The Unstuck High Performer Podcast is for successful people who know they're capable of more but feel stuck underperforming relative to their potential. Hosted by high-performance hypnotherapist and mindset coach Paul Salter, this show helps CEOs, founders, executives, entrepreneurs, and ambitious professionals identify and eliminate the invisible resistance keeping them trapped in hesitation, overthinking, inconsistency, burnout, and quiet self-sabotage.
If you know what to do but aren't doing it consistently, this show will help you get unstuck, out of your own way, and perform at the level you know you're capable of.
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#108: [Inside the Mind] Patrick Sebastien: The Power of Adversity and Learning to Expect Greatness
Episode 108
Thursday, November 6, 2025 • Duration 52:27
In this powerful episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, I sit down with former MMA coach and mindset expert, Patrick Sebastien, to explore the art of mental toughness — both inside and outside the ropes.
Drawing from years in the fight world and his work with elite golfers, Patrick unpacks how adversity, flow states, and physical intensity combine to build unshakable confidence and resilience on the golf course.
You'll learn how to intentionally seek and use adversity to your advantage, train like an athlete to improve emotional control under pressure, and create your own blueprint for peak performance. Patrick and I dive deep into visualization, breathwork, and post-round reflection as essential tools to develop composure, focus, and self-belief when the stakes are high.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to reframe adversity as opportunity and bounce back fast after a blow-up hole (or business setback).
Why flow states require struggle first, and how to use challenge to trigger "the zone."
A simple gym-to-course formula: create controlled physical stress, then regulate it with breath so pressure feels familiar on the tee.
The breath training + visualization sequence Patrick uses pre-round to build calm, focus, and confidence.
How to design on-course pressure reps (mini challenges) so tournaments feel like just another rep.
How an identity shift ("I am an athlete") unlocks consistency, intensity, and faster scoring gains.
The expect/accept model: expect greatness, accept imperfection, and re-engage on the next shot.
Ways to calibrate your arousal level (not too calm, not too hyped) to hit your personal performance sweet spot.
Whether you're chasing a club championship or your next business milestone, this episode will help you expect greatness — and perform like it.
Get your pencils ready and start listening.
P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here.
More About Patrick Sebastien
Patrick Sebastien is a performance coach who helps golfers elevate their game through a holistic approach that blends physical conditioning, mental training, and strategic mastery. With over 20 years of experience teaching Muay Thai and MMA, 15 years as a personal trainer specializing in functional fitness, and 10 years guiding breath training and meditation, Patrick brings a unique perspective to golf performance optimization.
He began coaching in golf in 2022 after working with a Korn Ferry Tour player as a mental coach, and has since trained professionals, college athletes, and elite junior golfers, using his unique approach to physical and mental training for golf. Patrick specializes in preparing players to excel on and off the course by integrating strength, mobility, focus, and strategic awareness.
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.
Perseverance is the foundation of bounce-back ability.
Adversity creates flow; no struggle, no growth.
Great players train adversity before they face it.
Physical stress builds emotional control.
Fitness isn't optional—it's a performance multiplier.
Breathwork bridges chaos and composure.
Journaling post-round accelerates learning and awareness.
You can't control results—but you can always control your process.
Expect greatness, but accept imperfection.
Visualization isn't fantasy—it's mental reps for success.
Meditation sharpens calm, control, and clarity under pressure.
True athletes embrace discomfort and keep expanding their limits.
A champion's mindset is forged in the gym before it's displayed on the course.
Key Quotes:
Adversity is a wake-up call. It's fuel, not failure.
Flow only exists because of struggle.
Train hard, fight easy. The harder your training, the easier your performance.
Physical stress and mental stress present the same way. Learn to master one, and you master both.
If you never fail, you're probably not trying hard enough.
Expect greatness while accepting less than greatness.
The further I went in martial arts, the more peaceful I became.
You can't control what the course throws at you, but you can control how you respond.
Golfers don't need to become bodybuilders—they need to become athletes.
If you don't expect greatness, how will you ever achieve it?
