PUSH Past the Barriers: Turning Setbacks Into Setups for High Performance Johnny Quinn, Olympian
In this episode of The High Performance Mindset, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff sits down with Johnny Quinn—U.S. Olympian, former professional football player, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of PUSH: Breaking Through the Barriers—to explore what it really takes to move forward when life doesn’t go as planned.
Johnny shares his remarkable journey of being cut from the NFL multiple times, losing millions in contracts, suffering a career-altering knee injury, and ultimately redefining his identity beyond the game. Rather than letting setbacks define him, Johnny explains how one powerful question—“What’s next?”—became the catalyst that led him to represent Team USA in bobsled at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Throughout the conversation, Johnny breaks down the invisible barriers that hold high performers back, the difference between a setback and a setup, and how daily mindset choices shape our response to change, loss, and uncertainty. He also connects lessons from elite sport to leadership and organizational culture, explaining how accountability, resilience, and discomfort are essential ingredients for sustained high performance.
This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence isn’t about certainty—it’s about adaptability, ownership, and the courage to keep pushing forward when the path changes.
You’ll Learn:
- How to respond when your identity, plans, or goals fall apart
- Why asking “What’s next?” is a powerful performance mindset
- The difference between a setback and a setup for growth
- How daily mindset practices build resilience and confidence
- What elite sport teaches us about leadership, culture, and accountability
- How to break through mental barriers that keep you stuck
- Johnny’s definition of confidence—and how to cultivate it
Episode Resources & Links
- Learn more about Johnny Quinn:
https://www.johnnyquinnusa.com/ - Order PUSH: Breaking Through the Barriers:
https://www.johnnyquinnusa.com/push/ - Download our 2025 Confidence Crisis Study:
https://confidencestudy.com/ - Request a Free Mental Breakthrough Call with Dr. Cindra or her team:
https://freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ - Learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute:
https://mentallystronginstitute.com/
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