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.

Throughout the conversation, Drew discusses the concept of "high stakes teamwork" and why psychological safety, empathy, and accountability must coexist for teams to thrive. He also shares practical strategies leaders can use immediately to strengthen communication, build trust, and help teams stay calm and focused under pressure.

Drew's message is especially relevant in today's world, where stress, conflict, and uncertainty can easily pull teams apart instead of bringing them together. His approach reminds us that leadership is not just about authority—it's about human connection, self-regulation, and creating environments where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

This episode is a powerful reminder that the best leaders are not those who avoid pressure, but those who learn to lead themselves and others effectively through it.

You'll Learn:

• What "high stakes teamwork" really means and why it matters • Common communication mistakes people make under stress • Why emotional control is critical for leadership and performance • How empathy and accountability work together in strong teams • Practical ways to stay calm and think clearly under pressure • How leaders can build trust and psychological safety immediately • Why resilience and self-awareness shape effective leadership

Episode Resources & Links

Learn more about Drew Moldenhauer: https://drewthespeaker.com/

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

Register for the Mental Performance Summit: https://mentalperformancesummit.org/

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra or her team: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

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

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:

1. Notice your self-talk
2. Name it
3. Next best thought

Power Phrase: "I choose to be my own coach, not my own critic." 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, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

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 your daily wins

Power Phrase: "Confidence grows when we acknowledge our progress, not just our perfection." Learn more about Hank's Hope at Mentally Strong Kids: mentallystrongkids.org/hanks-hope/

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 University of North Carolina Men's Basketball program during their 2005 championship season—Armin explains how mindset, identity, and self-trust shape performance in critical moments. You'll also hear practical strategies to manage second-guessing in the moment, build confidence in unfamiliar situations, and recognize the competitive advantage athletes already possess. Armin also reflects on her own journey stepping away from competitive skating and how that experience shaped her passion for helping others navigate performance, transition, and leadership with greater clarity. This episode is a powerful reminder that the mindset skills built through sport don't end when competition does—they become the foundation for thriving in every arena of life. You'll Learn:

• How performance principles apply across sport, business, and leadership
• Why athletes often struggle with identity after sport
• How to stop overthinking and trust yourself under pressure
• What separates high performers in unfamiliar environments
• Why self-awareness and adaptability are critical for long-term success

Episode Resources & Links Learn more about Diamond Consulting: https://www.diamondconsultingcorp.biz/ Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra or her team: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ Download the Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/

"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 doesn't come before action, it comes from it

Plus, a few simple mindset shifts you can start using immediately:

• How to act before you feel ready
• A better way to respond when doubt creeps in
• The one question that builds real belief fast
• Why your inner voice might be the key to everything

If you've ever second-guessed yourself, overthought a decision, or wondered if you're truly ready—this episode is for you. Power Phrase: "I train my trust. I act with belief, even before I feel it." 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, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

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, resilience, and confidence.

Throughout the conversation, Danae breaks down the science behind self-compassion and its connection to performance, well-being, and emotional regulation. She highlights how perfectionism and a harsh inner critic often block growth—and how shifting your inner dialogue can actually help you perform better, not worse.

Danae also shares her personal journey with perfectionism and how learning to practice self-compassion transformed both her performance and well-being. Together, we explore the common misconceptions that keep people stuck—like the fear that being kind to yourself will make you complacent—and why the opposite is actually true.

You'll walk away with simple, practical tools you can use immediately—especially in moments of failure or self-doubt—including how to respond to your inner critic and what to say to yourself when things don't go as planned.

This episode is a powerful reminder that you don't have to be your harshest critic to succeed—you can be your strongest ally.

You'll Learn:

• What self-compassion really is—and what it's not

• How self-compassion improves performance, resilience, and emotional regulation

• The connection between perfectionism and self-criticism

• Why being hard on yourself can actually hold you back

• A simple way to respond to mistakes with more effectiveness and less judgment

• How self-compassion and confidence work together

• One small step you can take today to be kinder—and more effective—with yourself

Episode Resources & Links Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/

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

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Learn more about Danae Frentz and her work: frentzmentalperformance.ca

"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, 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, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

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-stakes environments.

