The Unstuck High Performer Podcast - Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching for High-Performers

Paul Salter

The Unstuck High Performer Podcast is for the high performer who knows they're capable of more—but isn't consistently performing at that level. For CEOs, executives, founders, business owners, and ambitious professionals, this podcast helps you eliminate the invisible resistance driving indecision, overwhelm, burnout, and quiet self-sabotage. Hosted by high-performance hypnotherapist and mindset coach Paul Salter, each episode blends performance psychology, neuroscience, identity transformation, emotional mastery, and elite execution principles to help you break destructive patterns, remove internal friction, and perform at your next level. If you know what to do to get to the next level—but aren't doing it—this show is for you.

  1. 158. Why I Rebranded This Podcast (And Why High Performers Stay Stuck Longer than Most)

    2D AGO

    158. Why I Rebranded This Podcast (And Why High Performers Stay Stuck Longer than Most)

    If you've built success—but privately feel stuck, restless, or aware you're capable of more—this episode is for you. In this deeply personal conversation, I share the real reason behind rebranding The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast into The Unstuck High Performer Podcast. I break down how many ambitious people quietly outgrow old identities, old environments, and old versions of success—but stay trapped because they fear uncertainty, crave clarity, or keep using outdated tools for new problems. In this episode, you'll learn: Recognize when you've outgrown your current identity or direction Understand why high performers often stay stuck longer than others Stop waiting for certainty before taking bold action Replace busyness with meaningful momentum Build self-trust during seasons of uncertainty and reinvention If you know what to do but still feel stuck beneath your next level, this episode may hit home harder than expected. Time Stamps: 00:00: Why success can still feel empty or misaligned 08:47: The Full Swing moment that changed everything 11:26: Why Paul launched The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast 21:37: The reflection process that led to rebranding 23:58: Welcome to The Unstuck High Performer Podcast 30:17: Five reasons high performers stay stuck 39:00: How to get unstuck and level up I help high performers get unstuck and out of their own way to unlock their potential.  If you know you're capable of more but keep feeling stuck, private coaching may be the fastest path forward. Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more.  Follow me on Instagram: @thepaulsalter Watch on YouTube: @thepaulsalter

    42 min
  2. 157. Tim O'Connor: The Unconscious Patterns Keeping You Stuck in a Pattern of Repetitive, Destructive Swing Thoughts (and Swings)

    6D AGO

    157. Tim O'Connor: The Unconscious Patterns Keeping You Stuck in a Pattern of Repetitive, Destructive Swing Thoughts (and Swings)

    In this episode, I sit down with Tim O'Connor—golf coach, author of Getting Unstuck, and one of the most refreshing voices in golf psychology—to unpack why so many golfers stay trapped in the same frustrating cycles year after year. Tim explains why being "stuck" has less to do with mechanics and more to do with unconscious patterns, repetitive thinking, fear-based control, and a disconnect from the physical experience of playing golf. We also explore surrender, awareness, gratitude, adaptability, and why the golfers who improve fastest are often the ones who stop trying so hard. In this episode, you'll learn: What being "stuck" actually feels like for golfers Why fixing your swing mid-round keeps you trapped How awareness is the first step to lasting change Why golfers overthink because they're disconnected from feel How to stop bringing swing thoughts to the course Why surrender creates more control than forcing outcomes How gratitude can instantly improve your relationship with golf If you've ever chased swing tips mid-round, sabotaged a great start, overthought every shot, or felt like your scores no longer reflect your ability, this conversation will hit home. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade" on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more.  More About Tim O'Connor Tim O'Connor is a performance coach with more than 30 years of experience in golf as an author and coach. Tim is co-host of the Swing Thoughts podcast. Tim is mental performance coach of the GTS Academy in Las Vegas and Zone Golf Academy in British Columbia and co-host of the Swing Thoughts podcast with "Humble Howard" Glassman. He's written five books including The Feeling of Greatness: The Moe Norman Story, and Getting Unstuck: 7 Transformational Practices for Golf Nerds. And he plays bass guitar in a punk rock band in Guelph. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thepaulsalter Key Takeaways: Most golfers stay stuck because they repeat familiar patterns. Thinking more often creates worse golf, not better golf. Feel is frequently the missing link in performance. Great golf requires adaptability, not perfection. Gratitude brings you back to the present moment. Key Quotes: "You cannot change what you are not aware of." "Most golfers have never actually felt their swing because they're trapped in their head." "The game is about hitting shots—not building the perfect swing." "The more you try to control everything, the less free you are to perform." "Your suffering in golf often comes from wanting it too badly." Time Stamps: 00:00: Understanding the Feeling of Being Stuck in Golf 02:37: The Importance of Awareness in Overcoming Stuckness 05:22: Experiencing the Physical Sensation of the Swing 08:22: Breaking Through Performance Barriers 11:14: The Role of Surrender and Letting Go in Golf 14:06: Creating a Warm-Up Routine for Success 16:42: Adapting to Your Game on the Course 25:06: Breaking Free from Expectations 25:33: Predictable Sabotage in Golf 27:22: The Complexity of Golf Performance 28:37: Understanding Variance in Golf 30:27: Expectation Management in Golf 31:46: The Writing Journey of 'Getting Unstuck' 34:25: Target Audience for 'Getting Unstuck' 36:27: The Key Takeaway: Awareness

