The Intentional Clinician: Psychology, Philosophy, Therapy, & Change

Learning to Focus on Our Identity and Purpose and not just Your Current Role w. Dr. Haley Perlus [Episode 154]

Dr. Haley Perlus · August 6, 2025

Author · Executive Coach · Entrepreneur · Leadershipin

Interview with Dr. Haley Perlus

Learning to Focus on Our Identity and Purpose and not just Your Current Role w. Dr. Haley Perlus [Episode 154]

Podcast: The Intentional Clinician: Psychology, Philosophy, Therapy, & Change

August 6, 2025

Paul Krauss MA LPC interviews Dr. Haley Perlus about her life and careers--as they discuss how Dr. Haley approaches helping people. Dr. Haley Perlus is an accomplished sport and performance psychologist, keynote speaker, author, and consultant who specializes in optimizing…

GO TO PODBEAN

Key topicsWhy Confidence Is a Skill, Not a Personality TraitThe biggest myth in business is that some people are just “naturally confident.” In reality, confidence is trained-just like strength or stamina-and the lack of it quietly holds back even the most talented leaders. Dr. Haley Perlus draws on her work with elite athletes and executives to reveal how confidence is built through repetition, calculated risks, and breaking through mental barriers. She shows professionals how to condition their mindset for high-stakes moments-whether it’s commanding a boardroom, pitching investors, or leading under pressure-so they can perform with clarity and conviction when it matters most. How to Perform When It Counts the MostWhen the stakes are high, your mental response determines your outcome. Haley explores how leaders, professionals, and entrepreneurs can use pressure to sharpen their skills, rather than crumble under it. She shares stress-optimization techniques used by Olympic athletes and high-performing executives, helping professionals train their minds to stay sharp, execute with confidence, and channel stress into peak performance. Decision Fatigue & Mental Endurance: How High Performers Make Better Choices Under PressureEvery day, business leaders make hundreds of decisions-from strategic planning to crisis management. But when the brain is overloaded, decision fatigue sets in, leading to poor judgment, hesitation, and burnout. Haley unpacks the psychology of decision-making, explaining how top performers-whether in business or elite sports-train their mental endurance to sustain clarity, confidence, and precision under pressure. 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.

View profile →

About this episode

Paul Krauss MA LPC interviewsDr. Haley Perlusabout her life and careers--as they discuss how Dr. Haley approaches helping people. Dr. Haley Perlus is an accomplished sport and performance psychologist, keynote speaker, author, and consultant who specializes in optimizing mental performance for athletes, business leaders, and high achievers. Her expertise draws from both her decorated athletic background and advanced academic training—she holds a Ph.D. in Sport Psychology, a Master’s degree in Coaching Behavior, and is certified in both fitness and nutrition.

Dr. Haley Perlus's website.

Get involved with the National Violence Prevention Hotline: 501(c)(3)

Donate

Share with your network

Write your congressperson

Sign our Petition

Preview an Online Video Course for the Parents of Young Adults (Parenting Issues)

Unique and low cost learning opportunities through Shion Consulting

Paul Krauss MA LPC is the Clinical Director of Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, home of The Trauma-Informed Counseling Center of Grand Rapids. Paul is also a Private Practice Psychotherapist, an Approved EMDRIA Consultant , host of the Intentional Clinician podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, Counseling Supervisor, and Meditation Teacher. Paul is now offering consulting for a few individuals and organizations. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul has been quoted in the Washington Post, NBC News, Wired Magazine, and Counseling Today. Questions? Call the office at 616-200-4433.

If you are looking for EMDRIA consulting groups, Paul Krauss MA LPC is now hosting a weekly online group.  For details, click here.

For general behavioral and mental health consulting for you or your organization.

Follow Health for Life Counseling- Grand Rapids:

Instagram   |   Facebook     |     Youtube

Original Music:

”Alright” from the album Mystic by PAWL (Spotify)

“Ferndell Shade” from A Host For All Kinds Of Life by Green-House (Spotify)

“Desire Path” from A Host For All Kinds Of Life by Green-House (Spotify)

Guest: Dr. Haley Perlus

Book Dr. Haley Perlus for your show

19+ podcast & stage appearances. Remote or in studio, broadcast-grade audio.

Request an interview →