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 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

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/