Way of Champions Podcast

Dr. Haley Perlus, Performance Psychologist: Competitiveness is a Skill, and Thoughts Don't Have to Become Things

Dr. Haley Perlus · May 2, 2025

Author · Executive Coach · Entrepreneur · Leadershipin

Interview with Dr. Haley Perlus

Dr. Haley Perlus, Performance Psychologist: Competitiveness is a Skill, and Thoughts Don't Have to Become Things

Podcast: Way of Champions Podcast

May 2, 2025 · 55 min

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Dr. Haley Perlus, Performance Psychologist: Competitiveness is a Skill, and Thoughts Don't Have to Become Things
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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

Dr. Haley Perlus, podcast guest

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

Dr. Haley Perlus(@drhaleyperlus) 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. A former high level ski racer, her expertise has been sought after by top athletes, Fortune 500 companies, and top executives looking to master mental resilience, sustain focus under pressure, and turn obstacles into opportunities.

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. In our chat today, we discuss how so many important psychological qualities are skills that can be developed, how to show yourself grace in the process without letting yoruself off the hook, and so much more. Connect with her at www.DrHaleyPerlus.com.

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This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports.  Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs.  Yeah, there are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams.

Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs.  So if you've been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG.

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Guest: Dr. Haley Perlus

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