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

Latest Episodes:

786: 12,000 Skydives and Still Afraid: How to Act Anyway with Melanie Curtis, World Record Skydiver, Speaker, Author, & Peak Performance Coach Oct 19, 2026

Show notes

What is fear telling you that you can't do? World record pro skydiver Melanie Curtis has made more than 12,000 jumps over 30 years, and she still feels fear. In this episode she shares how her first jump at 18 rewired how she relates to fear. She explains why the fear of humiliation is so powerful in modern life, and she tells the story of getting hypoxic on a world record jump at 200 miles per hour. You'll learn practical tools for facing your fears, and why confidence is the result of action, not the requirement for it.

In this episode you'll learn:

Why fear and anxiety don't mean you're not ready
What type two fun is and why the hardest things in life are worth it
A simple breathing tool for when fear shows up: make your exhale longer than your inhale
How to spot the hidden ways fear shows up in your body
Why confidence is the result of action, not the requirement
How to find the goal-setting sweet spot between bored and paralyzed
Why the fear of humiliation feels so mortal
Four ways to keep facing your fears: support, intuition, habits and deeper healing
How to identify as a brave person

About Melanie Curtis Melanie Curtis is a keynote speaker, world record pro skydiver and peak performance coach with more than 12,000 jumps and 30 years of experience leading and coaching worldwide. She has appeared on Good Morning America and is the author of How to Fly: Life Lessons from a Professional Skydiver. Melanie teaches clients and audiences to take intentional risks so they can reach the far edges of their potential, personally and professionally.

Resources mentioned:

Melanie's website: melaniecurtis.com

The How to Fly Challenge, a chapter of her book a day for 132 days, and the 31-day Gratitude Challenge: melaniecurtis.com

Melanie's books: melaniecurtis.com/store

Melanie on Instagram: @melaniecurtis11

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

Steven Kotler's work on flow state

Links:

Learn more about Melanie https://melaniecurtis.com/

Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Download the National Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/

Order Cindra's new Book: https://www.confidencetools.com/

785: 3 Ways to Separate Your Worth From Results Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

You Are More Than Your Performance.

How much of your self-worth is tied to your performance, accomplishments, or the success of people you care about?

It's easy to attach our identity to our careers, relationships, achievements, and even our children's success. When things are going well, we feel good about ourselves. When we experience setbacks, we start questioning our worth.

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff joins Seth Toupal to explore why tying your identity too closely to performance can leave you feeling vulnerable and how to build a stronger sense of self.

You'll learn:

Why attaching your identity to outcomes makes setbacks feel more personal.
How to use the "Identity Pie" exercise to recognize the different parts of who you are.
Three practical strategies to separate your self-worth from your performance.
How to care deeply about your work, family, and goals without allowing their outcomes to define you.

This week's challenge: Create your own Identity Pie and write down five things that make you who you are beyond your accomplishments.

Power Phrase: "What I do is part of me. It is not all of me."

Remember, your performance is something you experience. It doesn't define who you are.

To buy Cindra's new book: confidencetools.com

To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com

To request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: freementalbreakthroughcall.com

To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: mentallystronginstitute.com

To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: cindrakamphoff.com

To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: @cindrakamphoff

784: Why Resolutions Fail and How to Start Again with Intention with Jobert E. Abueva, Author, TEDx Speaker, and Global Marketing Executive Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

What if the key to achieving your goals isn't pushing harder, but taking time to reflect on where you've been?

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Jobert Abueva, author, TEDx speaker, and global marketing executive, to explore why traditional resolutions often fail and how we can create meaningful, lasting change through intentional reflection.

Jobert shares his personal experience with burnout, the lessons that transformed his approach to success, and the six-step framework from his book, The Janus Plan. You'll discover how looking back with honesty can help you move forward with greater clarity, purpose, and confidence.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why traditional resolutions fail and how to set more sustainable goals.
Three powerful questions to ask yourself when facing burnout or change.
How reflecting on past experiences can improve your future performance.
The six steps of the Janus Plan for approaching new beginnings with intention.
How to practice self-compassion while learning from mistakes and setbacks.

Whether you're navigating a career transition, working toward a new goal, or simply looking to create more balance in your life, this conversation will help you pause, reflect, and move forward with intention.

Learn more about Jobert E. Abueva https://joberteabueva.com/

Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Download the National Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/

Order Cindra's new Book: https://www.confidencetools.com/

783: How to Stop Letting Other People's Opinions Control You Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever held back from sharing an idea, taking an opportunity, or making a decision because you were worried about what other people might think?

