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 

Purpose isn’t just a buzzword – it's the driving force that powers motivation, builds resilience, and amplifies impact. In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean dives deep into the meaning and application of purpose, not just as a concept but as a leadership strategy. He explores how leaders can tap into multiple sources of motivation by anchoring work, even the smallest tasks, in a compelling, long-term mission. 

 Through research and powerful stories like the 17th century, London bricklayers and President Kennedy’s NASA visit during the Space Race, Dr. Bean illustrates how purpose empowers leaders and teams to see beyond tasks and connect with a bigger mission. He offers practical strategies for discovering your “why,” aligning it with your leadership and infusing it into everyday decisions.  

 Whether searching for more meaning in your work or looking to spark purpose within your team, this conversation will equip you with insight and tools to lead with intention. 

Key Takeaways:

• Why perspective matters: How three bricklayers building the same wall saw vastly different meaning in their work—and why you should ask your team “What are you doing?” 

• Connecting every role to a grand mission: Lessons from a NASA janitor who saw broom‑sweeping as part of getting a man on the moon. 

• The science of meaningful work: Research showing links between purpose, job satisfaction, engagement, and lower burnout. 

• Defining your leadership purpose: A clear, evidence‑backed definition and a simple exercise to craft your own “why” in 20 words or less. 

• Three levels of impact (Aaron Hurst): Individual contributions, organizational change, and societal transformation—and how to find your sweet spot. 

• Purpose‑driven strategies: Embedding purpose in decisions, contests (think PepsiCo’s “Performance with Purpose”), storytelling, rituals, and recognition. 

• Empowering your team: Practical tips for helping employees see how daily tasks feed a larger mission (Adam Grant’s call‑center study, and more). 

Highlights:

• [0:59] The story of the bricklayers and how perspective shapes purpose 

• [3:22] The NASA janitor and the power of connecting small tasks to grand missions 

• [4:43] High levels of meaningful work = High levels of job satisfaction, commitment, and engagement 

• [5:37] Defining purpose as a long-term, meaningful goal that impacts others 

• [9:08] Aaron Hurst’s three levels of impact 

• [11:26] Write down your leadership purpose 

• [13:01] Turning purpose into action: leadership decisions, values, and communication 

• [14:43] “Performance with a Purpose” from Indra Nooyi and PepsiCo 

• [16:12] Leveraging storytelling to inspire team alignment 

• [17:52] How can we help our team connect to a shared purpose 

• [19:03] Adam Grant’s famous study on call center motivation and meaningful work 

• [20:03] Infusing purpose into your leadership 

Resources: 

• Learn more about Aaron Hurst’s research on purpose in the workplace: imperative.com  

• Michael F. Steger et al., “Measuring Meaningful Work”: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 

• Indra Nooyi’s “Performance with Purpose”: PepsiCo’s sustainability & social responsibility framework 

• Adam Grant’s study on meaningful work: [Organizational Behavior Journal] 

Connect with Us 

• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts | Spotify  

• Follow on Twitter and LinkedIn 

• Share your leadership purpose with #CoachingThroughStories 

“Leading with purpose isn’t about prescribing meaning—it’s about inviting others to see the mission in every moment.” 

— Dr. Eric Bean 

In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Andrea Sampson, TED-trained speaker coach and founder of Talk Boutique, to explore the art and science of storytelling. 

Andrea has spent decades helping scientists, leaders, and change-makers turn data and insight into stories that shift minds and spark action. From shaping global TEDx stages to guiding organizations through change, Andrea reframes storytelling not just as a tool but as a leadership mindset. She breaks down how stories create alignment, bridge the head and the heart, and help teams navigate uncertainty and resistance.

Listeners will learn how to build compelling narratives rooted in purpose, how stories activate empathy and trust, and why everyone can learn to wield stories as a transformative leadership skill.

Key Takeaways:

• Why storytelling is a mindset, not a tactic

• The science behind neuro-coupling and how the story makes your message stick

• How to turn abstract data into emotionally resonant ideas

• Storytelling as a tool for managing change and building value-aligned cultures

Highlights:

[02:24] Stories are part of who we are

[03:49] Why storytelling is more than a tactic

[05:11] Andrea’s origin story: from global advertising executive to TEDx speaker, coach, and founder of Talk Boutique

[10:41] The power of values alignment

[11:25] Understanding the difference between a value and a need

[14:17] How the expert mindset and change-maker mindset both limit impact without storytelling

[15:50] The magic of blending data with emotion

[18:49] Why effective leaders must become professional communicators

[19:49] How to identify your core leadership idea and consistently communicate it

[22:30] Using stories to reduce conflict, clarify purpose, and see commonalities

[24:59] Overcoming resistance to storytelling

[35:28] Why not just tell a metaphor?

