Interview with David Dorgan: On Performance, Mindset, and Startups
"Whether you're standing over a free in a Munster final or pitching your start-up to investors, you're exposed"
Interview with : On Performance, Mindset, and Startups
Q1. You鈥檝e coached Cork鈥檚 minor and U20 hurlers and now work with founders through UCC鈥檚 IGNITE programme. On the surface, GAA and start-ups seem worlds apart鈥攚hat are the unexpected similarities?
A: GAA and start-ups might look like different worlds, but both demand resilience, clarity, and presence under pressure. Whether you鈥檙e standing over a free in a Munster final or pitching your start-up to investors, you鈥檙e exposed鈥攜our preparation, your belief, your identity. What separates the best is their ability to accept the moment as it is, stay focused on what matters most, and take the next right action.
鈥淭he most common block I see? 鈥楢m I good enough?鈥欌��
Q2. Start-ups can be a lonely game, full of self-doubt and setbacks. In your work with founders, what are the most common mindset blockages you see and how do you help people get unstuck?
A: The most common block I see? 鈥淎m I good enough?鈥� It shows up in procrastination, perfectionism, or freezing when it matters most. To shift it, we start with awareness: noticing the thought without judgement. Then we refocus on what matters鈥攚hat action will move you forward, aligned with your values? It鈥檚 not about changing the thought. It鈥檚 about choosing your focus and building belief through action.
鈥淭hat tiny gap between stimulus and response is gold.鈥�
Q3. You combine tools from positive psychology, NLP, and executive coaching in your work. What鈥檚 one simple practice from those areas that founders can use to stay mentally strong under pressure?
A: One of the simplest鈥攁nd most powerful鈥攊s the pause.
Pause.
Take a breath.
Notice what鈥檚 happening inside鈥攚ithout judgement.
Choose where to place your focus next.
That tiny gap between stimulus and response is gold. You don鈥檛 need to believe every thought your mind throws at you. You just need to choose what serves you next.
鈥淭he edge is often emotional, not technical.鈥�
Q4. In elite sport, performance is often about small margins. Is it the same with founders? What separates those who just survive from those who thrive?
A: Absolutely鈥攊t鈥檚 the small margins. A 10-minute follow-up call, a mindset shift before a pitch, a decision to reset after a bad day鈥攖hese add up. Those who thrive aren鈥檛 always the most brilliant or best connected. They鈥檙e the ones who reflect, adapt, and keep showing up. The edge is often emotional, not technical. Stay present, focus forward, and don鈥檛 let setbacks become your identity.
鈥淪eparate the event from the identity.鈥�
Q5. How do you approach building confidence with someone who鈥檚 in a slump鈥攂e it a corner-back who had a tough match or a founder who just lost a big customer?
A: I help them separate the event from the identity. You lost a customer, you had a bad game鈥攚hat did you learn? What worked well? Where are the opportunities? What step can you take to move the dial? And again staying present to bring all your current capabilities to the next moment.
鈥淲hen you know what matters most, you lead with conviction.鈥�
Q6. You talk about creating values-driven visions. Why are values so important for founders and what happens when they aren鈥檛 clear on theirs?
A: When you know what matters most, you lead with conviction. You push through challenges, make better decisions, and stay grounded鈥攅specially under pressure. When founders aren鈥檛 clear on their values, they can get distracted, get discouraged, and sometimes drift. Connecting to your values can help overcome some of the inertia that inevitably comes when you are moving outside your comfort zone.
鈥淲e still treat resilience like a personality trait instead of a trainable skill.鈥�
Q7. You鈥檝e worked with young athletes and now young entrepreneurs. Do you think we鈥檙e doing enough to develop mental resilience in early-career professionals?
A: Honestly? No. We still treat resilience like a personality trait instead of a trainable skill. The good news is, young founders are hungry for it. When we teach them how to reflect, defuse from thoughts, and move towards values鈥攖hey take to it fast. They just need tools and the environment to develop.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need to be confident to start. But the act of starting builds belief.鈥�
Q8. What advice would you give to someone starting a business who鈥檚 unsure if they have what it takes mentally?
A: You probably don鈥檛 feel ready鈥攁nd that鈥檚 normal. Start anyway. Programs like IGNITE surround you with people who both challenge and support you. You don鈥檛 need to be confident to start. But the act of starting and being in programs like IGNITE builds belief.