She Didn’t Love Golf—Then Became an LPGA Pro: Dewi Weber on Mental Toughness, Discipline, and Success
What does it really take to become one of the best athletes in the world?
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Is it natural talent? Years of practice? Mental toughness? Or the ability to keep going when things don’t turn out the way you planned?
In Episode 21 of In Search of Excellence: Island Style, host Larry Gonzales sits down with LPGA professional golfer Dewi Weber for an inspiring conversation about overcoming adversity, building confidence, handling pressure, and pursuing excellence.
Dewi’s journey to professional golf wasn’t traditional. She grew up playing competitive tennis in the Netherlands and never imagined becoming a professional golfer. But after a serious ankle injury forced her away from tennis, she discovered a new sport that would eventually change her life.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)From earning a scholarship to the University of Miami to competing against the world’s best golfers on the LPGA Tour, Dewi shares the lessons she’s learned about preparation, discipline, resilience, and the mental side of success.
Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, business professional, parent, or someone working toward a personal goal, this episode offers valuable insights into what it takes to perform at your best.
Guest Bio
Dewi Weber
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Professional Golfer | LPGA Tour
Dewi Weber is a Dutch professional golfer competing on the LPGA Tour.
Before discovering golf, Dewi was a competitive tennis player in the Netherlands. After suffering an ankle injury at age 12, she transitioned to golf and quickly demonstrated her athletic ability.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)By age 14, she had earned a place on the Dutch National Team and began competing in international junior tournaments. She represented the Netherlands at the European Young Masters and European Girls’ Team Championship in 2012 and competed in six European Ladies’ Team Championships between 2013 and 2018.
Dewi later earned a golf scholarship to the University of Miami, where she finished runner-up at the national championship during her freshman year.
After a successful amateur career, she pursued professional golf and eventually joined the LPGA Tour.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Throughout her career, Dewi has developed a strong appreciation for the mental side of competition, including preparation, confidence, self-awareness, and learning from failure.
Instagram: @dewiweber
Episode Summary
From Tennis Injury to Professional Golf
Dewi Weber didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a professional golfer.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)As a child in the Netherlands, tennis was her passion. She competed at a national level and was involved in developmental programs before suffering a serious ankle injury.
Unable to continue playing tennis during her recovery, Dewi began spending time at the golf course with her parents.
At first, she didn’t particularly enjoy golf.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)What kept her going was her competitive nature.
She wanted to improve because she wanted to beat the other kids.
That determination eventually helped her become one of the top amateur golfers in the world.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Interestingly, Dewi explains that her genuine love for golf didn’t fully develop until college and even later in her professional career.
Her story is a reminder that sometimes our greatest opportunities come from circumstances we never planned.
Confidence Comes From Preparation
One of the most powerful lessons from this conversation is Dewi’s approach to performing under pressure.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Professional golfers face enormous pressure, particularly when competing for a championship.
But Dewi explains that confidence doesn’t begin when you step onto the first tee.
It begins long before that moment.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Confidence comes from knowing you’ve practiced, prepared, and done everything possible to give yourself the best opportunity to succeed.
When it’s time to compete, the challenge is to trust that preparation rather than constantly questioning your abilities.
This principle applies far beyond professional sports.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Whether you’re preparing for a business presentation, making an important financial decision, or working toward a personal goal, preparation gives you the confidence to perform when it matters.
The Power of Daily Routines, Reading, and Journaling
Dewi shares that she typically wakes up three to three and a half hours before her tee time.
Instead of immediately checking her phone or rushing into the day, she creates time for herself.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Her routine includes making coffee, reading, journaling, and establishing her intentions for the day.
Rather than focusing exclusively on winning or shooting a particular score, Dewi often writes about goals she can control.
For example, she may focus on staying aware of her thoughts, managing frustration, or returning to the process when things don’t go according to plan.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)She also uses journaling to work through anxiety.
By writing down her concerns, she can examine them more objectively instead of allowing them to control her performance.
Larry shares his own morning journaling routine, called PATH:
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)P — People: Three people he’s grateful for.
A — Actions: Positive actions he’s taken.
T — Thoughts: Positive things he’s thinking about.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)H — Happiness: What makes him happy.
Both Larry and Dewi emphasize how intentional routines can help establish a positive, focused mindset before facing the challenges of the day.
What Separates the Best Golfers From Everyone Else?
There are many incredibly talented golfers competing professionally.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)So what separates the players who consistently perform at the highest level?
According to Dewi, physical ability matters, but mental skills can make an enormous difference.
She explains that the best players are often better at fully committing to their decisions.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Instead of worrying about everything that could go wrong, they select a shot, trust their preparation, and execute it.
They also understand that mistakes are inevitable.
What matters is how they respond.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Dewi discusses the difference between reacting emotionally to an undesirable result and responding thoughtfully.
That ability to recover from mistakes, remain confident, and focus on the next opportunity is one of the most valuable skills an athlete can develop.
The same principle applies in business and life.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Challenges are unavoidable. How you respond to them often determines what happens next.
