The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast

Most golfers (and entrepreneurs) think resilience is willpower—grit, grind, hustle, "just dig deeper."  And under pressure, that approach eventually snaps… In this episode, Matt Caldaroni, CEO and Co-Founder of Molliteum, a performance resilience company, explains why resilience isn't a personality trait—it's a system.  We break down his three-part resilience framework (excitement, certainty, focus), why certainty beats confidence, how to build a pre-performance routine that actually transfers to the course, and why rest isn't laziness—it's how your nervous system locks in skill. In this episode, you'll learn: Why willpower fails when pressure spikes—and what to rely on instead Matt's resilience framework: excitement, certainty, and focus The difference between confidence and certainty (and why it matters) How to build certainty with process visualization + intentional reps Why "flow state" is preparing to let go—not chasing a magic feeling How elite performers detach self-worth from results using standards A simple pre-performance system: breathe, clarify, watch film, visualize Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Matt Matt Caldaroni is the resilience coach athletes call when their mental game is costing them strokes. He's worked with elite performers across the NHL, NBA, NFL, and pro golf, helping them master pressure, build unshakable confidence, and finally bring their best game into competition.  Matt is the CEO and Co-Founder of Molliteum, the performance resilience company trusted by athletes who want systems, not guesswork. He specializes in giving golfers the tools to stay calm, consistent, and locked in on every hole, no matter the stakes. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: Resilience isn't willpower—it's having a system you can fall back on when adversity hits. Flow state is "preparing to let go," and it starts in practice—not on game day. Confidence is the outcome; certainty creates courage, and courage produces results. Excitement is built from identity + vision + purpose—the "core hunger" system. Certainty requires skill mastery and situational mastery (what to do, when, and how). Most "practice-to-performance" gaps are missing specificity or intensity in practice. Rest and recovery aren't optional—they're how learning integrates into your nervous system. Key Quotes: "Resilience is having the ability to adapt." "You need to build systems to respond to pressure." "Visualizing the process to get the outcome—that works." "Focus is a cherry on top." "It goes certainty, courage, and then confidence." "The higher you go, the more mistakes you're going to make—and you've got to accept that." "Become that person." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Myth of Willpower in Resilience 02:48: Building Systems for Success 06:03: The Role of Excitement, Certainty, and Focus 08:49: Understanding Flow State 11:47: The Confidence-Courage-Certainty Connection 14:37: Commitment and Core Values 17:28: Detaching Self-Worth from Results 20:26: Navigating Mistakes and Identity Spirals 22:19: Building Competence and Focus 23:33: Understanding and Managing Pressure 25:50: Reconditioning and Behavior Change 27:58: The Importance of Rest and Recovery 31:41: Developing Resilience and Adaptability 35:23: Transferring Skills Under Pressure 38:22: Action Steps for High Performance 45:41: Becoming That Person

In this episode, I challenge one of the most common personal development habits—affirmations—and introduce a far more powerful alternative. If confidence feels inconsistent… if discipline fades when motivation disappears… and if you know what to do but still struggle to execute, this conversation is for you. We explore why asking better questions—specifically yes-or-no "Will you?" questions—creates faster, more sustainable behavior change than statements, goals, or affirmations ever could.  Drawing on decades of behavioral research, identity psychology, and real-world golf and life examples, I break down how questions engage your subconscious, eliminate excuses, and leverage cognitive dissonance to pull you into action—especially when you don't feel like it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why affirmations often fail to create lasting behavior change How asking "Will you?" activates confidence and ownership The psychology behind cognitive dissonance—and how to use it Why yes/no questions eliminate excuses and justifications How identity-based questions reinforce discipline under pressure The subtle but critical difference between can I and will I How to use questions to execute when motivation is gone This is a tactical yet deeply transformational episode designed to help you strengthen discipline, upgrade your self-talk, and accelerate becoming the version of yourself required to achieve your biggest goals—on the course and in life. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: Confidence is built through your relationship with yourself—especially your self-talk. Questions engage your brain more powerfully than statements or affirmations. "Will you?" implies ownership, commitment, and action—not possibility. Yes/no questions remove the mental loopholes that fuel excuses. Cognitive dissonance pushes behavior to align with identity. Discipline is strengthened when actions answer questions—not feelings. Asking better questions accelerates becoming who you want to be. Key Quotes: "Confidence is intoxicating—and one of its strongest predictors is how you talk to yourself." "Questions engage you; statements let you hide." "When you ask 'Will you?' there's no room for excuses—only action." "Cognitive dissonance is the discomfort that pulls you toward who you want to become." "Discipline is doing what needs to be done when you don't feel like it." "Your actions don't follow motivation—they follow identity." "The answer to who you'll become lies in the question 'Will you?'" Time Stamps: 00:00: The Power of Belief and Self-Talk 02:58: Welcome Back: The Journey of Self-Improvement 04:34: Upgrading Self-Talk: The Importance of Questions 14:17: Cognitive Dissonance: Bridging the Gap to Your Best Self 19:27: Taking Action: The Path to Becoming Your Best Self

Pressure exposes the truth. It reveals who's prepared, who's present, and who's pretending. And whether you're standing over an eight-foot putt to win the Masters or staring down a boardroom full of investors, the mechanisms that make you crumble — or come alive — are the same. In this powerful conversation, Derek Belch—founder & CEO of STRIVR, former Stanford kicker, entrepreneur, and competitive golfer—breaks down the psychology of high-stakes performance.  Derek shares what truly separates people who execute under pressure from those who collapse, why the myth of "balance" is misleading, and the mindset that's helped him build a pioneering tech company while simultaneously pursuing his quest to qualify for a PGA Tour event. In this episode, you'll learn: Why pressure is a privilege—and the hidden gift inside nervousness The difference between preparation that helps vs. preparation that hurts How VR training reveals the brain's decision-making blind spots Why perspective is the golfer's most underdeveloped mental skill How to reframe pressure as opportunity instead of consequence Why so many founders burn out—and how to avoid becoming one of them The real meaning of work-life balance for high achievers Derek's biggest lessons from pursuing scratch golf in his 40s Whether you're a golfer, entrepreneur, or high performer hungry for the next level, this episode will reshape the way you prepare, practice, and perform. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Derek Derek Belch is a former Stanford Cardinal kicker turned entrepreneur, best known as the founder and CEO of STRIVR, a pioneering virtual reality company that builds immersive training for NFL teams, Fortune 500 companies, and the U.S. military.  A multi-degree Stanford graduate with an MBA from USC, Derek left coaching at Stanford to launch STRIVR out of the university's Virtual Human Interaction Lab and has since been recognized on Sports Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" list.  Today, he balances leading STRIVR with his own quest to become a scratch golfer and hosts The Golfing CEO Podcast, where he explores the intersection of performance, leadership, and the game of golf. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: Pressure exposes preparation — nerves mean you care. Simulation (or mental reps) accelerates decision-making under stress. Perspective is the most underrated skill in golf and entrepreneurship. Tournament golf is a completely different sport than casual golf. You must know who you are to handle long-term stress effectively. Balance isn't real; clear values and non-negotiables are. Founders and golfers fail when expectations and identity collide. Key Quotes: "Pressure is a privilege — nerves simply mean you care." "If I've put in the work, it's in God's hands after that." "Visualization is VR on steroids — but golf still demands feel." "You can play golf once a week and expect scratch results? Expectations matter." "Burnout isn't about hours; it's about losing alignment with who you are." "Tournament golf is a different sport. Completely." "Perspective is everything. Even par is not the definition of scratch." Time Stamps: 00:00: Pressure Situations in Sports 02:52: The Importance of Preparation 05:26: VR and Simulation in Training 08:20: Golf and Visualization Techniques 11:12: Reframing Pressure as Opportunity 14:13: The Concept of Balance in Life 16:53: Identity and Performance Under Pressure 28:00: Navigating Challenges in Business and Golf 31:35: The Importance of Self-Reflection and Commitment 35:36: Understanding Burnout and Stress Management 38:59: Perspective: The Key to Success in Golf and Business 48:17: Final Thoughts: Dignity and Playing Fast