The champion's mindset is earned in the gym before it's displayed on the course.
Time Stamps:
00:00 The Power of Perseverance
02:40 Embracing Adversity as Opportunity
05:49 Creating Adversity for Growth
08:43 The Role of Technology in Performance
11:40 Post-Round Reflections and Learning
14:33 The Importance of Identity in Success
17:43 Lessons from Competitive Fighting
20:26 Bouncing Back from Setbacks
23:29 Training with Intensity for Mental Edge
26:21 The Importance of Resistance Training
27:56 Pushing Through Limits and Mental Barriers
32:00 Transforming Golfers into Athletes
35:37 The Role of Meditation and Breath Training
41:02 Peak Performance Blueprint for Athletes
46:24 Expecting Greatness in Golf and Life
#107: Stop Starting Over: Separation Season Has Arrived
Episode 107
Monday, November 3, 2025 • Duration 41:33
Every winter, it happens…
Your clubs collect dust, your swing feels distant, and that quiet voice creeps in: "What if I lose everything I worked for this season?"
But what most golfers lose in the off-season isn't their mechanics — it's their confidence.
You stop swinging.
You stop visualizing.
You stop feeling like a golfer.
And by the time spring rolls around, you're not just rusty — you're hesitant, uncertain, and disconnected from the player you were just a few months ago.
Here's the truth: confidence isn't built under sunshine and scorecards — it's built in the dark. It's built in the quiet reps no one sees, the small acts of discipline that nobody celebrates.
This winter, you have a choice: You can coast, like every other golfer who slides backward once the weather turns… or you can treat these months like Separation Season — your chance to build confidence, sharpen your edge, and step into spring already playing the best golf of your life.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why most golfers lose confidence, not mechanics, in the off-season — and how to protect it.
The four mental traps that create regression and how to beat each one.
How to set a minimum effective dose for practice, fitness, and mindset work.
The identity shift needed to think, train, and prepare like a golfer year-round.
And how to design an off-season plan that builds momentum now — so you never have to "find your swing" again.
If you're ready to break the typical golf season pattern of two steps forward, three steps back, and breakthrough to play to your potential in 2026, this episode is for you.
Get your pencils ready and start listening.
P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more
#98: Q3 Golf Progress Recap: Power in Vulnerability and the Strength to Ask for Help
Episode 98
Monday, September 29, 2025 • Duration 34:16
Life got challenging off the course—and then those challenges spilled onto it.
In this raw Q3 recap of my golf journey and goal to achieve a five-handicap by the end of the year, I share how radical honesty, asking for help, and doubling down on core habits protected my energy, clarified my priorities, and still led to meaningful golf progress.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How radical acceptance lowers emotional resistance and restores focus
Why asking for help collapses the timeline for healing and improvement
The core routine (fitness, meditation, journaling, rest) that safeguards performance
How to recalibrate priorities without quitting your goals
Using mental reps to keep swing feels sharp when course time is limited
A practical reframe: "Let go to level up"
How small technical changes (smoother takeaway) unlocked long-iron consistency
If you're juggling parenting, business, and a game you love, this one's for you.
Get your pencils ready and start listening.
P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here.
#8. [Inside the Mind] Matt Doud, Pebble Beach Caddie and Course Management Strategist
Episode 8
Thursday, June 6, 2024 • Duration 44:35
Meet Matt Doud, former caddie at Pebble Beach Golf Club in Carmel, CA, sub-five handicap golfer, and a Business Made Simple Coach in the Kansas City Metro Area.
In today's episode, we go inside the mind of Matt to unpack the insights and learning lessons he gleaned from caddying for all of these years. You'll learn about the critical mistakes most golfers make when it comes to course management, as well as how impactful errors in club selection can be.
Gulp - the latter one hit home for me.
We also discuss the mental approach necessary for a solid and consistent pre-shot routine, the role of identity in shaping who you are as a golfer (and the habits associated), and what you can do to find greater ease letting the past shot go as you focus on the present shot.
Start listening.
***
Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.
This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.
