Set your Mind

Dr. Stephen Ginsberg
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Mental Health

Set Your Mind is a sport and performance psychology podcast about training the mind with the same intention we train the body. Hosted by Dr. Stephen Ginsberg, each episode explores mindset, courage, resilience, and the mental processes that help performers show up on the playing field and in life with courage, clarity, and commitment.

  1. Episode 22: Self-Compassionate Golf--Three Words Never Before Uttered Together

    11h ago

    Episode 22: Self-Compassionate Golf--Three Words Never Before Uttered Together

    Your inner critic can be brutal. On the golf course—or anywhere in life—it often sounds like this: “You’re horrible. Why did you even try? You should have done better.” In this episode of Set Your Mind, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg explores how self-criticism doesn’t drive improvement—it derails performance. Drawing on the research of Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading expert on self-compassion, we uncover how treating yourself like a teammate instead of a tyrant can improve your golf, your work, and your life. Key Concepts Covered Why negative self-talk is more damaging than helpfulThe three pillars of self-compassion (Neff):Self-kindness – speak to yourself like someone you love wouldCommon humanity – mistakes happen to everyone; you’re not aloneMindfulness – observe thoughts and emotions without judgmentHow self-compassion enhances performance, focus, and enjoymentTurning your inner critic into a supportive teammateApplied Exercise Monitor your self-talk for a full round of golf—or a full workday.Ask yourself: How would I speak to a friend here?Replace harsh criticism with supportive language.Recognize which mistakes are normal parts of the process.Small shifts in language and mindset can have a big impact on your results and your well-being. Mindset Takeaway Self-compassion isn’t just “nice”—it’s a performance enhancer. Treat yourself like a teammate, not a tyrant, and watch how your game—and your life—changes. Quote to Remember "Your inner critic isn’t your coach. It’s a teammate—or it can be." *Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records

    3 min
  2. Episode 21: The (Un)quiet Mind

    May 25

    Episode 21: The (Un)quiet Mind

    We’re often told that great performance requires a quiet mind. But anyone who has stood on the first tee—or under real pressure—knows that mental silence is rare, if not impossible. In this episode, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg challenges the myth of the quiet mind and explains why mental noise is not the enemy of performance. The problem isn’t having thoughts—it’s how we respond to them. In this episode, we explore: Why trying to stop your thoughts is like standing on train tracks hoping to stop a locomotiveWhat’s actually happening in the brain under pressure (and why it’s normal)Why survival—not performance—is the brain’s primary objectiveThe difference between mental noise and engagement with mental noiseHow elite performers learn to perform despite their thoughts, not without themA practical framework: The ODC Approach Observe: Notice thoughts without judgment and remind yourself that not all thoughts are trueDetach: Create space from thoughts instead of wrestling with themCommit: Move forward with intention and trust, even when the mind is noisyKey takeaway: Calm isn’t a prerequisite for commitment. Silence isn’t required for great performance. If you’ve ever felt distracted, overwhelmed, or frustrated by your thoughts during competition, this episode offers a more realistic—and more effective—way forward. *Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records

    2 min
  3. Episode 20: Smarter not Harder

    May 18

    Episode 20: Smarter not Harder

    What happens when a team of 20-something former Division I athletes gets outscored by "a bunch of old guys" in a men's league lacrosse game? Dr. Stephen Ginsberg shares that humbling story — and traces its lessons all the way to Rory McIlroy's scrappy 65 at Augusta, where Rory himself shrugged and said, "I guess I'm a wily old vet now." That phrase unlocks this episode's central question: What do elite performers actually start doing differently as they age — and what do they finally stop doing? In this episode, Dr. Ginsberg breaks down the four shifts that separate veterans from everyone else: Restraint — Learning when to sprint and when to walk; when to pull the trigger and when to play it safe. Wily vets stop wasting energy proving they belong.Trust — Great performers stop going it alone. Years of failure teach them that greatness is a team sport, and they move the ball accordingly.Resilience — The short memory, long view mindset. Veterans have been burned enough times to know one bad shot, one bad quarter, or one bad week doesn't write the final chapter.Identity — The longest lesson: making peace with who you are beyond the sport. When your worth isn't tied to the scoreboard, you stop performing to prove — and start playing to perform.Dr. Ginsberg's challenge to you: Find a veteran. Buy them coffee. Get curious and just listen. The wisdom they've earned through time, failure, and hard-won experience is something no training program can replicate. The goal isn't to wait until your body forces you to get smarter. The goal is to get there first. *Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records