[42:45] "Be inside that story."

[44:23] Creating a tension point in storytelling

[49:35] Importance of storytelling at the organizational level

[56:54] There is no such thing as continuity of leadership

[01:01:22] Storytelling to enhance people's comfort with change

[01:02:37] The “mythology” of organizations: Why honoring your past helps you lead people into a shared vision of the future

[01:03:57] Connect with Andrea Sampson

Learn more about storytelling with Andrea's toolkit by visiting their

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@talk.boutique

Website: https://talkboutique.com/ 

Are you interested in developing your storytelling and leadership skills? Contact us at HigherEchelon.com 

What comes to mind when you think of some of your favorite leaders—those who’ve truly inspired you? Purpose, presence, self-awareness, and care. Leaders who see you as more than your competency but for your character. That description fits today’s guest perfectly. 

In the first episode of Season 7 of the Coaching Through Stories podcast, Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Alex Hodgins. Alex works with elite athletes in the NHL, Olympic sports, and corporate leadership. Known for his humility, curiosity, and commitment to human excellence, Alex pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to perform—and lead—at the highest level. 

Drawing from his experiences with the Vancouver Canucks, Canadian Ski Cross, and the  Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team, Alex shares a defining story of how a mentor once told him, “I hired you for your character, not your competence.” That moment set the tone for a career built on authenticity, service, and continuous learning. 

This conversation explores how we can create the psychological space for growth, balance high performance with vulnerability, and help people become the best version of themselves—not just the best performers. 

Key Takeaways:  

• Lead with character: Why who you are matters more than what you know. 

• Permission to grow: How authenticity and curiosity fuel long-term excellence. 

• Why showing up imperfectly can be a catalyst for real progress. 

• How to build safe environments for learning and exploration. 

Highlights: 

[03:41] What does excellence mean to Alex 

[07:28] His origin story that shaped his values and philosophy 

[15:20] Creating a space to explore and grow 

[29:39] The importance of leadership support in any field 

[32:08] What is at the core of Alex's high-performance philosophy? 

[37:20] Finding the balance between time pressure, understanding, and supporting people 

[43:44] Transforming "dirty fuel" (like anger) into focused, clean energy for high performance 

[54:38] Having a growth mindset and delivering team dynamics 

[01:01:45] Finding the balance of cohesion and competition within the team 

[01:10:17] The parallels between the business environment and leaders and coaches 

[01:20:47] Real art and science of knowledge, coaching, and leadership

[01:13:07] The BEAR necessities: Breathe, Eating, Activation, and Reflection 

Looking to grow in your leadership? Schedule a complimentary consultation with our Professional Certified Coaches and Certified Mental Performance Consultants at HigherEchelon.com 

• HigherEchelon.com - https://www.higherechelon.com/human-capital-solutions/executivecoaching/ 

Connect with Alex: 

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexhodgins  

When you think of some of your favorite leaders, leaders who've inspired you, what characteristics come to mind? Typically, people want leaders who are purposeful, curious, self-aware, present, engaged, and caring. Your favorite leaders tend to care about you as a person, not just a number. Our guest today – is all of those and more. 

In this last episode of season 6 in Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean speaks with PharmaPoint’s CEO, Mike Plaia about navigating leadership challenges through bold decisions and resilient mindset shifts. 

Mike Plaia, is a seasoned leader with over 30 years of experience in business and leadership. As the CEO of PharmaPoint, a technology-driven, pharmacy management company, Mike has overseen its recognition as one of the fastest-growing private companies and an industry leader in healthcare innovation. Previously, he co-founded Source Medical, the largest provider of IT solutions for ambulatory surgery centers, and Industriaplex, an Inc. 500-ranked company. Mike also spent time at General Electric, leading initiatives in acquisition integration and Six Sigma.  

A graduate of West Point, Mike served in the U.S. Army as a Field Artillery Officer, earning multiple commendations. Outside of business, he’s passionate about mentoring youth through sports and serves on several community boards, including Rise Above and gotURback, both focused on supporting local initiatives. 

In today’s episode, Mike shares his experiences from West Point, the military, and leading high-growth companies, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and stepping out of comfort zones. He reflects on how failure is a necessary part of success and the critical role of trust and compassion in leadership. 

