What comes to mind when you think of someone who pushes limits—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally? Grit. Clarity of purpose. A willingness to meet fear with curiosity, not avoidance. That’s exactly who Dr. Jen Schumacher is. 

Jen is a world-class mental performance coach whose work spans elite sport, the military, and academia. She’s led mental training programs at West Point and Northwestern Football, and she’s an ultra-endurance athlete who’s literally swum through her fears—once across the 21-mile Catalina Channel, at night, with sharks below. 

In this episode of Coaching Through Stories with Dr. Eric Bean, Jen shares how that swim became a turning point—a living lab for the tools she now teaches others. Together, they explore the role of fear, preparation, and self-talk in performance. You’ll hear how discomfort can become a gateway to confidence, and how personal growth often mirrors professional growth in powerful ways. 

Whether you’re pursuing a bold goal, facing uncertainty, or simply curious about the mental side of high performance—this conversation is full of insight and inspiration. 

 

Key Takeaways: 

• Fear can be trained for—not just tolerated; the power of fear statements and how to create them 

• How to ground yourself in purpose before a challenge 

• How physical preparation supports mental readiness 

• Reflection fuels growth—especially after setbacks: reframing fear through education, routines, and self-talk 

• Use your life as a performance lab 

 

Highlights: 

[2:21] Jen’s journey from athlete to elite mental performance coach

[5:55] Why she returned to open water swimming and how it shaped her career 

[8:04] Treating marathon swimming as a mental performance lab 

[12:11] What is marathon swimming? 

[14:20] Fear of sharks and how it mirrors other performance fears 

[17:11] Keys to navigate fear 

[19:14] “The shark you see isn’t the one you need to worry about.” 

[20:05] More of fear statements that help Jen with marathon swimming 

[24:50] Why mental rehearsal is critical for game-day performance 

[28:43] Swimming with a Galapagos shark and putting fear training to the test 

[33:16] The mindset of being self-competitive 

[37:15] How to respond and manage failure? 

[43:52] The skill of dealing with failure 

[47:28] At the core of Jen's high-performance philosophy 

[52:38] Great leadership is doing what is required for you in that moment 

[55:18] A Reflection piece is an important part for high performers 

[01:00:27] Being authentic and stretching your comfort zone when you are the only woman in the room 

[01:04:50] Attributes necessary to be a great coach or business leader 

[01:10:14] Reasons why taking credit for things taken for granted is important: 

[01:10:23] Reason #1: It helps build our confidence 

[01:10:48] Reason #2: It is easy to remember big wins. Give yourself credit for small wins. 

[01:12:11] What is the reset routine? 

[01:17:22] Difference between a coach and a consultant  

 

Connect with Jen Schumacher: 

 Website: https://www.jenschumacher.com/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-schumacher-25b967b5/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenschumacher  

 

At HigherEchelon, we believe mental performance isn't just for elite athletes—it's for anyone striving to lead, grow, and perform at a higher level. If today’s episode sparked something in you, and you're ready to strengthen your mindset, lead with purpose, or build a high-performing culture, our team is here to help. 

Explore our executive coaching, leadership development workshops, and culture assessment solutions at HigherEchelon.com