leaders must intentionally let something go
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH DR. AMY CLIMBER
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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In this episode of the High Performance Mindset podcast, Dr. Cindra explores the power of belief and how it shapes our future.
Using Simone Biles’ inspiring story as a launch point, we discuss how your vision for your life begins with what you choose to believe about yourself.
When you get clear on your vision, you can align your daily actions and mindset to match that future.
This episode encourages you to replace self-doubt with empowering beliefs and reminds you that your potential is limitless when you believe it before you see it.
Power Phrase of the Week: “I am becoming the person my dreams require.”
Quote of the Week: “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.” – Oprah Winfrey -
Robyn Hatcher is a powerhouse keynote speaker and communication expert who once created drama for a living as a soap opera writer and actor. Now, she’s on a mission to eliminate drama from the workplace and help leaders and professionals communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
With a rich background that includes writing for All My Children and One Life to Live, acting on TV and stage, Robyn brings a unique perspective to communication and leadership.
She’s a Certified Speaking Professional, a Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner, and the author of Standing Ovation Presentations, where she introduces her transformative ActorTypes communication-style system.
In this episode, Robyn and I talk about:
How to Own Your Power
Her Drama Triangle,
Why we Experience Drama
Her LOVE Formula for Reducing Drama
Other Strategies to Reduce Unnecessary Drama
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
CONNECT WITH ROBYN
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff unpacks the power of optimism and why training your brain to spot opportunity in the face of difficulty is essential to building grit.
Drawing from legendary moments like Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game,” she explains how mindset shifts fuel resilience.
Cindra introduces a simple mental tool called the Three Ops Strategy to help you find fresh paths forward, even in the middle of setbacks.
Power Phrase of the Week: “I choose optimism. I train my mind to see the opportunity.”
Quote of the Week: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity. An optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” - Winston Churchill
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On today’s episode, we’re joined by a truly inspiring guest—Frank Kitchen, a Certified Speaking Professional and High-Performance Motivation Expert.
Frank is known for helping individuals and organizations think, act, and perform at their highest level.
Frank’s journey as a speaker began with a major life pivot—he was fired from his job on Father’s Day weekend. Instead of letting that setback define him, Frank made a courageous choice: he pursued his dream of becoming a full-time professional speaker. Today, his story of resilience and mindset mastery captivates audiences.
In our conversation, Frank shares how he teaches others to:
How to “Flip Your Mindset”
Ways to “Cook Up the Results You’re Hunger For”
How to live his Live F.R.E.S.H. philosophy
And other powerful strategies to stay motivated, overcome challenges, and live with purpose
Frank is also a bestselling author, mentor, and community leader—and his passion for helping others grow shines through in every word.
This is a conversation full of energy, insight, and practical tools to help you elevate your performance and impact.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH FRANK KITCHEN HERE
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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In this episode of the High Performance Mindset podcast, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores the concept of flow, a mental state of complete absorption and peak performance, drawing on insights from sport psychologist Dr. Sue Jackson, who collaborated with Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the pioneer of flow research.
The episode highlights how flow occurs when we are fully engaged in meaningful tasks, using our skills to the fullest while staying present in the moment.
Cindra outlines three key barriers to flow and encourages you to identify activities where you naturally lose track of time and feel energized, while learning to trust the process and stay focused on the present.
The episode wraps with a motivating reminder that flow, like a muscle, strengthens with mindful practice.
This Week's Power Phrase: "I will stay in the present trusting that everything unfolds perfectly."
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Joining us is Alex Hodgins, a visionary mental performance consultant and inspiring speaker who’s spent his career helping athletes, teams, and leaders rise to the occasion when it matters most. Alex specializes in building high-performance systems that don’t just withstand pressure, they thrive in it.
For eight years, Alex was the Head of Mental Performance for the Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team, guiding them to Olympic bronze in Rio 2016 and an unforgettable gold in Tokyo 2020. Currently, he brings his expertise to the NHL as the Head of Mental Performance for the Vancouver Canucks, and he’s also working with the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy, Canada’s Ski Cross Team, and elite performers across both sport and corporate arenas.
He’s a lifelong learner, passionate about helping others tap into their potential, and he calls the beautiful Pacific Northwest home.
In this episode, Alex and Cindra discuss:
The key ingredients behind high-performing team cultures Practical strategies for staying composed under pressure Why talent alone isn’t enough to ensure success at elite levels How corporate leaders can leverage sports psychology principles to boost team outcomes What the highest-achieving teams consistently do differentlyHIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra explores the power of positivity and how cultivating positive energy creates a psychological advantage in teams, businesses, and relationships. Research shows that positivity enhances engagement, problem-solving, and resilience, with high-performing teams and successful relationships maintaining a strong positive-to-negative interaction ratio. To harness this power, Dr. Cindra suggests shifting focus to strengths, building a culture of positivity from the top down, and priming yourself for positivity each morning through gratitude, visualization, and Power Phrases. By choosing positivity intentionally, we rewire our brains for success, motivation, and deeper connections. This Week's Power Phrase: "I am a source of positive energy. I inspire, uplift, and bring out the best in myself and those around me. My mindset fuels success and possibility." Quote of the Week: "When you focus on the good, the good gets better." – Abraham Hicks
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Today we have an incredible guest who embodies leadership, influence, and the power of storytelling—Ty Bennett. Ty is a dynamic entrepreneur, CEO, bestselling author, and world-renowned speaker who has built three multi-million dollar businesses across different industries. As the Owner & CEO of the largest Ninja Warrior Gym in the world, he knows a thing or two about resilience, strategy, and high performance.
Ty’s entrepreneurial journey started in his 20s when he and his brother built a direct sales empire, generating over $20 million in annual revenue and impacting leaders across 37 countries. As the founder of Leadership Inc., Ty is on a mission to help leaders cultivate influence, build exceptional relationships, and challenge the status quo. His books—including Partnership is the New Leadership and The Power of Storytelling—are shaping the next generation of business leaders, even being used in courses at MIT.
In this episode, Ty shares:
The latest results of his newest study on high performance including his secrets to high-performance leadership. 7 reasons that high performance is important. 4 drivers of high performance, and the barriers to high performance. His personal journey—what drives him, how he navigates challenges, and his best advice for leaders looking to level up.HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH TY HERE
REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE
Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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Dr. Cindra explores the power of self-discipline and how understanding dopamine can help us build better habits. Sharing her own experience of struggling to finish her book Beyond Grit, she explains how visualizing her audience reignited her motivation.
Self-discipline, she says, is the ability to take action even when we don’t feel like it—yet our brains are wired for instant gratification, making it difficult to stay on track. To make discipline easier, Dr. Cindra suggests attaching small, immediate rewards to challenging tasks, using habit tracking, and visualizing success to stimulate dopamine release.
By training our brains to associate discipline with rewards, we can turn self-discipline into second nature and overcome procrastination for good.
Quote of the Week: "We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret." — Jim Rohn
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In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra highlights the crucial role of self-compassion in achieving success, using Serena Williams as an example of how elite performers embrace setbacks with kindness rather than self-criticism. Drawing on Dr. Kristen Neff’s research, Dr. Cindra outlines three key elements of self-compassion: self-kindness, recognizing common humanity, and practicing mindfulness. By making self-compassion a habit, you can bounce back stronger, reduce stress, and enhance performance. Power Phrase this Week: “I am kind to myself. I am doing the best I can. I got it next time!” Quote of the Week: "Self-compassion is not a luxury; it's a necessity for growth. Embracing our imperfections is what helps us rise stronger." — Kristin Neff
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