You will gain practical insights into managing fear, building resilient teams, and fostering a culture where both success and failure are embraced as part of growth. Listeners will leave this episode feeling motivated to be bold and take on new challenges. 

Key Takeaways: 

• The importance of boldness and embracing discomfort to achieve growth 

• How to build trust and compassion as a leader 

• Why failure is essential to long-term success and development 

• The value of journaling leadership lessons and learning from both good and bad examples 

• Strategies for balancing mental toughness with support and empathy in leadership roles 

Highlights: 

• [6:00] Mike's journey from West Point to leading high-growth companies 

• [10:24] The significance of bold decisions and taking risks 

• [14:40] Embracing failure and building resilience in leadership 

• [16:46] Trust, compassion, and accountability in leadership 

• [23:19] Key leadership lessons from journaling and reflection 

• [43:56] Why you need the “keep going” mentality 

• [51:16] How Mike evolved as a leader 

Resources: 

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036 

PharmaPoint - www.pharmapoint.com  

Connect with Mike Plaia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-plaia-676b71/ 

Whether you’re a new or seasoned leader, it’s universal to experience the challenges that come with balancing competing demands and priorities of an organization. In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean takes listeners through the art of balancing support and challenge as a leader. He explores the importance of adaptability, focusing on the mental flexibility required to navigate leadership’s paradoxes like stability or innovation and be nurturing or drive results. Dr. Bean helps leaders understand paradoxical leadership, addresses the challenges that arise, and offers practical strategies to develop both supportive and challenging leadership styles. 

 Listeners will gain valuable tools for building adaptive leadership frameworks, incorporating active listening, and finding creative ways to blend structure with flexibility in their teams. 

Key Takeaways: 

• How to embrace both supportive and challenge to create a more dynamic and responsive leadership approach 

• The three key components of adaptability in leadership 

• Instead of “or” use “and” thinking 

• How to develop mental flexibility and respond to paradoxes in leadership 

• Active listening as the foundation for understanding and supporting your team 

• Balancing short-term goals and long-term vision thinking in leadership decisions 

Highlights: 

• [0:06] The balance between being supportive and challenging   

• [1:36] Three main components of adaptability   

• [2:10] Developing mental flexibility   

• [3:04] The paradox of leadership   

• [3:31] Causes of paradoxical challenges in leadership   

• [5:56] Active listening as a core leadership skill   

• [9:35] Finding creative ways to balance structure and flexibility   

• [12:16] Balancing short-term and long-term thinking 

 Resources:  

Episode #49: Unlocking the Power of Adaptability with Ross Thornley - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6unpfrEdrFHTM2XCB66vFJ?si=EmPWsD2CSfmKZA1XNQF8xg  

In this special episode of Coaching Through Stories, Siana Sylvester steps in as co-host alongside Dr. Eric Bean to welcome guest Nicole Bean. 

Together, they dive into Nicole’s impressive career journey from pharmaceutical sales to becoming Head of Oncology Marketing. Nicole shares her experiences of personal and professional growth, revealing how she transitioned from a road warrior to a corporate leader while constantly striving to make a bigger impact in healthcare. The episode highlights her leadership philosophy, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and how she fosters a psychologically safe environment for her team.

 Key Points:

1. Nicole’s journey from pharmaceutical sales to oncology marketing

2. Leadership insights: empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and creating psychological safety

3. Overcoming imposter syndrome and external criticisms

4. The value of retrospectives for continuous team improvement

Episode Highlights:

•[6:20] Nicole’s background and transition into healthcare

•[9:35] The challenges of moving from a field role to a corporate setting

•[13:35] Leadership lessons: creating a safe space for teams

•[6:44] The value of listening and connecting to your team

•[5:40] Delegating leadership while maintaining individual contributions

•[6:00] DISC assessment: Navigating different leadership styles in the workplace

•[4:25] Cross-departmental collaboration and building coalitions

•[1:02:29] Managing workplace criticism and personal growth through retrospectives

Resources:

•How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen-https://www.amazon.com/How-Women-Rise-Holding-Promotion/dp/0316440124 

In this episode, host Dr. Eric Bean sits down with Andy Riise, Director of Mental Performance and Leadership for the Chicago Bears, to dive into the mental and emotional strategies that separate elite performers from the rest. With years of experience as a mental performance coach in professional sports and the military, Andy shares how training the mind is as crucial as training the body. He unpacks the intangible qualities of leadership and explores the intersection of high performance and joy. 

