694: From Stress to Strength: Neuroscience, Executive Presence, and Leading Through Change with John Edwards
In this science-backed and practical episode, I interview John Edwards—executive coach, speaker, and founder of The Edwards Groups. With a background in neuroscience and years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, John shares powerful insights on how to navigate stress, lead with presence, and thrive through change. John’s approach blends neuroscience with leadership strategy to help high performers build resilience, expand their influence, and lead confidently in complex environments. In this conversation, he breaks down why our brains are wired for stress, how to rewire for strength, and what it means to be a standout leader in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. You’ll learn: Why your brain’s default setting is stress—and what you can do to override it The neuroscience behind executive presence and how to grow your influence authentically How to boost cognitive capacity and resilience through better daily habits What a “chaos point” is—and how to lead your team through uncertainty Practical strategies for navigating change, conflict, and ambiguity with clarity and calm John also shares a roadmap for change leadership and how you can put executive presence on “autopilot” by rewiring habits and emotional patterns. This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to lead with more resilience, clarity, and confidence—especially in high-pressure environments. 🔹 HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Learn more about John Edwards and The Edwards Groups🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
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693: Dream Bigger, Stretch Further
In this episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff challenges you to dream bigger and pursue bold, gritty goals—even if they feel just out of reach. She shares compelling research from Harvard and insights from performance psychology that show how stretch goals—ambitious targets that push you beyond your current limits—can fuel creativity, persistence, and breakthrough performance. The key is believing the goal is possible and tying it to a powerful “why.” Cindra also draws on wisdom from her conversation with Caroline Adams Miller, author of Getting Grit, about the value of pursuing hard goals that demand risk, discomfort, and long-term effort. These are the kinds of goals that spark real growth. You’ll learn: Why stretch goals create clarity, focus, and passion How top performers connect long-term dreams to daily actions What to do when doubt creeps in and tempts you to play small Why writing down your goals can be a game changer This episode is a reminder that dreaming big isn’t just for vision boards—it’s a discipline. And you deserve to pursue goals that challenge and inspire you. Power Phrase This Week: “I pursue bold goals because greatness lives just beyond my comfort zone.” Quote of the Week: “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” — Norman Vincent Peale REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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692: Be Unstoppable: Lessons in Mental Toughness, Leadership, and Team Success with Alden Mills
In this inspiring episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Alden Mills—former Navy SEAL platoon commander, championship rower, best-selling author, inventor, and entrepreneur. Alden’s life is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. From overcoming childhood asthma to leading Navy SEAL teams and building a $95M business with the Perfect Pushup, Alden shares how the unstoppable mindset shaped every chapter of his extraordinary journey. Alden is the author of Be Unstoppable, Unstoppable Teams, and Unstoppable Mindset, and was named Entrepreneur magazine’s #1 virtual speaker. In this episode, he reveals the mental strategies that helped him turn adversity into advantage, failure into fuel, and vision into impact. You’ll learn: Why being “unstoppable” is a choice—and how to practice that choice daily The story behind the mantra: “No one defines what you can and can’t do” How Navy SEAL leadership skills apply directly to business, family, and life The CARE Loop framework and how to build high-trust, high-performing teams The 8 essential actions from Be Unstoppable, including “Plan in Pencil” and “Understand Your Why” Alden also unpacks how setbacks have fueled his biggest comebacks and what mental toughness means at the highest levels of performance. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or chasing a personal goal—this episode will help you unlock your unstoppable potential. 🔹HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Learn more about Alden Mills and his books🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
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691: Turning Setbacks into Setups: The Optimism Advantage
In this inspiring episode of the High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff explores how optimism can turn adversity into advantage. She shares a powerful story of a collegiate athlete who, after a devastating ACL injury just before nationals, chose to reframe the setback as a new beginning. Her shift in perspective led her to mentorship, sport psychology, and a new purpose: becoming a mental performance coach. Cindra breaks down how optimism isn’t naive positivity—it’s an active choice to find meaning in difficulty. Backed by science, she discusses the many benefits of optimism, including increased resilience, creativity, persistence, and even longer life expectancy. Research from Harvard shows that optimistic leaders and entrepreneurs outperform their peers in both business and recovery from failure. You’ll also learn about the Three OPP Strategy from Beyond Grit, a practical mental tool to help you reframe challenges. This week’s power phrase: “Setbacks don’t define me. I see the opportunity in the obstacle." Quote of the week: “Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.” — Noam Chomsky Tune in to learn how to train your brain for optimism—and why that mindset is your performance advantage. REQUEST A FREE MENTAL BREAKTHROUGH CALL WITH DR. CINDRA AND/OR HER TEAM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MENTALLY STRONG INSTITUTE Love the show? Rate and review the show for Cindra to mention you on the next episode.
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690: Redefining Influence: How to Communicate with Confidence and Credibility with Stacey Hanke
In this engaging episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff talks with Stacey Hanke—nationally recognized communication expert, keynote speaker, and author of Influence Redefined and Influence Elevated. Stacey challenges the common myths around influence and shares how true influence isn’t about charisma or likability—it’s about showing up consistently with presence, clarity, and connection. Stacey is the founder of Stacey Hanke Inc., where she equips leaders and teams with the tools to communicate more effectively in high-stakes environments. Her work with Fortune 500 companies, NFL teams, and top-level executives offers real-world strategies for building trust and leading with credibility, even when feedback is limited or unclear. You’ll learn: The biggest misconception people have about influence—and what it really takes Stacey’s 6-part Influence Elevated model for lasting impact Why self-awareness is the foundation of powerful communication The connection between confidence and your ability to speak up under pressure Daily rituals and mindset shifts to lead with authenticity and consistency Stacey also shares how elevated presence leads to stronger connections and greater influence, plus one tool you can start using today to transform how you come across. If you want to level up your leadership and communication, this episode is a must-listen. HIGH PERFORMANCE MINDSET SHOWNOTES FOR THIS EPISODE 🔹 Learn more about Stacey Hanke and her work🔹 Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra and/or her team🔹 Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute Love the show? Rate and review the podcast—and you might hear your name on the next episode!
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