535: Jared Tendler Gave Me a Mental Game Lesson Pt 2. (The Zone, Focus, & Scar Tissue)

>>Read Jared Tendler's book, Everyday Golf Psychology >>Read the Wicked Smart Golf Books Play better FAST with the Wicked Smart Golf Trilogy on Amazon or Audible.  Simplify "golf fitness" with my book, The Wicked Smart Golf Fitness Formula on Amazon. Or, listen to it on Audible.  LEARN THE WICKED SMART GOLF SYSTEM Apply for 1:1 performance coaching with Michael (limited spots available) Join Wicked Smart Golf Academy To Lower Your HDCP Fast: Proven paths to break 90, break 80, and crush competitive golf (no swing changes required) Join the Wicked Smart Golf Newsletter and get 5 FREE practice plans. Recommended Products Speed Train With Rypstick: The #1 speed trainer to add 10+ yards in 40 days or less (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%)  Shot Pattern: The best golf GPS + stat tracking to help you manage your round and make better decisions (20% off w/my link). Think Like a Pro with DECADE Golf: The #1 course management system to think like a pro (use code WICKEDSMART to save 20%). Master Mobility & Flexibility with Golf Forever: The best way to work on your golf fitness at home or the gym, with easy to follow plans & app (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 15%).  Use HackMotion for Better Ballstriking: The best wrist trainer in golf and become your swing coach (use code WICKEDSMART to save 5% on your investment).  Speed Train with HiiTs Driver: Developed by 3X WLD Champion, Fast Eddie, this hittable driver will help you add distance while hitting balls (use code "WICKEDSMART" to save 10%). In this episode, mental golf coach Jared Tendler joins host Michael Leonard for a second mental coaching session to discuss Michael's recent tournament progress and map out strategies for elevating his mental game. The session dives deep beneath the surface of performance to discuss accessing "the zone," managing energy, and conquering past mental scars. You will gain valuable insights on how to channel optimal focus, align self-image with performance, and navigate unexpected obstacles with poise. We'll cover: Progress Beyond the Scoreboard: The episode highlights how mental resilience and maintaining composure during chaotic days—such as dealing with flat tires, bad weather, or missing cuts—serve as crucial indicators of growth. Intentional Clarity vs. Forcing Outcomes: The conversation distinguishes between beneficial focus (clarity of intent and athletic response) and detrimental intensity (trying too hard to steamroll or force a result). Energy as the Driver of "The Zone": The coach breaks down how entering and sustaining peak performance states requires the right balance and quality of physical, emotional, and motivational energy. Aligning Self-Image with Achievement: Michael explores how off-course reflections, journaling, and owning past accomplishments eliminate self-doubt and prevent performance surprises when shooting low scores. Disconnecting from Past Scar Tissue: A tactical approach is shared for overcoming sudden intrusive memories of past bad shots by explicitly calling them out as outdated and refocusing on the current execution process. Creating Personal Momentum in Suboptimal Settings: Strategies are discussed for staying engaged and finding joy during long or quiet rounds, such as walking instead of driving carts or taking time to process shots without overthinking. </