Find Paddy on Instagram & the Toughness Podcast here. His Book will be out March of 2027! Quick recap The Elevate Podcast featured Paddy Steinfurt, a performance and pressure coach, discussing his transition from professional Australian football to working with elite athletes and professionals across various high-pressure fields. Paddy explained the physiological effects of pressure, focusing on hormones like cortisol, dopamine, and serotonin, and how they impact performance. He shared insights into the challenges of applying positive psychology in high-performance environments, highlighting the importance of balancing optimism with reality. Paddy recounted stories from his work with athletes like DeMarco Murray and Patrick Mahomes, emphasizing the role of trust, consistency, and character in coaching. He also discussed practical techniques for managing focus and stress, such as attention training, and shared personal travel hacks for maintaining performance. The conversation concluded with Paddy reflecting on what brings him joy in his work, which is the gratitude and positive impact he sees in those he helps. Summary AFL Player to Performance Coach Tyler interviewed Paddy Steinfurt for the Elevate Podcast, discussing Paddy's background transitioning from professional Australian Football League (AFL) player to a performance coach working with high-level athletes across multiple sports including MLB, NBA, NFL, and FIFA World Cups. Paddy explained his journey from a seven-year professional career that ended due to surgeries to pursuing a Master's in Positive Psychology at University of Pennsylvania, which led to his current work as a "pressure coach" helping athletes and professionals manage performance-related stress. The conversation began to explore Paddy's 2015 article "The Inner Game" about balancing mental health and high performance in sports, though the transcript ended before this topic was fully discussed. Mental Health in Sports Discussion Paddy discussed the complexities of mental health in sports, noting that while there is increased awareness and discussion about mental wellness, there is a risk of over-sensitization that can prevent appropriate intervention. He emphasized the importance of distinguishing between performance frustration and actual mental health conditions, sharing his approach from previous roles with the Philadelphia Eagles and Toronto Blue Jays where he focused on covering all aspects of performance while being careful not to mix mental health issues with performance concerns. The conversation ended as Tyler began asking about hormones related to high performance, but the transcript ended before Paddy could respond to this question. Cortisol and Pressure Hormonal Effects Paddy explained how cortisol, often referred to as the stress hormone, plays a significant role under pressure rather than during general stress. He described how cortisol can lead to increased levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, affecting decision-making and emotional responses under pressure. Paddy also mentioned that this hormonal imbalance can cause difficulties in focusing and making balanced decisions. Stress and Mental Health Effects Paddy discussed the potential negative effects of sustained high-stress environments on mental health, explaining how it can lead to depletion of serotonin and link to conditions like burnout and post-traumatic stress. He shared an anecdote about implementing positive psychology techniques with an NFL team, specifically mentioning an interaction with player DeMarco Murray who approached thinking differently about stress and recovery. Paddy observed that high-performing individuals sometimes resist positive psychology practices because they know that feeling good all the time is not always necessary for peak performance. High-Performance Psychology Approach Paddy discussed his approach to working with high-performance individuals, noting that the best operators often reject traditional positive psychology techniques because they focus on immediate task execution rather than emotional management. He explained the need for a balanced approach that combines both emotional handling and optimism, which he terms "3D thinking" using both "rose colored glasses" and a "blue lens" perspective. Paddy emphasized the importance of psychological safety and team connection in high-performance environments, suggesting that support and compassion from teammates can enhance willpower and help athletes maintain focus on their goals rather than just personal comfort. Building Trust with Athletes Paddy and Tyler discussed the importance of building trust with athletes, with Paddy explaining that trust is built on three C's: character, competence, and consistency. Paddy shared a story about Patrick Mahomes from his college years, highlighting Mahomes' reliability, openness, and willingness to engage in challenging exercises as key qualities that made him stand out among other athletes. Sports Psychology and Performance Techniques Paddy discussed his work in sports psychology, sharing insights about attention training techniques and how he helped athletes like Patrick Mahomes and TJ McConnell manage their mental focus. He explained his travel hacks for managing jet lag, including proper pillow management, exercise, and careful substance management. When asked about what brings him joy in his work, Paddy emphasized the satisfaction of helping people improve and receiving their gratitude, citing examples from his time as a physical therapist and coach.
