Dr. Daniel Cooper: The Psychology of High Performance - Ep. 118

Dr. Daniel Cooper is a human performance and behaviour specialist who focuses on improving individual and team performance in high-pressure, high-consequence environments. 

He provides a unique perspective that sits at the intersection of real-world experience, academic research, and high-performance development. 

His experience encompasses over 18 years of service within the Australian Special Operations community, as well as academic studies in physiology, PhD research on performing under pressure, and current studies in neuroscience. 

In addition to high-performance coaching in professional sports and personal pursuits in extreme ultra-endurance events, Daniel has also worked within law enforcement as a frontline skills trainer, assisting in the development and delivery of strategic command programs.

Follow Dr. Cooper:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-cooper-phd-3725194a/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancooper_phd/

Timestamps:

00:21 Introduction to Dr. Daniel Cooper

01:35 Where in Antarctica is Dr. Daniel Cooper Going?

02:54 What Distance Record is Dr. Cooper Going for?

03:42 What are the Logistics for a Trip to Antarctica?

04:58 What Does the Food Look Like?

07:09 Starting Weight for a Sled

08:22 Getting Out of the Special Air Service

08:49 Dr. Cooper's Area of Research

09:39 Under Pressure You Fall to the Level of Your Instructor

12:24 What Operators Do Wrong When They Become Instructors

14:32 What's Dr. Cooper's Take on the Post-Engagement Scan?

18:47 The "Rule of Pretending" in Training Exercises 

23:17 "Procedure Monkey" Meaning

24:06 Letting Situations Go Wrong in Training

27:35 Balancing Adaptability, Productivity and Challenges

31:44 The Impact of Shame in Training Practices

34:58 Mental Toughness is Misunderstood

40:58 How a Unit Should View Their Team and the World Around Them

46:05 Difference Between Character and Capability

49:38 More Effective Evaluating in the Special Air Service

53:40 Psychological Characteristics of Developing Excellence, PCDE's

01:03:03 Linear vs Non-Linear Motor Skill Development

01:12:54 Desirable Difficulties to Train Recall Skills

01:13:53 Dr. Coopers Book Recommendation

01:14:53 Best and Worst Advice Ever Received 

01:16:26 Outro