#83: 2025 Q2 Recap: Mindset Shifts, Breakthroughs, and The Dark Side of Progress

In today's episode, I get raw and unfiltered about the last 90 days of my mission to lower my handicap to a 5.0. I'll share the mindset evolutions, swing changes, and deliberate practice that have fueled my progress—and the mental battles that nearly derailed it. I'll open up about embracing the darker side of performance, using frustration and anger as fuel, and challenging the stories we tell ourselves about who we are as golfers. Plus, you'll hear about exciting upcoming guests and why true transformation requires killing off the old version of yourself. In this podcast, you'll learn: How to use deliberate practice to create breakthrough improvements Why confronting the dark side of your mindset can unlock new performance levels The role of identity shifts in sustaining progress How fitness and exercise build mental resilience Strategies to stay present when you start a round hot Why "creating fuel from nothing" can give you a competitive edge The importance of embracing discomfort to accelerate your growth If you're tired of surface-level pep talks and ready to confront what's really holding you back, this episode will challenge you to dig deeper, play bolder, and evolve faster. Get your pencils ready and start listening. 1-1 High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching: If you're serious about getting out of your own way and playing to your potential, click here to schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call to learn how I can help you make playing to your potential a habit. High-Performance Hypnosis Guided Audios: Ready to get a taste of hypnosis? Click here to choose from one of my unique hypnosis audios to help you accelerate improvement in a specific area of your game. Click here to read my Ultimate Guide to Golf Hypnosis. Purchase the Wicked Smart Practice Plan Formula: Click here to learn how to practice with intention and what to do to get the most out of your practice sessions to drop your scores - fast. Use the code "salter" at checkout to save 10%. Play to Your Potential On (and Off) the Course Schedule a Mindset Coaching Discovery Call Subscribe to the More Pars than Bogeys Newsletter 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. Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist Twitter: @parsoverbogeys Key Takeaways: The stories you tell yourself about why you play—fun, camaraderie, no expectations—can become convenient excuses that hold you back from real growth. Reconnecting with your competitive fire and embracing your "dark side" can be the catalyst to break through plateaus and fuel consistent focus. Identity transformation isn't optional; you must let go of old patterns and self-perceptions to unlock the next level of performance. Structured, deliberate practice—short game reps, pre-shot routine work, and focused time under tension—creates the foundation for sustainable improvement. Overconfidence and mental time travel after early success in a round often lead to mistakes; learning to stay present shot by shot is crucial. Your fitness routine is a training ground for mental resilience—building the discipline to confront discomfort in the gym directly translates to composure on the course. Creating internal narratives, rivalries, and micro-competitions can sharpen your edge and help you maintain a higher level of intensity and accountability. Key Quotes: "You can't change unless you change." "To achieve the light, you have to be able to handle the darkness." "Winning is so addictive—and I'm finally giving myself permission to crave it again." "Reps on reps on reps. That's how you rewire your identity." "Fitness is the gateway to mental toughness. You can't build grit without confronting discomfort." "I had to kill the Q1 version of me to evolve into the Q2 version—and I'll do it again." "What you're doing now isn't working. If you want to change, you need to change." Time Stamps: 00:00: Introduction and Updates 02:49: Reflections on Personal Growth and Mindset 05:40: The Journey of Q2: Performance and Challenges 08:45: Mindset Evolution and Competitive Spirit 11:24: Technical Adjustments and Coaching Changes 14:24: Equipment Upgrades and Fitness Regimen 17:08: Looking Ahead: Goals for Q3