Each week, I'll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.
"Okay, you get 10 seconds to feel how you want to feel about that shot. And then you have got to let the fucking thing go."
"If you wonder why you're stuck shooting low nineties or high eighties and you aspire to shoot scratch, here's an easy way to likely shave off quite a few strokes without affecting your swing or even talking about pre-shot post-shot routines or anything. It's just simple course management."
#7. How Hypnosis Can Help You Shoot Lower Scores
Episode 7
Thursday, May 30, 2024 • Duration 24:32
At some point, it's no longer a swing problem holding you back from shooting lower scores.
It's a mindset problem.
Many golfers I work with are hesitant to admit that emotional and mental hazards of their mind are, in fact, present in their game.
And, if they are humble enough to admit it on their own, they often think self-talk and logic are enough to defuse the anger, frustration, tension, and inability to maintain focus that plagues their round.
Sure, that may work - at a snail's pace (if at all).
But it will never get to the core of what's really catalyzing the collection of sabotaging behaviors keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of performance.
If you want to experience rapid, effective change in how you manage emotions and maintain a confident, calm, and focused demeanor on the course, hypnosis is your answer.
In today's episode, I'll first discuss what hypnosis is not, before detailing what it is, how it works, and how it can help you shoot lower scores.
Start listening.
> > > P.S. If you're interested in learning more about how mindset coaching and hypnotherapy can help you get unstuck from the proverbial bunker of poor performance on the course and off the course, click here to schedule a coaching discovery call with me.
Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.
This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.
Each week, I'll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.
#6. [Inside the Mind] Luke Barton, Big Drive Energy and Course Management Strategy
Episode 6
Thursday, May 23, 2024 • Duration 43:52
Meet Luke Barton, the Business Development Director for 360IT Partners who has a sub-four handicap.
Luke's golf journey began by grabbing a bag of clubs that was left out with his neighbor's trash. It was this curiosity that sparked an incredible rise in his skill and a drop in his score as he began to play the game of golf. And, just last week, Luke carded his lowest score ever - a 69 at one of his local courses in Virginia Beach.
In today's episode, we go inside the mind of Luke to learn and unpack the value he places in continuing to improve his mental game. Specifically, Luke digs into the importance of curiosity and preparation in course management strategy, and discusses the role of what we inevitably refer to as Big Driver Energy (BDE) and the ego off the tee box.
He also highlights major mental game and physical game changes that helped him move from a high 80s player to a consistent low 70s player.
Start Listening.
***
Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.
This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.
Each week, I'll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.
"Investing in the mental game is crucial for success in golf."
"Balancing ego and strategy is important to avoid counterproductive outcomes."
"Curiosity and course management can greatly impact decision-making on the course."
#5. [Inside the Mind] Dr. Trevor Hirsch, Titleist Performance Institute Medical Level 2 Certified Physical Therapist
Episode 5
Thursday, May 16, 2024 • Duration 44:10
Dr. Trevor Hirsch is a Titleist Performance Institute Medical Level 2 Certified Physical Therapist, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Owner of Empower U PT & Performance, which specializes in adding years and yards to golfer's games.
In today's episode, we go inside the mind of Dr. Hirsch to learn more about the value of an off-the-course exercise regimen, as well as the specific types of exercises, movements, and muscle groups that should be prioritized to shoot lower scores consistently.
We discuss injury prevention, specific exercises you should be doing (and not doing) to add years and yards to your game, the difference between mobility and flexibility work, the overlooked importance of the glute in your golf swing, and much more.
Start listening!
***
Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.
This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.
Each week, I'll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.
"The number one mistake golfers make is not exercising outside of golf. Golfers need to be athletes and work on strength and mobility."
"Golf is a game you can play your entire life, but many golfers neglect exercise and don't view themselves as athletes."
"The glutes and the core are the most active muscle groups in the golf swing."
"Optimizing health through stress management, sleep, nutrition, and exercise is crucial for golfers."
