In this week’s episode of WTF: Where’s the FUN?, we’re joined by Dr. Dana Sinclair—a registered psychologist, performance expert, and author of Dialed In: Do Your Best When It Matters Most. Dana works with some of the world’s top athletes, from Olympians to teams in the NBA, NHL, MLB, and NFL. She’s also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, where she helps high performers thrive under pressure.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or performer looking to show up powerfully when it matters most, you’ll love Dana’s simple yet transformative approach to stay calm and perform when it matters most—no overthinking required.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
- Why confidence is overrated (and what really makes a difference).
- How to stay calm and focused under pressure.
- The power of simplicity when it comes to peak performance.
- How to manage mental blocks in real-time.
- Inspiring stories from Olympic athletes who’ve turned nerves into gold.
- How Dana’s mindset methods transformed our own ability to lead, speak, and perform.
This episode is packed with actionable insights and practical tips you can apply right away, whether you’re stepping into a big moment or just navigating the pressures of everyday life.
HIGHLIGHTS:
0:00 - Introduction to Dana Sinclair
2:00 - Dr. Dana Sinclair’s journey to elite performance psychology
3:30 - Why performance skills apply to everyone
5:00 - Andrea and Mel’s first coaching session with Dr. Dana
6:50 - Tools to manage nerves and stay present
8:30 - “Shift when you drift”: Managing mental blocks
9:45 - High-pressure moments: Stories from Dr. Dana’s work
11:00 - The power of daydreaming for success
13:00 - Building your personal “Dana Plan”
14:50 - The role of preparation in peak performance
16:30 - Lessons from Dr. Dana’s book, Dailed In: Do Your Best When it Matters Most
19:00 - "Do the do": Adapting to life’s curveballs
21:00 - Drift, shift, and sticky note strategies
24:00 - Tackling stage nerves: Strategies that work
29:00 - Thriving in the pressure zone
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Dr. Dana Sinclair: https://www.drdanasinclair.com/
Order Dr. Dana’s Book Canada: https://www.simonandschuster.ca/books/Dialed-In/Dana-Sinclair/9781982181871
Order Dr. Dana’s Book USA:
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LET'S HAVE SOME FUN:
- Learn more about the upcoming FunXperience Mastermind: https://funx.ca
- Explore Andrea’s keynote: The F Word: Life and Business Get to Be FUN!: https://andreaparkercoaching.com/speaking
- Grab the FREE Fun Journal: https://funx.ca/journal
- Apply for our FREE FunX Connection Call: https://funx.ca/community-call-application-funxperience
FOLLOW US:
- Follow Andrea on Instagram: @andreaparkerspeaks
- Follow Mel on Instagram: @iammelmills
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