High Performance Mindset | Learn from World-Class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches about Mindset

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