High Performance Mindset | Learn From World-class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches About Mindset

Brock Thompson was named head coach of the South Dakota State women's soccer program on Jan. 31, 2017 after a nine-year stint as an assistant with the Jackrabbits. He just completed his second season at the helm. Under his leadership, the Jackrabbits have claimed back-to-back Summit League regular season championships in 2017 and 2018. The 2017 Summit League Coach of the Year, Thompson has a 23-11-4 overall mark on the sidelines at South Dakota State with a 14-1 record in league games. Originally from Blair, Nebraska, he has coached 15 All-Summit League selections, including the 2017 and 2018 Defensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Year award winners. He has been on board for all of SDSU’s Summit League titles, claiming four tournament titles (2008, 2014, 2015 and 2016) and six regular season crowns (2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018). He is active in the local soccer community serving in various roles and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Board of Directors for the Northeast South

“Beware of BCD behavior: Blame, Complain, Defend. These attitudes have never solved a problem, achieved a goal, or improved a relationship.” Urban Meyer   High performers don’t BCD. They decide and commit to eliminate it from their lives. They take 100% responsibility for everything in their life. They focus on solutions, and if it can’t be solved, they choose resilience.    Power Phrase this Week: I choose to not BCD. Instead, I focus on the solution or choose resilience.

“Positivity is like a boomerang. The more we put it out there, the more it comes back to us.”  Jon Gordon    High performers choose positive. They ask themselves, how is this happening FOR ME, remembering that when you are negativity, to change your focus, and then make a deliberate intention each day to be positive through your morning routine.   Power Phrase this Week: I choose positivity. I choose to bring positive energy each day and in each situation.

Dr. Karen MacNeill has the unique experience of having both competed and consulted on the World Stage.  She is a registered psychologist and performance consultant with over 18 years of experience helping Olympians, organizations and business leaders consistently bring their best in high pressure situations. She has worked with athletes competing at the last 4 Olympic Winter Games, and competed herself at the international level for over a decade.  Karen applied her knowledge and expertise in her capacity as Manager of Sport Psychology Services for Vancouver Olympic Committee’s medical team at the 2010 Olympic Games.  Most recently, she was the Lead Mental Health Counsellor for the Canadian Olympic Committee at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Korea.  At the 2018 Games, she was also the Mental Performance Consultant for Ski Cross Canada who had their best Olympic result to date capturing the Gold medal in the men’s event and Gold and Silver medals in the women’s event. Karen has become a partner and Chief Product

“It’s not what you say to everyone else that determines your life; it’s what you whisper to yourself that has the greatest power.” Marc and Angel High performers dominate their APE. They focus on what they can control – their attitude, preparation, passion, purpose and effort and dominate their reaction to what they cannot control. They prepare full out use the 86,400 seconds in each day to their fullest capacity. They give their best day in and day out.   My High Performance Power Phrase: I dominate my APE. I am all in and focus on what I can control.

“There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs.” Zig Ziglar   High performers realize that they can make or break a habit. They realize that small changes is the way to make a change – get 1% better each day. And when making a habit, they make it obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying.   High Performance Power Phrase: I am in the driver’s seat of my life. I can make any change I put my mind to.

“The triumph can't be had without the struggle.” Wilma Rudolph High performers realize that a triumph can’t happen without the struggle. They make sure they aren’t listening to powerful voice inside their head telling them they can. They know their ability to overcome obstacles will lead to their best experiences. They do this by realizing mental toughness is a trait we can develop by living and letting go, training ourselves to be psychologically flexible, and staying in the present moment. High Performance Power Phrase: I embrace the obstacles that come in my way. I adjust and adapt.

Bob Tewksbury is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher and current Mental Skills Coordinator for the Chicago Cubs. Bob has a unique professional resume which combines an eighteen-year professional baseball career with a master’s degree in sport psychology and counseling from Boston University. Bob won 110 major league games pitching for six teams; the NY Yankees, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres and Minnesota Twins and was a member of the 1992 National League All-Star team. Bob is also a member of the Applied Association of Sport Psychology and is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant. He is the author of the book “Ninety Percent Mental: An All-Star Player Turned Mental Skills Coach Reveals the Hidden Game of Baseball.” In this interview, Bob and Cindra talk about: The struggles he experienced getting to the majors Why it’s important to consider what your ultimate fear is Why adding “so” can help to reduce future-based thinking How positive anchoring statements can be

“You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis High performers spend time thinking about what they want at the beginning of the year. They reflect back on the year consider their wins and challenges. Then, they write their goals down (3-4 goals), consider their why behind that goal, and then set a plan out. They consider who will be on their team because we all need a team for support and accountability. High Performance Power Phrase: I go after my goals with passion and excitement. I know what I want, and every day I work toward my goals. I stay focused and gritty.

