Episode 15 - Dialed In: How to Do Your Best When It Matters Most with Dr. Dana Sinclair
In this week’s episode of WTF: Where’s the FUN?, we’re joined by Dr. Dana Sinclair—a registered psychologist, performance expert, and author of Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or performer looking to show up powerfully when it matters most, you’ll love Dana’s simple yet transformative approach to stay calm and perform when it matters most—no overthinking required.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why confidence is overrated (and what really makes a difference).
- How to stay calm and focused under pressure.
- The power of simplicity when it comes to peak performance.
- How to manage mental blocks in real-time.
- Inspiring stories from Olympic athletes who’ve turned nerves into gold.
- How Dana’s mindset methods transformed our own ability to lead, speak, and perform.
This episode is packed with actionable insights and practical tips you can apply right away, whether you’re stepping into a big moment or just navigating the pressures of everyday life.
Highlights:
2:00 – Dr. Dana Sinclair’s journey to elite performance psychology
3:30 – Why performance skills apply to everyone
6:50 – Tools to manage nerves and stay present
8:30 – “Shift when you drift”: Managing mental blocks
9:45 – High-pressure moments: Stories from Dr. Dana’s work
11:00 – The power of daydreaming for success
13:00 – Building your personal “Dana Plan”
14:50 – The role of preparation in peak performance
19:00 – “Do the do”: Adapting to life’s curveballs
21:00 – Drift, shift, and sticky note strategies
24:00 – Tackling stage nerves: Strategies that work
29:00 – Thriving in the pressure zone
Guest Resources:
Resources:
About Our Guest:
For more than twenty years, Dr. Dana has worked with the best of the best to improve results, from NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL teams to IndyCar drivers and Olympic athletes.
She’s also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, where she helps high performers thrive under pressure.
She helps performers shift their focus and deliver optimal performance in high-pressure moments that define greatness. Her methods also work for students and teachers, business leaders and managers—anyone motivated to improve.
Her approach is simple: figure out what gets in your way, develop actions to address it in the moment, and then stick to the plan. It’s not about how you feel, it’s about what you do!
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