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 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.
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 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
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.
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.
Anne’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
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.
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."
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
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 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
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 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
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.
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."
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:
HIGH 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.
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:
HIGH 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.
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
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 mental skills training to help individuals sharpen their focus, enhance resilience, and unlock their full potential.
Before working with the Clippers, Michael played a key role in developing the mental performance program at Clemson Athletics, where he worked closely with student-athletes and coaches to strengthen their mindset for success. Beyond sports, he also brings his expertise to the corporate world, guiding executives and CEOs to build a high-performance mindset in business.
With a Master’s in Kinesiology with a focus on Sport Psychology and Motor Behavior from the University of Tennessee and his certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), Michael is passionate about helping others achieve their biggest goals and become the best version of themselves.
In this episode, we’ll explore the strategies and techniques that fuel high performance—whether on the court, in the boardroom, or in everyday life. Get ready to take notes because Michael is here to share game-changing insights on mental toughness, resilience, and peak performance.
Let’s dive in!
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
EMAIL MICHAEL AT mjurban16@gmail.com
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 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 with empowering and truthful statements, we shift our mindset toward confidence and success.
This week, we challenge you: Every time you hear your inner critic, pause. Acknowledge it. Then replace it with the truth. Growth starts with self-awareness—let’s rewire our thinking and unlock high performance from the inside out!
Power Phrase of the Week: “I talk to myself powerful instead of listening to my inner critic.”
Quote of the Week: “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” - Brene Brown
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 application of self-compassion—why it matters, how to practice it, and how it enhances motivation and resilience. Dr. Chu also shares insights on mindfulness, self-determination theory, and strengths-based approaches to managing stress, overcoming setbacks, and improving performance.
If you're looking for practical strategies to lead with self-compassion, sharpen your mindset, and sustain motivation, this episode is for you! Tune in for game-changing insights that will help you perform at your best—both in sports and life.
HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH DR. CHU HERE: MatchupPerformance@gmail.com
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 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-being.
Kerry’s work is all about helping athletes understand and master their emotions so they can perform at their best—both on and off the field. In a high-pressure sport like baseball, mental resilience can be the difference between good and great. And that’s where Kerry comes in, guiding players through the ART of emotions—a model built around Acknowledging, Regulating, and Tolerating emotions.
In this conversation, we’ll dive deep into:
✅ Where emotions come from and why they matter
✅ The power of emotional awareness in high performance
✅ How athletes and leaders can buy into the process of understanding their emotions
✅ Practical strategies like “Say, See, and Do” to develop emotional mastery
And of course, we’ll wrap up with Kerry’s best advice for all of you—high performers looking to level up your mindset.
This is going to be a fascinating and insightful discussion, so let’s jump in!
HIGH 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.
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
New beginnings – like New Years Day, your birthday or even Mondays – are a great time to restart. That is why people like to set resolutions or goals at the beginning of the year. You are extra motivated to turn the page and reset. But, in general, we want to set goals this year – not resolutions.
Dr. Kamphoff shares with us strategies to consider what we really want in 2025, and provides 3 tips on how to get to there.
Power Phrase of the Week: “I am focused on my goals to crush it this year.”
Quote of the Week: “When you set a goal, your brain opens up a task list.” - Mel Robbins