One Thing with Dr. Adam Rinde

Episode 120: Right Foot, Left Foot: Finding Your Way Back After Setback with Dr. Haley Perlus

Dr. Haley Perlus · July 28, 2025

Author · Executive Coach · Entrepreneur · Leadershipin

Interview with Dr. Haley Perlus

Episode 120: Right Foot, Left Foot: Finding Your Way Back After Setback with Dr. Haley Perlus

Podcast: One Thing with Dr. Adam Rinde

July 28, 2025

How do we move forward when the future is uncertain and the path to healing feels like a rollercoaster? In this episode, host Dr. Adam Rinde sits down with renowned sports and performance psychologist Dr. Haley Perlus to explore the emotional and mental dynamics of healing,…

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Key topicsMastering Mental Agility & The Science of Thriving in UncertaintyChange is inevitable, but mental agility is the key to sustaining success. Drawing from her background in performance psychology, Haley shares how leaders can train their minds to embrace uncertainty, adapt under pressure, and stay mentally strong in volatile business environments. She discusses cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, and how to train the brain to make clear decisions-even in chaotic situations. Why Setbacks, Not Success, Shape True ResilienceEvery high achiever hits walls-failed ventures, missed opportunities, moments that threaten their identity and drive. What separates those who plateau from those who rise is not avoiding failure but using it as fuel. Dr. Haley Perlus reveals the psychology of resilience that allows top performers to recover faster and reinvent themselves when everything seems lost. From her own experience nearly being dismissed from her Ph.D. program for challenging convention, she shows how setbacks can be springboards for growth. With strategies drawn from sport psychology and elite performance, Haley equips leaders and entrepreneurs to turn adversity into a competitive edge, building the stamina and mindset needed for long-term success. Why High Achievers Burn Out Before They Break ThroughThe biggest risk for high performers isn’t lack of ambition-it’s running out of energy before they reach their goals. Too many executives and entrepreneurs treat burnout as the cost of success, when in reality it kills focus, creativity, and long-term performance. Dr. Haley Perlus shows why stamina, not sheer drive, is the real differentiator at the top. Drawing on her background in sport psychology, she reveals the recovery strategies elite athletes use to sustain intensity under pressure, and how leaders can apply them in the boardroom. With practical, science-backed tools, Haley helps ambitious professionals learn to recharge as deliberately as they push-so they can lead with energy, clarity, and resilience over the long haul. View all topics →

About Dr. Haley Perlus

PhD Sport Psychology, Author and Expert in High-Performance Strategies

PhD Sport PsychologyTrusted by NASA, Marriott, Starbucks & DeloitteFeatured Oprah, ESPN & Business InsiderPublished author Personal Podium

Dr. Haley Perlus is a Performance Psychology expert, speaker, and author specializing in helping business leaders, entrepreneurs, and high achievers apply the mental strategies of elite athletes to reach peak performance. With a Ph.D. in Sport Psychology and certifications in coaching, fitness, and nutrition, she transforms high-stress environments into arenas for success—whether in the boardroom, on the stage, or in high-stakes leadership roles.

Her expertise has been sought after by Fortune 500 companies, top executives, and business innovators looking to master mental resilience, sustain focus under pressure, and turn obstacles into opportunities. Haley’s work goes beyond motivation—she provides actionable, science-backed tools that optimize leadership, enhance decision-making, and drive peak productivity.

She is the author of Personal Podium: How to Use Your Mind to Maximize Your Potential, which distills the psychological strategies of world-class performers into practical techniques for business and personal growth. Her insights have been featured on Oprah, ESPN, Thrive Magazine, and Beachbody, and she has spoken for companies such as Marriott and Starbucks, bringing a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to mastering high performance.

Whether coaching executives on mental toughness in leadership, helping entrepreneurs develop a high-performance mindset, or guiding professionals through the psychology of sustainable success, Dr. Perlus equips individuals with the tools they need to stay composed, focused, and driven—no matter the challenge.

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About this episode

How do we move forward when the future is uncertain and the path to healing feels like a rollercoaster? In this episode, host Dr. Adam Rinde sits down with renowned sports and performance psychologistDr. Haley Perlusto explore the emotional and mental dynamics of healing, resilience, and intentional recovery.

Drawing from her decades of experience working with Olympic athletes, business leaders, and wellness warriors, Dr. Perlus offers a compelling framework for managing fear, reframing perfection, and cultivating momentum—even in the face of chronic illness and burnout. Together, they dive into the emotional quadrants of resilience, the role of low-positive emotional states (like calm and reflection), and the importance of pre-performance rituals in healing journeys..

Whether you’re navigating stress, autoimmune challenges, or simply seeking to live with more presence and purpose, this conversation will help you tap into the energy of intention and rediscover your own power to heal.

🔹 About Dr. Haley Perlus

With a Ph.D. in sport and exercise psychology, Dr. Perlus is an international keynote speaker, author of The Personal Podium, and trusted coach to elite performers worldwide. She helps individuals conquer mental blocks, unlock motivation, and perform with purpose. Learn more at drhaleyperlus.com.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome & Sponsor

01:04 – Fear as an Ally in Healing

02:09 – Lessons from Elite Athletes

07:12 – The Power of Intention

10:18 – Daily Recovery and Acceptance

15:52 – Working with Fear, Not Against It

21:57 – Resilience vs. Perfection

30:18 – Emotional Quadrants of Resilience

36:22 – Stillness vs. Active Recovery

41:54 – Healing Imagery & Visualization

44:26 – Dr. Perlus’s Work & Offerings

47:52 – Final Words: Right Foot, Left Foot

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Guest: Dr. Haley Perlus