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

Latest Episodes:

793: Performing Under Pressure with Connor Fields, Olympic Champion and Keynote Speaker Nov 09, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to become an Olympic champion, and how do you move forward when everything changes in an instant?

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Olympic gold medalist and keynote speaker Connor Fields to explore the mindset behind elite performance, overcoming setbacks, and finding purpose after life takes an unexpected turn.

Connor shares his journey through three Olympic Games, from the disappointment of finishing seventh in London to winning gold in Rio, and the devastating crash in Tokyo that left him fighting for his life.

Through his remarkable story, Connor reveals how he learned to manage pressure, focus on what he could control, and redefine success. He also introduces his powerful "Now What?" philosophy for navigating life's biggest turning points.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why consistency and discipline are the foundation of high performance.
How to shift your focus from outcomes to preparation and execution.
The mental strategies Connor used to perform under Olympic pressure.
How gratitude and perspective can help you move forward after setbacks.
Why past success doesn't guarantee future success.

Connor's story is a powerful reminder that while we can't always control what happens to us, we can choose how we respond.

HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE

🔹 Register for the Womens Confidence Academy: womensconfidenceacademy.com

🔹 Learn more about Connor Fields: Connor Fields | Olympic BMX Champion and Motivational Speaker

🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute at https://mentallystronginstitute.com/

Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!

792: Take Control Under Pressure Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

Pressure often shows up when something really matters to us. Whether it's an important presentation, a championship game, or a difficult conversation, the way we respond to pressure can make all the difference.

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares how to stay focused, manage your self-talk, and perform at your best when it matters most.

You'll learn why pressure builds, how to focus on what you can control, and Cindra's simple POP the Pressure framework from her book Beyond Grit:

P: Power Breaths – Pause, breathe, and reset.
O: Opportunity – Look for the opportunity in front of you.
P: Process – Focus on your next controllable action.

You'll also discover how to shift your self-talk away from fear and bring your attention back to the present moment.

This week's power phrase: "I control what I can, release what I can't, and own the moment."

Learn about the Women's Confidence Academy: womensconfidenceacademy.com

791: Finding Joy in the Hardest Moments with Leah Bridger, HR Leader & MG Survivor Nov 02, 2026

Show notes

In May 2023, Leah Bridger's life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare autoimmune neuromuscular disease. Just three months later, she found herself in the ICU, unable to breathe on her own.

Before her diagnosis, Leah was a highly independent wife, mother of two, and human resources leader. Suddenly, she had to learn how to ask for help, navigate uncertainty, and find strength in ways she never expected.

In this episode of the High Performance Mindset Podcast, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff talks with Leah about her journey through illness and recovery, the power of mindset, and how to find joy even when life doesn't go as planned.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why finding joy in small, everyday moments can change your perspective.
How to shift your inner critic into a voice that reminds you, "I can do hard things."
Why asking for help and accepting support is a sign of strength.
How to stay hopeful when progress is slow and the future is uncertain.
The importance of showing up for others during difficult times.

Leah reminds us that our circumstances don't have to define us. Through gratitude, faith, connection, and a willingness to focus on what she can do, she has learned that even the hardest chapters of life can hold moments of joy.

About Leah Bridger

Leah is a wife, mother of two sons, and human resources leader passionate about building strong cultures and helping others thrive. Since her MG diagnosis in 2023, she has learned to navigate life with resilience, gratitude, and a focus on finding joy in the everyday moments.

Follow along with Leah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-bridger-6293043/

Learn about the Women's Confidence Academy: womensconfidenceacademy.com

790: Your Emotions Are Information, Not Instructions Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Your emotions are powerful, but they don't have to control your actions. The most confident people still experience fear, frustration, anxiety, and self-doubt. What sets them apart is how they respond when those emotions show up.

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares insights from her new book, The Confidence Habit, and explains how emotional mastery helps you respond with intention, especially when you're under pressure.

You'll learn a simple three-step process to manage difficult emotions:

Notice It: Recognize what you're feeling without letting the emotion define you.
Name It: Identify the emotion and understand what it's trying to tell you.
Choose It: Decide how you want to respond based on who you want to be in that moment.

Cindra also shares how practicing emotional mastery builds self-trust, strengthens confidence, and helps you navigate challenging situations in leadership, sports, and everyday life.

Remember, emotions are information, not instructions. You can acknowledge how you feel and still choose how you move forward.

This Week's Power Phrase: "I can feel my emotions without letting them lead me."

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

789: Beat the Coverage: How a 157-Pound Receiver Lasted 9 Years in the NFL with JJ Birden, Former Wide Receiver, Keynote Speaker, & Author Oct 26, 2026

Show notes

What do you do when everyone says you're too small, not ready or not enough?

Former NFL wide receiver JJ Birden was 5 feet 10 inches and 157 pounds. In one five-day stretch, four NFL teams turned him away, and Jimmy Johnson told him the NFL wasn't for him. He went on to play nine seasons and catch touchdown passes from Joe Montana.

In this episode, JJ walks through the six steps of his Beat the Coverage framework, shares what he learned watching Joe Montana prepare, and explains why confidence comes from preparation. You'll also learn the "one snap and clear" reset he still uses today.

In this episode you'll learn:

How a strong "why" fuels you through doubt and rejection
What "coverage" is and the six steps to beat it: know the field, find the holes, play to your strengths, draw up the game plan, put in the reps, and execute and adjust
What Joe Montana did differently after four Super Bowl wins
How JJ kept rejection from becoming his identity
Why preparation builds confidence, not the other way around
The "one snap and clear" reset for moving past mistakes
What to do when you feel underestimated

About JJ Birden JJ Birden is a former NFL wide receiver who played nine seasons in the league, catching touchdown passes from Hall of Famer Joe Montana despite being told he was too small to succeed. Today he is a keynote speaker, performance strategist and creator of the Beat the Coverage Framework, helping leaders, sales teams and organizations perform at their best under pressure. He is the author of Beat the Coverage: 6 Strategic Steps to Win in Business and in Life.

Resources mentioned

787: How to Stop Letting Your Past Define Your Confidence Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever noticed how something that happened years ago can still affect your confidence today?

Maybe it was a mistake you made, an opportunity you missed, or something someone said that made you question your worth. While you can't change what happened, you can change the story you tell yourself about it.

In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares how regret, resentment, and limiting beliefs can hold us back from becoming our best. Drawing from her book The Confidence Habit, she explains three practical strategies to help you let go of the past and move forward with greater confidence.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why past experiences can continue to influence your confidence today.
The three things we carry from our past that hold us back.
How to reflect, reframe, and release beliefs that no longer serve you.
Why you don't have to believe every thought that enters your mind.
How to develop a more compassionate and empowering inner voice.

This week's Power Phrase: "My past shaped me, but it doesn't define me."

Your past is a chapter of your story. It doesn't have to determine what comes next.

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

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

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