Episode 431 of the Strength Coach Podcast, features Dr. Haley Perlus, a PhD in sport and exercise psychology and author of "Personal Podium."

Brought to you by Perform Better, this episode is packed with actionable strategies and expert insights to help you optimize your mental game.

Dr. Perlus breaks down how biology, thoughts, and emotions are interconnected, offering strategies to align them for optimal results. Plus, hear fascinating stories from sports legends like the 1980 Olympic hockey team and Eric Heiden, bringing real-life applications to the discussion.

Highlights of the episode:

- Dr. Perlus talks about reframing anxiety as energy to fuel peak performance and shares practical tools to help athletes and professionals manage pressure effectively.

- We spoke about mental blocks, what they are, and how to overcome them to achieve fluid performance.

- Changing your relationship with pressure: Learn why pressure isn't the enemy but an invitation to thrive.

- Working with injured athletes: Tips for managing expectations and building resilience for a successful comeback.

- A fresh perspective on mental toughness and how to achieve it without relying solely on external motivators.

- Insights into why tracking devices should complement, not replace, self-awareness and evaluation in training and recovery.

- Mark Fisher will give us some tips on using Instagram on the Business for Unicorns Fitness Business Power Play

To sign up for the Business for Unicorn’s Feb. 12th webinar on how the best gym owners use AI, click here: go.businessforunicorns.com/gym-owners-and-ai

This episode also features updates on Perform Better's Functional Training Summits and resources for trainers and gym owners.

Perform Better, your go-to for functional training and rehab equipment. Check out Perform Better⁠ (https://www.performbetter.com).

Thanks for listening! Tune in to gain valuable tools and techniques to reframe anxiety, turn pressure into performance, and elevate your mental game.

CHAPTERS:

01:20 - Intro

03:15 - Business of Unicorns - Fitness Business Power Play

10:59 - How Our Thoughts Impact Performance

14:12 - Overcoming Mental Blocks

21:47 - Embracing Pressure as an Opportunity

24:34 - Identifying Performance Cues

25:44 - The Miracle on Ice: Leveraging Pressure

30:40 - Strategies for Managing Pressure

34:55 - Supporting Injured Athletes

39:55 - Challenging Yourself for Growth

43:10 - Importance of Performance Tracking

44:52 - Balancing Trackers and Self-Awareness

48:35 - Developing Mental Toughness

51:04 - Mastering Emotional Control

55:40 - Overview of “Personal Podium”

56:05 - Optimizing Mindset for Peak Performance

57:54 - Thank You

17 - Leaving Teaching: My Story