Mick Unplugged: Dr. Haley Perlus – Turning Pressure Into Power
Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Dr. Haley Perlus
Release Date: August 4, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode of Mick Unplugged dives deep into the nature of mental toughness, how pressure can be turned into power, and why focusing on your "Because"—your core inner drive—can transform leadership, achievement, and self-mastery. Dr. Haley Perlus, former alpine ski prodigy, renowned performance psychologist, and author of Personal Podium, shares her personal journey, science-backed mental strategies, and actionable ways to harness pressure as a catalyst for growth. The conversation is densely packed with practical tips, philosophical explorations, and stories from the highest echelons of athletics and business.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Finding Your “Because” and Core Identity
- Dr. Perlus’s “Because”: Belief in human growth and potential, rooted in her own childhood and inspired by the song “What a Feeling” from Flashdance.
- “I believe in people. I believe in myself and I believe in people. ... We have control, more control than we give ourselves credit.” — Dr. Haley Perlus (01:48)
- Her theme: Combining believing in people, embracing pressure, and maintaining childlike curiosity/freedom (02:15)
- The Power of Identity:
- “Our identity is not the same thing as our roles...If we completely identify ourselves based on the role, that can lead to tremendous, you know, mental illness, depression and burnout...” (25:33)
Timestamp: 01:20–03:07, 25:33–27:48
2. Pressure, Preparation, and Performance
- The Myth of “Rising to the Occasion”:
- “People say that you rise to the occasion...And I actually counter that by saying you don’t rise to the occasion. You rise to your level of preparation.” — Mick Hunt (04:54)
- Preparation as the Key:
- “Professional athletes do not run out onto the field thinking about all their weaker links. They run out ... ready to highlight their strengths because that's what they've prepared for.” — Dr. Haley Perlus (05:52)
- Focused preparation involves knowing and practicing your top three strengths, building both confidence and resilience.
- Case Story: Coach’s Bet at Age 12:
- As a young ski racer, her coach bet $100 on her to win, catalyzing her belief, focus, and realization of the power of mental preparation. (03:27–04:54)
Timestamp: 03:07–07:12
3. Mental Toughness: Skill not Trait
- Defining Mental Toughness:
- “Mental toughness is showing up when you don’t really want to, is accepting with courage...and giving every ounce of effort that you have, even though it may not be 100% of that day.”— Dr. Haley Perlus (09:40)
- The 4 skills: motivation, confidence, focus, anxiety control.
- “It’s not like a bicep that I can… see grow… but you do. With time, you do have the experience. It does become more tangible.” (10:24)
- Separating Clichés from Reality:
- “I hate give 110%. You can’t. ... The best that you have, if all you can give is 70%, then give the best that you have.” — Mick Hunt (10:38)
Timestamp: 09:26–12:03
4. Grace vs. Accountability
- Giving Yourself Grace and Not Letting Yourself Off the Hook:
- “Give yourself some grace. … Never let yourself off the hook. … People can give themselves grace and then come up with every reason why they don’t need to get off the couch...” — Dr. Haley Perlus (12:03)
- Practical story: Pushing herself to go for a bike ride, ended up exceeding her initial low expectations by simply starting.
- “Don’t let yourself off the hook. Go and do something and then be curious and open minded to what can take effect.” (13:54)
Timestamp: 12:03–13:54
5. From Goals to Standards: Personal Gold Standard
- Standards are Superior to Goals:
- “I talk to people about creating standards, not goals... The standard is the standard.”— Mick Hunt (13:54)
- Dr. Perlus ties her own initials (HSP) to “highest standard of performance,” advocating for standards that evolve and demand honest self-reflection.
- “When I know that I’ve done everything that I can do...that is all that you can do. And that’s your standard.” (15:05)
Timestamp: 13:54–16:17
6. Rethinking “Getting 1% Better”
- Beyond the 1% Increment:
- “You don’t know what your whole personal self is capable of doing... So I just say instead of getting 1% better every day, just freaking get better.” — Mick Hunt (18:47)
- Dr. Perlus agrees, emphasizing that improvement can take many forms—sometimes the right move is improving rest, self-awareness, or restraint, not just output.
- Story of friend who got “better” by choosing NOT to compete and focus on recovery. (20:04)
Timestamp: 18:47–21:34
7. What Top Performers Have in Common
- Winners Want the Ball (And the Work, Not Just the Credit):
- “They want the ball because they’re willing to risk. ... They’re just not going to give up. No matter [what] happens. Give me the ball.” — Dr. Haley Perlus (21:51)
- Distinguishing between wanting the work versus just wanting the celebration:
- “There are a lot of people that want the celebration, but they don’t want the work, the preparation...” — Mick Hunt (22:51)
- On embracing the journey, not just the results—relating to AI as a metaphor for skipping the process (23:44–25:14)
Timestamp: 21:34–25:14
8. Balancing Drive and Mental Wellness
- Core Identity as an Anchor for Mental Health:
- Knowing your values (e.g., love, health, adventure) and best attributes protects against over-attachment to temporary roles.
- “That allows me to stay mentally here and ... empowered and on the way to increasing my fulfillment.” (27:32)
Timestamp: 25:14–27:48
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “It’s amazing what your performance can be when you get your head straight.”
— Dr. Haley Perlus recalling her ski coach (04:25) - “Winners want the ball. ... They’re willing to see what they’re made of. ... They’re just not going to give up. No matter happens. Give me the ball.”
— Dr. Haley Perlus (21:51) - “Give yourself some grace. ... Never let yourself off the hook.”
— Dr. Haley Perlus (12:03) - “Mental toughness is a skill, not a trait.”
— Dr. Haley Perlus (09:26) - “If you just focus on just getting better, being better, whatever that is, just get better. ... Sometimes 1% isn’t good enough. ... Just freaking get better.”
— Mick Hunt (18:47) - “My mother said [HSP] is also your highest standard of performance.”
— Dr. Haley Perlus (15:05) - “Our identity is not the same thing as our roles.”
— Dr. Haley Perlus (25:33)
Rapid Fire Segment Highlights (28:45–31:14)
- Coach’s $100 Bet at Age 12:
- First gambling “addiction”: “$100 Canadian dollars.” (28:55)
- Book That Sparked Her Growth:
- “Love is Letting Go of Fear.”
- Dream Athlete Dinner:
- “Kerri Walsh Jennings…because she once said the bronze medal at the Olympics was the most fulfilling…” (29:39)
- Daily Habit:
- Morning walk with her partner: “Sunshine, companionship, movement.” (30:29)
- Mental Toughness Means:
- “Striving for perfection, but also at the same time striving to be my best recoverer.” (30:56)
Where to Find Dr. Haley Perlus
- Website: Dr.HaleyPerlus.com (Weekly newsletters, masterclasses, book info, direct contact)
- Social Media: Instagram and links via website
- Book: Personal Podium (Amazon and site links)
Final Reflection
Dr. Perlus offers a compelling framework for modern leaders and high performers:
- Focus on internal standards rather than external goals
- Embrace pressure as fuel, not as a foe
- Prepare to highlight strengths rather than obsess over weaknesses
- Give yourself grace but don’t avoid accountability
- Guard your core identity to protect mental health
- Above all, “just get better”—in whatever way that matters most today.
“Remember your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.” — Mick Hunt
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For action-oriented leaders and anyone aspiring to turn pressure into performance, this episode is equal parts wisdom and playbook.