#90: [Inside the Mind] Dr. Rick Sessinghaus: Resilience, Flow, Fear, and Harnessing the Dark Side

#90: [Inside the Mind] Dr. Rick Sessinghaus: Resilience, Flow, Fear, and Harnessing the Dark Side

In this powerful episode of The Scratch Golfer's Mindset Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Rick Sessinghaus—longtime mental coach to Collin Morikawa and one of the leading experts in golf psychology and flow state training. 

We explore the often-overlooked layers of resilience, how to avoid complacency after success, and the tools to shift from fear to flow under pressure. Rick shares actionable strategies, cutting-edge technology insights, and practical routines you can apply both on and off the course to perform your best when it matters most.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why resilience is just as important after success as it is after setbacks.
• The subtle difference between mental toughness and resilience—and why it matters.
• How to shift from a fear state to a flow state under pressure.
• The role of curiosity in replacing judgment and accelerating learning.
• How sensory triggers and breath work can prime you for peak performance.
• The measurable impact of technology on training focus and emotional regulation.
• Why outcome goals and process goals can—and should—work together.

Get your pencils ready and start listening. 

P.S. Curious to learn more about the results my clients are experiencing and what they say about working with me? Read more here.

More About Rick

Dr. Rick Sessinghaus is the Founder & CEO of Sessinghaus Performance Systems and Director of the FlowCode® Golf Academy. Holding a PhD in Applied Sports Psychology, Rick has been Collin Morikawa's mindset coach since Collin was eight—and continues to guide the two‑time major champion's mental game . 

Working at top golf and corporate academies, Rick specializes in training flow states, resilience, and performance routines to help golfers and high performers thrive under pressure.

Connect and work with Rick here. 

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High-Performance Hypnotherapy and Mindset Coaching

Paul Salter - known as The Golf Hypnotherapist - is a High-Performance Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who leverages hypnosis and powerful subconscious reprogramming techniques to help golfers of all ages and skill levels overcome the mental hazards of their minds so they can shoot lower scores and play to their potential.

He has over 16 years of coaching experience working with high performers in various industries, helping them get unstuck, out of their own way, and unlock their full potential.

Click here to learn more about how high-performance hypnotherapy and mindset coaching can help you get out of your own way and play to your potential on (and off) the course. 

Instagram: @thegolfhypnotherapist 

Twitter: @parsoverbogeys

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience is staying composed regardless of outcome—success can make you complacent, which requires just as much discipline to manage.
• Mental toughness is overrated. Emotional regulation, self-awareness, and curiosity are more sustainable mental skills.
• Flow happens when your perceived skill matches the challenge. Fear arises when you perceive the challenge as greater than your ability—even when it's not.
• You can train flow state through breathwork, anchoring routines, and sensory cues like music, temperature, or feel.
• Reflection—done without judgment—is essential. Curiosity > criticism.
• Technology like FocusCalm and Mendi can now measure brainwave activity and train real-time focus.
• Cold plunges and challenges off the course build resilience you can bring onto the course.
• It's okay to care about outcome—but learn to measure success through your process.
• You're good enough. That self-belief is the filter that colors every golf shot.

Key Quotes:

• Resilience isn't just about bouncing back—it's about staying focused when things go well too.
• Curiosity over critical—that's our mantra for post-shot routines.
• Flow follows focus. You must train your attention to stay present.
• You're already good enough. Most golfers don't need more skill—they need more belief.
• Cold plunges aren't about golf—but they teach you how to do hard things. That transfers.
• Don't just do a routine because your coach told you to—make sure it gets you calm, confident, and committed.

Time Stamps:

• 00:00: Understanding Resilience
• 02:58: The Importance of Goal Setting
• 05:59: Curiosity Over Judgment
• 07:09: Resilience vs. Mental Toughness
• 08:56: The Mental Game vs. Mindset
• 10:53: Interferences in Performance
• 11:52: Flow State vs. Fear State
• 20:46: Engaging the Senses for Flow
• 23:15: Embracing the Present Moment
• 24:41: Building Resiliency Through Challenges
• 26:51: The Power of Sensory Anchors
• 29:07: Integrating Technology in Mental Training
• 34:42: Balancing Process and Outcome
• 39:16: The Dark Side of Performance
• 41:26: Affirming Self-Belief