Podcast Summary

Podcast: Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast
Episode: NBA Psychologist: The Secret to Thriving Under Pressure | Dr. Wayne Chappelle
Date: February 5, 2026
Host: Craig Groeschel
Guest: Dr. Wayne Chappelle (“Dr. C”) – Psychologist for elite professionals, military, and sports teams, co-author of Heal Your Hurting Mind

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the secrets behind thriving under extreme pressure, as revealed by Dr. Wayne Chappelle—a psychologist working with the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder, military leaders, and top performers across fields. Together with host Craig Groeschel, Dr. Chappelle explores what distinguishes “extraordinary” leaders from merely “great” ones, the process of building emotional resilience, and practical strategies for personal and organizational mental health. Their conversation weaves together candid personal experiences, expert advice, and actionable steps for leaders at all levels.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Defining Extraordinary Leadership

• Thriving Under Pressure:
  • “In order to become extraordinary, it's not just being extraordinary in ordinary conditions. You have to be extraordinary in extraordinarily difficult conditions.” (Dr. Chappelle, 00:00 & 07:01)
• Traits of Extraordinary Leaders:
  • Emotional stamina & resilience: Regulating your own and others’ emotions under stress.
  • Social IQ: Adapting to different social settings, integrating with diverse teams, and effective communication.
  • Relentless drive, high standards: Holding yourself and others to exceptional standards & finding ongoing purpose.
  • Constant movement towards purpose: Waking up every day with mission and energy.
  • “Extraordinary people will put themselves in positions in which they hold themselves to extraordinary standards.” (Dr. Chappelle, 07:26)

2. Emotional Resilience and Stamina

• Difference Explained:
  • Resilience is toughness in a given moment; stamina is consistency over time.

    “Resilience says I can walk into a very difficult condition and actually stay composed… Emotional stamina is can you consistently do that over time?” (Dr. Chappelle, 09:09)

• Nature vs. Nurture:
  • Some genetic predispositions affect emotional regulation, but key habits and intentional work make resilience and stamina developable.
  • “Emotional stamina and emotional resilience… can be built and forged, and it can often be built and forged under the most difficult conditions we're faced with.” (Dr. Chappelle, 11:16)

3. Whole-Life Development for Top 1% Leaders

• Holistic Health Approach:
  • Leaders must develop body, mind, and spiritual life; mental health is not just the absence of struggle, but the possession of habits to withstand pressure.
  • Three phases on the mental health continuum: Struggling – Surviving – Thriving
    • “Thriving… is your ability to withstand personal and professional challenges and stressors in very difficult conditions and yet excel where most would fail.” (Dr. Chappelle, 13:10)
• Common Habits of Elite Leaders:
  • Physical fitness & routines: Prioritizing exercise, sleep, personalized diet.
  • Mental discipline & reflection: Recognizing and intentionally regulating thought habits.
  • Spiritual & relational investments: Feeing from toxic cultures, building healthy support networks.

4. Process of Strengthening Resilience

• First Steps:
  1. Recognition & awareness of the importance of behavioral health.
  2. Intentionality in making healthy changes.
  3. Consulting with experts for personalized approaches.

  “When you recognize that your behavioral health habits are a key component to your ability to lead… your emotional stamina and your emotional resilience increases. So does your situational awareness and your ability to make good decisions.” (Dr. Chappelle, 17:42)

5. Coaching Leaders Through Personal Crisis

• Craig’s Personal Case Study:
  • Extreme work ethic and drive had become unsustainable (“If I’m not careful, this job one day will kill me.” – Groeschel, 27:58).
  • Dr. Chappelle’s approach:
    1. Avoid over-diagnosis/labels; recognize symptoms may be natural responses to extreme conditions.
    2. Shift old personal habits and thinking.
    3. Implement practical changes—routine, thinking, relationships—for a sustainable turnaround.
• “Wingmen” and the Power of Support:
  • Surround yourself with trusted people who’ll spot blind spots, hold you accountable, and speak truth even when you want to avoid or downplay issues.

    “Nobody ever becomes the best version of oneself by oneself. It's always the collective group by who they surround themselves with.” (Dr. Chappelle, 33:19 & 47:40)

  • Train your wingmen to recognize your unique danger signs—even if you appear “fine.”

6. Leading and Building Resilience in Teams

• Supporting Other Leaders:
  • Recognize less resilience in today’s workplaces; help people train for endurance instead of constant sprinting.

