From chasing World Cup podiums to rebuilding after a neck fracture—Kris Mahler’s journey shows how curiosity, presence, and real belief turn fear into fuel and potential into performance.In this episode, Kris shares how shifting from “why” to “what” focused questions helped him return stronger after major injuries, clarified his Olympic goal for Milano-Cortina, and sparked a move into coaching. His story is a testament to practicing awareness, recording and reviewing your own reps, and using simple, open questions to unlock progress.Kris discusses why belief, co-creating the plan, and evoking awareness matter—plus how pausing, validating, and asking precise “What?” questions de-escalates fear on race day and builds confidence. He breaks down athlete vs. coach roles, how to handle resistance without forcing a linear path, and why leaders in sport and business must nurture confidence, not just competence.Today, Kris is building a performance mindset practice alongside his Team Canada ski cross career—proving that leadership rooted in clarity, presence, and community can elevate culture on the hill and in the workplace. His story is a powerful example of how self-regulation, structure, and support create conditions for growth, resilience, and sustainable performance.Together, they explore• Kris’s path from Alpine and Team Canada ski cross to ICF-aligned coaching• How open “what” questions and certification built muscle memory for presence• Athlete–coach collaboration—and why progress isn’t linear when the sport evolves• Belief, psychological safety, and co-creating definitions of success up front• Handling fear and resistance with validation, pause, and precise inquiry• Coaching the person vs. prescribing tactics (and catching leading questions)• Practices outside sessions: film review, visualization, buffers, mindfulness• Language shifts: from “why” to “what,” and noticing absolutes like “always/never”• The introverted coach–athlete: protecting energy while performing on big stages• Building cultures where every voice contributes to collective outcomesChapters00:00 Introduction to Kris Mahler & Team Canada ski cross01:33 Alpine vs. ski cross—speed, terrain, and racing head-to-head02:28 Three major injuries (shoulder, ACL, C7) and the comeback mindset03:22 Mental strength on the start gate—what it really takes04:18 Shifting from “why” to “what” for present-future focus06:54 Ten seasons on the World Cup—Olympic year and going to win07:40 Why coaching—retirement questions and finding the next lane09:07 Choosing an ICF-aligned program—content that exceeded expectations10:48 Mental vs. physical: the differentiator at the top level12:12 PB after injury—evidence that mindset can outpace metrics13:10 Grit, visualization, and embodied rehearsal14:26 Opportunity for coaching in sport—evoking awareness, not scripts20:13 Inner Game of Tennis, golf video, and learning without ceilings25:35 Belief as an edge—home-crowd energy and being “seen”27:37 Biggest takeaway: the power of open questions29:00 Open vs. closed—how language shifts outcomes29:57 What coaches could do differently—co-create and explore31:50 Holding space and saying “I believe in you”33:24 Fear, resistance, and staying loose under pressure34:41 Coaching diverse mindsets on the same team37:44 Barriers in amateur vs. pro sport—costs, culture, and timing42:28 Titles and turf—mental performance coach and the shifting landscape43:59 The Big Question: “How do I drop my ego?”45:26 Where to connect with KrisWhere to Find Kris MahlerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/krismahler/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-mahler-canada/Where to Find Coach AcademyWebsite: https://canadacoachacademy.com/Nathalie on Instagram: @nathalieblais.ceoNathalie on LinkedIn: @nathalieblaisCoach Academy LinkedIn: @coachacademygroup