#64: Swimming Past Fears, Failures, and Sharks with Jen Schumacher

 What comes to mind when you think of someone who pushes limits—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally? Grit. Clarity of purpose. A willingness to meet fear with curiosity, not avoidance. That’s exactly who Dr. Jen Schumacher is. 

Jen is a world-class mental performance coach whose work spans elite sport, the military, and academia. She’s led mental training programs at West Point and Northwestern Football, and she’s an ultra-endurance athlete who’s literally swum through her fears—once across the 21-mile Catalina Channel, at night, with sharks below. 

In this episode of Coaching Through Stories with Dr. Eric Bean, Jen shares how that swim became a turning point—a living lab for the tools she now teaches others. Together, they explore the role of fear, preparation, and self-talk in performance. You’ll hear how discomfort can become a gateway to confidence, and how personal growth often mirrors professional growth in powerful ways. 

Whether you’re pursuing a bold goal, facing uncertainty, or simply curious about the mental side of high performance—this conversation is full of insight and inspiration. 

 

Key Takeaways: 

• Fear can be trained for—not just tolerated; the power of fear statements and how to create them 

• How to ground yourself in purpose before a challenge 

• How physical preparation supports mental readiness 

• Reflection fuels growth—especially after setbacks: reframing fear through education, routines, and self-talk 

• Use your life as a performance lab 

 

Highlights: 

[2:21] Jen’s journey from athlete to elite mental performance coach

[5:55] Why she returned to open water swimming and how it shaped her career 

[8:04] Treating marathon swimming as a mental performance lab 

[12:11] What is marathon swimming? 

[14:20] Fear of sharks and how it mirrors other performance fears 

[17:11] Keys to navigate fear 

[19:14] “The shark you see isn’t the one you need to worry about.” 

[20:05] More of fear statements that help Jen with marathon swimming 

[24:50] Why mental rehearsal is critical for game-day performance 

[28:43] Swimming with a Galapagos shark and putting fear training to the test 

[33:16] The mindset of being self-competitive 

[37:15] How to respond and manage failure? 

[43:52] The skill of dealing with failure 

[47:28] At the core of Jen's high-performance philosophy 

[52:38] Great leadership is doing what is required for you in that moment 

[55:18] A Reflection piece is an important part for high performers 

[01:00:27] Being authentic and stretching your comfort zone when you are the only woman in the room 

[01:04:50] Attributes necessary to be a great coach or business leader 

[01:10:14] Reasons why taking credit for things taken for granted is important: 

[01:10:23] Reason #1: It helps build our confidence 

[01:10:48] Reason #2: It is easy to remember big wins. Give yourself credit for small wins. 

[01:12:11] What is the reset routine? 

[01:17:22] Difference between a coach and a consultant  

 

Connect with Jen Schumacher: 

 Website: https://www.jenschumacher.com/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-schumacher-25b967b5/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenschumacher  

 

At HigherEchelon, we believe mental performance isn't just for elite athletes—it's for anyone striving to lead, grow, and perform at a higher level. If today’s episode sparked something in you, and you're ready to strengthen your mindset, lead with purpose, or build a high-performing culture, our team is here to help. 

Explore our executive coaching, leadership development workshops, and culture assessment solutions at HigherEchelon.com