723: Performing Under Pressure with Connor Fields, Olympic Champion and Keynote Speaker

In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Olympic gold medalist Connor Fields to unpack the mental journey behind elite performance, resilience, and reinvention. Connor shares how he learned competing at a young age, and how his mindset evolved across three Olympic cycles—from disappointment in 2012 to standing on top of the podium in Rio in 2016. He opens up about the mental tools he relied on under extreme pressure, how he learned to reframe failure, and the self-awareness required to perform at your best when the stakes are highest. The conversation also dives into Connor's recovery and growth following his devastating crash at the 2021 Olympics, including how he uses his "Now What?" framework to turn setbacks into momentum—both in sport and in life. Now a speaker and coach, Connor shares practical insights for leaders, athletes, and high performers on building resilience, managing pressure, and training the mind even when physical preparation is already elite. You'll learn: How confidence and mindset evolve across different stages of a career What separates surviving pressure from performing under pressure Why self-awareness is a cornerstone of resilience and peak performance How to turn disappointment, failure, and setbacks into powerful comebacks One mindset habit every leader should adopt—on and off the field This episode is a masterclass in confidence, resilience, and choosing your response when life doesn't go as planned.     HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Register for the Upcoming Mentally Strong Conference: Mentally Strong Conference – January 9, 2026 | Virtual Event 🔹 Learn more about Connor Fields: Connor Fields | Olympic BMX Champion and Motivational Speaker 🔹 Download the 2025 Confidence Crisis Study at https://confidencestudy.com/🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team at freementalbreakthroughcall.com 🔹 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!

In this episode, we explore a counterintuitive finding from the 2025 National Confidence Study: the pressure to constantly improve may be eroding confidence rather than building it. We unpack the data behind comparison, confidence fatigue, and the growing belief of "not enough," including why this mindset is especially heavy at the start of a new year. You'll hear how performance psychology explains the link between pressure and insecurity, why mastery builds confidence more effectively than endless goals, and how the Learn–Burn–Return™ framework helps you move forward without abandoning who you already are. We close with a grounded reflection question and a confidence-building power phrase to help you start the year with clarity, not comparison. Power Phrase: "I build confidence by honoring who I am and not by chasing who I think I should be." Quote of the Week: "Rest is not falling behind. Reflection is not stagnation. Trusting your current path is not complacency." - Cindra Kamphoff   To view the Oprah Daily article, go here: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/wholeness/a69822509/learn-burn-return-reset/ 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

What if confidence, not talent, was the real driver of performance?   In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, we reveal why confidence is a business strategy, not a soft skill. Our national research shows 81% of workers are drawn to organizations that prioritize confidence and when confidence is low, productivity, culture, and retention suffer.   If you are a leader, this matters.   👉Press play to learn how confidence impacts your bottom line.   Power Phrase of the Week: "I treat confidence as a strategy, not a soft skill."   Quote of the Week: "People do their best when they believe they can." — Albert Bandura   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

Today on the High Performance Mindset, I'm talking with someone who is truly changing the way we think about work and wellbeing. Jen Fisher is a global leader in this space — and honestly, she's just one of those people who makes you feel seen and grounded the moment she starts talking. Jen was Deloitte's first-ever Chief Well-Being Officer, which basically means she helped a massive organization rethink what it really means to support people. Her passion comes from her own journey through burnout and cancer, and she's used those experiences to build a career focused on helping leaders create work cultures where people can actually flourish, not just survive. She's the bestselling author of Work Better Together, the host of The WorkWell Podcast, a TEDx speaker, and the founder of The Wellbeing Team. But what I love most is her belief that hope isn't just a feeling… it's a strategy. And she helps leaders put that strategy into action. In this conversation, Jen and I dive into burnout, the future of work, wellbeing intelligence, and what it really takes to create organizations where people feel energized and valued. You're going to walk away feeling inspired — and maybe rethinking a thing or two about how you work and lead. HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Learn more about Jen Fisher and Hope is the Strategy: Workplace Wellbeing Expert | Jen Fisher 🔹 Pre-order Jen Fisher's book:  Amazon.com: Hope Is the Strategy: The Underrated Skill That Transforms Work, Leadership, and Wellbeing: 9781394362974: Fisher, Jen: Books 🔹 Download the 2025 Confidence Crisis Study at https://confidencestudy.com/🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team at freementalbreakthroughcall.com 🔹 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!

In this episode, we dive into one of the most important findings from the 2025 National Confidence Study: the unique confidence barriers women face at work. We break down the data on harsh self-talk, comparison, and feeling "not enough," and explore how these challenges are shaped by both internal patterns and cultural pressures. You'll hear why these confidence gaps matter, what leaders must understand, and the intentional steps women can take to quiet the inner critic and reclaim their strength. We end with one powerful reflection question and a confidence boosting power phrase you can use starting today. Quote of the Week: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com

Our 2025 Confidence Study reveals a striking truth: Gen Z is struggling most with confidence. Nearly half feel "not enough," and many battle constant comparison and a harsh inner critic.   In this episode, Cindra and Lisa unpack why this is happening, how it shows up at work and in life, and the simple things leaders, parents, and coaches can do to build Gen Z's confidence every day.   Power Phrase: "I choose confidence, not because it's easy — but because it's who I'm becoming." To download the Confidence Report, visit: www.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