In this episode, I want you to imagine this… You're standing at the base of a mountain on a clear day. You can see the trail. You can see the summit. That summit represents the next level of your life—the golfer you know you're capable of being, the business owner with more freedom, peace, and confidence. You know where you're going. You know what to do. And yet, every step feels heavier than it should. Not because you lack discipline. Not because you lack talent. Not because you don't want it badly enough. It feels hard because you're trying to summit your mountain while carrying a backpack full of invisible weight—unexamined beliefs, unresolved emotions, fear, pressure, and destructive mindset programs that quietly sabotage your progress. In this episode, I break down the mountain metaphor to show you why most high performers get stuck two steps forward, three steps back—and why the problem was never the mountain, the plan, or the strategy. We'll unpack emotional fog, destructive mindset programs, perfectionism, fear of success, and why self-sabotage often disguises itself as logic. Most importantly, I'll show you what it actually means to do the work required to clear the fog, lighten the load, and finally reach the summit you already know you're capable of climbing. In this episode, you'll learn: Why knowing what to do isn't enough to create lasting change How emotional fog robs you of clarity, confidence, and self-trust What destructive mindset programs are and how they keep you stuck Why self-sabotage often feels logical, responsible, or justified Where most high performers stop short on their climb to success How perfectionism and fear of success quietly drain your energy What it actually means to "do the work" to reach your next level Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: You're not failing because of a lack of discipline, talent, or information. Emotional fog makes even a clear path feel confusing and exhausting. The weight you carry matters more than the mountain you're climbing. Destructive mindset programs are patterned, predictable, and unconscious. Self-sabotage often appears as logic, timing issues, or "being realistic." Different results require thinking, feeling, doing, and being different. Clearing emotional baggage is the fastest way to sustainable success. Key Quotes: "You're not stuck because you don't know what to do—you're stuck because of the weight you're carrying." "The problem was never the mountain; it was the backpack." "Self-sabotage disguises itself as logic when your nervous system wants relief." "Emotion is energy in motion, and unprocessed emotion creates fog." "Your subconscious doesn't care if an emotion hurts—it cares if it's familiar." "If you want to achieve different, you must be willing to feel different." "Sustainable success begins when you stop dragging old patterns uphill." Time Stamps: 00:00: Climbing the Mountain of Success 04:39: Understanding Emotional Baggage 16:58: Identifying Destructive Mindset Programs 30:36: Taking Action Towards Change

If you've ever felt your heart race over a three-footer or a make-or-break sales call, imagine doing that with a camera pointed at your face and thousands of people listening… That's the world broadcaster and national champion golfer Emilia Doran lives in every week. In this episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, Emilia pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to stay composed on live TV, how she manages nerves under pressure, and why the same routines, reps, and reflections that make her great on-air are the same ingredients you need to perform on the golf course and in business. She shares how she redefined success after stepping away from professional golf, the emotional cost of perfectionism, and what it's like to build a powerful personal brand as a woman in a male-dominated sport—all while keeping joy, gratitude, and perspective at the center. In this episode, you'll learn: How Emilia handles nerves and stays authentic during live broadcasts The mindset shift that helped her stop chasing perfection and start playing freer Practical ways to simulate "18th-hole pressure" in your practice and prep How routines, reps, and reflection translate from broadcasting to better golf What Emilia's identity shift from pro-track golfer to broadcaster taught her about fulfillment How she defines a "successful" broadcast (and why saying less is often more) What it really takes to stand out as a woman in golf and claim your space with confidence Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Emilia Emilia Doran is a former high-level competitive golfer turned rising star in golf media. After a decorated junior and amateur playing career—including national-level events and standout performances in women's amateur golf—Emilia transitioned into broadcasting, where she has quickly become one of the most recognizable young voices in the sport.  She covers professional golf, collegiate golf, and elite amateur events, combining storytelling, high-performance insights, and on-course experience to bring a fresh, relatable perspective to viewers. Her unique blend of competitive playing background, media experience, personal brand building, and deep understanding of the modern golf audience has positioned her as one of the game's most influential emerging personalities.  Connect with Emilia on Instagram. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Key Takeaways: Treat the camera like a person and slightly exaggerate your natural personality so your true self actually comes through under pressure. Nerves don't disappear; they become more manageable when you simplify the goal—like aiming to say just one truly insightful thing each broadcast. Preparation is routine, reps, and rehearsal: organize your info, rehearse key lines, and build a repeatable process you can trust when the heat turns up. Reflection isn't just about what went wrong—intentionally review what you did well so you don't let one flub define the entire performance. Perfectionism feels like a superpower early on, but if you don't manage your expectations, it becomes emotional kryptonite that drains joy and confidence. Watching the best players closely teaches that even world-class golfers hit plenty of mediocre shots—and handle them with neutrality and grace. In both golf and broadcasting, success is often saying less with more impact and knowing when silence, presence, and emotion are more powerful than words. Key Quotes: "If I can just say one insightful thing to the audience, that's a win." "You might spend five hours on notes and only use ten percent of them—and that's okay." "Broadcasting is a job of imperfection; it's how you handle yourself when things go slightly awry that matters." "I had to accept that golf isn't my number one priority anymore—and still let that be okay." "The more I worked in golf, the more I realized I didn't want to feel emotionally exhausted all the time." "Watch a full round of one player and you'll see how many imperfect shots even the best in the world hit." "You might get an opportunity because of a box someone wants to check, but you stay because you do great work." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Art of Broadcasting: Managing Emotions Live 03:20: Nervousness and Performance: Tools for Focus 06:57: Simulating Pressure: Preparing for Live Broadcasts 11:35: Reflection and Growth: Learning from Broadcasts 14:53: Defining Success: What Makes a Great Broadcast? 18:47: Transitioning from Golfer to Broadcaster: Identity Shift 24:18: The Importance of Structure in Golf and Life 27:24: Navigating the Transition from College to Professional Golf 31:12: Emotional Maturity and Expectations in Golf 35:29: Building a Personal Brand in a Male-Dominated Sport 42:43: The Privilege of Playing Golf and Finding Joy

In this solo episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, I'm sharing a raw, honest reflection on my 2025 golf season—what improved, what I avoided, where fear quietly ran the show, and why the theme of 2026 is simple: do the work. I walk you through the exact 15 reflection questions I challenged my newsletter readers to answer—and I read my own straight-from-the-journal responses. Then I close by defining the identity I'm stepping into in 2026: committed, intentional, and fearless—with a clear focus on becoming a longer hitter, sharper from 125 and in, and mentally tougher when things get uncomfortable. If you've been stuck in inconsistency, rushing your routine, or playing not to mess up, this episode will give you a mirror—and a reset. In this episode, you'll learn: The 15 reflection questions I use to audit a season and upgrade my golf identity Why false urgency destroys routines, decision-making, and scoring How fear shows up as "smart golf" (laying back, avoiding driver) and silently caps your potential The difference between practicing and practicing with intentionality How I'm building more presence and focus using a 3-hole check-in reset What I'm no longer willing to tolerate in my game—and why that line matters The identity shift I'm making in 2026: committed, intentional, fearless—and what that looks like in action Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  15 Reflection Questions: What do I want in 2026? What do I want more of? What do I want less of? What am I no longer willing to tolerate in my golf game? What patterns kept repeating for me this year—and why? Where did I abandon my standards when things got uncomfortable? What did I pretend "didn't matter," even though it clearly did? What am I still blaming on my swing that's actually mental or emotional? Where did fear quietly make my decisions for me this year? What did I avoid working on because it exposed my real edge? When did I play not to mess up instead of playing to perform? What part of my game actually improved—and why did it improve? What drained my energy on the course more than it should have? What would change if I trusted myself one level more? If nothing changes in 2026, what will that cost me—emotionally and competitively? Key Takeaways: You don't need more knowledge to reach scratch—you need consistent, intentional work. False urgency destroys routines, decision-making, and scoring faster than any swing flaw. Fear often disguises itself as "smart golf" and quietly caps your potential. Your routine matters most right after great holes and bad holes, not when things feel easy. Intentional practice creates predictable performance; random reps create random results. Emotional toughness is built by sitting in discomfort instead of numbing or avoiding it. Identity is the real upgrade, and in 2026 that identity is committed, intentional, and fearless. Key Quotes: "The theme of 2026 is do the work—not the easy stuff, not the surface-level stuff, the real work." "I already have the talent and capability to be a scratch golfer; inconsistency was the real issue." "I'm no longer willing to tolerate playing hurried golf with a false sense of urgency." "Fear made decisions everywhere this year, especially when I convinced myself I was being strategic." "Avoiding driver and playing not to mess up kept me playing par fours like par fives." "Vulnerability, ownership, and accountability aren't weaknesses—they're performance accelerators." "If nothing changes in 2026, it will cost me everything." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Importance of Doing the Work 01:40: Introduction to the Scratch Golfer's Mindset 04:29: Reflecting on 2025: Lessons Learned 08:37: Setting Intentions for 2026 14:25: Identifying Goals and Areas for Improvement 18:12: Overcoming Mental Barriers in Golf 23:18: The Role of Fear in Performance 28:33: Celebrating Progress and Growth 31:40: The Cost of Inaction 33:14: Upgrading Golf Identity for 2026