#4. The One Shot you Need to Let Go of To Shoot Lower Scores
Episode 4
Thursday, May 9, 2024 • Duration 28:13
If you've ever readied yourself for a shot by executing your entire pre-shot routine, yet, felt that at the last moment, something was "off," yet, hit the shot anyway…
You are guilty of the anyway shot.
And, this shot may be costing you as many as 6 - 10 (or more strokes) per round!
In today's episode, I detail the anyway shot: what it is, why it happens, how it effects your game, and actionable steps you can take to do it less often.
I also update you on the next round of nine holes I played, my continued swing progress, and where in the game of golf I feel I'm making strong strides.
Start Listening.
***
Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.
This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.
Each week, I'll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.
"An anyway shot is any particular situation you find yourself in where you know that something is off. Something is not quite right, almost as if there is a crack in your metaphorical pre-shot routine armor. Yet, you hit the shot anyway."
"My estimate is you might hit at least five to 10 anyway shots throughout an entire 18-hole round. That could be five to 10 different strokes you could potentially save if you gather the courage, awareness, and composure to back off the ball any time something doesn't feel right."
#3. Guilt, Goals, and Greens: How Off-the-Course Emotion May Be Sabotaging Your Swing (and what to do about it)
Episode 3
Thursday, May 2, 2024 • Duration 39:55
"If you shot a 65 [on 9 holes] and I'm a much better golfer, why the f&ck would I listen to you?"
If you're here for swing technique and to discuss the various equipment options and the latest golf tech available, this isn't the show for you.
In today's episode, I answer that question directly, update you on a frustrating (putting it kindly) practice round experience I had, and give you the details behind my second 9 holes. You'll meet my unexpected playing partner, Derek, and likely see a major part of yourself in how he introduced himself and talked about his golf game.
Additionally, I'll dig deep into an often unexplored and shied-away aspect of the game that's inhibiting your swing (and ability to shoot low scores): your off-the-course emotional management.
If you have difficulty separating what's going on at work or at home from the course, this episode will serve as a powerful wake-up of awareness that helps you see and understand just how problematic things may be.
Start listening now.
***
Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.
This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.
Each week, I'll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.
Join our free and growing community of serious golfers chasing scratch:
.
#2. [My First 9 Holes] The Nasty Things You Say to Yourself During a Round (But Don't Want to Admit)
Episode 3
Thursday, April 25, 2024 • Duration 30:24
"I felt an unnecessary urgency and sense of pressure to play quick and continued to feel like the foursome behind me was breathing down my neck the entire round."
That quote is from my post-round reflection.
This proved quite triggering and inevitably initiated a cascade of false urgency, anxiety, and frustration that contributed to nasty self-talk, stupid stories, and mistake after mistake on the course.
In this episode, I share a raw look into my mindset and emotions during my first round of 9 holes. You'll laugh, learn, and find it eerily relatable.
Start listening.
***
Subscribe to the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter.
This newsletter helps double-digit golfers overcome the emotional and mental hazards of their minds so that they can shoot more pars than bogeys.
Each week, I'll provide insights, principles, and strategies to help you deter distractions, find your focus, manage your emotions, and cultivate boundless confidence so that you can play to your potential.
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.
29:36: Five clarity questions & building your winter plan
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.
02:53: Navigating Life's Challenges and Golf Progress
07:24: The Power of Reflection and Seeking Help
12:45: Embracing Acceptance, Grace, and Patience
19:15: The Role of Coaching in Personal Growth
24:22: Fitness and Self-Care as Foundations for Success
28:23: Looking Ahead: Golfing Goals and Future Aspirations
"Accept the outcome of that shot no matter what it was - immediately accept a shot mentally and emotionally and then start the routine over for the next one."
More About Matt Doud
Matt Doud, a certified Business Made Simple coach, is an early-stage Co-founder and Fractional COO based in the Kansas City Metro Area. Having discovered his passion for advising and coaching during his time as a caddie at Pebble Beach Golf Club in Carmel, CA, Matt pursued opportunities to utilize these skills professionally.