    “Part of emotional stamina is not looking at life as though it's a sprint, but an endurance, a marathon. There are times in which you're going to sprint, but there's also times in which you have to pull back on the throttle.” (Dr. Chappelle, 42:08)

• Prepare for the Storm, Don’t Only Recover
  • “You don't want to enter the storm all depleted… Their pregame routine is absolutely critical.” (Dr. Chappelle, 43:16 & 43:39)

7. Dr. Chappelle’s Top Beliefs for Resilience

• Expect the unexpected:
  • Vigilance and preparation, even in good times, stave off complacency.
  • “You have to be intentional and vigilant, even in the calm.” (Dr. Chappelle, 44:31)
• Strength under extraordinary conditions defines thriving.
• No one becomes the best version of themselves alone.
• Lean into anxiety—don’t fear it:
  • Moderate anxiety is linked to peak performance.

    “When you look at how well people perform, they actually perform their best when they're moderately anxious.” (Dr. Chappelle, 47:46)

  • Visualize succeeding in adversity, not just feeling calm.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Extraordinary people aren’t just good in good times—they’re outstanding when it’s hardest.” (Dr. Chappelle, 07:01)
• “Mental health is a continuum… A holistic lifestyle doesn't mean you wait until you're having a problem. A holistic lifestyle means you're developing habits every day that allow you to withstand these challenges and stresses you're going to face.” (Dr. Chappelle, 13:10)
• “Everybody has blind spots… Nobody ever becomes the best version of oneself by oneself.” (Dr. Chappelle, 33:19; repeated at 47:40)
• “The higher you rise, the harder it is to find the truth.” (Groeschel, 40:08)
• “Prepare before the storm… I never thought of it as resting and preparing for the next leg of work.” (Groeschel, 43:28)
• “Lean into your anxiety—it’s not the enemy. Moderate anxiety is often what produces high performance.” (Dr. Chappelle, 47:46)
• “An ordinary individual can accomplish extraordinary things. I didn't have the best grades growing up… Yet God can take an ordinary individual to accomplish very extraordinary things.” (Dr. Chappelle, 54:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Extraordinary in Extraordinary Times:
  • [00:00], [07:01], [45:19]: Defining what separates extraordinary from great
• Emotional IQ, Social IQ, Drive, Purpose:
  • [06:23]–[08:40]: Core traits of top 1% leaders
• Emotional Resilience vs. Stamina:
  • [09:09]: Clear distinction and practical application
• Holistic Leadership Habits:
  • [12:06], [14:56]: Physical, mental, spiritual discipline
• Personal Case Study: Craig’s Burnout:
  • [20:44]–[28:50]: Identifying and addressing leadership exhaustion
• Wingmen/Support Team Concept:
  • [31:43]–[37:09]: The importance of surrounding yourself with truth-tellers
• Coaching Teams in Resilience:
  • [41:49]: Training others and pacing for sprints vs. marathons
• Thriving and Leaning Into Anxiety:
  • [47:46]: Moderate anxiety as an advantage, positive visualization
• Final Reflections (Dr. C’s Motivation):
  • [54:32]: God uses ordinary people for the extraordinary

Actionable Takeaways for Listeners

• Build intentional daily habits—across your body, mind, and spirit.
• Recognize the difference between surviving and thriving; aspire to thrive under adversity.
• Prioritize your behavioral health with as much attention as performance goals.
• Create a deliberate network of “wingmen” who know your tells and aren’t afraid to speak truth.
• Understand that leadership demands a whole-life approach—success is never isolated to one area.
• Moderate anxiety is part of high performance; train for it, expect it, and use it.
• Prepare for crises before they appear—don’t just recover after.
• Remember: You won't reach your best alone.

Resources & Where to Find Dr. C

• Website: PsyOptimal.com (Craig’s note: “dumb name”—look for a simpler address soon!)
• Book: Heal Your Hurting Mind by Craig Groeschel & Dr. Wayne Chappelle – available wherever books are sold.
• For consulting, coaching, or assessments: Contact via website.

Summary Author’s Note:
This episode stands out as an open, practical guide for leaders who wish not just to perform, but to sustain excellence under adversity. Dr. Chappelle’s blend of high-performance psychology and humble practicality—combined with Craig’s personal transparency—makes this a must-listen for leaders at every stage striving to thrive in extraordinary times.