From Professional Athlete to Executive Coach: How to Master The Mental Game

GuestTanya FriedlanderHigh-Performance Coach | Former Champion Athlete | Founder of Strategic Coaching GroupHost:Melissa AarskaugExecutive Connect: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnectEpisode Overview:What do world-class athletes and executive leaders have in common? Mental stamina—and lots of it. In this episode of Executive Connect, Tanya Friedlander shares her transition from professional sports to executive coaching and breaks down the mindset shifts that fuel elite performance in the boardroom and beyond. Tanya dives into everything from mastering energy (not just time), to defining goals with intention, bouncing back from burnout, and why deliberate practice beats raw talent every time. She also gets real about nutrition, sleep, and what high performers often get wrong when chasing success. If you’re aiming for sustained performance with less burnout and more clarity, this one’s got your name on it.Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction to High-Performance Coaching01:34 – The Journey from Athlete to Executive Coach02:43 – Defining Goals for High-Performing Teams04:40 – Challenges Faced by Executive Leaders06:58 – Building Resilience in High-Pressure Environments09:21 – The Mental Game of Leadership10:59 – Deliberate Practice and Mastery12:55 – Energy Management vs. Time Management14:52 – Recognizing Burnout and Its Signs17:01 – The Role of Nutrition and Sleep in Performance19:04 – Setting Boundaries for Focus and Productivity21:16 – Achieving Goals Effortlessly23:55 – Overcoming Analysis Paralysis25:32 – Integrating Personal and Professional Goals27:45 – The Importance of Reflection and Contribution30:32 – Taking Action and Learning from MistakesConnect With Us:Podcast Website: https://www.executiveconnectpodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExecutiveConnectSocial:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-aarskaug/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@melissa_aarskaugX: https://x.com/melissaaarskaug