Why do talented athletes and high achievers struggle under pressure, even when they’re supported, confident, and capable?
Why does waiting to “feel ready” block calm, consistent performance?
In this episode, mental performance coach Krystle Kustanovich breaks down The Expectation Loop, the hidden brain response that makes elite teens, professional athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs, and executives fear mistakes and overthink during high-stakes moments.
You’ll learn:
Why your brain treats expectation like danger
How pressure hijacks creativity, confidence, and performance
A simple neuroscience-based tool to break the cycle
How to perform freely without losing standards or drive
Perfect for athletes, coaches, competitive teens, sports parents, sports clubs, and high achievers who want consistency, confidence, and real freedom under pressure.
To find out more about Krystle or to connect:
🌐 https://www.mentalperformance.co.za/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/krystle.coach/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/krystle.coach/
What if your motivation didn’t disappear, you just shifted the driver without noticing?
Are you struggling with low motivation or feeling disconnected from the things you used to love?
In this episode, I break down the difference between intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation, why high performers often lose their drive, and what the neuroscience of motivation tells us about staying consistent under pressure.
You’ll learn:• What causes sudden drops in motivation• How external rewards (money, pressure, expectations) change your brain’s motivation system• Why athletes, doctors, entrepreneurs, and competitive teens are especially vulnerable to motivation loss• How to rebuild your internal motivation so performance feels natural again• Practical tools to stay motivated long-term
I also share a simple story about four boys, a flower bed, and a surprising mindset shift that perfectly illustrates how motivation changes without you realising it.
If you want support rebuilding consistent motivation in sport, school, or your career, you can apply for coaching with me here: https://www.mentalperformance.co.za/contact
Most people are unaware of the distinction between a professionally trained coach and someone selling “transformation” online.
And it shows.
In this episode, Krystle opens up about what she discovered when she stepped into the coaching world and why the word "coach" has become so confusing.
After listening to Season 3 of The Dream, she reflects on the difference between ethical, accredited coaching and the high-pressure, upsell-heavy coaching industry that dominates Instagram.
She discusses:• Why “coach” has become an unregulated catch-all title• How the business models of many online coaches create dependency• What professional, neuroscience-informed, ICF-accredited coaching actually looks like• A simple test you can use to spot ethical coaching versus manipulative pseudo-coaching• Why real coaching aims to make you self-reliant, not dependent
If you’ve ever wondered why the coaching world feels messy, confusing, or cult-ish — this episode will give you a fresh, grounded perspective.
To find out more about Krystle or to connect:
🌐 https://www.mentalperformance.co.za
IG: https://www.instagram.com/krystle.coach/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/krystle.coach/
Athletes are constantly told to “calm down” before a big game, but in high-adrenaline sports like rugby and hockey, that advice can actually backfire.
In this episode, mental performance coach Krystle Kustanovich breaks down the neuroscience behind adrenaline, focus, and control.
Learn why total calm dulls your edge and how to regulate your nervous system so you can perform with power, precision, and composure under pressure.
To find out more about Krystle or to connect:
🌐 www.mentalperformance.co.za
IG: https://www.instagram.com/krystle.coach/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/krystle.coach/
We’ve all thought it: “Once I get there, I’ll finally be happy.”
That dream job, gold medal, relationship, or milestone; the moment of arrival.
But what if the happiness you expect at the finish line doesn’t actually come?
In this episode, Krystle unpacks the Arrival Fallacy: the psychological illusion that achieving a goal will bring lasting happiness.
Drawing on research from Harvard psychologists Daniel Gilbert and Timothy Wilson, and happiness science pioneers like Sonja Lyubomirsky and Ed Diener, Krystle explores why the brain quickly adapts to success, why we keep chasing the next goal, and how to find deeper, more sustainable satisfaction now, not someday.
You’ll learn:
Because happiness isn’t waiting for you at the finish line, it’s something you build along the way.
Recognising the Arrival Fallacy frees us from chasing “someday” happiness and helps us enjoy the fulfilment already available in the present moment.
📚 Evidence-Based Research Cited in This Episode
🧠 What if you could switch on confidence, calm, or focus, instantly?
In this episode of I Never Thought of It That Way, Mental Performance Coach Krystle Kustanovich (ICF-accredited) unpacks the neuroscience behind anchors, one of the simplest and most effective tools for building mental consistency under pressure.
You’ll discover:
⚡️ What an anchor is and how it works in the brain⚡️ The science of conditioning and emotional state control⚡️ A step-by-step method to create your own anchor for confidence, focus, or calm⚡️ Real examples from athletes, entrepreneurs, and high performers who use anchors to access their peak state on demand
Anchors are your mental shortcut to reliability and flow, because peak performance isn’t luck, it’s trained.
🎧 Tune in to learn how to use this brain-based performance tool to strengthen your mindset and perform at your best every time.
