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

What if confidence doesn't come before action, but because of it? In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff challenges one of the biggest myths about confidence: that you need to feel ready before you take the next step. Whether you're considering a new opportunity, preparing for a difficult conversation, or pursuing a meaningful goal, waiting for doubt to disappear can keep you stuck. Cindra shares a simple mindset shift: Decide. Act. Feel. Instead of waiting for confidence to arrive, take one small courageous action and allow confidence to grow from the evidence you create along the...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Gary John Bishop, New York Times bestselling author of Unfuk Yourself* and his newest book, Now What?: You, Your Life, and the Truth You've Been Avoiding, to explore what happens when you've done the work, gained the insight, and still find yourself stuck. Gary challenges our constant drive to fix, improve, and understand ourselves. He explains how we can spend years gathering insight while continuing to live from the same stories, explanations, and internal dialogue. Real change begins when we recognize that our t...

Episode Intro In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Kelly Ruta, private advisor to high-performing women, former clinical psychotherapist, and expert in emotional agility, to explore why emotional agility may be the missing skill behind sustained success. Drawing on more than 20 years as a psychotherapist and over a decade advising entrepreneurs, executives, and professional athletes, Kelly shares how psychological skills help people perform under pressure without sacrificing their well-being. Together, they discuss why confidence, resilience, and emotional regulation are no longer "soft skills," but essential skills for thriving in today's high-pressure world.<...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Joe Paulsen, leadership coach, EOS Implementer, and creator of LEAD, to explore how leaders can retain their best employees and build high-performing teams. Joe has spent years helping organizations strengthen leadership, improve accountability, and create workplaces where top performers want to stay. Together, they discuss practical leadership habits that help people feel valued, challenged, and inspired to do their best work. Episode Description Great organizations don't keep their best people by accident. They do it through intentional leadership. In this conversation...

What if taking responsibility did not mean carrying the weight of everything that goes wrong? In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explains the important difference between blame and responsibility. Blame keeps your attention fixed on the past, while responsibility helps you identify what is within your control and choose your next best step. Through the story of an executive who was blaming himself for challenges at work and at home, Cindra shows how even self-blame can drain your energy and leave you feeling powerless. Real responsibility means owning your part without taking ownership of everything.<...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Marilyn Sherman, Hall of Fame speaker, Certified Speaking Professional, five-time author, and founder of UpFront Presentations, to explore how to stop settling and create your own version of Front Row Success. For more than two decades, Marilyn has helped leaders strengthen their resilience, improve communication, and lead with greater confidence. She shares practical strategies to get unstuck, overcome self-doubt, and intentionally choose the seat you want in life. Episode Description Where are you sitting in the venue of your life? Marilyn...

Even talented, driven, and successful people experience slumps. In this conversation, Dr. Jermaine explains what a slump really is, the early warning signs that you may be heading into one, and why slumps can spread through workplaces, families, and relationships. He also shares powerful findings from his national Dump Your Slump research and explains why the environments and people around us can either help us recover or unintentionally keep us stuck. Dr. Cindra and Dr. Jermaine explore the role of self-talk, motivation, and resilience in helping us move forward when life, school, or work feels chaotic, stressful...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Tim Eggebraaten, retired Chief of Police, speaker, and founder of Off Duty Chief, to explore what it truly means to lead with resilience—both professionally and personally. Drawing from more than two decades in law enforcement, including serving as Chief of Police, Patrol Sergeant, K-9 Handler, and DARE Instructor, Tim shares the lessons he's learned about leading under pressure while staying grounded in what matters most. He opens up about the importance of balancing career, family, and personal well-being, and why true leadership begins with taking ca...

What if the key to performing at your highest level isn't pushing harder, but recovering smarter?   In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares why the world's best performers don't just train with intention; they rest with intention. You'll discover why recovery isn't a reward you earn after the work is done; it's an essential part of sustained success.   Drawing from the science of performance and the work of Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, Cindra explores the seven types of rest and explains how the right kind of recovery can improve your focus, confidence, creativity, and resilience.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why recovery...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Jeff Jones, performance coach, leadership expert, and author of The Intentional Edge, to explore what it takes to build lasting mental toughness, leadership, and high-performance habits.   Drawing on more than two decades of experience in collegiate athletics, Jeff shares lessons learned from working within elite football programs and championship cultures. He explains why success is less about motivation and more about the standards we consistently uphold, especially when pressure, adversity, and uncertainty arise.   Throughout the conversation, Jeff unpacks the powerful idea that when pressure hits, we don...