Judy L. Van Raalte, Ph.D. is professor of psychology at Springfield College, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, and listed in the United States Olympic Committee Sport Psychology Registry. Dr. Van Raalte has presented at conferences in 18 countries, published over 100 articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics such as self-talk, transitions, and professional issues in sport and exercise psychology, and produced more than 20 sport psychology videos. Her research has been funded by The National Institutes of Mental and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Dr. Van Raalte served as President of the American Psychological Association's Division of Exercise and Sport Psychology (Division 47) and as the Vice President of the International Society of Sport Psychology. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Applied Sport Psychology, and the International Society of Sport Psychology.  In this interview, Judy and Cindra talk about: The latest research on s

Dr. Peter Haberl is a senior sport psychologist for the United States Olympic Committee. Through the USOC, he provides individual and team consultations and counseling sessions to various resident and national teams and athletes at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. Before joining the USOC in 1998, Peter served as the sport psychology consultant for the 1998 U.S. Women's Ice Hockey Olympic Team.  He also served as the sports psychology consultant for USA Triathlon at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. During the 2000 to 2004 Olympic summer quad leading up to the Athens Olympic Games, Peter worked mainly with US Diving, US Synchronized Swimming, USA Triathlon and the US Women's Volleyball team. With the restructuring of the Performance Services Division of the USOC in 2006, Peter moved into the Team and Technical Sportfolio with a focus of providing services to team (USA Men's & Women's Water Polo, USA Women's Indoor Volleyball) and technical (USA Shooting, USA Archery) sports in

Dr. Doug Chadwick serves as the mental skills coordinator for the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club.  He designs the curriculum, facilitates the mental skills education, and teaches the Rockies major league and minor league players and staff about the mental skills necessary for optimal performance under pressure.  Chadwick’s responsibilities cover hundreds of professional athletes and include seven professional teams in the United States and two in Latin America.  Chadwick earned his BS in management and systems engineering from the United States Military Academy (West Point) where he was also a multi-year letterman and starter on a nationally ranked Army football team.  He was commissioned as a field artillery officer and served in the Army for over 20 years before retiring as a faculty member at West Point.  While serving in the Army, Chadwick earned his MA in applied economics from the University of Oklahoma as well as an MSc degree in kinesiology and sport psychology from Cal State Fullerton. After completi

 “When you don’t feel like you’re competing with others, you compete only with yourself. You do it for you. And you do more, go further, and perform better.” Neil Pasricha – The Happiness Advantage   High Performers do it for themselves. They choose goals for intrinsic reason, not extrinsic like money, fame, or promotion. When you do it for you, you go further, and perform better.   Power Phrase:  “I do it for me. I go after my goals for my reasons.”

Dr. Katy Tran Turner currently serves as the Mental Performance Coach for the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills. Her primary role in this position is helping players and coaches optimize their performance by applying psychological skills and she supports the organization's efforts to optimize the performance environment. Katy also worked with Soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg, NC as part of the Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness program. Katy earned her doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology from Florida State University, her master's degree in Exercise Physiology from Kent State University, and her undergraduate degrees in Biology and Exercise & Sport Science from UNC-Chapel Hill, where she played goalie for the varsity field hockey team. Her areas of research interest are in performance enhancement techniques, team coordination, and leadership development. In this interview, Katy and Cindra talk about: * The differences she sees in the mindset between NFL and NHL athletes * The importan

“There are 3 types of people: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens.” Tommy Lasorda High Performers are clutch. They can perform better-than-usual under pressure. They realize self-control – knowing they can handle the situation – is key in being clutch. They also have a high self-confidence, even if they are just getting started in the activity – the belief in themselves.  Power Phrase This Week:   “I am clutch. I stay confident and in control when the heat is on.” Dr. Cindra Kamphoff is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Speaker and Author. She provide mental training for the Minnesota Vikings along with many other championships teams. She coaches athletes, CEOs and executives one-on-one to help them learn and apply the mental tools that lead to success. Cindra also speaks to and works with businesses and organizations on how to gain the high performance edge while providing practical tools that work. Her clients range from Verizon Wireless to Mayo Cl