Listen in as Andy reveals how to navigate ego interference, practice courageous conflict, and build resilience in high-pressure environments. 

Key Takeaways:  

- Developing the intangible attributes of leadership 

- The critical elements of mental and emotional performance 

- Navigating ego and staying grounded 

- The art of courageous conflict in leadership 

- Being intentional in everything that you do 

 Highlights: 

•[12:07] How can leaders develop these intangible attributes of leadership? 

•[20:34] Training your mind like training your body 

•[23:52] The critical elements of high performance when it comes to mental and emotional stance 

•[27:32] The ego interference and how to navigate it 

•[34:33] The art of courageous conflict 

•[35:39] Can high performance and joy co-exist? 

•[42:57] What’s Andy’s role in supporting his team and players? 

•[1:02:51] Goal setting and how to drive consistency?  

 For More of Andy: 

 •Check out Andy on: https://linktr.ee/coachriise  

How do you respond when the pressure is on? 

Pressure can cloud judgment and derail performance, turning high-stakes situations into overwhelming challenges. And you need the right mindset to avoid being daunted by it.

In this solo episode of Coaching Through Stories, host Dr. Eric Bean examines the art of leading with poise under pressure. Drawing from psychology and leadership principles, Dr. Bean explores why stress often leads leaders to close off. He delves into the power of loss aversion, which can overshadow the pursuit of gains.

Through thoughtful insights, he guides listeners on how to shift their mindset from seeing threats to recognizing opportunities, and how to actively focus on what can be controlled.

Key Takeaways:

• Performing and leading with poise under pressure
• Understanding why leaders become close-minded under stress
• The power of loss aversion versus the pursuit of gains
• Introduction to "pressure training" and strategies you need to know to minimize pressure

Highlights:

• [2:33] The power of loss aversion
• [4:22] Enhancing poise under pressure
• [9:11] Minimizing the effects of pressure on performance
• [12:15] Distinguishing between consequence and risk
• [14:33] Shifting from threat to opportunity
• [16:32] Focusing on what you can and cannot control

Resources:

Performing Under Pressure The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters the Most by Hendrie Weisinger - Performing Under Pressure: The Science of Doing Your Best When It Matters Most 

In today’s Coaching Through Stories episode, Dr. Eric Bean is joined by one of his favorite people, Zach Brandon, the Head of Mental Performance and Coach Development with the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Zach is in his sixth season leading the mental performance department for players, coaches, and staff with the Arizona Diamondbacks. In his role, he also assists the front office and leadership staff with coach development initiatives. He also provides customized coaching and workshops to performers and organizations through his personal company, MVP Mindset Consulting. 

Within the first few minutes of this conversation, Zach talks about his main motivation is to help people be the best version of themselves. A lot is covered in today’s episode including, Zach’s framework of high performance that includes 3 overarching components. First is the mind and being able to not only manage but also leverage our thoughts, emotions, and attention. The second piece is the body which for Zach includes our ability to accept when we’re not feeling 100% but having the courage to step in the arena anyway with the self-belief that what you do in this moment is enough and is good enough to compete. And the final prong of his framework is spirit which includes awareness of your mission, your values, and your purpose. And that’s just one of many great lessons Zach shares throughout our conversation. 

You will learn how elite performers can accept when they're not feeling 100% and have developed strategies to navigate these uncomfortable moments. In moments of doubt, elite performers muster the courage to step into the arena with the self-belief that what they do in the given moment is enough, despite not feeling their best. This conversation will leave you feeling inspired to take on challenges even when failure is possible. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Can you have joy and fulfillment alongside high performance? 

•  Three things to look out for in order to get the most out of your body 

• The willingness and readiness to go deeper 

• The idea of “quick fixes” and how to work against that 

Highlights:  

[9:38] Is elite performance and personal joy at odds with each other? 

[17:55] Informational vs Educational vs Transformation 

[26:07] Zach’s philosophy to high performance 

[31:31] The mind being the “surface layer” 

[35:01] The disconnect between knowing and doing 

[46:38] Simulating the external and internal environment 

[53:52] The detrimental effects of sabotaging your own confidence and well being 

[58:11] The gap and the gain mindset 

[1:06:59] How to shift the mindset of an entire organization? 

Resources: 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zach-brandon-40169573/ 

• The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: https://www.amazon.com/Gap-Gain-Achievers-Happiness-Confidence/dp/1401964362