Your self-talk is the only voice you hear 24/7 — and most days, it's not that kind.  For many golfers and entrepreneurs, that inner dialogue quietly runs the show: it talks you out of what you know you should be doing, keeps you glued to comfort, and convinces you you're not ready, not worthy, or not capable of the next level. In this episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, I sit down with mindset coach Trevor Tellin to unpack how your inner voice shapes your identity, your confidence, and your results — on the golf course and in business.  In this episode, you'll learn: Spot the invisible ways your self-talk sabotages your golf game and business. Use a simple "reward scale" to win more debates between the couch and the range. Personify your inner voices so you can work with them instead of being ruled by them. Create space between you and your thoughts so they feel less personal and more workable. Use Interloop to capture real self-talk data from your rounds and turn it into growth. Understand fear of success, over-identifying with "the grind," and how they keep you stuck. Build mental toughness and confidence through repetition, hard things, and self-compassion. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Trevor Trevor Tellin is a high-performance mindset coach who helps golfers master the mental side of the game so they can perform with confidence, composure, and clarity under pressure. Founder of Mindset Coach Trev, he works with competitive amateurs, college players, and professionals to help them overcome fear, perfectionism, and self-doubt—on and off the course.  With a master's degree in psychology and years of experience coaching athletes, leaders, and business professionals, Trevor combines sport psychology, neuroscience, and practical mindset tools to help clients unlock their full potential and play—and live—with greater freedom and fulfillment. Connect with Trevor. Connect on Instagram (mindsetcoachtrev). Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: Awareness is everything — most self-talk patterns run on autopilot until you finally slow down enough to hear them. Every choice is an exchange; comfort feels good now, but it often carries the hidden cost of slowing or blocking your long-term growth. Scoring your choices helps you override resistance by comparing the real value of short-term comfort vs. long-term reward. Personifying your inner voices creates separation, making it easier to recognize which ones help you and which ones hijack you. Tools like Interloop reveal patterns you'd never notice on your own, giving you tangible data to change your on-course self-talk. Fear of success often drives sabotage — when you get close to the next level, the uncertainty of "what comes with it" pulls you back. Mental toughness and confidence come from repetition, doing hard things, and proving to yourself (again and again) that you can handle discomfort. Key Quotes: "We're so familiar with our inner voice that we don't realize how often it runs the show." "We rationalize sabotage because the excuses sound convincing coming from ourselves." "Every decision is an exchange — you can't get what you want without giving up something." "When you personify a limiting voice, it becomes easier to question and redirect it." "Turning a feeling into a character creates distance, and distance creates choice." "Most people envy the result but not the inputs required to reach it." "Mental toughness is being present in discomfort and choosing to lean in anyway." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Power of Inner Dialogue 02:45: Understanding Self-Sabotage 05:33: Personifying Inner Voices 08:14: Balancing Positive and Negative Voices 11:17: Creating Awareness for Change 14:06: Introducing InnerLoop: A New Tool 17:03: Education and Frameworks for Improvement 19:53: Unlearning Achievement-Based Identity 22:36: Invisible Patterns of Self-Sabotage 24:17: The Cost of Success 27:37: Overcoming Identity Limitations 31:13: Transferring Skills from Practice to Performance 33:20: Understanding Mental Toughness 38:31: The Power of Self-Talk and Kindness 41:47: It's Okay: A Perspective Shift

Most golfers aren't short on belief… They're short on behavior. They'll say they're going to qualify for a USGA event, win their club championship, or finally break 80 consistently… then practice "when it's convenient," avoid pressure, and wonder why their confidence keeps collapsing the moment things get uncomfortable. This episode is a gut-check (and a blueprint): being delusional in your thinking isn't the issue—being delusional without matching action is. Because that gap—between what you say you want and what you repeatedly do—is where frustration, self-doubt, guilt, and stalled progress live. You'll hear why high performers aren't just delusional in their goals… they're delusional in their standards, their commitment, and their consistency—and how to bring that same congruency into your off-season so next season finally matches the player you believe you are. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "big belief + small execution" creates anxiety—not confidence How to stop underestimating the action required to reach big goals The real difference between being interested and being committed Why small goals create negotiation, and big goals create clarity How to build identity through consistent, unreasonable reps What your subconscious does when you start standing out—and how to override it A simple weekly lens: "What would a scratch golfer do this week?" Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: Delusional thinking is fun—delusional action is what changes your handicap. The real problem isn't lack of belief; it's underestimating the reps required. When your goals and habits aren't aligned, you don't feel confident—you feel anxious. Small goals invite negotiation; big goals demand commitment and simplify decisions. Identity isn't what you claim—it's what your calendar proves. The moment you stand out, your subconscious will try to pull you back into "safe." Your breakthrough happens when thinking, doing, and identity finally match. Key Quotes: "Being delusional isn't the problem. Being delusional without matching action—that is the problem." "Big beliefs, small execution. And this dissonance creates anxiety, not confidence." "The reason you're not achieving your goals isn't lack of capacity to believe—it's lack of action taken to align with the delusional thinking." "As soon as you accept how hard it is, the journey becomes easier." "Small goals require constant negotiation. Big goals demand full commitment." "Most people are delusional in their thinking, conservative in their action, inconsistent in their identity." "Your breakthrough doesn't happen when you feel confident—it happens when your thinking, doing, and identity finally align." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Delusional World of Jake Paul 02:39: Understanding Delusion in Action 07:50: The Gap Between Thinking and Action 10:24: The 10X Rule and Its Implications 13:21: Commitment vs. Interest in Goals 15:46: The Power of Delusional Thinking 18:35: Personal Stories of Delusional Action 21:16: Closing the Gap with Action 23:35: Final Thoughts and Call to Action