#MentalPerformance #Mindset #Neuroscience #HighPerformance #AthleteMindset #PeakPerformance #PerformancePsychology #EmotionalIntelligence #MentalTraining #ConfidenceCoaching #SportPsychology #Neuroplasticity #Focus #CalmUnderPressure #Coaching
Krystle dives deep into the science of mindset with insights from Dr. Alia Crum’s groundbreaking research about Mindset and Beliefs.
Discover how your beliefs don’t just shape your motivation, they can literally rewire your brain, influence your body, and transform your emotional responses.
From the placebo effect in medicine to the hidden power of reframing stress, Krystle unpacks real-world studies that reveal how changing your perspective can unlock new levels of performance, resilience, and well-being.
Tune in for actionable strategies to reframe challenges, anchor your actions to purpose, and experiment with new beliefs, so you can start seeing opportunities where you once saw obstacles.
Ready to change your mind and change your life?
Press play and see what else could be true for you!
Ted Lasso may be fictional, but his approach to leadership and mindset is grounded in real neuroscience and psychology. 🍪⚽️
In this episode, Krystle breaks down three powerful mental coaching lessons from the hit show Ted Lasso, and the science behind why they actually work:
1️⃣ Why intention beats ego (and how that changes the brain’s performance response)
2️⃣ How your beliefs literally rewire your brain for success or sabotage
3️⃣ The neuroscience of psychological safety, and why trust fuels peak performance
Whether you’re an athlete, a leader, or simply someone chasing personal excellence, this episode will show you how to apply the “Lasso effect” to your own mindset.
✨ It’s not Hollywood magic, it’s neuroscience, optimism, and practical psychology rolled into one.
Find out more about Krystle and the work she does: www.mentalperformance.co.za
In this episode, Krystle Kustanovich dives into the world of mental performance, challenging the generic advice often found online.
She unpacks why common tips like “believe in yourself” or “just stay positive” fall short, and instead offers practical, evidence-based strategies for building confidence, improving focus, handling pressure, setting meaningful goals, and fostering resilience.
Krystle also explores the importance of psychological safety in teams and relationships, and shares actionable tips for motivation and recovery.
Walk away with deeper insights and real-world tools to enhance their mental game.
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build. In this episode of I Never Thought of It That Way, Krystle unpacks the real truth about confidence: it’s not a personality trait, it’s a belief cycle you can rewire.
You’ll discover:
Why self-doubt and self-sabotage aren’t flaws, but outdated coping strategies.
The simple “Formula for Change” to interrupt negative thoughts and replace them with liberating ones.
How tiny daily experiments can quickly boost your self-belief.
If you’ve ever held back because of fear, perfectionism, or overthinking, this episode will give you practical tools to start stepping forward with more courage today.
Website: www.mentalperformance.co.za/contact
Have you ever noticed how being around old friends, family, or revisiting certain places can make you slip back into an old version of yourself?
In this episode, Krystle explores why this happens, from the made-up term “revertigo” in How I Met Your Mother to the actual psychological term known as associative regression, and why we often keep outdated versions of ourselves alive in our own minds.
You’ll learn how these old patterns pull you back into thoughts, habits, and feelings that no longer serve you, and how to start “updating your software” so you can live as the newest version of you.
Krystle also shares a powerful real-life story of a high achiever who transformed once he stopped reverting to the past.
If you’re ready to evolve, grow, and step fully into who you are becoming, this episode is for you.
👉 To set up an initial coaching session, visit: www.mentalperformance.co.za/contact
Self-doubt creeps in at the worst times; before a big meeting, a crucial game, or when you’re about to take the next step in your career or life.
In this episode, Krystle Kustanovich breaks down where self-doubt really comes from, how it impacts your performance and wellbeing, and the practical tools you can use to silence that inner critic.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I really good enough?” this episode is for you.
🎧 Tune in to learn how to recognise self-doubt, reframe it, and take bold action anyway.
To find out more about Krystle or to connect:
🌐 www.mentalperformance.co.za
IG: https://www.instagram.com/krystle.coach/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/krystle.coach/
Setbacks happen, whether it’s an injury, a performance slump, or a sudden career curveball. But bouncing back isn’t just about physical recovery; it’s about rebuilding trust in yourself and learning to use your brain as a performance tool.
In this episode, Coach Krystle shares a 3-phase roadmap to help athletes and high performers:
Grieve the future they thought they’d lost
Rebuild trust with their body and mind
Use their brain as a tool to return to peak performance
Packed with practical strategies and real-life athlete stories, this episode will show you how to break free from fear, self-doubt, and overthinking so you can come back stronger, on and off the field.
🎧 Plus: Download the free workbook that accompanies this episode on https://mentalperformance.co.za/free-guides
In this episode, Krystle Kustanovich shares practical tools for parents who want to support their teen athletes under the pressure of competition.
If your child is putting too much pressure on themselves, battling nerves on game day, or comparing themselves to “that one competitor,” this episode is for you.
