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

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.

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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...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Danae Frentz—a mental performance professional and self-compassion researcher—to explore a powerful idea that challenges how many high achievers think: being hard on yourself isn't what drives success—self-compassion is.

Drawing from nearly a decade of research and applied work in sport and performance psychology, Danae shares how self-compassion helps athletes and performers regulate emotions, recover from setbacks, and sustain high performance without burnout. She explains that self-compassion isn't about lowering standards—it's about responding to challenges in a way that fuels growth...

"Let them judge. Let them misunderstand. Let them doubt you." – Mel Robbins   After seeing Mel Robbins live, I left with three questions I can't stop thinking about: 👉 What if nothing in your life changed in 5 years?
👉What's your Plan B?
👉And… what would you do if you didn't care what people thought?   In this episode, we unpack how these questions reveal what you really want and what's holding you back. Inspired by Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.   💬 Power Phrase: "Let them think what they want, I'll focus on becoming who I'm meant to."   To download our full study report...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Maximilian (Max) Pollack—a Cognitive Performance Specialist supporting U.S. Special Operations—to explore what it truly takes to think clearly, stay composed, and execute under extreme pressure.

Drawing from his work with elite military operators, Max shares a powerful perspective: high performance isn't just about toughness—it's about training your mind and body to work together when it matters most. His expertise sits at the intersection of psychology, physiology, and performance, helping individuals regulate stress, sharpen attention, and make better decisions in high-s...

What if the fastest way to change how you feel… isn't changing your situation, but changing your focus?   In this episode, Dr. Kamphoff shares how one simple shift in attention can instantly move you from frustration to clarity and confidence. When you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or "off," it's often not your circumstances, it's where your mind is pointing.   Learn how to take back control of your mental spotlight and direct it toward what fuels you.   🔑 In this episode: Why your focus determines your feelings How to break free from negative spirals quickly The power of asking better questions to shift your min...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with mental performance coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Lauren Johnson & Co, Lauren Johnson, to explore what it really means to become elite by choice.

Lauren shares the pivotal story that shaped her career. After a job opportunity fell through, she found herself working at Starbucks, questioning her direction and waiting for something to change. A blunt interaction with a customer became the turning point. It forced her to recognize that she was waiting for opportunities instead of creating them.

From that...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Zach Brandon—performance and leadership coach, former Head of Mental Performance and Coach Development for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and founder of MVP Mindset Consulting—to explore what it really takes to thrive at a high level without sacrificing wellbeing.

Drawing from his experience working with elite athletes, coaches, and leaders, Zach shares a powerful perspective: high performance isn't just about winning more—it's also about living better. He challenges the idea that success and wellbeing are mutually exclusive and instead offers a framework for pu...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with entrepreneur, speaker, and author Jess Ekstrom to explore what it really takes to build confidence, find intrinsic motivation, and share your voice without losing yourself in the process.

Jess is the founder of Mic Drop Workshop, where she has helped thousands of women become more confident speakers and step into their voice. Her upcoming book, Making It Without Losing It, focuses on how to stay grounded, purpose-driven, and intrinsically motivated in high-pressure, performance-based environments.

At the heart of this conversation is...

Have you ever felt ready… until doubt showed up?   In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares how limiting beliefs, thoughts we repeat until they feel true, can quietly derail performance. Drawing from her own running career, she reveals how nothing changed physically in a race, only her thinking did.   Listen to this episode and learn how to question those thoughts, refocus on what's true, and respond with confidence when it matters most.   Key Takeaway: You don't need to eliminate doubt, you just need to stop believing everything you think.   Power Phrase: My doubts are not facts. I trust the work I've put...

"You don't rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your training."   If you want to perform better under pressure, you have to train your mind.   In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares how the Mental Performance Summit can help you build confidence, stay composed, and perform consistently, using the same tools as elite athletes and leaders.  If there is one thing you attend this spring, let it be this!    💡 What You'll Gain Confidence under pressure Clear, focused thinking Tools you can use immediately 🎤 Featuring Josh Lifrak Lauren Johnson Kris Goodman Zach Brandon  Dr. Kerry Guest    🎯...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with University of New Mexico Head Football Coach Jason Eck to explore what it truly takes to build belief inside a team.

In his first season leading the Lobos, Coach Eck engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football—leading the program to nine wins, a bowl game appearance, and Mountain West Coach of the Year honors after being projected near the bottom of the conference.

But behind the wins is something deeper.

Coach Eck shares how leadership, cu...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Belinda Jensen—Chief Meteorologist at KARE 11, science communicator, children's book author, and beloved "Bel the Weather Girl"—to explore what it takes to perform under pressure when the stakes are high and the forecast is uncertain.

With more than three decades on live television, Belinda shares how she manages stress and decision-making during severe weather events, when clarity, calm, and trust matter most. She explains how high performers stay grounded when conditions change rapidly—and why preparation, presence, and purpose are essential to sustai...

