115: How to Build Confidence When You Doubt Yourself | Dr. Haley Perlus

What if confidence isn't about getting rid of doubt but learning how to run with it?

In this episode of the Tribe of Runners Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Haley Perlus, a sport and performance psychology coach with more than 20 years of experience working with athletes in high-pressure environments.

We dive into the mental side of endurance sports that runners don't always talk about: doubt, fear, pressure, confidence, mistakes, injury, and the stories we tell ourselves when things get hard.

Because the reality is, even experienced runners have moments where they question themselves.

Maybe you have a bad training day and start wondering if you're ready. Maybe you're coming back from an injury and don't trust your body yet. Or maybe you're halfway through a race and suddenly every negative thought you've ever had shows up at once.

Haley explains why the goal isn't to eliminate those thoughts but to learn how to tolerate doubt, work with fear, and stay grounded when pressure starts to build.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Why confidence and doubt can exist at the same time
• How to ask, “What does this moment need from me right now?”
• Why trying to be fearless can actually work against you
• The difference between striving for excellence and demanding perfection
• How to build confidence from evidence instead of simply telling yourself to “believe”
• Why your training history can become one of your greatest sources of confidence
• How to handle mistakes without getting stuck analyzing what just happened
• Returning to running after injury and knowing when you're actually ready
• Why outside guidance can be so valuable when your emotions are telling you to push too soon
• And one of the biggest reminders of all: you are not your thoughts, and you don't have to believe everything you think

This conversation is for anyone who has ever stood at a starting line wondering, “Am I ready?” Or found themselves in the middle of a race wondering if they can keep going.

You don't need to eliminate fear.

You don't need to eliminate doubt.

You need to learn how to keep moving forward while they're there.

Thank you so much Haley for being on the podcast!!

Find Haley Perlus on IG: @drhaleyperlus

Check out Haley’s Website: HERE

Find my Personal IG: @itslizmyers

Podcast IG: @tribeofrunners

For EASY ACCESS to all the Link HERE 

Check out Everyday Ultra Website for races and coaching HERE