That fear has a name: FOPO, or Fear of Other People's Opinions. And it can quietly influence your decisions, hold you back, and undermine your confidence.

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset Podcast, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff joins Seth Toupal to explore why we care so much about other people's opinions and how to stop giving them so much power. Drawing from her own experience as a college runner, Cindra explains how we often create stories about what others think of us, even when those opinions don't actually exist.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What FOPO is and how it can quietly control your decisions
Why we often fear opinions that other people may not even have
How to recognize when you're mind-reading and making assumptions
Why some people's opinions deserve more weight than others
Three practical strategies to overcome the fear of judgment
How choosing courage over approval can help you build confidence

This week, notice one area of your life where fear of judgment is holding you back. Ask yourself what you would do if you weren't trying to earn everyone's approval, then take one courageous step forward.

Power Phrase of the Week: "I choose courage over approval."

Quote of the Week: "Not everyone deserves a vote on how you live your life."

To buy Cindra's new book: confidencetools.com

To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com

To request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: freementalbreakthroughcall.com

To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: mentallystronginstitute.com

To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: cindrakamphoff.com

To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: @cindrakamphoff

782: 3 NeuroHacks to Quiet Your Brain Under Pressure with Dr. Izzy Justice, Sports Neuroscientist, Best-Selling Author, and Peak Performance Coach Oct 05, 2026

Show notes

What happens in your brain when pressure rises, and how can you quickly get yourself back into a calmer, more focused state?

In this episode, Cindra talks with Dr. Izzy Justice, Chief Neuroscience Officer at Neuro580 and author of Life Explained: Chasing 10 Hertz. Drawing from thousands of live EEG brain scans with athletes, executives, and other high performers, Dr. Izzy explains what happens in the brain during high-pressure moments and why mental noise can make it harder to access skills you already have.

He also shares practical NeuroHacks you can use in real time to reduce tension, shift your attention, and become more present when it matters most.

In this episode, you'll learn:

What happens in your brain when pressure increases
Why Dr. Izzy believes approximately 10 Hz is an important brain state for performance
How mental noise can interfere with skills you have already developed
Why negative experiences can become easier to recall under pressure
How constant stimulation can affect your ability to stay present
The 10-2 NeuroHack for quickly releasing tension
The "Three Fields" technique for shifting attention through physical sensation
How athletes use touch and sensory cues before performing
The 4-2-8 breathing technique for calming your brain in high-pressure moments
Why physical NeuroHacks can sometimes be easier to use than trying to think your way out of anxiety
How these techniques can apply to sport, leadership, meetings, and everyday performance

Dr. Izzy also shares how these ideas connect to his work at Neuro580 and his book, Life Explained: Chasing 10 Hertz.

Learn more about Dr. Izzy Justice https://drizzyjustice.com/

Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Download the National Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/

Order Cindra's new Book: https://www.confidencetools.com/

781: How to Stop Fear of Failure From Holding You Back Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

What would you do today if you weren't afraid to fail?

Fear of failure can keep us from applying for the opportunity, speaking up, starting something new, or having the difficult conversation. But failure doesn't define who you are. It's an event that can give you feedback, information, and a chance to grow.

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explains why confident people still experience fear and how to keep that fear from making your decisions. She shares how redefining success around what you can control can take power away from failure and help you move forward with more courage.

You'll also learn Cindra's Learn, Burn, Return strategy for responding when things don't go your way: learn from the experience, let go of what isn't serving you, and return to your previous level of confidence.

This week, ask yourself:

How am I defining failure?
What does success look like if I define it by what I can control?
What would I do today if I wasn't afraid to fail?

Then take one action. Confidence doesn't come from knowing you'll succeed. It comes from knowing you can handle whatever happens.

Power Phrase: "Fear doesn't make my decisions."

To buy Cindra's new book: confidencetools.com

To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com

To request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: freementalbreakthroughcall.com

To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: mentallystronginstitute.com

To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: cindrakamphoff.com

To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: @cindrakamphoff

780: How to Silence Self-Doubt and Build Confidence with Jenn Donahue, Retired Navy Captain, Keynote Speaker & Bestselling Author Sep 28, 2026

Show notes

What if the voice telling you that you're not ready, not good enough, or not capable is actually trying to keep you safe?

