744: The Power of Focus

"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/

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 a powerful shift: moving from being a "spotlight speaker"—focused on how you're being judged—to a "lighthouse speaker"—focused on how you can help others.  Jess shares how this shift not only reduces anxiety but also improves performance, authenticity, and impact. The conversation also dives into intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, and why chasing outcomes, recognition, or approval can lead to burnout and disconnection. Instead, Jess encourages us to reconnect with purpose, focus on what we can control, and measure success by impact—not applause. This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence and fulfillment aren't built by performing for others—but by staying connected to what truly matters and using your voice to serve.     You'll Learn: • The difference between a spotlight speaker and a lighthouse speaker—and how it changes your confidence • How to shift from outcome-driven thinking to purpose-driven performance • A simple "purpose test" to evaluate your motivation • Why intrinsic motivation leads to more creativity, fulfillment, and impact • How to stay confident and authentic—even in high-pressure environments     Episode Resources & Links Learn more about Jess Ekstrom: https://jessekstrom.com/ Register for the Mental Performance Summit April 17th:  https://mentalperformancesummit.org/ Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ Download the Confidence Research Study: https://confidencestudy.com/

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 in.   🎯 Take Action 📅 April 17 | Virtual 👉 mentalperformancesummit.org

"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    🎯 Take Action 📅 April 17 | Virtual 👉 mentalperformancesummit.org 💬  Today's Power Phrase: "I train my mind so I can perform at my best."

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, culture, and mindset shape the foundation of a high-performing team. Drawing from more than two decades of coaching experience across Division II, FCS, and FBS football—including championship runs at Minnesota State and South Dakota State—he explains how leaders create environments where confidence grows and teams outperform expectations. Throughout the conversation, Eck discusses how belief is rebuilt in struggling programs, how players develop mental toughness for high-pressure moments, and why culture must become player-driven rather than coach-driven for lasting success. This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence and culture aren't built overnight. They are created through daily standards, aligned leadership, and a mindset that prepares teams to perform when the stakes are highest. You'll Learn: • How Coach Eck helped players build real confidence after a turnaround season • What leaders can do to help teams handle pressure and rising expectations • Mental habits athletes use to stay composed in high-stakes moments • How leaders rebuild belief in teams that haven't experienced success • Leadership lessons from rebuilding multiple football programs     Episode Resources & Links Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ Follow University of New Mexico Football: (1) New Mexico Football (@UNMLoboFB) / X Follow Jason Eck on X: (1) Jason Eck (@Coach_Eck) / X 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 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 sustaining excellence over time. Throughout the conversation, Belinda reflects on her unconventional path into broadcasting, the resilience required to stay energized across a long career, and the mindset habits that help her balance demanding deadlines with family, writing, speaking, and community impact. She also shares why making complex science simple is a leadership skill—and how clear communication builds confidence, reduces fear, and helps people take action. Belinda also opens up about her passion for educating kids through her Bel the Weather Girl books, especially helping children manage anxiety around storms and inspiring young girls to see themselves in STEM careers. This episode is a powerful reminder that high performance isn't about controlling conditions—it's about learning how to stay steady, confident, and purposeful no matter what the forecast brings.     You'll Learn: How to stay calm and focused during high-pressure moments Mindset strategies for making decisions when outcomes are uncertain Why clear communication builds trust and confidence Lessons in resilience from a 30+ year career in broadcast media How preparation and presence fuel consistent performance Ways to reduce fear and anxiety through education and understanding Advice for performing at your best—on air, at work, and in everyday life     Episode Resources & Links Learn more about Belinda Jensen: https://beltheweathergirl.com/ Download our 2025 National Confidence Crisis Study: https://confidencestudy.com/ Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra or her team: https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/