What if your ego is quietly costing you the very things you say you want—better numbers, deeper relationships, more freedom, and more fun on the golf course? In this conversation, former all-time leading salesperson turned coach, author, and podcast host Casey Jacox joins me to unpack how humility, curiosity, and relationship-driven leadership can help you win in business, golf, and fatherhood—without burning yourself (or everyone around you) out. We dig into the invisible pressure high performers feel to always do more, how easily we tie our worth to our results, and why so many men confuse anger and intensity with "high performance."  Casey shares powerful stories from his football career, corporate life, and his journey as a dad and scratch-level golfer to show you a more sustainable way to compete and win. In this episode, you'll learn: How to chase big goals without tying your self-worth to your numbers or handicap Why humility and relationships are your real competitive advantage in sales, business, and golf The difference between fear-driven and curiosity-driven behavior—and how to shift into curiosity Simple questions you can ask clients, teams, and yourself to uncover blind spots and ego traps How to "bench your ego" for 30 days and the measurable changes that will show up in your life and game The hidden pressure many dads carry—and how to protect presence with your kids without tanking your career Practical ways to use gratitude, curiosity, and "even though…" reframes to bounce back faster after setbacks on and off the course Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Casey Casey Jacox is an author, keynote speaker, executive coach, sales advisor, former collegiate quarterback, and the host of The Quarterback DadCast. After a 20-year career in corporate leadership—where he became the all-time leading salesperson at his company—Casey shifted his focus to helping leaders communicate more effectively, build stronger relationships, and lead with humility in business and at home. He is the author of WIN the RELATIONSHIP, Not the DEAL, and is widely known for his work with elite athletes, high-performing executives, and entrepreneurial founders. Whether he's coaching CEOs, interviewing world-class performers, or sharing real stories of fatherhood, Casey blends honesty, vulnerability, resilience, and leadership in a way that challenges people to grow from the inside out. Connect with Casey. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: Humility isn't weakness; it's how you stay grounded when success, money, and recognition start stacking up. Relationships are not transactions—treat them like a bank account and make consistent deposits before you ever ask for a withdrawal. Fear-driven behavior protects the ego; curiosity-driven behavior unlocks growth and deeper connection. The right questions at the right time are more powerful than the perfect pitch, speech, or pep talk. Benching your ego leads to better leadership, less stress, stronger teams, and more enjoyment on the golf course. Being a present dad often requires brave decisions about boundaries, time, and saying "no" to good opportunities. Golf is a mirror: how you respond to bad shots, slumps, and frustration reveals how you handle pressure everywhere else. Key Quotes: "When you're great, other people will tell you. If you have to tell everyone how good you are, you're probably not that good." "People who treat relationships like transactions miss the bigger picture—you get back what you consistently deposit." "Fear-driven people are afraid to ask for help. Curiosity-driven people say, 'I don't know' and then do something about it." "It's not what you say that closes the deal or builds trust. It's what you ask." "The mind is the best tool in your golf bag—and only you have access to it." "Do you want to be right, or do you want to get what you want?" "I'm never going to regret choosing time with my kids over another business opportunity." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Journey of Humility in Success 03:27: The Value of Relationships Over Transactions 05:25: Breaking Down Barriers to Vulnerability 09:00: Dismantling Ego and Embracing Help 12:18: The Power of Questions in Personal Growth 15:25: Letting Go of Ego for Measurable Improvements 18:50: Golf as a Mirror for Personal Development 24:40: Curiosity as a Catalyst for Growth 27:37: The Power of Mindset in Golf and Life 31:56: Navigating Fatherhood: The Invisible Pressures 36:31: Prioritizing Family Over Career 40:16: Messages for Life: Wisdom on a Billboard

You've been "the fun guy" in the group for so long that you've started confusing being liked with being safe. You crack jokes. You wave people through. You rush putts. You skip your full routine because you don't want to be "that guy." You downplay your standards with, "We're just out here having fun." And then you walk off 18 quietly frustrated… because you do care. You do want to play well. You do want to shoot lower scores and be taken seriously. This episode is about the identity I call the Likeable Loser: the man who sacrifices his standards, edge, and ambition to remain accepted, easy, and socially safe—on the course, in business, and in relationships. In this episode, you'll learn: What the Likeable Loser is (and why he's not lazy, broken, or incapable) How people-pleasing shows up on the scorecard through rushed process and softened standards Why "winners are assholes" is a hidden belief that keeps you stuck How labeling a "part" of you creates distance, clarity, and choice Why this pattern formed: belonging, approval, and social safety The real cost: self-trust, self-respect, integrity, and inner peace How to pursue excellence without becoming arrogant, intense, or unlikeable Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: If you keep choosing "liked" over "aligned," your game will always feel capped—even if your swing improves. The Likeable Loser isn't unmotivated—he's over-indexed on approval, and it's leaking into every decision. Rushing your routine to protect group comfort is a form of self-betrayal that compounds over 18 holes. "We're just out here having fun" becomes a shield—until the round ends and the truth shows up as frustration. You won't win consistently while you secretly believe winners are jerks—your subconscious will keep you 'safe' at good-enough. Labeling the part ("the Likeable Loser") creates space: you can observe the pattern instead of being owned by it. The upgrade isn't trying harder—it's giving yourself permission to be fully you: standards, routine, voice, ambition. Key Quotes: "Somewhere along the way, being liked became far more important than being great." "You're not lazy. You're not unmotivated. You're not incapable. You are, however, over-indexed on approval." "The likable loser is the man who sacrifices his standards, edge and ambition in order to remain accepted, easy and socially safe." "When you can label the emotion you're feeling… you create distance, and that distance allows you to invite in curiosity." "On one hand you want to win. On the other hand there's a belief that says winners are assholes. There's an incongruency there." "The cost isn't just strokes or revenue. It's self-trust, self-respect, integrity, inner peace." "The upgrade here doesn't require trying harder… it requires being truer, giving yourself permission." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Likable Loser: An Introduction 02:34: Understanding the Patterns of People Pleasing 05:36: The Cost of Being Liked 08:04: The Impact of the Likable Loser on Performance 10:49: Unpacking Beliefs Around Winning 13:23: Transforming the Likable Loser Identity 16:00: Embracing Authenticity and Ambition 18:38: The Journey to Self-Respect 21:17: Taking Aligned Action 23:54: Conclusion and Call to Action

Most golfers and entrepreneurs obsess over mistakes. You replay the double bogey, the blown meeting, the missed opportunity—yet rarely study what went right. Today's guest is one of the world's leading performance coaches, Justin Su'a, and he's here to flip that script. Justin has coached Super Bowl champions, All-Stars, World Series teams, and top CEOs. His gift? Helping high performers create the mental systems that turn pressure into clarity and success into repeatable patterns. In this episode, you'll learn how elite athletes review wins and losses, build emotional resiliency, upgrade their self-talk, and protect their relationships while chasing greatness. If you're serious about leveling up your mental game—on the course or in business—this is your masterclass. In this episode, you'll learn: Why only studying your failures keeps you from unlocking your full potential. Justin's simple three-question reflection framework that works for golfers, athletes, and executives. How to create a repeatable after-round / after-action review that fits your personality. The difference between leading and lagging indicators—and why that matters more than your score or revenue this week. How to think in second- and third-order consequences so your pursuit of greatness doesn't quietly destroy your health or relationships. A practical way to see negative thoughts as "mental rumble strips" instead of proof you lack confidence. How elite performers bounce back faster by reducing the frequency, intensity, and duration of their emotional blowups. This episode will challenge how you think about success, failure, self-talk, and the price you're willing to pay in your pursuit of excellence—on the course and in business. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Justin Justin Su'a is a world-renowned mental performance coach and the founder of the Performance Advisory Group, where he works with elite athletes, business leaders, and high performers across industries to help them master the mental side of performance. He has served as the head of mental performance for the Tampa Bay Rays, and has worked with Major League Baseball, the Cleveland Browns, the Boston Red Sox, the U.S. Army, Fortune 500 executives, and Olympians.  Known for his ability to distill complex psychological principles into simple, actionable tools, Su'a focuses on consistency, resilience, and daily disciplines that help people thrive under pressure and sustain peak performance over the long term. He is also the host of the popular Increase Your Impact Podcast, where he shares bite-sized daily mental performance lessons. The Increase Your Impact Newsletter Instagram (@justinsua) Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist Key Takeaways: Study wins too — your best days contain critical clues you're currently leaving on the table. Use a simple reflection loop — ask: What went well? What did I learn? What will I do better next time? Make reflection easy — choose the journaling format with the least friction so you'll actually do it. Think in systems — pursuing greatness without considering second- and third-order effects creates avoidable problems. Focus on leading indicators — control your routines, effort, and communication; results follow later. Upgrade your questions — better questions lead to better self-talk, better focus, and better performance. Resilience = reduced F.I.D. — decrease the frequency, intensity, and duration of your emotional blowups, not eliminate them. Key Quotes: We don't just learn from losing—we also learn from winning. Success leaves clues if you're willing to go back and study it. Create a feedback loop: What did I do well? What did I learn? What's one thing I'll do better next time? Ask it every time, win or lose. The weakest pen is stronger than the strongest memory. You're always writing for your future self. Your pursuit of excellence has second- and third-order effects. If you don't think in systems, you'll chase greatness while unintentionally burning down your health or relationships. If you want better answers, ask better questions. Your brain is like a search engine—it will fill in whatever prompt you give it. Negative thoughts are mental rumble strips. They're not proof you lack confidence—they're signals you're losing focus, so gently guide yourself back into the lane. Progress isn't never hitting the red; it's hitting it less often, less intensely, and for less time—and then learning from every episode. Time Stamps: 00:00: Learning from Success 02:24: Feedback Loops and Reflection 07:25: The Importance of Journaling 08:45: Maximizing Reflection Periods 11:41: Balancing Ambition and Self-Care 18:49: Emotional Resilience and Communication 25:12: The Power of Vulnerability 29:51: Upgrading Inner Dialogue 35:25: Bouncing Back from Setbacks 41:58: Key Messages for Golfers