    48 min
  3. 156. The Dark Side of Perfection: The Silent Pattern Sabotaging CEOs, Founders, and High Achievers

    APR 27

    156. The Dark Side of Perfection: The Silent Pattern Sabotaging CEOs, Founders, and High Achievers

    If you know you're capable of more—but keep hesitating, overthinking, delaying action, or feeling constant pressure—this episode is for you. Perfectionism is often praised in school, rewarded in business, and admired in elite performers. But behind closed doors, it quietly creates anxiety, indecision, burnout, and self-sabotage. In this episode, I expose the hidden truth: perfection is often protection.  Protection from judgment.  Protection from failure.  Protection from feeling not enough. If success looks better on paper than it feels internally, this conversation may explain exactly why. In this episode, you'll learn: Identify whether perfectionism is driving your hesitation and stress Understand why high achievers often stay stuck longer than others Recognize how childhood conditioning can fuel adult performance patterns Shift from perfection to excellence and build momentum again Take bold, messy action that creates real growth and freedom Time Stamps: 00:00: Why perfectionism gets praised—but destroys people privately 02:11: The millionaire client who looked successful but felt trapped 08:08: Why perfection is protection, not excellence 11:56: Signs maladaptive perfectionism is controlling your life 16:10: Where perfectionism actually comes from 25:23: How perfectionism hurts CEOs, founders, and ambitious professionals 28:16: The shift from perfection to excellence Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more.  Follow me on Instagram: @thepaulsalter

    33 min
  4. 155. Army Special Forces Green Beret Matt Bortis: Performing Under Pressure Without Breaking Down

    APR 23

    155. Army Special Forces Green Beret Matt Bortis: Performing Under Pressure Without Breaking Down

    In this episode, I sit down with Matt Bortis—former collegiate golfer, former special operations operator, and mindset and performance coach—to unpack what it really takes to perform when pressure is high, and outcomes matter. Matt brings a rare blend of battlefield-tested composure and high-level athletic performance coaching to this conversation. We explore why so many golfers, entrepreneurs, and ambitious people crumble under pressure—not because they lack skill, but because they've never trained their response. We dive into nervous system regulation, acceptance vs suppression, why "mental toughness" often backfires, and how your patterns under pressure are usually rehearsed long before the big moment arrives. In this episode, you'll learn: Why outcomes are influenced—not controlled—and where your focus should go instead How to train your nervous system to feel safe in uncertain environments Why anxiety, nerves, and stress are often signs of readiness—not weakness The hidden downside of trying to "bear down" and force performance How elite performers rehearse worst-case scenarios before they happen Why letting go is often a more valuable skill than trying harder How self-worth tied to achievement creates endless internal pressure If you're someone who knows what to do but struggles to do it when it matters most—this episode is for you. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade" on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more.  More About Matt Bortis Coach Bortis brings over a decade of experience within multiple elite special operations units and has coached at the highest levels of NCAA competition, including Stanford University and the University of Mississippi, contributing to Conference and National Championships.  From serving as a Marine Special Operations Team Commander to an Army Special Forces Green Beret, he has operated in environments where performance under pressure is non-negotiable. The lessons learned throughout these experiences are what drive his methodology and passion for helping others overcome similar obstacles. Visit Matt's website here and connect with him on Instagram: @forgedresponse Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thepaulsalter Key Takeaways: Pressure doesn't create your patterns—it reveals them. You don't need calmness to perform. You need acceptance. Most high achievers have overtrained effort and undertrained surrender. Mental toughness without self-compassion leads to burnout. Your response is trainable long before the big moment arrives. Key Quotes: "When pressure rises, you don't rise to the occasion—you fall back on what you've trained." "Most people are trying to eliminate nerves when they should be learning how to perform with them." "The problem isn't pressure. The problem is the response you've conditioned to pressure." "Trying harder is often the exact reason high performers underperform." "Your self-worth was never meant to be measured by scorecards, trophies, income, or outcomes." Time Stamps: 00:00: Controlling Responses Over Outcomes 03:55: Softening Responses to Stress 08:20: Preparing for the Worst: Military Insights 12:03: Building Blocks of Performance Under Pressure 15:04: Dangerous Patterns in High-Pressure Situations 17:33: Learning from Performance: Patterns and Recovery 21:24: The Power of Daily Practices in Golf 24:58: Understanding Vulnerability and Mental Toughness 27:56: Self-Worth and External Validation 31:11: The Importance of Accountability 34:33: Flexibility in Commitment 38:14: You Are Enough: A Final Message