“Happiness is not out there. It is in you.” Anonymous  High Performers make a choice to be happy. They realize the importance and that up to 40% of our happiness can be changed. They realize they are in control of their lives, do work and have fun in things that engage them. They also give priority to their close relationships and work to express gratitude each day. Power Phrase This Week:   “I choose happiness. I take control of my happiness.” Dr. Cindra Kamphoff is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Speaker and Author. She provide mental training for the Minnesota Vikings along with many other championships teams. She coaches athletes, CEOs and executives one-on-one to help them learn and apply the mental tools that lead to success. Cindra also speaks to and works with businesses and organizations on how to gain the high performance edge while providing practical tools that work. Her clients range from Verizon Wireless to Mayo Clinic Health System. Cindra's first book: Beyond Grit: Ten Powerful

“Life is simple. Everything happens for you, not to you. Everything happens at exactly the right moment, neither too soon nor too late. You don’t have to like it…. It’s just easier if you do.” Bryon Katie High Performers see obstacles and difficulties as happening for them not too them. They blame appropriately, not denying that is it difficulty, but use their cognitive appraisal to see the good that can come from everything. Power Phrase This Week:  “I see difficulties as happening for me not to me. I see the gift in the difficulty.” Dr. Cindra Kamphoff is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Speaker and Author. She provide mental training for the Minnesota Vikings along with many other championships teams. She coaches athletes, CEOs and executives one-on-one to help them learn and apply the mental tools that lead to success. Cindra also speaks to and works with businesses and organizations on how to gain the high performance edge while providing practical tools that work. Her clients range from Veriz

“The worst lies are the lies we tell ourselves.” Richard Bach High performers know they can lie to themselves. They realize that growing their mental strength is about learning to lie to themselves less! They remember that happiness doesn’t come from what they have, but from within. They think like a 60 year old instead of believing the lie that others will think they are silly. They celebrate what makes them unique. And they realize everyone is struggling with something. Power Phrase This Week:  “I let go of the lies I tell myself to become the person I was meant to be.” Dr. Cindra Kamphoff is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Speaker and Author. She provide mental training for the Minnesota Vikings along with many other championships teams. She coaches athletes, CEOs and executives one-on-one to help them learn and apply the mental tools that lead to success. Cindra also speaks to and works with businesses and organizations on how to gain the high performance edge while providing practical tools

Amy Baltzell is a Clinical Associate Professor and Director of the Sport Psychology Specialization (of Counseling) at Boston University. She is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant with the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (CMPC).  She is a former US National (1989, 1990) and Olympic (1992) Rowing Team member, member of the All women’s America’s cup Sailing Team (1995), and Head Varsity lightweight rowing coach (1998-1999) at Harvard University. Amy is the author of 3 books: The Power of Mindfulness, Mindfulness and Performance, and Living in the Sweet Spot: Preparing for Performance in Sport and Life. Her research focus is on mindfulness and self-compassion in sport. Specifically, she is studying the impact of Mindfulness Meditation Training in Sport, an intervention designed to help athletes improve concentration, adapt while competing and increase their tolerance of distracting thoughts and emotions. Amy received her bachelors from Wesleyan University and earned a masters and doctorate from Bo

“You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.” Jim Rohn Dr. Cindra Kamphoff is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Speaker and Author. She provide mental training for the Minnesota Vikings along with many other championships teams. She coaches athletes, CEOs and executives one-on-one to help them learn and apply the mental tools that lead to success. Cindra also speaks to and works with businesses and organizations on how to gain the high performance edge while providing practical tools that work. Her clients range from Verizon Wireless to Mayo Clinic Health System. Cindra's first book: Beyond Grit: Ten Powerful Practices to Gain the High Performance Edge was published in August. Her Ph.D. is in sport and performance psychology and she is a Professor in Performance Psychology at Minnesota State University. To book Cindra for your next speaking event or learn more about her one-on-one coaching, visit: cindrakamphoff.co