In this episode of Finding Elevation, I sit down with performance coach Torrie Higgins, whose unique background in neuroscience and performance psychology has shaped her approach to working with elite performers—from military special forces to high-level entrepreneurs and athletes. Torrie’s journey from academia to coaching provides powerful insights into how we can all push beyond our limits and thrive under pressure.
How Neuroscience Shapes Performance
Torrie explains how her background in neuroscience has equipped her to understand the biological mechanisms that impact performance. She emphasizes that peak performance is rooted in understanding how our brain and body function under stress. Through science-backed coaching, Torrie helps her clients navigate demanding environments by teaching them how to optimize their physiology for success.
“Personality doesn’t scale, but biology does,” she says. This foundational principle drives her work, focusing on equipping people with tools to harness their physiological responses and perform at their best, no matter the environment.
Key Techniques for Mental Resilience
One of the central topics in this episode is the development of mental resilience. Torrie shares her top strategies for building a mindset that fosters success, even in high-stress situations:
Mindset Training: Torrie emphasizes that mental conditioning isn’t a one-time event; it’s a continuous practice. She encourages creating a weekly mindset practice, where you assess your goals and identify potential limiting beliefs that could hold you back.
Recognizing and Reframing Negative Emotions: One of Torrie’s go-to techniques is teaching her clients how to recognize negative emotions, such as anxiety, and reframe them. “Anxiety is a liar,” she says, explaining that our fear response can often distort reality. By challenging these thoughts, athletes and professionals alike can break free from self-imposed limits.
Flow State Mastery: Torrie also dives into the science of achieving a flow state, which is where individuals perform their best. She explains that it’s crucial to recognize the “struggle phase” that precedes flow and embrace it as a necessary part of growth. Once you learn to navigate this cycle, you can consciously enter a flow state more easily.
Optimizing Your Day for Peak Performance
Another fascinating area of discussion is Torrie’s advice on how to design your day for optimal performance. Drawing on research from chronobiology, she explains how understanding your body’s natural rhythms can help you plan high-intensity work during your most productive hours.
For example, early birds can achieve higher cognitive performance in the first four hours of their day, where focused work becomes more effective. On the flip side, creative or brainstorming tasks are often better suited for the afternoon when our cognitive energy naturally dips, allowing more divergent thinking.
To dive deeper into Torrie’s neuroscience-backed strategies for performance, listen to the full podcast episode here and learn how to elevate your mindset and performance in any environment.