    4 min
  4. Episode 19: Winning Doesn't Take Care of Everything

    May 11

    Episode 19: Winning Doesn't Take Care of Everything

    Here are the episode notes: Set Your Mind | Episode Notes "The Arrival Fallacy" Episode Summary In this episode, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg unpacks one of the most seductive lies in performance psychology — the belief that winning will solve everything. Using Nike's controversial 2013 Tiger Woods ad as a launching point, Stephen challenges the "winning is everything" mindset and explores why the world's best golfer, Scottie Scheffler, might actually have it more figured out than most. What We Cover The Nike ad that got it wrong — and why it mattersScottie Scheffler's surprising take on what winning actually feels likeThe arrival fallacy: what it is, why it happens, and who it hits hardestWhy identity built around outcomes eventually collapsesWhat Vince Lombardi actually meant — and how history misquoted himThe research-backed case for process over outcomeHow to anchor your identity in who you're becoming, not what you've wonKey Quotes "The hole they thought the trophy would fill is still there." "Who you are doesn't fluctuate with wins and losses." "Not the scoreboard. The soul behind it." "Winning doesn't take care of that. Character does." "Mindset isn't something you have. It's something you set." The Core Concept: The Arrival Fallacy The arrival fallacy is the mistaken belief that reaching a goal — winning the tournament, landing the promotion, crossing the finish line — will deliver lasting fulfillment. It won't. Research consistently shows that performers who anchor their identity in the process rather than the outcome are not only more likely to achieve their goals, they enjoy far more of the journey along the way. Reflection Questions Are you fixated on the top of the hill — or on what it takes to climb it?When you achieve something significant, how long does the feeling last?Is your sense of self contingent on results — or rooted in something deeper?*Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records

    4 min
  5. Episode 18: Own It.

    May 3

    Episode 18: Own It.

    In this episode, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg uses the remarkable comeback story of tennis world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to explore one of the most powerful — and most avoided — principles in performance psychology: accountability. From serving yips and public breakdowns to four Grand Slam titles, Sabalenka's journey is a masterclass in what happens when an elite competitor stops deflecting and starts owning. Drawing on the frameworks of Navy SEAL commander Jocko Willink and high-performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais, Dr. Ginsberg breaks down why accountability is hard, why ego gets in the way, and how humility is the key that unlocks real growth. Key Topics Covered Aryna Sabalenka's 2022 serving crisis — 400+ double faults, the serving yips, and performing at the highest level while publicly falling apartHow Sabalenka responded when her coach offered to resign — and why that moment became the turning pointJocko Willink's principle of Extreme Ownership and what it means to take full responsibility for outcomesWhy ego protection is the primary reason athletes avoid accountability — and what it costs themThe psychology of humility as an accurate self-assessment, not self-diminishmentDr. Michael Gervais on the only thing you can control 100% of the timeA practical reflection exercise for listeners to apply accountability in their own performanceReflection Questions What is a current struggle you've been externalizing — blaming conditions, other people, or circumstances?What would it look like to take full ownership of that situation?Where is ego protection showing up in your performance right now?What is one honest, humble action you could take this week?Key Concepts Extreme Ownership — Jocko Willink's principle that leaders and performers must take total responsibility for everything within their world, including failuresLocus of Control — The psychological concept describing whether individuals attribute outcomes to internal effort or external forcesFOPO (Fear of Other People's Opinions) — Dr. Michael Gervais's framework for how concern about external judgment constricts human potentialHumility — An accurate, clear-eyed assessment of oneself — not self-diminishment, but honest self-awareness that enables growth*Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records

    5 min
  6. Episode 17: Check Your Punctuation—The Question Mark Advantage

    Apr 27

    Episode 17: Check Your Punctuation—The Question Mark Advantage

    What if one of the most powerful performance tools you have isn’t physical, tactical, or technical — but grammatical? In this episode of Set Your Mind, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg explores how the way we punctuate our inner dialogue shapes learning, growth, and performance. Using a simple (and surprisingly powerful) grammar metaphor, he breaks down how periods, exclamation marks, and question marks influence how we respond to failure — and why curiosity may be the ultimate performance enhancer. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why self-talk punctuation matters more than the words themselvesHow periods and exclamation marks can shut down learningWhy question marks signal safety to the brainHow curiosity turns mistakes into usable informationA simple, practical way to practice curiosity on the driving range or the courseHow becoming an observer — not a judge — accelerates growthKey Takeaways Periods are finite. They signal certainty and finality.Exclamation marks are reactive. They amplify emotion and judgment.Question marks open doors. They invite curiosity, flexibility, and learning.Curiosity reduces threat, increases adaptability, and generates better feedback.Growth doesn’t come from harsh judgment — it comes from asking better questions.A Simple Practice to Try The next time you’re on the driving range or out on the course: After each shot, pause.Notice how you talk to yourself.Check your punctuation.If you hear periods or exclamation marks, replace them with a question.Try asking: What did I learn?What did this tell me?What might I try next?Same swing. Different punctuation. Better chance to grow. Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records

