“Don’t let the noise of others’ negativity drown out your inner voice.” — Steve Jobs
“I choose to rise above the noise and live my day with positivity and purpose.”
Quote of the Week: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill
Power Phrase of the Week: “I am gritty. I persevere with passion, purpose, and persistence.”
“My self-talk builds me, not breaks me.”
“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” — James Allen
Welcome to The High Performance Mindset Podcast, where we help you master your mindset to gain the high performance edge. My name is Dr. Cindra Kamphoff, and today I am thrilled to share my conversation with Jim Murphy—author of Inner Excellence.
You might have heard about Jim’s book on January 12 when AJ Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles was reading his book on the slide lines of a NFL Game. To be honest, I thought to myself, I have read so many performance psychology books, how will this one be different? But after a recommendation from a colleague, I read the book this summer and loved it. Jim provides so much wisdom and tools in the book! It is amazing.
Jim has spent decades studying what allows athletes and leaders to thrive under pressure. In this episode, he opens up about his five years of research with Olympic coaches and sport psychologists, and the surprising discoveries that shaped his Inner Excellence model. We talk about his viral moment when AJ Brown was spotted reading his book on the sidelines, and what it was like to see his work inspire so many people.
You’ll hear Jim explain his three “Us” framework—being unembarrassable, unoffendable, and unirritable—and how these qualities help you live and perform with freedom. We also discuss the dangers of ego and self-centeredness, the trap of expectations, and how to stay focused on the process rather than outcomes.
This is a conversation packed with wisdom you’ll want to revisit again and again.
Before we jump in, at the Mentally Strong Institute, we help athletes and leaders achieve their goals quicker, uplevel their confidence, and increase their influence. To learn more about our coaching, I invite you to sign for a free coaching call with me or one of my team members at the Mentally Strong Institute at freementalbreakthoughcall.com. We will help you create a breakthrough –a moment of more clarity and understanding. That’s www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com to sign up for a free mental breakthrough call.
Alright…let’s jump into my interview with Jim Murphy. You are going to love this one!
🔹HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
🔹 Learn more about Jim Murphy and His Work
🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team
🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute
Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
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Craig Siegel is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of Cultivate Lasting Symphony.
After leaving a thriving career on Wall Street, he dedicated his life to helping people reinvent themselves from the inside out. His energy, purpose, and belief in human potential have made him a sought-after coach and entrepreneur, guiding others to align with their vision and overcome self-doubt.
In this episode, Craig shares the powerful mindset shift that transformed his life and how you can apply the same principles to your own journey. We talk about his leap from finance to purpose-driven work, the role of energy in leadership, and how to protect it as a high performer. He also unpacks practical lessons from his bestselling book The Reinvention Formula—a step-by-step playbook for creating clarity, moving past fear, and building a life that lights you up.
In this conversation, you will learn:
The mindset shift that sparked Craig’s reinvention
How to move through fear and self-doubt with intention and belief
Why energy management is critical for leaders and high performers
Practical tools from The Reinvention Formula to create clarity and overcome obstacles
Craig’s story proves that reinvention isn’t reserved for a few—it’s available to anyone ready to commit to growth, purpose, and possibility.
Learn more about craig here: https://www.cultivatelastingsymphony.com/
Apply for the certification here: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/certification
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 pressure
Jim shows that creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration. It’s about training your mind like an athlete to step up when it matters most.
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 strengthen your team’s commitment to success.
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.
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:
🔹 HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
🔹 Learn more about Henna Pryor and Her Study & Keynote Speaking
🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team
🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute
Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
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 how to catch them
How to use body language to gain the truth from customers, coworkers, and clients
Traci also discusses her new book and how her experience as a U.S. National Cycling Team member helped shape her ability to “read between the lines.” Whether you're hiring, selling, or simply trying to understand people better, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you lead and decide with clarity.
🔹HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
🔹 Learn more about Traci Brown and her work
🔹 Get your copy of How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft
🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team
🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute
Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
Quote of the Week: “When you change your story, you change your power.” – Brené Brown
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.
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
Practical strategies for navigating change, conflict, and ambiguity with clarity and calm
John also shares a roadmap for change leadership and how you can put executive presence on “autopilot” by rewiring habits and emotional patterns. This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to lead with more resilience, clarity, and confidence—especially in high-pressure environments.
🔹 HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
🔹 Learn more about John Edwards and The Edwards Groups
🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team
🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute
Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
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 just for vision boards—it’s a discipline. And you deserve to pursue goals that challenge and inspire you.
Power Phrase This 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
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.
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, high-performing teams
The 8 essential actions from Be Unstoppable, including “Plan in Pencil” and “Understand Your Why”
Alden also unpacks how setbacks have fueled his biggest comebacks and what mental toughness means at the highest levels of performance. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or chasing a personal goal—this episode will help you unlock your unstoppable potential.
🔹HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
🔹 Learn more about Alden Mills and his books
🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team
🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute
Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
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 pressure
Daily rituals and mindset shifts to lead with authenticity and consistency
Stacey also shares how elevated presence leads to stronger connections and greater influence, plus one tool you can start using today to transform how you come across. If you want to level up your leadership and communication, this episode is a must-listen.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
🔹 Learn more about Stacey Hanke and her work
🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team
🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute
Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
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 pressure, and a simple performance number system that builds self-awareness and accountability.
We dive into practical tools like breathing and refocusing techniques, and why hallway conversations matter more than you think. Kris also reflects on his personal journey—from studying applied sport psychology to shaping the culture at Washington State Football.
Let’s get into it. Here’s my conversation with Kristofer Kracht.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
LISTEN TO OUR CONFIDENCE FOR ATHLETES FREE WEBINAR
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.