"I grew up in a 'customer comes first' world. It took me 50 years to realize that if I'm not first, everything else eventually falls apart." What happens when "customer first" quietly turns into "you last"?  In today's episode, I sit down with my friend and Missing Links Golf Show co-host, Andy Walker, to unpack the hidden cost of always giving more than you've got. We talk about how that pattern shows up in golf, trading, business, and fatherhood—and what changes when you finally put your health and wellbeing at the top of the list.  In this episode, you'll learn: How childhood programming around "service" and "customer first" quietly turns into self-neglect and burnout. Why your health, energy, and identity must sit above business, golf, and clients in your priority stack. How Andy built a simple, sustainable morning routine that blends resistance training, cardio, breathwork, and visualization. A practical way to define your core life values—and then use them as filters for how you spend your time and energy. How to make golf practice and exercise easy and irresistible by changing your environment (hello, backyard "High Performance Center"). Why vulnerability and asking for help accelerate your growth in golf, business, and life—and why "she'll be right" is killing performance. How to reframe self-care from "selfish" to the foundation of elite golf mindset, business mindset, and long-term health. If you've ever felt guilty taking time for yourself, this conversation will help you rewrite that story and start performing from a full tank instead of fumes. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Andy Andy Walker is the co-host of The Missing Links Golf Show, a fast-growing podcast dedicated to the midlife golfer's pursuit of improvement, balance, and renewed sporting glory. A lifelong athlete who once chased professional golf, Andy brings decades of competitive experience, business ownership, and real-world personal development into every episode. Now in his 50s, he's on a mission—alongside co-host Steve Moulton—to prove that meaningful improvement and peak performance are still possible, even while juggling family, business, health, and the chaos of everyday life. Known for his honesty, vulnerability, and analytical approach, Andy blends mindset, training, golf skill acquisition, and personal growth to help everyday golfers navigate the mental and emotional challenges of the game. His journey includes overcoming health scares, redefining his identity, and building a lifestyle that supports consistent practice and long-term wellbeing. Through The Missing Links Golf Show, Andy inspires golfers to chase growth, embrace the pilgrimage of improvement, and rediscover the joy and challenge of the game at any age. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Key Takeaways: Self-care isn't optional for high performers; your customers, clients, and family need you at your best, not your most depleted. When you grow up with "give, give, give" programming, you'll over-serve others and under-serve yourself until you consciously rewrite that pattern. The real priority stack for golfer–entrepreneurs is: health and wellbeing → family and relationships → business and clients → everything else. Writing your values and priorities down gives you clarity, emotional relief, and a decision-making filter for your time and energy. A simple, repeatable morning routine that blends training, breathwork, and visualization can anchor your entire day in focus, calm, and confidence. Environment design—like having a home gym or golf sim—removes friction and makes practice and self-care easy instead of a constant battle of willpower. Vulnerability and asking for help are not weaknesses; they are shortcuts to emotional clarity, faster growth, and a more sustainable version of success. Key Quotes: Your clients don't just need you available—they need you at your best. And you cannot be at your best if you're not taking care of yourself. I grew up in a 'customer comes first' world. It took me 50 years to realize that if I'm not first, everything else eventually falls apart. You don't get to leave your emotional baggage in the trunk when you walk onto the first tee. You bring your whole self to the golf course. It's easy to set goals like 'break 80' or 'hit seven figures.' The harder—and more important—question is: Who do I need to become to live that reality? Self-care used to feel selfish and self-indulgent. Now I see it as the bare minimum required to be the husband, father, golfer, and trader I want to be. If it's not blocked on your calendar, it's not truly a priority. Your schedule is the truth-teller of your values. Asking for help accelerates results. Vulnerability doesn't slow you down—it removes the emotional weight that's been holding you back. Time Stamps: 00:00: The Importance of Self-Care 09:31: Balancing Personal and Professional Life 18:32: Defining Life Values and Priorities 21:42: Understanding Life Values and Reflection 23:07: Incorporating Breath Work and Meditation 25:46: Morning Routines for Clarity and Focus 26:44: Integrating Golf into Daily Life 28:31: Making Behavior Change Easy and Irresistible 29:51: The Importance of Vulnerability and Asking for Help 32:09: Navigating Life Changes and Priorities 36:14: The Power of Action After Seeking Help 38:43: Promoting the Missing Links Golf Show

Pressure, perfectionism, and overthinking—three traits that quietly sabotage golfers chasing freedom on the course. In this conversation, Andrew Reynolds, cognitive performance coach and founder of The COG Coach, breaks down what it truly means to play with freedom—and why most golfers never achieve it. He shares how to design practice that mirrors real pressure, add consequence to every rep, and build process-driven routines that hold up when the stakes rise. We explore the hidden cost of mental fatigue, how to protect cognitive energy over 18 holes, and the psychological "skill-development lag" that frustrates so many golfers chasing progress. Andrew also explains the three-step framework to reframe destructive self-talk, find safety in discomfort, and make your best golf automatic under pressure—whether you're grinding for your first club championship or a tour card. In this episode, you'll learn: What "playing with freedom" actually means—and how to create it on demand How to add consequence to practice so it transfers under pressure The accountability hacks that keep you in the hard reps (where skill grows) A simple blueprint for durable pre-shot and pre-round routines How to spot and reframe irrational self-talk in real time Managing cognitive energy and decision fatigue across 18 holes Why process beats results—and how to believe it when scores matter Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Andrew Reynolds Andrew Reynolds is a Cognitive Performance Coach based in the UK. Andrew helps golfers, from weekend amateurs to touring professionals, develop the ability to perform under pressure and play their best golf when it matters. You can reach Andrew via email at andy@thecogcoach.com or at his website www.thecogcoach.com.  Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Key Takeaways: Practice like you play: Bring course elements (targets, variability, consequence) to the range so pressure isn't a surprise. Add consequence: Games with "must-complete" tasks (e.g., 3 fairways in a row) simulate tournament feels. Quality beats quantity: Short, intense, focused sessions > marathon ball-beating. Protect cognitive energy: Strong routines reduce decision fatigue and steady your state under stress. Reframe the story: Emotions come from interpretation; catch absolutes ("always/never") and replace them with rational truth. Calibrate emotion: Even "negative" emotions can be adaptive when properly dialed. Detach from score: Commit to the shot in front of you; outcome improves as a byproduct. Key Quotes: "Make practice look like the golf course, not the course look like practice." "Consequence is the fastest way to simulate pressure." "The hard, uncomfortable reps are where skill is actually built." "Pick a target, visualize, commit—that's the billboard I'd put on every tee." "It's not the first tee that makes you anxious; it's the story you tell yourself about it." "Process is part of outcome—not something separate from it." "There's a skill-development lag: keep going through it instead of restarting with a new method." Time Stamps: 00:00 Playing with Freedom: The Key to Golf Success 02:47 Gamification in Practice: Adding Consequences to Training 05:37 Embracing Discomfort: The Path to Skill Development 08:49 Quality Over Quantity: Setting Expectations for Practice 11:38 Cognitive Energy: Managing Mental Fatigue in Golf 14:18 Self-Talk and Emotional Awareness: The Mental Game of Golf 22:10 Understanding Self-Talk in Golf 23:33 The Art of Reframing Thoughts 24:52 Emotional Calibration for Performance 27:45 Managing Confidence and Expectations 29:06 Focusing on the Process Over Results 32:25 Overcoming Resistance to Process 34:46 The Importance of Patience in Skill Development 39:38 Key Takeaway: Pick a Target, Visualize, Commit