Throughout the conversation, Max introduces the concept of being "introspective about your perspective," and explains how elite performers build awareness, control their internal state, and lead their thinking—especially when everything around them feels chaotic. He breaks down what separates the mentally elite from others, highlighting the importance of emotional regulation, intentional self-talk, and the ability to downshift in moments of intensity.

You'll also hear practical tools you can apply immediately—including breathing techniques for rapid regulation, the role of biofeedback in building awareness, and how to "be the commander of your brain" through intentional self-talk. Max emphasizes that lessons are everywhere—if you're willing to reflect, learn, and apply them.

This episode is a masterclass in cognitive performance—showing you how to build clarity, confidence, and control so you can perform at your best, especially when the pressure is highest.

You'll Learn: • What separates mentally elite performers in high-stakes environments • How to regulate stress and stay composed under pressure • The power of "introspective about your perspective" • A simple breathing tool to downshift and regain control • How imagery and biofeedback can enhance performance • Why self-talk is critical—and how to "command your brain" • One key strategy to perform more consistently when it matters most

Episode Resources & Links

Watch the Mental Performance Summit:

https://mentalperformancesummit.org/

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

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

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Follow Max on LinkedIn: Maximilian Pollack, CMPC, BCB | LinkedIn

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 mindset
• A simple reset you can use anytime to feel more in control

💬 Power Phrase: "I protect my focus. I choose to ask myself powerful questions to change how I feel." 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, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

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 moment, everything shifted. Lauren began taking ownership of her path, building her own consulting work from the ground up, which eventually led to working with the New York Yankees and some of the highest-performing athletes in the world.

At the center of this conversation is a simple but powerful idea. People don't become average because of their ability. They become average because of their actions.

Lauren explains how daily decisions shape long-term performance, especially in moments of adversity. She breaks down why high performers don't wait for perfect conditions, how they respond when things don't go as planned, and what it looks like to take full responsibility for your growth.

This episode is a direct reminder that elite performance isn't random or reserved for a few. It's built through consistent, intentional decisions over time.

You'll Learn:

• What "elite by choice" really means and how to apply it daily • Why average results come from average actions, not lack of talent • The moment that can shift you from waiting to taking control • How to respond to adversity instead of backing away from it • Why creating your own opportunities is critical for growth • How small, consistent decisions compound into long-term success • The mindset shift that separates high performers from everyone else

Lauren is also a featured speaker at the upcoming Mental Performance Summit, where she'll expand on these ideas and share practical strategies to help you take ownership of your performance and raise your standards.

👉 Learn more and register here: www.mentalperformancesummit.org

Episode Resources & Links

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

Register for the Mental Performance Summit: www.mentalperformancesummit.org

Learn more about Lauren here: www.laurenjohnsonandco.com

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra or her team: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Download our Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/

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 pursuing both with intention.

Throughout the conversation, Zach breaks down what separates great coaches and leaders from the rest—especially when it comes to building belief, confidence, and trust within teams. He explains how the best performers respond under pressure, why identity plays a critical role in performance, and what it truly means to "lead yourself first."

You'll also hear practical tools from his "Coach's Playbook," including strategies to reset after mistakes, quiet the inner critic, and help individuals move through plateaus. Zach emphasizes that growth starts with awareness—and that small, intentional shifts in mindset can create powerful momentum.

This episode is a reminder that sustainable success is built from the inside out. When you strengthen how you think, lead, and respond, you don't just perform better—you live better, too.

You'll Learn: • What drives high performance at the elite level • How great coaches build belief and confidence in others • What separates those who rise under pressure from those who shrink • A practical tool to improve how you show up immediately • How to reset after mistakes and manage your inner critic • Why leading yourself first is essential for leading others • How identity shapes performance—and how to intentionally build it

Zach is also a featured speaker at the upcoming Mental Performance Summit, where he'll share more in his session: "The Coach's Playbook: Strategies for Winning More and Living Well."

👉 Learn more and register here: www.mentalperformancesummit.org

Episode Resources & Links

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

Register for the Mental Performance Summit: www.mentalperformancesummit.org

Follow Zach Brandon on X: (4) Zach Brandon (@MVP_Mindset) / X

Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra or her team: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/

Download our Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/