High Performance Mindset | Learn from World-Class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches about Mindset

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...

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'l...

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 lead...

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 f...

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...

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—...

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 emb...

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...

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...

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 encoura...

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,...

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...

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 def...

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...

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 Socce...

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 interacti...

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 hig...

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, makin...

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 p...

Welcome back to the High Performance Mindset Podcast! Today, we're diving deep into the world of mental performance with a special guest who works at the highest levels of sport and business. Joining us is Michael Urban, the Director of Mental Performance for the L.A. Clippers. With a career dedicated to coaching elite athletes, coaches, and corporate leaders, Michael specializes in evidence-based...

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset Podcast, we dive deep into the power of self-awareness and how to silence your inner critic. That disempowering voice—often fearful, judgmental, or angry—holds many of us back. But here's the truth: your inner critic lies to you. Instead of accepting its negativity, we can train ourselves to challenge it. By consciously replacing limiting thoughts wi...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alan Chu, a leading expert in sport psychology, mindfulness, and self-compassion. As an Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Dr. Chu helps athletes, executives, and high performers unlock their full potential by leveraging positive psychology approaches. We explore the science and...

In this episode, Dr. Kamphoff shares why we experience compassion and how to break free from it. Power Phrase of the Week: "I focus on my own journey and growth. I celebrate my progress." Quote of the Week: "A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms." – Zen Shin

Welcome to High Performance Mindset, the podcast where we dive into mental strategies to help you be your best more often. Today, we have a truly special guest—someone who plays a pivotal role in helping elite athletes navigate the mental side of the game. Joining us is Kerry Guest, the Mental Health Specialist for the Arizona Diamondbacks, a leader in the field of sport psychology and mental well...

The World's Best choose courage instead of fear. They feel the fear, but don't let it keep them from doing what they want to, have to, or were designed to do. This Week's Power Phrase: "I embrace my fear and choose courage." Quote of the Week: "Risk more than others think is safe. Dream more than others think is practical." —Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbuck