High Performance Mindset | Learn From World-class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches About Mindset

Dr. Jim Afremow is a high-performance consultant and the author of The Creative’s Mind: How Exceptional Artists Think, Make and Perform, along with several bestselling books on sport psychology and leadership. He has trained athletes, teams, coaches, and professionals across achievement domains to perform under pressure and sustain success. In this special 700th episode, Jim shares how the same mental frameworks used by elite athletes apply to creative professionals. He explains how grit, identity, and deliberate mental training fuel both artistry and performance. In this episode, you will learn: The 5 C’s of Mental Toughness for Creatives—courage, confidence, commitment, composure, and concentration The Two Voices that guide performance: Protection vs. Greatness Why confidence is a decision and how to strengthen it daily Mental tools like the 2-Minute Drill to beat procrastination and the Blow Out the Junk technique to calm nerves Why identity before goals creates consistency and resilience under p

In this insightful episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores why psychological safety is the foundation of high-performing teams. Drawing on Google’s groundbreaking Project Aristotle study, she explains that the best teams aren’t the ones that avoid mistakes—they’re the ones that embrace them as learning opportunities. Psychological safety means people can take risks, share ideas, and challenge the status quo without fear of judgment or punishment. Cindra outlines practical strategies for leaders to build this culture.  This Week’s Power Phrase: "I create a safe space for my team to take risks, make mistakes, and grow. We learn together, and we win together." This Week’s Quote of the Week: "Psychological safety is not just about being nice or lowering performance standards. It’s about creating an environment where failure is an opportunity to learn, not something to fear." — Dr. Amy Edmondson Tune in to discover how normalizing mistakes can unlock creativity, boost performance, and

Henna Pryor, CSP, is an award-winning keynote speaker, workplace performance expert, and the author of Good Awkward: How to Embrace the Embarrassing and Celebrate the Cringe to Become the Bravest You. She’s been featured in major outlets like Forbes, Fast Company, and NBC, and her work helps leaders and teams reframe awkwardness as a superpower. She blends science, storytelling, and real-world strategies to help us step into the discomfort that fuels growth. In this episode, you will learn: How  “good” awkward moments—paired with deliberate discomfort and strategic micro stressors—can fuel growth, connection, and high performance. Henna shares insights from her Social Muscles research, revealing how avoiding awkwardness actually increases it, and why embracing it builds likability, trust, and resilience.  Henna offers practical ways to build your “social muscle,” reframe embarrassment, and turn cringe moments into leadership superpowers. You will also learn daily practices to adopt a “do it awkward—but do it

In this inspiring episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores how grit is the foundation for achieving your biggest goals and dreams.   She shares the powerful metaphor of the pearl—how something rare and valuable begins with irritation. Just like a pearl forms when an oyster transforms a piece of grit over time, our greatest achievements come from leaning into challenges and staying committed through discomfort.   You’ll also learn practical ways to strengthen your grit muscle, such as committing to one challenging action every day, surrounding yourself with people who push you, and focusing on deliberate—not just repetitive—practice.   This Week’s Power Phrase: “I am gritty. I do the things others won’t to achieve the things others can’t. I put in the hours necessary for success.”   Quote of the Week: “Grit is not just having resilience in the face of failure, but also having deep commitments that you remain loyal to over many years.” — Angela Duckworth   Tune in to discover how to

In this fascinating and high-energy episode, I interview Traci Brown—ranked the #3 body language expert in the world and a go-to voice on lie detection, deception, and influence. A former elite cyclist turned deception detection expert, Traci brings a rare combination of athletic discipline and forensic insight to her work. Traci is a frequent television guest featured on CBS, NBC, and Nancy Grace, and is the author of How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft. She works with businesses, financial groups, and law enforcement to prevent fraud, protect profits, and make better decisions under pressure. In this episode, Traci shares practical strategies to read people more accurately, ask better questions, and spot deception before it costs you. You’ll learn: Why detecting deception is a leadership skill—and how to sharpen it The body language differences between big and small lies How lie detection can accelerate business results and reduce losses Everyday signs of deception that are easy to miss—and

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.” – Bre

In this science-backed and practical episode, I interview John Edwards—executive coach, speaker, and founder of The Edwards Groups. With a background in neuroscience and years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, John shares powerful insights on how to navigate stress, lead with presence, and thrive through change. John’s approach blends neuroscience with leadership strategy to help high performers build resilience, expand their influence, and lead confidently in complex environments. In this conversation, he breaks down why our brains are wired for stress, how to rewire for strength, and what it means to be a standout leader in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. You’ll learn: Why your brain’s default setting is stress—and what you can do to override it The neuroscience behind executive presence and how to grow your influence authentically How to boost cognitive capacity and resilience through better daily habits What a “chaos point” is—and how to lead your team through uncertainty Practic