If you've ever signed up for a huge race, joined a new mastermind, or taken on a massive work project right when you said you were finally going all-in on your golf game or business… this episode is going to sting a little—in the best way. In this solo conversation, I pull back the curtain on how I caught myself red-handed sabotaging my own journey to scratch by committing to a 75-mile race. On the surface, it looked disciplined, inspiring, and productive. Underneath, it was something else entirely: a socially acceptable way to avoid the emotional discomfort of fully committing to the goal that matters most to me. I call this pattern noble avoidance—and if you're a high-achieving golfer or entrepreneur, there's a very good chance it's running the show in your life too. In this episode, you'll learn: What "noble avoidance" is and how it quietly sabotages your biggest goals Why hard, impressive challenges can actually feel safer than your true dream How fear of failure, fear of success, and fear of being seen trying feed noble avoidance The subtle ways noble avoidance shows up in golf, business, fitness, and relationships 10 real-world examples so you can spot it in your own calendar and commitments Five candid reflection questions to expose where you're hiding behind "good" excuses Why "less is more" and "be boring" are the real superpowers behind scratch-level success Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: Noble avoidance is choosing a worthy, productive, or impressive pursuit to avoid the deeper emotional work required for the goal you truly want. A goal like running 75 miles is brutally hard physically, but it can be emotionally safer than going all-in on becoming a scratch golfer. Fear of failure, fear of success, and fear of being seen truly trying are core drivers behind noble avoidance. Your subconscious is addicted to safety, familiarity, and predictability—and will recreate old patterns, even painful ones, to stay "safe." Noble avoidance often looks like rebranding, building systems, learning more, or "helping everyone else" instead of doing the uncomfortable, needle-moving work. Looking at your calendar is one of the most honest ways to see what you're truly committed to versus what you just claim to care about. Long-term success comes from doing fewer things, better—embracing boring, consistent reps instead of chasing exciting side quests. Key Quotes: "Noble avoidance is the subconscious strategy of choosing a worthy pursuit to avoid the deeper emotional discomfort of your true goal." "Underneath noble avoidance is self-protection disguised as self-improvement." "It's ambition used as armor and momentum pointed in the wrong direction." "Running 75 miles isn't easier physically—it's easier emotionally." "If I give everything and still fall short, I'm out of excuses—and that's terrifying." "Noble avoidance is still avoidance. Until you name it, you continue to serve it." "Success is built on the same boring principles executed relentlessly over and over and over." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Journey to Scratch Golf 05:43: The Commitment Dilemma 11:15: Understanding Noble Avoidance 16:18: Confronting Fears and Identity 21:37: Taking Action and Moving Forward

#114 [Inside the Mind] Chris Petefish: Play Unapologetic Golf and Using Data to Free Yourself from Emotional Decision-making What do you do when your biggest opportunity collides with your worst nightmare? For Chris Petefish, that moment came two weeks before Second Stage of Q School—when he woke up unable to get out of bed, let alone swing a golf club. No practice. No prep. Just pain, uncertainty, and a ticking clock on what might be his last real shot at securing status. Most players would withdraw. Chris got on a plane. In this conversation, we break down the mindset, decision-making, and mental toughness that carried him from "I might have to quit" to T8 at Second Stage—and eventually to winning on the Korn Ferry Tour.  Whether you're chasing a club championship, a Korn Ferry card, or a seven-figure business year, the principles are the same: expectations, routines, self-talk, and a willingness to play unapologetically free. In this episode, you'll learn: The mindset that helped Chris qualify at Q School while barely able to swing a club. How to turn panic, fear, and "why me?" moments into problem-solving and clarity. How to identify and dismantle the destructive belief: "I only perform well with my back against the wall." Why routines, awareness, and data are non-negotiable for peak performance. How to cultivate a flow state, lower expectations, and raise execution under pressure. What a bogey-free tournament taught Chris about confidence, acceptance, and fearlessness. Why embracing—not suppressing—pressure is the key to performing when it matters most. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Chris Chris Petefish is a professional golfer and performance coach based in Georgia. A former Georgia Tech standout, he was an All-ACC Academic selection, All-America Scholar, and winner of the 2018 General Hackler Championship.  Since turning professional in 2018, he's competed on the Korn Ferry Tour and qualified for the 2024 U.S. Open. Off the course, he runs Course of Action Golf, where he coaches players of all levels in course strategy, mindset, and performance using strokes gained analytics and mental conditioning frameworks.  His philosophy blends data-driven strategy with mental resilience — helping golfers and high performers think clearly, compete freely, and execute under pressure. Course of Action Golf Instagram (@chrispetefishgolf) Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Key Takeaways: Pressure is not the enemy- you must acknowledge it to master it. Pretending pressure doesn't exist only amplifies it. Naming it neutralizes it. Your routine is your anchor. Any deviation in your pre-shot routine is a signal your inner world is unraveling. Expectations kill performance. Preparation builds confidence; expectations destroy it. Play unapologetically. Fear-based golf leads to steering, tension, and poor decisions. Confidence and fear can coexist. The goal isn't removing fear; it's performing with it. Data frees you from emotional decision-making. Golf is a math contest with variance baked in. Resiliency compounds. Your worst stretches often create the biggest breakthroughs. Key Quotes: "When my back's against the wall, that's usually when I'm at my best." "I'd rather hit a poor shot with confidence than a poor shot from fear." "The expectations on the course will kill you." "You can't pretend pressure doesn't exist—you have to acknowledge it to handle it." "My routine tells me everything about my inner state." "Golf is a math contest. Trust the numbers, trust your skills." "Sometimes hitting rock bottom is a blessing—it forces change." Time Stamps: 00:00: Overcoming Adversity in Golf 06:04: Mental Resilience and Self-Discovery 10:14: Playing Smarter, Not Harder 13:26: Achieving a Bogey-Free Tournament 19:31: Navigating Expectations and Acceptance 22:58: The Journey of Mental Training 23:49: Understanding the Mental Game of Golf 26:57: The Importance of Routine and Mindset 29:04: Balancing Expectations and Confidence 31:42: Data-Driven Decision Making in Golf 33:57: Resilience and Overcoming Adversity 38:08: The Role of Reflection and Support 41:46: Coaching Insights and Personal Experience