Quote of the Week: "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." — Ralph Waldo Emerson   Why do we care so much about what other people think, and how is it impacting our confidence?   In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff and Lisa talk about FOPO — the Fear of Other People's Opinions, a term coined by performance psychologist Michael Gervais. When we let outside voices guide our decisions, our confidence shrinks and we start playing small.   You'll hear why comparison is one of the fastest confidence killers, how FOPO quietly shows up in ev...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Glen Guyton—futurist, leadership strategist, and author of The Art of Harmonious Trust—to explore why trust is not a soft leadership concept, but a measurable performance strategy.

Glen's work sits at the intersection of trust, employee retention, and future-focused talent development. Drawing from his experience across military, nonprofit, and corporate systems, Glen explains why competitive pay, perks, and policies often fail to retain high performers—and what leaders must understand about trust if they want people to stay, grow, and contribute at their...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Ted Ma—leadership strategist, researcher, author, and keynote speaker—to explore what truly separates average leaders from exceptional ones.

Earlier in his career, Ted built and led a sales organization of more than 6,000 people across North America. But through that experience, he began asking a deeper question: What actually makes leadership sustainable, impactful, and human? That curiosity led him to study mentorship, trust, confidence, and culture—and to develop the concept of Everyday Mentorship.

Throughout the conversation, Ted explains why leadership isn't...

"You have to fight through some bad days to earn the best days of your life." — Lindsey Vonn   After a devastating Olympic crash and yet another surgery, Lindsey Vonn didn't ask, "Why me?" She reminded the world this isn't the end of her story. That response is what separates elite performers.   In this episode, we explore why adversity isn't proof you're failing — it's proof you're competing. Our grit research with professional athletes shows that every top performer faces setbacks. What sets them apart is how they respond.   We discuss: Why high performers believe adversity is happening for them, not to them How...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Jill Schulman—Bravery Expert, United States Marine Corps veteran, keynote speaker, and author of The Bravery Effect—to explore why bravery isn't a personality trait, but a skill anyone can build.

Jill shares the pivotal experiences that led her to study the science of fear and courage, and why so many high performers unknowingly hold themselves back by playing it safe. Drawing from positive psychology, neuroscience, and her military background, Jill explains why bravery is not the absence of fear—but the decision to act...

Confidence isn't something you set and forget. It shifts depending on the situation you're in. You can feel powerful in one moment… and shaky in a tough conversation hours later.   In this episode, we unpack findings from our national Confidence Study, including: 70% of working Americans believe they'd earn more if they improved their confidence 75% say confidence propels you further than sheer intelligence Nearly 70% dwell on past mistakes and battle a harsh inner critic You'll learn a simple reset tool called the Truth Meter™ to stabilize your confidence in real time. Confidence isn't about never doubting yourself.   It's about knowing how to respo...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Johnny Quinn—U.S. Olympian, former professional football player, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of PUSH: Breaking Through the Barriers—to explore what it really takes to move forward when life doesn't go as planned.

Johnny shares his remarkable journey of being cut from the NFL multiple times, losing millions in contracts, suffering a career-altering knee injury, and ultimately redefining his identity beyond the game. Rather than letting setbacks define him, Johnny explains how one powerful question—"What's next?"—became the catalyst that led him...

"Confidence isn't a soft skill—it's a performance multiplier."   Our National Confidence Study revealed a quiet crisis at work:
• Nearly 70% of employees battle a harsh inner critic
• 62% feel like they're not enough
• 63% constantly compare themselves to others   When confidence drops, people second-guess, hold back ideas, avoid responsibility—and 1 in 3 has quit a job because it hurt their confidence.   That's not personal.
That's organizational.   Low confidence slows performance, stalls innovation, and quietly drives turnover.   On this episode of The High Performance Mindset, we break down what leaders can do—starting now.   Because confidence doesn't happen by accident.
It's built on purpos...

What if confidence, not pay, was the reason people stay at work?   In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares insights from the National Research Study on Confidence, revealing the 8 leadership behaviors that build belief, engagement, and performance.   One eye-opening stat: 63% of employees would take a lower-paying job to work for a leader who builds their confidence.   If you lead people, they need you to listen to this episode!   To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com To Request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: http://www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute...

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff interviews Meg Myers Morgan, negotiation expert, executive coach, and author of Everything Is Negotiable, to explore why self-worth is the foundation of confidence, leadership, negotiation, and peak performance.

Meg explains how our belief about what we're worth shapes what we ask for, what opportunities we pursue, and how we show up under pressure—long before we ever walk into a negotiation, performance moment, or leadership conversation.

You'll learn why negotiation isn't about winning or convincing, but collaboration, clarity, and context—and how many people try...

Confidence at work rarely disappears overnight. It erodes slowly through everyday leadership behaviors.

In this episode, Cindra shares findings from her National Research Study on Confidence and introduces the 8 Confidence Killers. These are common leadership behaviors that quietly undermine employee confidence, motivation, and trust.

You will learn what employees say damages confidence most, why these behaviors are often unintentional, and why confidence is directly tied to performance, engagement, retention, and revenue.

You will also hear one statistic that changes how leaders think about confidence at work and a simple action you can take...