    5 min
  7. Episode 16: Surrendering is Not Waving the White Flag

    Apr 20

    Episode 16: Surrendering is Not Waving the White Flag

    We usually think of surrender as giving up—throwing in the towel, waving the white flag. But what if letting go isn’t defeat at all? In this episode of Set Your Mind, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg explores how surrender can be one of your most powerful performance tools. Surrender isn’t quitting—it’s acceptance, focus, and trust. By releasing what’s outside of your control, you free mental and physical energy to perform at your best. Drawing on insights from Dr. Sarah Lewis and applied performance psychology, this episode teaches how to stop expending effort on the uncontrollable and start committing fully to what you can influence. Key Concepts Covered Redefining surrender: letting go isn’t quitting; it’s a strategic toolCounterfeit control: expending energy on things you can’t influence burns focus and performanceThe difference between controllables and uncontrollables in sport, work, and lifeHow accepting what’s outside your control enhances clarity, focus, and performanceUsing surrender as a path to action, not inactionPractical Exercise Write down everything currently occupying your attention.Draw two columns: Controllables and Uncontrollables.Sort your list into the two columns.Commit fully to the items in Controllables.Accept or surrender the items in Uncontrollables.This simple exercise clarifies where your energy is going—and where it should go—so you can maximize performance. Reflective Questions What areas of my life or performance am I trying to control that I really can’t?What would happen if I surrendered these distractions and focused only on what I can influence?How could my energy, clarity, and results improve by letting go?Mindset Takeaway Surrender isn’t defeat—it’s strategy. Letting go of what you cannot control allows you to commit fully to what you can, unlocking clarity, focus, and peak performance. Quote to Remember "Think of it like a finger trap—the harder you pull, the tighter it gets. Let go, and the way forward opens." *Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records

    3 min
  8. Episode 15: Golf’s Dirtiest Words

    Apr 13

    Episode 15: Golf’s Dirtiest Words

    We’ve all said them. “I should make this.” “I must get up-and-down.” “I don’t want to miss.” They sound harmless—even motivating. But in this episode of Set Your Mind, Dr. Stephen Ginsberg breaks down why these sneaky words may be doing more harm than good. Drawing on insights from Dr. Raymond Prior’s Golf Beneath the Surface, we explore how rigid language activates the brain’s threat system, tightens the body, and quietly sabotages performance—especially on the greens. The fix isn’t trying harder. It’s choosing different words. Small language shifts can create big changes in feel, focus, and flow. Key Concepts Covered Why words like should, must, need, and don’t trigger the brain’s threat responseHow threat activation leads to tension, shallow breathing, and disrupted motor controlThe connection between rigid language and tight, jabby putting strokesWhy allowing performance works better than forcing outcomesHow subtle language changes can improve rhythm, focus, and enjoymentOn-Course Language Swaps Try replacing: “I should make this putt” → “I want to make this putt”“I must get up-and-down” → “I’d like to get up-and-down”“I need to birdie” → “I prefer to birdie”“Don’t hit it in the water” → “Commit to the target”Same intention. Less threat. Better execution. Practice Drill: The Language Experiment On the practice green: Hit five short putts thinking: “I should make this.”Notice your breath, tension, and stroke quality.Hit five more thinking: “I want to make this.”Compare the difference in feel, rhythm, and focus.Awareness precedes change. Takeaway Performance improves when pressure decreases—not when it’s cranked up. Your language shapes your physiology. Change the words, change the response. Quote to Remember Small words. Huge impact. *Music Credit: “Kong” by Bonobo; Courtesy of Ninja Tune Records

    3 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Set Your Mind is a sport and performance psychology podcast about training the mind with the same intention we train the body. Hosted by Dr. Stephen Ginsberg, each episode explores mindset, courage, resilience, and the mental processes that help performers show up on the playing field and in life with courage, clarity, and commitment.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Stephen Ginsberg
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Stephen J. Ginsberg
  • Show Website
    Set your Mind

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