He began by leveraging his Economics and Business degree from Westmont College as a financial advisor in Portland, OR, before co-founding Pre-Approve Me, a residential mortgage software company, in 2013, where he served as COO.
"Hypnosis is a powerful tool for transformation that can change the reality and the trajectory of your life really fast."
"When you're in this hypnotic state, you bypass all of that noise, negativity and nonsense."
"Your brain's ability to adapt, change, rewire, form new neural pathways and connections as you accumulate new experiences and learn new information."
"The subconscious mind influences 95% of behavior, and hypnosis provides a shortcut to accessing and transforming it."
"Hypnosis allows golfers to bypass the critical judgmental voice of the conscious mind and directly connect with their subconscious, leading to rapid change and improved performance."
For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.
For feedback, questions, or to take me out for a round of golf, shoot me an email or connect with me on social media:
For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.
Subscribe to the Weekly Scratch Golfer's Playbook:
Every Saturday morning, you'll get proven, actionable insight to overcome the emotional and mental hazards keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of poor performance - in less than 5 minutes.
23:37 Managing Pressure and Performing Well in Tournaments
26:15 Course Management and Strategy for Better Results
35:08 The Power of Asking for Help and Being Self-Aware
37:23 Cultivating a Calm and Focused Mindset for Better Golf Performance
About Dr. Trevor Hirsch
Dr. Trevor Hirsch founded Empower U PT & Performance in 2019 where they specialize in adding years and yards to golfer's games. He received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Salisbury University and his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
He is Titleist Performance Institute Medical Level 2 certified and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Empower U's mission is to empower active people to be their healthiest selves so they can perform their life's passions at the highest levels. Their vision is to build the optimal environment where passionate clinicians and clients can be their best selves while achieving their individual goals
For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.
Subscribe to the Weekly Scratch Golfer's Playbook:
Every Saturday morning, you'll get proven, actionable insight to overcome the emotional and mental hazards keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of poor performance - in less than 5 minutes.
03:10 The Importance of Physical Fitness for Golfers
08:48 Common Mistakes in Golfers' Exercise Routines
11:25 Customizing an Exercise Program for Golfers
14:35 Differentiating Off-Season and In-Season Training
21:14 Working with a Fitness Professional to Improve Golf Performance
23:17 Core and Glute Strength
27:11 Comprehensive Training Approach
32:43 Optimizing Health
36:14 Specific Exercises
39:19 The Value of a Team
"Can we identify a theme, trend, or pattern? Does it occur in particular situations where you have a lie that you haven't worked on much? Anytime you're hitting a shot where there's doubt, uncertainty, second-guessing, or just a general, 'I have no clue,' it's just an opportunity to make a note during your round on what you need to study and focus on away from the course."
Time Stamps:
00:00 - Introduction to the Anyway Swing
07:17 - The Cost of Anyway Shots
10:46 - Identifying Areas of Improvement
13:09 - Emotional Regulation and Pressure Management
15:57 - Overcoming the Fear of Judgment and Rejection
Join our free and growing community of serious golfers chasing scratch:
For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.
Subscribe to the Weekly Scratch Golfer's Playbook:
Every Saturday morning, you'll get proven, actionable insight to overcome the emotional and mental hazards keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of poor performance - in less than 5 minutes.
For all things 1:1 Mental Game Coaching, Group Mental Game Coaching, and Speaking, visit me here: www.golfmindsetcoaching.com.
Subscribe to the Weekly Scratch Golfer's Playbook:
Every Saturday morning, you'll get proven, actionable insight to overcome the emotional and mental hazards keeping you stuck in the proverbial bunker of poor performance - in less than 5 minutes.
00:00 Introduction: Tension and Guilt on the Golf Course 11:26 The Impact of Guilt on Performance 14:16 Emotional Awareness and Management 21:47 Overcoming Emotional Barriers with Self-Compassion 25:36 The Importance of Emotional Awareness in Others 32:24 Continuous Improvement on the Path to Becoming a Scratch Golfer 37:35 Conclusion: Emotional Awareness and Management in Golf and Life
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