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset, Cindra Kamphoff talks with Jenn Donahue, Ph.D., a retired U.S. Navy Captain, international keynote speaker, business coach, and author of Becoming the Warrior: Harnessing Your Inner Strength to Silence Self-Doubt.

Jenn shares how a difficult leadership experience in the military shattered her confidence and ultimately led her to develop the Warrior Framework: Perceive, Assess, Ready, and Act. She explains how to recognize your inner critic, understand where self-doubt comes from, retrain your brain toward more positive thinking, and take action before you feel completely confident.

You'll also learn why writing down one win each day can help shift your brain's attention toward what is going well, how to use a "battle buddy" when self-doubt creeps in, and why your next step should be so small that it feels almost impossible not to take it.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why self-doubt and imposter syndrome can affect even highly accomplished people
The four steps of Jenn's Warrior Framework
How to recognize and challenge your inner critic
Why taking action before you feel confident matters
How to use a one-win-per-day tracker to build confidence
The difference between a failure and a setback
How a "battle buddy" can help you stay accountable and keep moving forward

Jenn's website: https://www.jenndonahue.com/

Buy Jenn's book "Becoming the Warrior"

Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Download the National Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/

Order Cindra's new Book: https://www.confidencetools.com/

779: How to Stop Fear From Controlling You Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

Fear has a way of making future events feel like they're happening right now. What if I fail? What if I embarrass myself? What if people judge me?

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares a simple reminder: future events aren't reality. She explains how fear can influence our decisions, why confidence doesn't require being fearless, and three ways to keep fear from controlling your next move.

You'll learn how to catch the "what ifs," return your attention to the present, and "do it afraid" by taking courageous action even when fear is still there.

Power phrase: "I can feel fear and still move forward."

To buy Cindra's new book: confidencetools.com

To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com

To request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: freementalbreakthroughcall.com

To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: mentallystronginstitute.com

To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: cindrakamphoff.com

To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: @cindrakamphoff

778: Your Performance Is Not Your Identity with Quinn Harwood Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

What happens when your performance becomes tied to your identity?

Coach Quinn Harwood knows that struggle firsthand. After a professional basketball career marked by injuries, setbacks, and broken goals, Quinn learned that his performance could not be the foundation of his self-worth. Today, he helps leaders and professionals navigate personal growth, limiting beliefs, fear, and the pressure to constantly perform.

In this episode, Quinn and Cindra talk about why separating your identity from your performance matters, how to recognize the beliefs that keep you stuck, and what it really means to create a growth mindset.

Quinn also shares his Midnight Mirror practice, a simple end-of-day reflection built around four questions: What am I most proud of? What do I need to resolve? What do I need to reframe? What do I need to release?

They also explore why "fear hates light," how exposing your fears can take away their power, and how leaders can create environments where people are encouraged to grow.

If you've been feeling stuck, questioning your direction, or struggling with fear and self-doubt, this conversation offers practical ways to start moving forward.

In this episode:

Why your performance shouldn't define your identity
How to create identity anchors that remain steady when performance changes
The six growth zones Quinn uses in personal growth and leadership
The Midnight Mirror practice for reflection and self-management
How to identify and expose the fears holding you back
Fixed mindset vs. growth mindset
Why falling in love with the "voice of growth" can change how you approach personal development
How leaders can use coaching to help people grow and perform at their best

Quinn's website: https://coachqharwood.com/

Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Download the National Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/

Order Cindra's new Book: https://www.confidencetools.com/

777: Collect the Evidence that You can Trust Yourself Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

What if confidence doesn't come before action, but because of it?

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explains why waiting until you feel confident can keep you stuck, and how taking small actions creates the evidence your brain needs to trust yourself.

Cindra shares the idea of building a Confidence Bank, where every courageous action, follow-through, recovered mistake, and small win becomes another deposit. Over time, those deposits change the way you see yourself and help you face future challenges with greater confidence.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why confidence often follows action rather than comes before it
How to make daily deposits into your Confidence Bank
Why small wins can build stronger confidence than waiting for one big achievement
How your brain tends to remember failures more easily than successes
The simple "Capture Your Wins" practice for collecting evidence of your progress
Three questions to ask yourself each night to strengthen self-trust

Power Phrase: "I can trust myself."

You don't need to feel completely confident before you move. Take the action, collect the evidence, and build your confidence one deposit at a time.

To buy Cindra's new book: confidencetools.com

To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com

To request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: freementalbreakthroughcall.com

To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: mentallystronginstitute.com

To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: cindrakamphoff.com

To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: @cindrakamphoff

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