If you've been grinding on the range, stacking lessons, upgrading systems, hiring coaches, and still feel painfully stuck below your potential, this episode is your wake-up call. You cannot out-practice, out-hustle, or out-strategize the destructive patterns running your life beneath the surface. As long as you keep outsourcing your growth to new swing tips, training aids, business tactics, or mindset hacks, you'll keep slamming into the same ceilings in golf, business, and at home. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your "I'm doing all the right things" approach still isn't moving the needle The real meaning of "doing the work" (and how it's different from staying busy) How destructive mindset programs quietly sabotage your golf, income, and relationships Why your deepest fear isn't failure, but how powerful you actually are How avoidance, numbing, and distraction keep you stuck on the hamster wheel Simple but confronting reflection questions to expose your destructive patterns Why deep subconscious work and hypnosis are the fastest path to lasting change Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Read the article I referenced here (Your Triggers Are Your Teachers). P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Key Takeaways: You can't out-practice or out-hustle destructive subconscious patterns. "Doing the work" means radical honesty, ownership, and looking inward—not more tips and tools. Your deepest fear isn't inadequacy; it's realizing you're powerful beyond measure. Surface-level fixes feel productive, but they do nothing to change your identity. Avoidance, numbing, and overthinking are predictable patterns that keep you on the hamster wheel. Real transformation happens when you uncover and upgrade the beliefs driving your behaviors. Deep subconscious work—especially hypnosis—is the lever that rewires identity and unlocks your potential. Key Quotes: "You can't out-practice, out-hustle, or out-strategize the destructive patterns running your life beneath the surface." "No external shortcut or band-aid will ever fix an internal problem you're unwilling to own." "Your deepest fear is not that you are inadequate. Your deepest fear is that you are powerful beyond measure." "Surface-level work produces dopamine, but it does nothing to change your identity." "Your results are not a mystery—they're a mirror of the patterns you're running inside." "You don't need more discipline; you need belief-level upgrades and better emotional regulation." "Logic doesn't heal wounds. Willpower doesn't undo bad behaviors. Subconscious work does." Time Stamps: 00:00: Why your hard work still isn't translating into results 03:59: What "doing the work" actually requires 10:11: The real fear: realizing how powerful you are 17:43: How avoidance and numbing keep you stuck 26:32: Why surface fixes fail and beliefs must change

High achievers are rarely "in balance"—and that's not a problem when your intensity is calibrated.  In this conversation, Dr. Alison Curdt—PGA Master Professional, LPGA Master Professional, and Doctor of Psychology—opens up about the sacrifices behind elite performance, how to reframe "pressure," and why curiosity is the antidote to perfectionism, fear of failure, and self-criticism.  We dig into process vs. performance vs. outcome goals, separating identity from results, and the importance of strategic rest so your practice actually sticks. Dr. Curdt also shares the pivotal moment that reshaped her life and work, how to coach an athlete at "rock bottom," and practical scripts you can use on the course this weekend. In this episode, you'll learn: Why "pressure" is a perception problem—and how to reframe it fast The difference between outcome, performance, and process goals (and which one drives wins) How to detach self-worth from scorecards, sales, and rankings The simple language shifts ("have to" → "get to") that unlock better golf How to use curiosity to replace judgment and perfectionism What "calibrated intensity" looks like (and why rest multiplies growth) Practical ways to coach yourself out of a slump—on the range or at work Whether you're chasing a lower handicap or scaling a business, this is a masterclass in durable confidence, emotional regulation, and performance psychology—the exact mindset training that turns effort into results. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Dr. Alison Curdt Dr. Alison Curdt is a dual PGA Master & LPGA Master Professional. She has over 35 years of background in golf competition and competed in 8 LPGA Tour majors. Owner of "Alison Curdt Golf" and Director of Instruction at Wood Ranch Golf Club in Los Angeles, CA, she has earned countless teaching & professional awards such as the 2025 Tom Addiss II Professional Development Award, 2019 SoCal PGA Golf Professional of the Year, 2018 SCPGA Clubfitter of the Year, 4-time LPGA Western Section Teacher of the Year, 2016 SCPGA Teacher of the Year, and 2015 LPGA T&CP National Teacher of the Year. She was selected as an LPGA Top 50 Teacher 4 times and was inducted into the SoCal PGA Teaching Hall of Fame. Dr. Curdt has been featured in over a dozen separate segments on the Golf Channel and Golf Digest selected her three times as one of America's Best Young Teachers. She is currently on the Golf Digest Best in State list (CA) and has been honored as Top 50 Teacher in America.  Dr. Curdt is also a clinical sport psychotherapist utilizing EMDR & Brainspotting to help athletes achieve peak performance and overcome athletic traumas. She served as the LPGA T&CP National Vice-President and is currently the first female president of the Southern California PGA.  Her book, The Golf Performance Code: Unlocking secrets to mind, body, and nutrition was published in 2025. Connect with Alison Instagram YouTube Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Key Takeaways: Pressure is self-created. It's a byproduct of expectations and outcome fixation; reframe it as a challenge and return to controllables. Process > performance > outcome. Track performance stats, but win the day by executing process goals (breath, target, routine, commitment). Curiosity beats judgment. Asking "What's really happening?" dissolves shame, perfectionism, and fear—opening access to better decisions and motor memory. Calibrated intensity. Grind isn't mindless hours; it's intentional focus paired with recovery, so skills encode and become automatic. Detach identity from results. You are not your score or sales number; evaluate inputs and execution quality, not just outcomes. Reframe your language. "I have to" → "I get to," "I'm busy" → "I'm in demand"—word choice shifts physiology and performance. Coach with empathy first. Before offering fixes, make athletes feel seen; then co-create reframes and experiments they can own. Key Quotes: "Pressure doesn't exist—outside of physics. We create it with expectations." "Achievement can feel like a drug—use it to fuel you, not break you." "You're not what you produce. You are enough—regardless of the number." "Win with process goals; they ladder up to performance—and then outcomes." "Curiosity is the antidote to so many psychological 'diseases.'" "If you keep grinding the stone, it turns to nothing. Rest builds growth." "Tell yourself: You have everything you need to succeed. Then access it." Time Stamps: 00:00 The Journey of Achievement and Sacrifice 04:42 Rebirth from Trauma: A Turning Point 06:46 Navigating Rock Bottom: Questions for Growth 09:01 Building Resilience: Coaching Through Adversity 12:05 Understanding Pressure: A Psychological Perspective 20:06 The Grind: Positive vs. Negative Connotations 22:58 The Importance of Rest and Recovery 25:34 Detaching Identity from Performance 29:01 Understanding Enoughness and Self-Worth 32:20 Effective Communication and Expectation Management 35:52 Overcoming Perfectionism and Embracing Variability 38:58 Empowering Beliefs for Success

What if the people who trigger you the most—the mother-in-law who feels controlling, the "lazy" kids, the blow-up guy in your Saturday foursome—aren't actually the problem? You are (gulp). What if they're mirrors? In this episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, I dive into the uncomfortable truth that the traits you judge, resent, or react to in others very often reflect the parts of you that you deny, repress, or flat-out hate.  You'll hear raw stories from my own life and from clients who realized that the selfishness, complacency, or lack of drive they saw in others… was alive and well inside themselves. And when they finally owned those parts instead of fighting them, everything changed: more peace, more energy, more honesty, and better golf. In this episode, you'll learn: How "triggers" on the golf course, at home, and at work are actually mirrors reflecting disowned parts of you. Why owning traits like "selfish," "controlling," or "lazy" can free you instead of condemn you. The basics of Parts Theory and how seeing emotions as "parts" reduces their intensity and control over you. How repressing parts of yourself quietly drains your energy and keeps you stuck in the same patterns on and off the course. A powerful reframe of selfishness into being selflessly selfish—and how that makes you a better golfer, parent, and leader. How core beliefs like "I'll never get better" sabotage your performance, no matter how hard you work. A journaling question you can use today to turn your biggest emotional triggers into your most powerful teachers. If you're willing to be radically honest with yourself, this episode can help you reclaim the energy you've been spending running from your own reflection—and redirect it into becoming the golfer, parent, partner, and leader you know you're capable of being. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist Key Takeaways: Everyone in your life is a mirror. The behaviors you judge or react to most strongly in others—anger, laziness, selfishness, manipulation—are often traits that exist in you, especially the parts you don't want to see. You are made of many "parts," not one fixed identity. There's a part of you that's confident, a part that's fearful, a part that's lazy, a part that's driven. Seeing these as "parts" creates healthy distance so you're not completely fused with any one state. What you resist, persists. The harder you fight against a trait—"I'm not selfish, I'm not controlling, I'm not lazy"—the more power it quietly holds over your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. Triggers are invitations, not inconveniences. The next time someone pisses you off, embarrasses you, or makes your blood boil, you have a choice: react and blame… or pause and ask, "What part of me is this showing me?" That's where the real growth begins. Key Quotes: "What triggers you has the opportunity to teach you—if you're willing to look in the mirror instead of out the window." "You're not just one thing all the time; you're a collection of parts—and your work is to become whole, not perfect." "The traits you hate in others are often the traits you refuse to admit exist in you." "What you resist persists. The more you fight 'I'm not selfish,' the more that part quietly runs the show." "Being selflessly selfish means you put yourself first so you can show up better for everyone else in your life." "Golf is a mirror of your personal development—and the people in your life are mirrors of the parts of you that you've tried to bury." "When you accept every part of you, you stop wasting energy hiding and start using that energy to become the best version of you." Time Stamps: 00:00: Understanding Triggers and Self-Reflection 02:51: The Holographic Universe and Parts Theory 05:45: Mirrors in Relationships: Recognizing Ourselves in Others 10:36: The Concept of Selfishness: A New Perspective 15:51: Triggers as Teachers: Learning from Emotional Responses 22:30: Embracing Wholeness: The Path to Authenticity