    45 min
  5. 154. Why High Performers Stay Stuck Chasing Shortcuts and Quick Fixes

    APR 20

    154. Why High Performers Stay Stuck Chasing Shortcuts and Quick Fixes

    You wake up tomorrow… and everything you've been chasing is already yours. Your handicap reads 0.0. Your business hits that long-awaited revenue milestone. No grind. No pressure. No failures. No growth. At first, it feels incredible. But then something shifts. Because deep down, you know you didn't earn it. You didn't become the person capable of sustaining it. And that's where the emptiness creeps in. In this episode, I break down why the process is the point—and why your obsession with shortcuts is quietly keeping you stuck. Whether it's golf, business, or life, the real goal isn't the outcome… It's who you become in the pursuit. In this episode, you'll learn: Why shortcuts feel so good—but sabotage long-term performance The psychological and emotional reasons you're wired to seek quick fixes How instant gratification creates the illusion of progress Why random action leads to random results The hidden cost of avoiding discomfort, failure, and uncertainty How lack of self-trust fuels constant searching for "the answer" How to redefine winning to focus on process over outcomes Practical ways to train your nervous system to tolerate discomfort If you're guilty of overly relying on shortcuts, this episode is the wake-up call you need to hear. Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more.  The Sustainable Weight-Loss Code: 61 laws to lose weight and keep it off (for good): Buy on Amazon. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thepaulsalter Key Takeaways: Shortcuts aren't a strategy—they're avoidance disguised as progress. You don't actually want the outcome—you want to become the person who earns it. Random action creates random results; intentional structure creates progress. Growth requires discomfort, and avoiding it guarantees stagnation. When you fall in love with the process, results arrive faster—and stick. Key Quotes: "Shortcuts aren't a strategy—they're a form of avoidance dressed up as progress." "We think we want the outcome, but what we're actually craving is becoming the person who achieves it." "Random action produces random results. Unintentional action produces unintentional results." "When you skip the process, you rob yourself of what makes results meaningful and sustainable." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Illusion of Instant Success 02:34: The Importance of the Process 05:23: The Story of Dave: Chasing Shortcuts 09:02: Understanding the Psychology Behind Shortcuts 20:34: Reframing Your Relationship with the Process

    32 min
  6. 153. Dr. Gary Sailes: The Psychology of Elite Performance in Golf, Business, and Life

    APR 16

    153. Dr. Gary Sailes: The Psychology of Elite Performance in Golf, Business, and Life

    In this episode, I sit down with renowned neuroscientist and performance psychologist, Dr. Gary Sailes to unpack what truly separates elite, world-class performers from everyone else. This conversation goes far beyond surface-level "mental game tips." We dive into identity, trust, discipline, and the misunderstood role of control—especially for high-achieving, type-A individuals like you. Dr. Sailes shares decades of experience working with elite athletes across multiple sports and reveals why the best in the world don't just want success… they need it. We explore how structure creates freedom, how letting go creates control, and why your thoughts quite literally shape your performance. In this episode, you'll learn: The critical difference between being "obsessed" and having a true need to succeed Why elite performers trust their training instead of trying to control every outcome How letting go of conscious control actually leads to peak performance The hidden power of structure and why it eliminates emotional decision-making How your identity and beliefs can quietly cap your performance The difference between performance psychology and applied neuroscience A practical journaling exercise to rewire negative self-talk If you've ever felt like you're doing all the right things but still not performing at your highest level—on the golf course, in business, or in life—this episode will challenge the way you think about improvement and unlock a new level of awareness. Get your pencils ready and start listening.  Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade" on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more.  More About Doc Dr. Gary Sailes is a highly respected sports psychologist, researcher, and professor known for his work in sport psychology, athlete development, and the cultural dynamics of sport participation. He has spent decades studying how psychological, social, and environmental factors influence performance, participation, and identity in athletics. He is a Professor of Sociology of Sport at Indiana University, Indianapolis (formerly IUPUI), and has served as a consultant and advisor to numerous elite athletes, Olympic programs, and professional sports organizations. You can follow Doc on Instagram here: @scratch.golf.doc Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thepaulsalter Key Takeaways: Elite performers operate from a need, not just desire or obsession Trust—not control—is what unlocks peak performance Structure creates automatic execution and reduces emotional interference Your thoughts and language directly shape your results Lasting change comes from adaptation, not forceful "change" Key Quotes: "Elite athletes don't just want it—they need it." "To gain greater control, you have to let go of conscious control." "Flow isn't something you chase—it's something that finds you." "Excellence comes from discipline—showing up and doing the work at a high level." "You are what you think. You become what you believe." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Most Misunderstood Trait of Elite Performers 03:30: Obsession vs. Elite Performance 04:50: Trust, Letting Go, and Peak Performance 07:45: What Flow Actually Feels Like 10:00: Structure, Discipline, and Automatic Execution 23:30: Rewiring Negative Self-Talk 28:00: Stories of Elite Performance

