#108: [Inside the Mind] Patrick Sebastien: The Power of Adversity and Learning to Expect Greatness

In this powerful episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, I sit down with former MMA coach and mindset expert, Patrick Sebastien, to explore the art of mental toughness — both inside and outside the ropes. Drawing from years in the fight world and his work with elite golfers, Patrick unpacks how adversity, flow states, and physical intensity combine to build unshakable confidence and resilience on the golf course. You'll learn how to intentionally seek and use adversity to your advantage, train like an athlete to improve emotional control under pressure, and create your own blueprint for peak performance. Patrick and I dive deep into visualization, breathwork, and post-round reflection as essential tools to develop composure, focus, and self-belief when the stakes are high. In this episode, you'll learn: How to reframe adversity as opportunity and bounce back fast after a blow-up hole (or business setback). Why flow states require struggle first, and how to use challenge to trigger "the zone." A simple gym-to-course formula: create controlled physical stress, then regulate it with breath so pressure feels familiar on the tee. The breath training + visualization sequence Patrick uses pre-round to build calm, focus, and confidence. How to design on-course pressure reps (mini challenges) so tournaments feel like just another rep. How an identity shift ("I am an athlete") unlocks consistency, intensity, and faster scoring gains. The expect/accept model: expect greatness, accept imperfection, and re-engage on the next shot. Ways to calibrate your arousal level (not too calm, not too hyped) to hit your personal performance sweet spot. Whether you're chasing a club championship or your next business milestone, this episode will help you expect greatness — and perform like it. Get your pencils ready and start listening. P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here . More About Patrick Sebastien Patrick Sebastien is a performance coach who helps golfers elevate their game through a holistic approach that blends physical conditioning, mental training, and strategic mastery. With over 20 years of experience teaching Muay Thai and MMA, 15 years as a personal trainer specializing in functional fitness, and 10 years guiding breath training and meditation, Patrick brings a unique perspective to golf performance optimization. He began coaching in golf in 2022 after working with a Korn Ferry Tour player as a mental coach, and has since trained professionals, college athletes, and elite junior golfers, using his unique approach to physical and mental training for golf. Patrick specializes in preparing players to excel on and off the course by integrating strength, mobility, focus, and strategic awareness. Connect with Patrick: Website Instagram YouTube 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: Perseverance is the foundation of bounce-back ability. Adversity creates flow; no struggle, no growth. Great players train adversity before they face it. Physical stress builds emotional control. Fitness isn't optional—it's a performance multiplier. Breathwork bridges chaos and composure. Journaling post-round accelerates learning and awareness. You can't control results—but you can always control your process. Expect greatness, but accept imperfection. Visualization isn't fantasy—it's mental reps for success. Meditation sharpens calm, control, and clarity under pressure. True athletes embrace discomfort and keep expanding their limits. A champion's mindset is forged in the gym before it's displayed on the course. Key Quotes: Adversity is a wake-up call. It's fuel, not failure. Flow only exists because of struggle. Train hard, fight easy. The harder your training, the easier your performance. Physical stress and mental stress present the same way. Learn to master one, and you master both. If you never fail, you're probably not trying hard enough. Expect greatness while accepting less than greatness. The further I went in martial arts, the more peaceful I became. You can't control what the course throws at you, but you can control how you respond. Golfers don't need to become bodybuilders—they need to become athletes. If you don't expect greatness, how will you ever achieve it? The champion's mindset is earned in the gym before it's displayed on the course. Time Stamps: 00:00 The Power of Perseverance 02:40 Embracing Adversity as Opportunity 05:49 Creating Adversity for Growth 08:43 The Role of Technology in Performance 11:40 Post-Round Reflections and Learning 14:33 The Importance of Identity in Success 17:43 Lessons from Competitive Fighting 20:26 Bouncing Back from Setbacks 23:29 Training with Intensity for Mental Edge 26:21 The Importance of Resistance Training 27:56 Pushing Through Limits and Mental Barriers 32:00 Transforming Golfers into Athletes 35:37 The Role of Meditation and Breath Training 41:02 Peak Performance Blueprint for Athletes 46:24 Expecting Greatness in Golf and Life