{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"#64: Swimming Past Fears, Failures, and Sharks with Jen Schumacher","description":"  What comes to mind when you think of someone who pushes limits\u2014not just physically, but mentally and emotionally? Grit. Clarity of purpose. A willingness to meet fear with curiosity, not avoidance. That\u2019s exactly who Dr. Jen Schumacher is.  Jen is a world-class mental performance coach whose work spans elite sport, the military, and academia. She\u2019s led mental training programs at West Point and Northwestern Football, and she\u2019s an ultra-endurance athlete who\u2019s literally swum through her fears\u2014once across the 21-mile Catalina Channel, at night, with sharks below.  In this episode of Coaching Through Stories with Dr. Eric Bean, Jen shares how that swim became a turning point\u2014a living lab for the tools she now teaches others. Together, they explore the role of fear, preparation, and self-talk in performance. You\u2019ll hear how discomfort can become a gateway to confidence, and how personal growth often mirrors professional growth in powerful ways.  Whether you\u2019re pursuing a bold goal, facing uncertainty, or simply curious about the mental side of high performance\u2014this conversation is full of insight and inspiration.    Key Takeaways:  Fear can be trained for\u2014not just tolerated; the power of fear statements and how to create them  How to ground yourself in purpose before a challenge  How physical preparation supports mental readiness  Reflection fuels growth\u2014especially after setbacks: reframing fear through education, routines, and self-talk  Use your life as a performance lab    Highlights:  [2:21] Jen\u2019s journey from athlete to elite mental performance coach [5:55] Why she returned to open water swimming and how it shaped her career  [8:04] Treating marathon swimming as a mental performance lab  [12:11] What is marathon swimming?  [14:20] Fear of sharks and how it mirrors other performance fears  [17:11] Keys to navigate fear  [19:14] \u201cThe shark you see isn\u2019t the one you need to worry about.\u201d  [20:05] More of fear statements that help Jen with marathon swimming  [24:50] Why mental rehearsal is critical for game-day performance  [28:43] Swimming with a Galapagos shark and putting fear training to the test  [33:16] The mindset of being self-competitive  [37:15] How to respond and manage failure?  [43:52] The skill of dealing with failure  [47:28] At the core of Jen's high-performance philosophy  [52:38] Great leadership is doing what is required for you in that moment  [55:18] A Reflection piece is an important part for high performers  [01:00:27] Being authentic and stretching your comfort zone when you are the only woman in the room  [01:04:50] Attributes necessary to be a great coach or business leader  [01:10:14] Reasons why taking credit for things taken for granted is important:  [01:10:23] Reason #1: It helps build our confidence  [01:10:48] Reason #2: It is easy to remember big wins. Give yourself credit for small wins.  [01:12:11] What is the reset routine?  [01:17:22] Difference between a coach and a consultant     Connect with Jen Schumacher:   Website: https:\/\/www.jenschumacher.com\/   LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jen-schumacher-25b967b5\/   Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jenschumacher     At HigherEchelon, we believe mental performance isn't just for elite athletes\u2014it's for anyone striving to lead, grow, and perform at a higher level. If today\u2019s episode sparked something in you, and you're ready to strengthen your mindset, lead with purpose, or build a high-performing culture, our team is here to help.  Explore our executive coaching, leadership development workshops, and culture assessment solutions at HigherEchelon.com  ","author_name":"Coaching Through Stories","author_url":"https:\/\/www.higherechelon.com\/","html":"