High Performance Mindset | Learn from World-Class Leaders, Consultants, Athletes & Coaches about Mindset - 724: From Data to Action: 8 Evidence-Based Ways to Build Confidence in Youth

Episode Date: January 8, 2026

Quote to start with: "Confidence isn't something kids are born with—it's something they build."   Gen Z is at the center of a growing confidence crisis. In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff breaks down new findings from the 2025 National Research Study on Confidence and shares what actually helps kids and young adults build real confidence.   What you will learn today from this episode: Why nearly half of Gen Z regularly feels "not enough" How social media fuels comparison and self-doubt Why confidence is a skill—and how to train it The 8 science-backed habits elite performers use to build belief Big takeaway: Confidence doesn't come with age—it comes from habits.   Power Phrase: "I build confidence one habit at a time—through effort, support, and belief."   To download our full study report, visit: confidencestudy.com To Request a Free Breakthrough Call with a Mentally Strong Coach, visit: http://www.freementalbreakthroughcall.com/ To learn more about the Mentally Strong Institute, visit: https://mentallystronginstitute.com/ To learn about Dr. Cindra Kamphoff's speaking and coaching, visit: https://cindrakamphoff.com/ To follow Dr. Cindra on Instagram, visit: Cindra Kamphoff, PhD (@cindrakamphoff) • Instagram photos and videos

Hi, Dr. Sindra here. Myself and my team just conducted this national research study on confidence that you have to check out. The report, which you can download at www.com, shows research-backed ways you can grow confidence, what leaders do to both kill and grow confidence, and how confidence is not just a personal issue, but an organizational issue. I am telling you you got to check this out. It is a game changer. You can find our full report at www.comfidence study.com. It's time to check in with Cinder Campoff and we talk a little bit about confidence once again. Now this one's called from data to action, eight evidence-based ways to build confidence in our youth.

Cinder, start us off with a quote. This is a quote from our research study. It says confidence isn't so. something kids are born with. It's something they feel. All right. So today we're talking about confidence in kids and young adults. And your newest research suggests that we're facing something bigger than just normal growing pains. Absolutely. In our 2025 national research on confident, Lisa, we found that Gen Z years, so that's ages 18 to 29, is really at the center of Americans' confidence crisis. So we found, for example, 48% of Gen Ders say that they frequently or constantly feel like they're not enough.

And 47% regularly battle comparison and a harsh inner critic. So this isn't just like occasional self-doubt. It's really happening often. And it's shaping how they work, they lead and they see themselves. Sandra, why do you think or what did you find out about why this generation is struggling so much? Well, good question, Lisa. You know, they've gone through a lot of disruptiveness. They've grown up like a pandemic and uncertainty.

But, you know, the major factor is social media. In our study, for example, we found, 73% of working Americans say social media is a major driver of confidence struggles in young people. And so, you know, Jen Gears is, they're growing up in a comparison culture. They spend six and a half hours on their phone a day on average. And so, you know, it's just drawn by highlight reels and constant judgment. So what are we supposed to do about it? I mean, the phones aren't going away.

Social media doesn't seem to be going away. How do we actually help build confidence around all of that? I think that's the hopeful part. you know, our research identified eight evidence-based practices that build confidence, and they're saying habits that Olympic athletes use and pro-aths use. So I'm excited and talk with them or to share with them today. All right. Can you walk us through them? Sure. Number one, set clear goals with a plan. And so we know confidence grows when kids know what they're working towards and they know how to take daily actions. So big dreams become

believable when they're broken into small steps. And what's next? Number two is prepare with purpose. So we know preparation is one of the strongest predictors of confidence in our study because preparation quiet doubts. And so confidence follows. Okay. Well, that makes a lot of sense because even me being prepared helps me with my confidence. Absolutely. And so number three, and this one is really critical, this is about releasing judgment and letting go of mistakes.

And so we know that the best performers bounce back quickly. You know, kids often replay their mistakes. And so we teach a tool called Learn Burn Return that helps you reset after errors and refocus on what's next. All right. What about identity? That's actually number four

and that's in knowing who you want to be and acting accordingly. So we know identity drives behavior and kids who define their best actually are more resilient, focused, and confident. I love that. What's number five?

That's celebrating small accomplishments. So we know confidence strode through progress, not perfection. And even short celebrations, three and fourth, you know, my effort really matter. And that inner critic that we talk about so many kids will struggle with? Yeah, that is six. And that's the sort of huge. And that's becoming your own internal coach and your own internal cheerleader.

Because we know confidence follows from the voice you practice. So we teach kids to talk to themselves the way a great coach would, supportive, specific, and encouraging. What about handling setbacks, like emotionally? Yes, that's actually connected to number seven, and that's regulating your emotional responses. So high performers, you know, aren't fearless. They're regulated. And so we teach tools like the power pies to help kids respond, not react, because regulation creates control and control creates and builds confidence. All right. What's the final one? The final one is to build a strong circle of support. And when you think about this, you know,

Olympians don't get to the podium alone, right? So confidence is contagious. and kids rise when surrounded by coaches, mentors, and adults who believe in them. Sandra, what's the big takeaway for people listening, parents and coaches and teachers? The big takeaway is confidence isn't something that kids magically grow into. It's something that they build. And these eight science-back strategies really give them tools to believe in themselves back from mistakes and perform at their best when it matters to most to them. All right. And what is our power phrase for today?

I build confidence one habit at a time, effort, support, and belief. And although I think we're talking about youth today, it could apply still to us grownups that need that in our lives. Maybe those eight can be used in our everyday life. Absolutely. They're the same principles we would use to build our own confidence. Cinder, where can we find more information on the confidence study or on your teachings? You can head over to Dr. C-I-N-D-R-A dot com and our own. Our confidence research study is there that you can download and you can learn more about our coaching and my speaking there too. Way to go for finishing another episode of the high performance mindset.

I'm giving you a virtual fist pump. Holy cow, did that go by way too fast for anyone else? If you want more, remember to subscribe. And you can head over to Dr. Sindra for show notes and enjoy my exclusive community for high performers, where you get access to videos about mindset each week. So again, you can add over to Dr. Sindra. That's DRC-I-N-D-R-C-I-A.com. See you next week.