In this episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, I sit down with Texas Golf Hall of Famer and author, Mike Booker, to unpack the mental blueprint that separates a tournament golfer from a golfer who plays tournaments.  With decades of competitive success and entrepreneurial achievement, Mike shares timeless lessons on emotional steadiness, self-talk, reflection, and gratitude that have fueled his longevity both on and off the course. You'll learn how to master your self-talk, set powerful process-based goals, and build the emotional resilience needed to perform under pressure. Mike and I dive deep into how perspective, preparation, and honesty form the foundation of lasting success—and why gratitude might be the most underrated competitive advantage in golf and life. In this episode, you'll learn: How to become your own best friend and master self-talk. The difference between a tournament golfer and a golfer who plays tournaments. How to manage results-oriented thinking under pressure. The role of process, pre-shot routines, and breathing in performance. Why honesty and reflection are key to consistent improvement. How gratitude and perspective build mental resilience. The mindset needed to win in golf, business, and life. If you're serious about raising your level of play in this upcoming season of tournaments, this is the conversation you want to listen to multiple times… Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. More About Mike Booker Mike Booker is a Texas Golf Hall of Fame inductee, former University of Houston NCAA National Champion, and author of The Tournament Golfer's Playbook. A lifelong competitor who has won championships across multiple decades, Mike combines lessons learned from elite tournament golf and a 40-year career as a successful entrepreneur and financial advisor.  His work teaches golfers how to think, prepare, and perform like true tournament golfers—focusing on self-talk, process, perspective, and gratitude both on and off the course. Purchase The Tournament Golfer's Playbook here. Inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame (2019), University of Houston Hall of Honor (2023) WCJC Athletic Hall of Fame (2023) A record four-time Texas Golf Association Player of the Year (2012, 2014, 2015, and 2022, Senior) Winner of a record 14 Texas Golf Association events, including Senior, Mid Am and Mid Am Match Play Playing Member, U. of Houston NCAA National Championship team (1977) Selected Associated Press NCAA All-American Team, U. of Houston (1977) Two-time U.S. National Club Champion (2007 and 2008, Senior) Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist  Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Key Takeaways: Longevity in golf—and life—comes from perspective, self-compassion, and gratitude. Be your own best friend. The relationship you have with yourself defines performance. Talk to yourself like someone you care about: first person, not third person. Focus on intermediate goals to avoid burnout and stay emotionally steady. Failure is a teacher, not a threat—learn, adapt, and build resilience. Honesty is the foundation of growth; surround yourself with people who tell you the truth. Process beats pressure: control what you can, trust what you've practiced. Breathing and a consistent pre-shot routine are your anchors under stress. Tournament golfers don't make excuses—they take ownership and stay adaptable. Gratitude keeps you grounded. "If you don't have gratitude, you're not paying attention." Key Quotes: "It's not what you say to everyone else—it's what you whisper to yourself. "The longest relationship you'll ever have is with yourself. Be your own best friend." "Most success stories are built on overwhelming amounts of failure." "Winning is affirmation—but it's short-lived. The real victory is showing up again tomorrow." "Don't worry about it. Nobody really cares that much."  "Tournament golfers don't believe in bad breaks—they just play the next shot." Time Stamps: 00:00 The Longevity of Success in Golf 01:55 The Power of Self-Talk 05:40 Setting Intermediate Goals 10:07 Reflection and Evaluation 12:52 The Meaning of Winning 15:10 Sacrifice and Commitment 17:17 The Secret to Lasting Success 20:54 Performing Under Pressure 29:09 The Mindset of a Tournament Golfer 30:58 The Journey to Writing a Golf Book 32:20 Learning from Failure and Responsibility 34:19 The Identity of a Tournament Golfer 36:08 Common Mental Leaks in Golf 39:18 Translating Golf Lessons to Business 43:34 Embracing Failure and Learning 49:27 Perspective and the Spotlight Effect

Greatness comes with a price—but what if that price isn't punishment, but preparation?  In this episode, I reframe the "tax" of greatness as an investment in your future self, showing how every setback, rejection, and lonely morning is actually a deposit into the account of discipline, patience, and faith that compounds over time. I discuss how standing out invites resistance—from critics, loved ones, and even yourself—and why that's proof you're on the right path.  In this episode, you'll learn: How to reframe "suffering" as harnessing your inner strength. Why greatness requires isolation—and how to find peace in it. The crabs in the bucket analogy and how to avoid being pulled down. How to manage criticism and stay confident when others doubt you. The difference between emotional fuel and sustainable focus. Why setbacks are simply the market dips of your personal growth. How to make daily "deposits" into the bank of discipline and belief. If you've ever felt misunderstood, lonely, or doubted while chasing your goals—whether in golf, business, or life—this episode will help you reconnect with your purpose, stay the course, and trust that your effort will pay dividends when the time is right. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist Key Takeaways: The price of greatness isn't a penalty — it's an investment plan for your future self that pays exponential returns. Loneliness and isolation aren't setbacks; they're sacred opportunities to realign with your values and purpose. Judgment from others reflects their stagnation, not your misdirection. Stay focused on your path, not their opinions. Replace the word suffering with harnessing — each moment of adversity strengthens resilience, focus, and faith. While most people panic during life's "market dips," the great ones double down, trusting time, consistency, and themselves. Key Quotes: "Every bit of pain, doubt, persistence, and every morning you don't feel like doing jack shit — that's interest your future self will cash in as peace, freedom, and fulfillment." "The higher you climb, the thinner the air — and fewer people can breathe at that altitude. Most turn back, not because the view isn't worth it, but because they never conditioned themselves to handle the elevation." "The criticism, judgment, and resentment you face aren't punishments — they're proof you're leaving the bucket while everyone else is still clinging to comfort." "Every time you suffer through rejection, failure, or frustration, you're not breaking down — you're harnessing the strength, patience, and faith required to rise." "When the pressure hits, the critics get loud, and your beliefs start to waver — remember, you're not being punished. You're being prepared." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Cost of Greatness 02:41: Reframing Suffering as Harnessing 05:26: The Isolation of Standing Out 08:14: The Crabs in the Bucket Analogy 10:52: Navigating Loneliness and Misunderstanding 14:47: Embracing Fear and Uncertainty 18:25: The Power of Emotional Energy 20:50: Investing in Your Future Self 23:32: The Journey of Self-Discovery