155. Army Special Forces Green Beret Matt Bortis: Performing Under Pressure Without Breaking Down
About this episode
Matt Bortis discusses the importance of training one's response to pressure in high-stakes situations.
In this episode, I sit down with Matt Bortis—former collegiate golfer, former special operations operator, and mindset and performance coach—to unpack what it really takes to perform when pressure is high, and outcomes matter. Matt brings a rare blend of battlefield-tested composure and high-level athletic performance coaching to this conversation. We explore why so many golfers, entrepreneurs, and ambitious people crumble under pressure—not because they lack skill, but because they've never trained their response. We dive into nervous system regulation, acceptance vs suppression, why "mental toughness" often backfires, and how your patterns under pressure are usually rehearsed long before the big moment arrives. In this episode, you'll learn: Why outcomes are influenced—not controlled—and where your focus should go instead How to train your nervous system to feel safe in uncertain environments Why anxiety, nerves, and stress are often signs of readiness—not weakness The hidden downside of trying to "bear down" and force performance How elite performers rehearse worst-case scenarios before they happen Why letting go is often a more valuable skill than trying harder How self-worth…
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