113: The Mental Game Blueprint: Breathing, Personality & Playing Your Best Golf With Julien Raya

In this episode of the Fairway Performance Podcast, I'm joined by Julien Raya head mental coach at Mental Golf Type (MGT) to talk about something most golfers completely overlook: why stress, not mechanics, is the real reason your game falls apart when it matters most.Julien works directly under MGT founder John Weir and has spent the last five years helping golfers at every level from 20-handicap amateurs to touring professionals — understand their mental game through the lens of personality type.Here's what we cover:What Mental Golf Type (MGT) actually is and how it works (think Myers-Briggs, but built for golf performance)Why up to 80% of practice time is being wasted — and what to do insteadThe biology of choking: what's literally happening in your brain and body under pressureThe 16 mental golf types across 4 personality facets: Energy Management, Perception, Evaluation & StructureWhy "aim small, miss small" is great advice... but only for 75% of golfersThe "Lemon & Lemonade" framework: the smartest way to measure a successful roundThe breathing technique you can use RIGHT NOW before your next round to lower stress and shoot lower scoresHow the biggest stressor in golf often hits before you even tee offA word for golf parents: why your reaction on the course may be wrecking your kid's gameWhy process beats outcome and how Julien tracks it with a mental scorecardWhether you're an amateur golfer trying to break 90 or a competitive player looking to hold it together on the back nine, this episode will give you a completely new way to think about what "playing your best" actually means.🔗 Links & Resources:Mental Golf Type Instagram: @mentalgolftypeTake your free Mental Fitting Quiz: mentalgolftype.comBook a free 30-min MGT Discovery Call with JulienHave questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

If you've ever said "I'm just getting older" to explain why you're losing distance, this episode is your wake-up call. That belief is costing you decades of great golf and it's flat out wrong.The typical golfer loses about 10% of their club head speed per decade after 40. That's roughly 30 miles an hour over 30 years. About 100 yards of carry. That's the difference between playing golf and watching golf. But here's the thing that rate of decline is based on the average golfer who does absolutely nothing to combat it. And you don't have to be that golfer.In this episode I cover:— Why inactivity not age is the real enemy stealing your distance — The data on what actually happens to club head speed as you age (and why most of it is preventable) — How golfers in their 60s and 70s are GAINING speed, not just maintaining — The three things every golfer over 40 needs to be doing to stop the decline — Why rotational mobility is the first domino and what happens when you let it fall — Why strength training is the single most impactful thing the over-50 golfer can do for their game AND their health — The importance of tracking your numbers so you know whether you're winning or losing — Why "there's no status quo in golf" you're either getting better or getting worseThis isn't a pep talk. This is backed by data across thousands of golfers. Age is not a sentence. It's a choice. And the golfers who choose to do something about it are playing better at 65 than they did at 55.Take the free assessment (link below) and find out where you stand today. Five minutes. No excuses.🔗 Free Home Assessment: https://fairwayperformancevipcoaching.com/self-assessment📲 Instagram: @shaun.diachkoff 🌐 Website: https://www.fairwayperformance.comHave questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

There are only three ways to increase your swing speed. That's it. Three. Everything else is just a variation. In this episode, I break down all three rotational mobility, strength and power, and speed-specific training and more importantly, I give you the exact order you need to tackle them in. Because most golfers do it backwards, and that's why they either get hurt or never see the results they should.Here's what you'll learn:— Why 9 out of 10 golfers have speed locked inside their body that they can't access (and how to release it) — The "governor on the engine" effect that's neurologically limiting how fast you can swing — How golfers have picked up 15, 20, even 30+ yards from mobility alone — no speed sticks, no gym work — Why strength is what makes mobility gains stick (the "trees growing back in the jungle" analogy) — The three things strength does for your golf game that nothing else can replicate — Why speed training is the LAST piece of the puzzle, not the first and who it's actually appropriate for — The step-by-step roadmap: assess → mobilize → strengthen → then speed train This applies to every golfer regardless of age, handicap, or current fitness level. At least one of these three things probably two is relevant to you right now.Take the free assessment (link in show notes) to find out exactly which one to start with.🔗 Free Home Assessment: https://fairwayperformancevipcoaching.com/self-assessment📲 Instagram: @shaun.diachkoff 🌐 Website: https://www.fairwayperformance.comHave questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