You’ll learn simple strategies to help your teen:
Calm competition-day nerves
Shift from pressure to focus
Build confidence even when things don’t go perfectly
Turn setbacks into fuel for growth
Turning nerves into confidence isn’t about taking away the stress; it’s about teaching your teen how to use it to perform at their best.
To set up your coaching session, simply book a chemistry call here: https://calendly.com/krystle-coach/30-min
To find out more about Krystle or to connect:
🌐 www.mentalperformance.co.za
IG: https://www.instagram.com/krystle.coach
FB: https://www.facebook.com/krystle.coach
TT: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.millennialcoach
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystlekustanovich/
Have you ever reached a new milestone, only to feel like it wasn’t enough? In this episode, Krystle unpacks The Progress Paradox: why high achievers and athletes often overlook their own growth, constantly raise the bar, and end up feeling stuck despite impressive results.
Drawing on the story of a drummer who couldn’t hear his own improvement, Krystle reveals how our brains downplay effort and make progress invisible in the moment.
You’ll learn practical tools to recognise your growth, celebrate your wins, and use effort as fuel instead of frustration, so you can keep performing at your best without burning out.
If you’ve ever thought, “I should be further along by now”, this episode is for you.
Book your first chemistry call with Krystle here
To find out more about Krystle or to connect:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/krystle.coach
FB: https://www.facebook.com/krystle.coach
Stop replaying mistakes and start turning them into wins!
In this episode, Krystle shares a 7-step process for athletes and high performers to overcome overthinking, build confidence, and harness mistakes as fuel for success.
Learn how to focus on what’s in your control, manage emotions, and use visualisation to train your mind for peak performance.
📥 Bonus: Download the companion workbook to follow along with [click here].
☎️ Book your free chemistry call [click here]
🌐 https://mentalperformance.co.za
Ever felt like you're doing all the right things to change, but still nothing shifts?
Then you probably have what we call "An Immunity To Change"
In this episode, Krystle unpacks the powerful concept of The Immunity to Change from Dr. Robert Kegan and Dr. Lisa Lahey. You’ll learn why your brain creates hidden "mental antibodies" to block growth, even when you deeply want it.
Through real-life examples (including sport), Krystle guides you through the 4-column framework to uncover the hidden beliefs and commitments keeping you stuck. If you’ve been wondering why change feels so hard, this is the mindset shift you didn’t know you needed.
In this episode, we delve into one of the most powerful mental performance tools available to athletes, high achievers, and individuals under pressure: reframing.
Drawing from evidence-based insights by Bruce Peltier, Richard Oxtoby, and Martin Seligman, we break down what reframing really is—and how it can shift your mindset, regulate your emotions, and unlock elite performance under stress.
You’ll learn why reframing isn’t just “positive thinking,” but a skill backed by psychology and neuroscience that helps you process setbacks, reduce fear, and move forward with clarity and control.
Whether you’ve just made a costly mistake on the field or you’re struggling to bounce back from criticism, this episode will give you real tools to turn mental blocks into breakthrough moments.
🎧 Tune in if you’re ready to master your inner game.
To book your first coaching session, click here. We start by meeting for 30 mins to check our chemistry before you start your first proper session.
You’ve probably seen quotes and reels along the lines of: “just change your mindset” or "positive self-talk and mantras work", but here’s the truth: some of the most important parts of mental performance don’t make it to social media. Because it's not "easy". And let's face it, we're not on social media to feel like we need to make an effort...
In this episode, Krystle pulls back the curtain on what mental coaches should be saying more often.
From confidence myths to "mental toughness" realities, she breaks down 6 powerful truths that could change how you show up, train your brain, and build real self-trust.
If you’ve ever felt like you should be further along, or like your brain is working against you, you’re not broken. This episode serves as a reminder that you’re already wired for growth. Let’s get you back in the driver’s seat.
🎧 Topics inside:
🔗 Links & Resources:
🙌 If you enjoyed this episode…
In this episode, Krystle takes you back to the foundations of mental performance. Whether you're an athlete, a surgeon, or a high-achieving professional, the secret to sustainable success lies not in doing more, but in thinking differently.
She introduces the Belief Cycle—a framework that shows how your beliefs drive your thoughts, emotions, actions, and ultimately your results—and explains how confirmation bias keeps you stuck in unhelpful patterns.
If you’ve ever wondered why change feels so hard, or why your performance dips under pressure even when you know what to do, this episode will help you connect the dots.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
What the Belief Cycle is (and why it matters more than you think)
How your mind filters reality to support what you already believe
Why thoughts and emotions directly impact high-stakes performance
How to begin breaking the cycle through belief shifts, emotional processing, and mental rehearsal
Why trying to “think positive” or “work harder” doesn’t solve the root issue
The critical role of coaching in identifying blind spots and creating sustainable change
🔗 Links & Resources:
🙌 If you enjoyed this episode…