Today on the High Performance Mindset, I'm joined by someone who has dedicated his life to helping people break through limitations and step boldly into the impact they were meant to make. Markus Kaulius, an entrepreneur and bestselling author of Play a Bigger Game, is a force of nature when it comes to transformation. Markus built multiple businesses from the ground up, but what makes him remarkable isn't just his success, it's his mission. After experiencing deep personal loss and burnout, he rebuilt his identity from the inside out. Now he teaches leaders, athletes, and high performers how to rewrite their stories, live with courage, and take aligned action toward the life they truly want. His work is rooted in seven powerful principles that help people stop playing small and step into a life of purpose and possibility. Markus brings a rare blend of authenticity, intensity, and heart — and in this conversation, you're going to hear exactly why his message is resonating with audiences worldwide. HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Learn more about Markus Kaulius and Play a Bigger Game at: https://playabiggergame.com/🔹 Download the 2025 Confidence Crisis Study at https://confidencestudy.com/🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team at freementalbreakthroughcall.com 🔹 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!

In today's episode, Cindra and Lisa talk about the timeless truth of high performance: You don't build confidence by eliminating fear. You build confidence by moving with it. Inspired by Dr. Susan Jeffers' classic book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (1987), this conversation explores why fear shows up, how it impacts performance, and how the world's best learn to step toward what scares them instead of stepping back.     What We Talk About in This Episode 1. Why Fear Is Universal — and Why This Topic Matters Fear is the #1 barrier to our potential. And as Dr. Susan Jeffers taught decades ago, fear never fully goes away. Instead, confidence grows when we act in spite of it. Courage isn't about being fearless—it's about moving forward with fear in hand.   2. A Story About Fear on the Court Cindra shares the story of a college volleyball player moments before a championship match—shaking hands, tight stomach, racing thoughts. She feared missing a serve. She feared letting her team down. And she walked onto the court anyway. That act of courage allowed her to deliver one of the best serves of her season. The lesson: fear doesn't disqualify you. It prepares you.   3. How Coaching Helps You Work Through Fear Every coaching client—executives, athletes, leaders—hits a wall of fear when they stretch themselves. Coaching helps you name the fear, normalize it, and learn tools to navigate it so you can keep moving toward who you're meant to become.   4. Where Your Mind Goes When You're Afraid Fear doesn't live in the present. It lives in the future. Fear is your mind projecting a worst-case scenario, pulling you out of the moment. Research shows that when we anticipate threats, our working memory, decision-making, and performance all take a hit. Your best performance? It always happens in the present moment.   5. Why Embracing Fear Is Important for Growth The things you fear often reveal the places you're meant to grow. And research backs this: studies from Harvard Business School show that when people reframe anxiety as excitement, they perform significantly better—whether in public speaking, singing, or even difficult math tasks. The goal isn't to eliminate fear. It's to choose courage anyway.   6. The Difference Between Fear and Courage Fear is a feeling. Courage is an action. You can't experience courage without fear—fear is the doorway. When Cindra wrote her first book, she was terrified no one would read it. But she knew she was supposed to write it. So she moved toward what scared her. That's courage.   Today's Big Takeaway: The world's best don't wait to feel fearless. They feel the fear—and do it anyway. Fear becomes a signal that they're doing something meaningful and important.   This Week's Power Phrase: "I lean into the fear — and let courage lead."   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

Today on the High Performance Mindset, I'm joined by someone who has spent his entire life helping people work with their natural strengths instead of fighting against them. David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp, has literally grown up inside the Kolbe Concept — a system that helps leaders, teams, and organizations unlock instinctive strengths and achieve sustainable productivity. David is an author, strategist, and the visionary behind many of Kolbe Corp's most transformative tools, including the original algorithm for the Kolbe A Index. Over the years, he has helped thousands of professionals redesign the way they hire, collaborate, and lead by tapping into the way people naturally take action. His background is rare: part attorney, part economist, part innovation architect. You're about to learn why working with your natural instincts can change everything — your productivity, your energy, and your results. I can't wait for you to hear this conversation. Alright…let's jump into my interview with David Kolbe. You are going to love this one! HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Learn more about David Kolbe and the Kolbe A Index: www.kolbe.com/strategic-coach/ 🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team: www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com 🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute: mentallystronginstitute.com Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!

If you've ever ended a day exhausted but unclear on what you actually accomplished, this episode is for you. Overwhelm and busyness have become the new norm. Many of us confuse being busy with being productive—which leaves us drained, and doubting ourselves.   In today's episode, Cindra and Lisa explore the mental game of prioritization and how high performers stay focused on what truly matters. You'll learn why prioritization is so hard, how clarity and completion fuel confidence, and what mindset shift is necessary to create real work–life harmony.   We also share two practical tools you can start today:   ⭐ The One Thing Question Ask yourself: "What is the one thing that, if I did it today, would make the biggest impact?" This question cuts through noise, strengthens self-trust, and builds confidence.   🚫 The Not-To-Do List High performers don't just plan what to do—they intentionally choose what to stop doing. You'll learn 3 things to remove that instantly protect your time and focus. We close with four powerful coaching questions to help you lead your day with clarity and intention. High performers don't do more — they do what matters most.   ✨ Key Takeaways Busyness isn't a badge of honor—clarity is. Completion builds confidence; overwhelm drains it. Protecting your time is a leadership skill. Rest isn't a reward — it fuels performance. Power Phrase of the Week: "Today, I do the work that truly moves me forward"   Quote of the Week: "Either you run the day, or the day runs you." — Jim Rohn   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