Are you spending $150 a lesson and not improving? It's probably not your instructor's fault and it's not yours either. The problem is that your body can't physically do what your instructor is asking it to do. In this episode, I break down why the body has to come first before golf lessons, how fixing your physical limitations turns a 2% return on instruction into a 15-20% return, and the exact first step you need to take before booking your next lesson. If you've ever been frustrated that lessons aren't sticking, this one's for you.🔗 Free Home Assessment: https://fairwayperformancevipcoaching.com/self-assessment📲 Follow on Instagram: @shaun.diachkoff🌐 Website: www.fairwayperformance.comHave questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

In this episode, Shaun breaks down why the vast majority of golfers are physically unprepared for what their swing demands and what to do about it.What you'll learn:The three profiles of golfers: unicorn, balanced, and ticking time bomb — and which one you probably areWhy that stiffness, soreness, and slow distance loss is NOT a normal part of agingThe four rotary centers that determine whether your body can safely handle your swing speedWhy "just getting older" is a false belief that's costing you years of great golfThe free 5-minute home assessment that gives you a clear picture of where your body standsHow golfers in their 60s and 70s are GAINING distance, not losing itThe realistic timeline for measurable improvement (hint: it's weeks, not years)Key takeaway: The body is the only club you use on every single shot. If it's broken, nothing else matters not your new driver, not your lessons, not your putting drill. Assess first. Fix the foundation. Then everything else gets better.Resources mentioned:Free Home Assessment: Fairway Performance websiteRemote coaching program application: Connect with [YOUR NAME]:Instagram: @shaun.diachkoffEmail: [email protected] questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

In this episode, Shaun explains why 98% of golfers with back pain are treating the symptom, not the cause and reveals the two areas of the body that are almost always the real problem.What you'll learn:Why "where the pain is" is almost never "where the problem is"The role of your lumbar spine in the golf swing (hint: it's supposed to be stable, not the thing doing all the rotating)How limited hip internal rotation — especially on the lead side — forces your low back to compensate on every single swingWhy your thoracic spine (mid-back) being locked up creates a double whammy for your lumbar spineThe "middle child" analogy: your low back is stuck doing everyone else's jobWhy foam rolling your back, getting massages, and even injections only provide temporary reliefThe specific assessment that identifies whether your hips or thoracic spine are the root causeHow golfers have resolved years of chronic back pain in 2-3 weeks by fixing the actual problemResources mentioned:Free Home Assessment: https://fairwayperformancevipcoaching.com/self-assessmentFairway Performance website: https://fairwayperformancevipcoaching.com/discoverycallpageConnect with [YOUR NAME]:Instagram: @shaun.diachkoffEmail: [email protected] questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

Golf coach Martin Chuck, founder of Tour Striker, joins me to talk about why most golfers never improve — and what to do about it.We dive into:The myths and bad advice that create “lifelong beginners”Martin’s 3 T’s practice formula that every golfer can apply right awayHow older golfers (40–80+) can make rapid progress without perfect mobilityWhy training aids like the Tour Striker Smart Ball are used by tour pros worldwideThe underrated importance of fitness, mobility, and mindset in shooting lower scoresThe lessons Martin learned coaching tour players and how they apply to everyday golfersWhether you’re trying to break 100, 90, or 80, this conversation gives you a roadmap for practicing smarter and enjoying the game more.Connect with Martin: TourStriker.com | Instagram @tourstrikergolf Connect with Shaun: fairwayperformance.com | Instagram @shaun.diachkoffHave questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

