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From Self-Doubt to Unshakeable Self-Belief - Max Kennedy
Max Kennedy shares his journey from an uncertain 18-year-old on scholarship in the U.S. to a 23-year-old rising professional golfer with unshakable self-belief. He opens up about battling homesickness, handling self-doubt, and the intense competitiveness of elite sport. Max explains how undeniable facts, work ethic, and consistency have shaped his mindset—turning setbacks into resilience and belief into action. From his turning point in college to the pressures of competing against the world's best, he reveals the sacrifices, strategies, and competitive fire fueling his ambition to become the best golfer in the world. This conversation is about more than golf—it’s about how challenges forge strength, and how belief backed by hard work can change what’s possible.
Follow Max: Instagram
Change is Possible with Brian Pennie:
⬛ Get FREE access to Brian’s online courses
⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, Bonus Time
⬛ Follow Brian on Instagram
⬛ Follow Brian on LinkedIn
Sponsors: The Kyne Foundation Imagine having a sponsor whose only interest is creating positive ripple effects of change around the world. I first met Jacqueline and David Kyne from the Kyne Foundation when they introduced me to Dr Gabor Mate in 2024, an incredible “pinch myself” moment in my own life. With a focus on nurturing youth wellbeing and empowering education, The Kyne Foundation's belief is simple: kindness is powerful, practical, and worth paying forward. Over the next few episodes, we’ll be sharing weekly challenges inspired by their work and ethos: small actions create big ripples. Our simple ask? Go be kind to yourself, to others, and your community. Because kindness is contagious.
0:00 — Moving to America at 18 & intense competition
3:30 — Homesickness, pressure & self-doubt
6:20 — Why challenges build resilience
8:40 — Acknowledging doubt instead of avoiding it
11:10 — Using evidence to fight negative thoughts
13:40 — Work ethic as confidence
16:10 — “I will become the best golfer in the world”
18:30 — Self-belief vs ego
21:00 — Actions follow identity
23:30 — Saying no to friends & social life
26:20 — Priorities and respect
29:10 — The cost of chasing excellence
31:20 — The turning point in college performance
34:40 — From average results to world rankings
37:00 — Talent vs hard work
39:10 — What flow really is
41:30 — Why routine creates performance
44:00 — Consistency over motivation
46:10 — Dealing with bad rounds & failure
48:30 — Perspective & “cosmic irrelevance”
50:10 — Controlling the controllables
52:00 — Breathwork & meditation
54:10 — Visualization & mental rehearsal
56:00 — Performing under pressure
57:30 — “Be borderline delusional”
58:30 — The importance of a plan
59:20 — Never quit
high performance mindset, athlete psychology, self belief psychology, discipline habits, mental toughness, flow state performance, visualization training, resilience mindset, success habits, change is possible podcast
View all episodes
By Dr Brian PennieMax Kennedy shares his journey from an uncertain 18-year-old on scholarship in the U.S. to a 23-year-old rising professional golfer with unshakable self-belief. He opens up about battling homesickness, handling self-doubt, and the intense competitiveness of elite sport. Max explains how undeniable facts, work ethic, and consistency have shaped his mindset—turning setbacks into resilience and belief into action. From his turning point in college to the pressures of competing against the world's best, he reveals the sacrifices, strategies, and competitive fire fueling his ambition to become the best golfer in the world. This conversation is about more than golf—it’s about how challenges forge strength, and how belief backed by hard work can change what’s possible.
Follow Max: Instagram
Change is Possible with Brian Pennie:
⬛ Get FREE access to Brian’s online courses
⬛ Buy Brian’s memoir, Bonus Time
⬛ Follow Brian on Instagram
⬛ Follow Brian on LinkedIn
Sponsors: The Kyne Foundation Imagine having a sponsor whose only interest is creating positive ripple effects of change around the world. I first met Jacqueline and David Kyne from the Kyne Foundation when they introduced me to Dr Gabor Mate in 2024, an incredible “pinch myself” moment in my own life. With a focus on nurturing youth wellbeing and empowering education, The Kyne Foundation's belief is simple: kindness is powerful, practical, and worth paying forward. Over the next few episodes, we’ll be sharing weekly challenges inspired by their work and ethos: small actions create big ripples. Our simple ask? Go be kind to yourself, to others, and your community. Because kindness is contagious.
0:00 — Moving to America at 18 & intense competition
3:30 — Homesickness, pressure & self-doubt
6:20 — Why challenges build resilience
8:40 — Acknowledging doubt instead of avoiding it
11:10 — Using evidence to fight negative thoughts
13:40 — Work ethic as confidence
16:10 — “I will become the best golfer in the world”
18:30 — Self-belief vs ego
21:00 — Actions follow identity
23:30 — Saying no to friends & social life
26:20 — Priorities and respect
29:10 — The cost of chasing excellence
31:20 — The turning point in college performance
34:40 — From average results to world rankings
37:00 — Talent vs hard work
39:10 — What flow really is
41:30 — Why routine creates performance
44:00 — Consistency over motivation
46:10 — Dealing with bad rounds & failure
48:30 — Perspective & “cosmic irrelevance”
50:10 — Controlling the controllables
52:00 — Breathwork & meditation
54:10 — Visualization & mental rehearsal
56:00 — Performing under pressure
57:30 — “Be borderline delusional”
58:30 — The importance of a plan
59:20 — Never quit
high performance mindset, athlete psychology, self belief psychology, discipline habits, mental toughness, flow state performance, visualization training, resilience mindset, success habits, change is possible podcast