Confidence may be the missing skill today's workforce needs most.   In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares insights from her National Research Study on Confidence and her upcoming book, The Confidence Habit, explaining why nearly half of Gen Z workers frequently feel like they're "not enough." Learn how self-doubt impacts performance, why confidence is a business issue, and what leaders can do to help people thrive.   You'll also discover Cindra's Learn, Burn, Return™ framework—a powerful tool used by athletes, executives, and high performers to recover quickly from mistakes and move forward with confidence.   Power Phrase: "I build confidence by learning...

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes it's the quiet voice that says, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" – Mary Anne Radmacher   In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares how courage is built in the small, everyday moments, not just the big ones. Because fear will always be there… but it doesn't have to stop you.   You'll learn how to: Take action even when you don't feel ready Quiet the "what if" thoughts holding you back Build courage through simple, daily steps Stay grounded under pressure with a Power Pause If you've been hesitating or overthinking something important, this epis...

Quote of the Week: "Becoming is better than being." — Carol Dweck   What if your potential isn't limited by your talent or ability, but by what you believe is possible?   In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores how a growth mindset helps you embrace challenges, learn from setbacks, and continue improving. You'll learn how one simple word—yet—can shift your perspective, and why awareness is the first step to recognizing when you've slipped into a fixed mindset. When you notice your thoughts, you can choose growth instead of staying stuck.   In This Episode: What a growth mindset is and why it matters H...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Kristin Gustafson, a board-certified coach, exercise physiologist, speaker, and author of The GPS Mindset: Grit, Purpose, and Strength. Kristin shares her inspiring journey from elite endurance athlete to navigating life-changing diagnoses including dystonia and multiple sclerosis—and how those experiences became the foundation for her mission to help others rise through adversity.   Throughout the conversation, Kristin explains how unexpected detours can challenge identity, confidence, and purpose, but also become opportunities for growth and transformation. She introduces her GPS Mindset framework—Grit, Purpose, and Strength—and discusses why resil...

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores why saying no is essential for protecting your peace, energy, and priorities. High performers understand that focus requires boundaries, and every yes comes at a cost. Cindra shares practical strategies to help you confidently say no, avoid overcommitting, and create more space for what matters most. In this episode, you'll learn: Why saying yes too often leads to overwhelm How boundaries help you stay focused and energized Questions to ask before committing Practical ways to say no with confidence Why "Every no protects a bigger yes" Power Phrase: "I...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Drew Moldenhauer, an international speaker, leadership trainer, and founder of Blue Ethos Specialized Training, to explore what it takes to communicate, lead, and perform effectively when the pressure is highest. Drawing from nearly two decades in law enforcement, higher education, and leadership development, Drew shares how high-performing teams build trust, navigate conflict, and stay composed in high-stress situations. He explains why communication can either escalate or de-escalate tension within seconds and why emotional control is often the foundation of effective leadership. ...

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores how your self-talk impacts your confidence, resilience, and performance. Inspired by a recent coaching conversation, she shares why high performers often struggle with harsh self-criticism—and how self-compassion actually helps you improve faster. You'll learn: The difference between your inner critic and inner coach What self-critical thinking does to your brain Why self-compassion builds resilience under pressure A simple tool to shift your mindset in the moment The 3 Ns: Notice your self-talk Name it Next best thought Power Phrase: "I choose to be my own coach, not my own critic."   To download our full stu...

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares the story behind Hank's Hope, a project inspired by her father's 51-day fight in the ICU and the "win wall" her family created to capture small victories each day.   Cindra explores why celebrating small wins is essential for building confidence, resilience, and hope. Drawing from performance psychology and confidence research, she explains how focusing on progress—not perfection—helps train your brain to recognize growth and build belief in yourself.   In This Episode: Why small wins matter The difference between "the gap" and "the gain" How celebrating progress builds confidence Simple ways to track...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Dr. Armin McCrea-Dastur—leadership and performance consultant, Founder of Diamond Consulting, and expert in both business and sport psychology—to explore what it takes to perform at a high level across every environment.   Drawing from more than 30 years of experience in leadership development, organizational performance, and sport psychology, Armin shares a unique perspective on how the skills developed in athletics directly translate into success in business and life. From working with global brands like Ray-Ban, Kraft Foods, and Cadbury to supporting elite athletes and teams—including the Univ...

"Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do." – Benjamin Spock   What if the biggest thing holding you back… isn't your ability, but your trust in it?   In this episode, we dive into a powerful question high performers face all the time: "Have I done enough, and can I trust it when it matters most?"   You'll hear a real story from an elite athlete preparing for a major moment, and the simple shift that changed everything. We explore: Why self-trust is a skill (not something you're born with) How hesitation and overthinking quietly sabotage performance The surprising truth: confidence...