Winning Season Podcast: Confidence Rewired Series
Episode 1: The Neuroscience of Confidence Crashers
Host: Jacqueline Twillie
In this episode of Winning Season, Jacqueline Twillie explores the science behind confidence crashes and provides practical tools to rewire your response to setbacks. Drawing from her personal experience with imposter syndrome during Zero Gap's first enterprise rollout, Jacqueline breaks down the neuroscience of why our confidence can unravel so quickly and offers research-backed strategies to bounce back stronger.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand how your brain's error detection system (dorsal ACC) triggers when performance doesn't match self-image
- Learn how stress responses are amplified in high achievers who build identity around excellence
- Discover how cortisol disrupts connections between strategic thinking and memory during pressure moments
- Master two practical frameworks for rewiring confidence: the R4 Framework and the AHA Framework
- Implement immediate tools to reset your nervous system after a confidence hit
Episode Timestamps:
- 00:01 - Introduction and personal story of confidence crash during Zero Gap's enterprise rollout
- 02:11 - Explanation of the neuroscience behind confidence crashes
- 03:15 - How stress response impacts high achievers specifically
- 05:13 - Introduction to the R4 Framework (Risk, Resilience, Reward, Reset)
- 06:39 - Introduction to the AHA Framework (Attitude, Habits, Actions)
- 01:22 - Practical tools to calm your nervous system
- 01:32 - Tool #1: 60-second error download exercise
- 03:20 - Tool #2: 30-second psychological sigh breathing technique
- 04:20 - Preview of next episode on activating your "internal hype coach"
Resources Mentioned:
- Free Download: Confidence Reset Worksheet (limited access through June 2025) https://learn-zerogap.thinkific.com/products/digital_downloads/resilientleadersprogram2025
- Book Reference: "Dear Resilient Leader" by Jacqueline Twillie https://amzn.to/4j7yI6j
Research Referenced:
UCLA studies on "affect labeling" - how putting language to emotion shifts brain activity
- University of Michigan research on self-distancing to lower stress and improve decision-making
- Stanford research on the effectiveness of the psychological sigh breathing technique
Connect with Jacqueline:
- Visit zerogap.co for more information on programs and resources
- Follow the Winning Season podcast for the full Confidence Rewired series
Legal Note: The neuroscience and psychological content shared is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic support.
Program: Resilient Leaders Program at zerogap.co
- Available for individual contributors/ high performers, job seekers
- Entrepreneur version
- Corporate training for Fortune 500 companies