    46 min
  7. 152. Consistency Won't Save You: Why High Performers Stay Stuck Despite Doing the Work

    APR 13

    152. Consistency Won't Save You: Why High Performers Stay Stuck Despite Doing the Work

    You're not stuck because you lack discipline. You're stuck because you've mistaken consistency for progress. In this episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, I challenge one of the most commonly accepted beliefs in personal development, golf, and business—that consistency is the key to success. Yes, consistency matters.  But it's not what creates transformation. Transformation comes from intensity. I break down why so many high achievers stay stuck despite doing "all the right things," how being consistently mediocre quietly kills progress, and what it actually takes to create rapid, meaningful breakthroughs in your golf game, business, and life. You'll learn how to strategically apply short bursts of intensity, raise your performance floor, and then use consistency to maintain your gains—without burning out or neglecting other areas of your life. In this episode, you'll learn: Why consistency alone is not enough for transformational change The difference between raising your ceiling vs. raising your floor How intensity creates rapid breakthroughs in performance Why most people are "consistently mediocre" without realizing it How to apply 30–90 day sprints to improve your golf game or business The role of discomfort, stress, and expansion in skill development How to balance intensity in one area without neglecting others Why ruthless elimination is required for real progress The importance of rest and recovery in sustaining high performance If you feel like you're putting in the work but not getting the results… this episode will challenge you in exactly the way you need. Apply for 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: Click here to apply to work with me. The 90-Day Golf Identity Upgrade Accelerator: This is a private 3-month coaching container designed to help serious golfers rapidly upgrade their beliefs, rewire their golf identity, and accelerate lower scores through deep subconscious transformation — not surface-level tactics. Click here to learn more and DM me "identity upgrade on Instagram (@thepaulsalter) to learn more.  The Sustainable Weight-Loss Code: 61 laws to lose weight and keep it off (for good): Buy on Amazon. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter Download my "Play Your Best Round" free hypnosis audio recording. High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential. He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential. Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course.  Instagram: @thepaulsalter Key Takeaways: Change happens through intensity; consistency maintains it Most people aren't stuck—they're consistently operating below their potential Short-term sprints create long-term identity shifts Raising your floor is more important than chasing your ceiling Discomfort is a requirement for growth, not a side effect Ruthless elimination creates the space for meaningful progress Stress + rest is the true formula for sustainable excellence Key Quotes: "Change happens as a result of intensity—and what you achieve is maintained by consistency." "You're not stuck—you're consistently mediocre." "You can't expect transformation if you never push beyond comfort." "Intensity raises your floor. Consistency protects it." "Ruthless elimination creates the space for obsession." "You can't sprint in every area of life—but you must sprint somewhere." Time Stamps: 00:00: The Power of Intensity in Change 02:52: Personal Updates and Reflections 05:34: Understanding Consistency vs. Intensity 07:00: Metaphors for Change: Rockets and Habits 09:34: Examples of Intensity in Fitness and Finance 12:41: Focusing Intensity on Specific Areas 15:00: The Dangers of Consistent Mediocrity 17:33: Overcoming Fear of Intensity 19:24: Ruthless Elimination for Intensity 20:55: The Role of Accountability in Change 22:39: Balancing Intensity Across Life Domains 25:21: The Importance of Rest in the Process 26:47: Final Thoughts on Intensity and Change

    30 min
4.7
out of 5
51 Ratings

About

The Unstuck High Performer Podcast is for the high performer who knows they're capable of more—but isn't consistently performing at that level. For CEOs, executives, founders, business owners, and ambitious professionals, this podcast helps you eliminate the invisible resistance driving indecision, overwhelm, burnout, and quiet self-sabotage. Hosted by high-performance hypnotherapist and mindset coach Paul Salter, each episode blends performance psychology, neuroscience, identity transformation, emotional mastery, and elite execution principles to help you break destructive patterns, remove internal friction, and perform at your next level. If you know what to do to get to the next level—but aren't doing it—this show is for you.

You Might Also Like