In this high-energy and value-packed episode of The Scratch Golfer’s Mindset Podcast, I sit down with Shaun Diachkoff, founder of Fairway Performance, to dive deep into how golf-specific fitness transforms not just your physical game, but your mental edge as well.Shaun’s background in the Australian military, paired with his deep experience in strength and conditioning, offers a no-BS, high-accountability approach to training that’s rooted in discipline, structure, and personalization. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:How discipline and daily structure from Shaun’s military background translate to golf and business successThe difference between mobility, flexibility, and stability—and why most golfers get it wrongWhat golf fitness really means, and how to tailor your workouts to your specific swing, body type, and performance goalsWhy strength is your ultimate insurance policy against injuryThe critical importance of power and speed training—and how to implement them safely and effectivelyHow better fitness directly fuels your mental stamina, clarity, and confidence during every roundWhether you’re recovering from injury, struggling to break 80, or want to future-proof your body for decades of better golf, this episode lays out the exact roadmap to do so. Shaun delivers clear, actionable insight on how to train smarter, not harder—and how your body is your greatest golf asset when properly trained.Get your pencils ready and start listening. P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here.More About ShaunShaun is a golf fitness coach with over 15 years of personal training experience, including nearly a decade as a gym owner and the past five years specialising in coaching golfers. He believes in assessing, not guessing, to create personalised programs tailored to each golfer’s unique needs and goals. His expertise lies in improving strength, mobility, and performance on the course, helping clients eliminate back pain, hit longer drives, and build consistent training habits. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Shaun delivers results by cutting through the fluff and focusing on what works so clients spend the least amount of time in the gym possible for the best results on course!Have questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

Paul Salter is a performance coach and certified hypnotherapist who specializes in helping golfers overcome mental blocks, build confidence, and reach their full potential. With over 16 years of coaching experience, Paul has worked with high performers across multiple fields, helping them get unstuck and unlock their potential through subconscious reprogramming. Paul hosts the Scratch Golfers Mindset Podcast and publishes a newsletter called "More Pars Than Bogies."In this episode Paul dispels common misconceptions about hypnotherapy, explains how our childhood programming affects our golf performance, and shares practical mental tools to help you play with more confidence, focus, and freedom. Whether you struggle with performance anxiety, lack confidence under pressure, or simply want to elevate your mental game, this conversation provides valuable insights for golfers of all levels.Episode Highlights[00:01] Introduction and background on Paul Salter[06:01] What hypnotherapy actually is and debunking common misconceptions[09:31] How hypnotherapy relates to golf performance and visualization[12:32] The process of working with a golf hypnotherapist[15:07] Practical mental techniques anyone can implement[18:18] Real client example: From "average guy" to "warrior" mindset[22:04] How parents can instill growth mindset in children[28:44] Why fear of success is often more limiting than fear of failure[31:20] Understanding and working through fear on the golf course[34:52] The critical difference between unconscious reactions and conscious responses[38:17] How to integrate hypnotherapy with other golf training[40:28] The importance of visualization that includes mistakes and recoveries[42:44] Resources to learn more about golf hypnotherapyYou can find Paul here:https://thegolfhypnotherapist.com/Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapistHave questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!

In this episode I dive into seven critical variables that golfers need to adjust in their training programs to overcome plateaus and improve performance on the course. Drawing insights from past interviews with muscle hypertrophy expert Andy Galpin, there are many actionable tips on exercise selection, order, volume, intensity, frequency, rest, and progression. Whether you’re not seeing results from your current training or just need a better structured program, this discussion will equip you with the knowledge to make effective changes.If you want to talk about building a customised fitness program to improve your best asset on the golf course click here to book a call to chat with Shaun!  Or follow on Instagram: @shaun.diachkoffEnjoying the Podcast? If you enjoyed today's episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or your favourite podcast platform. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more golf enthusiasts like you!Have questions, feedback or suggestions for future episode? Click here to send me a text!