Debugging The Human Brain
From elite sport to everyday life, Performance Psychologist Jonah Oliver helps us upgrade how we think, act, and perform.
Human brains are still the world’s most advanced and unique computer. They’re lightning fast, preposterously complex…and prone to technical difficulties at the least opportune moment.
If a regular psychologist is the human equivalent of a cranial software patch, it follows that a performance psychologist would be the mega-gig lightning-ethernet super modem that makes the operating system between your ears better, faster and stronger.
Turns out though, performance psychology isn’t just about shaving milliseconds off a sprint or draining a putt on the 18th green. For Dr. Jonah Oliver, it’s about decoding the messy, human stuff—fear, doubt, purpose—and turning it into fuel. From the commune he grew up in to the locker room of elite sports teams, Jonah’s journey has been a pursuit of curiosity and clarity alike. He’s worked with some of the world’s best athletes, but his wisdom runs deeper than the scoreboard.
In this week’s edition of The Cure, we catch up with Jonah between global gigs to talk all things mindset, pressure, and performance. He breaks down confidence vs. competence, regret vs. disappointment, and why action always beats overthinking.
His psychological perspective is as powerful as it is positive (though don’t ask Jonah about the power of positive thinking) and has a refreshingly contrarian edge.
So whether you’re chasing gold medals or just trying to make it through Monday, this one’s for anyone aiming to live up to their potential through the game of life’s roller-coasting highs and lows.
CONVICTS: Hey Jonah, how are you doing?
Jonah Oliver: Good, mate. How about you?
I’m doing well—thanks for hopping on. Where are you right now? Still on the road?
I’m home on the Gold Coast at the moment, but I’ll be off to Dallas in a couple of weeks and then traveling for about six weeks.
How often are you home versus away?
Probably about every three weeks I’m somewhere around the world.
Tell me a bit about your background before psychology. Were you athletic?
I grew up in a commune—my parents were academics in Sydney, but they moved to a country town in the '70s to start a more creative, back-to-the-land community. I was surrounded by artists, scientists, and musicians, which sparked my love of learning. Then we moved to Byron Bay, which was a quiet surf village at the time, where I got hooked on sports—cricket, tennis, water polo, even watching lawn bowls or darts. We didn't have a TV growing up; sport was my main outlet. I got a sport psychologist’s talk at age 11, and it made everything click. I realized I performed better in team environments than solo—pressure impacted me differently depending on context—and I decided right then that I wanted to be a sports psychologist.
So what did that path look like professionally?
I pursued a double-major science degree in sport science and psychology, completed first-class honors in psychology, then a master’s in sport and exercise psychology. Afterward, I worked in a neuroscience lab for a while. From there, I entered applied psychology—helping athletes transfer what they can do in practice to high-pressure situations during competitions.
How did you break into professional sports psychology?
After graduating, I took a part-time role with the men's state water polo team. In Australia, sports psychologists often start out independently. From reputation, a doctor recommended me to a professional football team. I worked with their coach—Posta Kogloo, who later had success at Tottenham Hotspur. We won two premierships together, and that exposure helped my profile grow globally.
Do you apply your own techniques to yourself, like managing impostor syndrome?
Absolutely—every single day. It’d be dishonest not to feel pressure when working with high-performing athletes. My approach is to recognize stress and pressure not as something to eliminate, but to build capacity for more. If I feel anxious, I acknowledge it—“Thanks brain, I care about this”—and then focus on what I need to do next, rather than what I feel.
What are the most common challenges you see in elite performers?
It’s universal: they know how to perform during training, but they struggle under pressure when the stakes are high—whether in sport, surgery, car racing, or UFC. My job is to help them replicate practice-level performance on the big stage by anchoring their focus on action and execution.
You mentioned confidence versus competence—can you unpack that?
Confidence is an emotion and can fluctuate wildly; competence is a skill and more stable. My goal is to help athletes perform even when confidence dips. Like golfers nervous at the British Open—they might look calm externally, but they’re terrified internally. What matters is their composure—how they act—regardless of feeling frightened inside.
You also talk about regret vs. disappointment. Explain that.
Disappointment is inevitable in high-stakes endeavors, but regret comes from not giving it your all. Regret hits hardest when you know you didn’t try your best—and that can stick with you forever. My aim is to help athletes eliminate that regret by ensuring they put in everything they have.
What’s the difference between goals and expectations?
Goals—particularly outcome and process goals—give direction. I encourage specificity with a focus on today. Instead of broad intentions like "get fit this week," define what you’ll do in the first 20 minutes today. Ambiguity kills action.
How do these principles apply to "normal" people?
Challenges and stress are universal—family, career, health.; our stress response is natural and evolutionary. Most of us underperform because we've lost touch with adversity and what's important. I encourage people to do meaningful things with meaningful people, aligned with their values, and acknowledge that discomfort is part of the process.
You emphasize positive action over positive thinking—and the importance of play?
Positive psychology’s misinterpreted—it's not just feeling good, it’s about action. Historically, the term should’ve highlighted positive action. Our brains can’t simply be told to stop fear or anxiety. Instead, we must act anyway if something matters. And playfulness helps—research shows moments before humor are key learning triggers. So I incorporate play to engage, reset, and improve learning and connection.
Two big pitfalls: rumination—overthinking things, which leads to paralysis—and comparison, the “thief of joy.” Success and contentment are often undermined by comparing ourselves to others, long before social media existed. We need to shift focus from internal states to actions.
Elite performers, entrepreneurs, or everyday people all face the same puzzle: do they let neurobiology limit them, or can they act beyond their discomfort? Life is uncertain, and our brains crave comfort, but we find purpose by doing things that matter—with others, valued, and aligned to our values.
Well, that’s all I’ve got. This has been sincerely fascinating. Really appreciate your time.
Likewise—happy to chat again anytime. Good stuff.