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff challenges you to dream bigger and pursue bold, gritty goals—even if they feel just out of reach. She shares compelling research from Harvard and insights from performance psychology that show how stretch goals—ambitious targets that push you beyond your current limits—can fuel creativity, persistence, and breakthrough performance. The key is believing the goal is possible and tying it to a powerful “why.” Cindra also draws on wisdom from her conversation with Caroline Adams Miller, author of Getting Grit, about the value of pursuing hard goals that demand risk, discomfort, and long-term effort. These are the kinds of goals that spark real growth. You’ll learn: Why stretch goals create clarity, focus, and passion How top performers connect long-term dreams to daily actions What to do when doubt creeps in and tempts you to play small Why writing down your goals can be a game changer This episode is a reminder that dreaming big isn’t

In this inspiring episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Alden Mills—former Navy SEAL platoon commander, championship rower, best-selling author, inventor, and entrepreneur. Alden’s life is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. From overcoming childhood asthma to leading Navy SEAL teams and building a $95M business with the Perfect Pushup, Alden shares how the unstoppable mindset shaped every chapter of his extraordinary journey. Alden is the author of Be Unstoppable, Unstoppable Teams, and Unstoppable Mindset, and was named Entrepreneur magazine’s #1 virtual speaker. In this episode, he reveals the mental strategies that helped him turn adversity into advantage, failure into fuel, and vision into impact. You’ll learn: Why being “unstoppable” is a choice—and how to practice that choice daily The story behind the mantra: “No one defines what you can and can’t do” How Navy SEAL leadership skills apply directly to business, family, and life The CARE Loop framework and how to build high-trust,

In this inspiring episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores how optimism can turn adversity into advantage.   She shares a powerful story of a collegiate athlete who, after a devastating ACL injury just before nationals, chose to reframe the setback as a new beginning. Her shift in perspective led her to mentorship, sport psychology, and a new purpose: becoming a mental performance coach.   Cindra breaks down how optimism isn’t naive positivity—it’s an active choice to find meaning in difficulty. Backed by science, she discusses the many benefits of optimism, including increased resilience, creativity, persistence, and even longer life expectancy. Research from Harvard shows that optimistic leaders and entrepreneurs outperform their peers in both business and recovery from failure.   You’ll also learn about the Three OPP Strategy from Beyond Grit, a practical mental tool to help you reframe challenges.   This week’s power phrase: “Setbacks don’t define me. I see the opportunity in

In this engaging episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff talks with Stacey Hanke—nationally recognized communication expert, keynote speaker, and author of Influence Redefined and Influence Elevated. Stacey challenges the common myths around influence and shares how true influence isn’t about charisma or likability—it’s about showing up consistently with presence, clarity, and connection. Stacey is the founder of Stacey Hanke Inc., where she equips leaders and teams with the tools to communicate more effectively in high-stakes environments. Her work with Fortune 500 companies, NFL teams, and top-level executives offers real-world strategies for building trust and leading with credibility, even when feedback is limited or unclear. You’ll learn: The biggest misconception people have about influence—and what it really takes Stacey’s 6-part Influence Elevated model for lasting impact Why self-awareness is the foundation of powerful communication The connection between confidence and your ability to speak up under pr

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores one of the most powerful mindset shifts we can make: choosing the meaning we assign to our experiences.   She shares a story of coaching a senior executive who was initially devastated after being passed over for a promotion. But by reframing the experience and asking, “How is this happening for me?”, the executive discovered a more aligned, fulfilling path—and ultimately created a new role within her company that better matched her strengths. The meaning she gave the event became her fuel for growth.   Cindra explains that successful people condition their minds daily to see opportunity in difficulty. They deliberately choose empowering meanings—not because it’s easy, but because it leads to greater resilience, clarity, and long-term success.   You’ll learn: Why your brain is wired to avoid pain and how to override that instinct The difference between interpreting challenges as happening to you vs. for you How to reframe past

Welcome back to the High Performance Mindset Podcast, the show where we explore what it takes to show up fully and perform at your best—mentally and emotionally—every single day. I’m Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, and I’m so grateful you’re here. Today’s guest is someone who lives and breathes mental performance. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kristofer Kracht, a championship coach, professor, entrepreneur, and highly respected mental performance expert with over 25 years of experience. Kris is known for his vulnerability, energy, and contagious passion for helping others grow. He currently serves as the Director of Mental Performance for Washington State University Football, where he empowers athletes to thrive under pressure and train their minds to match their physical talent. He’s also worked with elite programs at South Dakota State, Creighton, Winona State, and several others across the country. In this episode, Kris shares what he’s teaching athletes most often, how he helps players thrive under pressur

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset, we dive into the power of emotional agility—the skill of being present with your emotions without letting them take the wheel. Backed by cutting-edge research, we explore how processing and labeling emotions can reduce distress, enhance performance, and improve your ability to lead and live with purpose. You’ll learn: Why emotional agility is a key to resilience, leadership, and well-being. The three essential steps to becoming emotionally agile: noticing, labeling, and choosing action aligned with your values. How to shift from “I am anxious” to “I’m noticing I feel anxious”—and why that subtle reframe matters. Why emotions are data, not directives—and how that mindset gives you back control. Whether you're an athlete, leader, or high achiever under pressure, this episode will help you respond with intention, not reactivity, and become the kind of person who leads with clarity and confidence. Power Phrase: “My emotions inform me, not define me.” Quote of the

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

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 organizati

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

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

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

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 t