The Reality of Life on the LPGA Tour
Professional golf may look glamorous on television.
Fans see beautiful golf courses, major championships, and athletes competing for significant prize money.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)But Dewi explains that life on tour requires much more than showing up and playing golf.
Professional golfers spend countless hours traveling, practicing, working out, recovering, and preparing for tournaments.
She describes traveling from Arkansas to Hawaiʻi, including a lengthy unexpected layover that made the journey particularly exhausting.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Once players arrive, their schedules remain demanding.
A typical tournament week may include practice rounds, strength training, recovery sessions, pro-am events, and hours of preparation before competition begins.
Dewi also discusses the financial realities of professional golf.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Although successful players can earn significant prize money, travel and professional expenses add up quickly.
For many players, pursuing a career on tour requires considerable financial commitment and sacrifice.
It’s a reminder that success often involves years of work and challenges that people never see.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Why Coaches and Mentors Matter
Even the best athletes in the world don’t succeed alone.
Dewi shares that she works with multiple coaches, including swing coaches, a putting coach, and a mental performance coach.
Each plays a different role in helping her improve.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Larry connects this to business and professional development.
If elite athletes rely on coaches to continually improve their performance, why shouldn’t entrepreneurs, business owners, and other professionals do the same?
The conversation reinforces the importance of remaining coachable, seeking feedback, and recognizing that excellence requires continuous learning.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Handling Failure, Self-Doubt, and Bad Days
Even professional golfers experience days when nothing seems to work.
Dewi describes the frustration of knowing what you’re capable of but struggling to execute it during competition.
When that happens, she believes it’s often better to accept the game you have that day rather than attempt to completely rebuild your technique in the middle of a tournament.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Trying to fix everything at once can create more confusion and frustration.
Instead, she emphasizes patience, discipline, and focusing on what you can control.
Golf teaches an important lesson: You don’t have to play perfectly to keep moving forward.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Sometimes success means accepting the circumstances, adjusting your strategy, and continuing to compete.
Marriage, Support, and Preparing for Parenthood
Beyond professional golf, Dewi opens up about her personal life and the importance of having a supportive partner.
Her wife, Jen, has supported her throughout her professional career, including the demanding travel schedule and financial uncertainties that come with competing on tour.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Dewi explains that Jen encourages her to continue playing as long as she genuinely loves what she’s doing.
Their relationship highlights the importance of communication, shared goals, and supporting each other’s ambitions.
As Dewi prepares to become a parent, she also reflects on how family may change her perspective.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)She looks forward to experiencing the curiosity and excitement that children bring to everyday life.
Dewi hopes to continue competing professionally while embracing the responsibilities and rewards of parenthood.
She also shares her vision of someday walking off the 18th green and being greeted by Jen and their child.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)It’s a powerful reminder that professional success and personal fulfillment aren’t always measured by trophies or money.
Be Your Child’s Biggest Cheerleader, Not Their Biggest Critic
Toward the end of the episode, Larry asks Dewi what advice she would give a young girl dreaming of becoming a professional golfer.
Her answer focuses on something every young athlete needs to understand:
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Making mistakes is part of getting better.
Dewi explains that young golfers shouldn’t be afraid of hitting a ball into a bunker or making a bad shot.
Instead, they should view those moments as opportunities to learn and develop new skills.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)She also encourages young athletes to focus on effort, improvement, and enjoying the game rather than becoming consumed by results.
Larry shares an important parenting lesson:
Be your child’s biggest cheerleader, not their biggest critic.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Both agree that parents and coaches play an important role in helping children develop confidence, resilience, and a lasting love for their sport.
The goal shouldn’t simply be to create a champion.
It should be to help young people develop qualities that will serve them throughout their lives.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Timestamp Highlights
00:00 Show Intro
00:14 Tennis To Golf
02:07 Finding Love For Golf
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)05:18 Miami Breakthrough
06:08 Pressure And Prep
08:00 Routine And Journaling
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)14:12 Turning Pro Decision
17:22 Marriage And Support
19:59 Money And Tour Reality
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)22:21 Staying On Tour
28:15 Coaches And Confidence
30:57 Behind The Scenes Grind
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)34:21 Consequences And Focus
39:18 Handling Bad Days
41:31 Parenthood Ahead
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)49:16 Advice For Young Golfers
53:43 Closing Thanks
Key Takeaways
Sometimes unexpected setbacks create opportunities you never imagined.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Confidence is built through preparation, practice, and consistent effort.
Daily routines can help improve focus, discipline, and mental clarity.
Journaling can help manage anxiety and create greater self-awareness.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Mental toughness is often what separates talented athletes from consistent top performers.
Learning how to respond to mistakes is more important than trying to avoid them entirely.
Professional success requires sacrifice, discipline, and commitment behind the scenes.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Coaches and mentors can help even the most accomplished professionals continue improving.
A supportive spouse and strong relationships can make pursuing demanding goals more sustainable.
Success should include personal fulfillment, not simply financial rewards or recognition.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)Young athletes should learn to embrace mistakes and focus on effort rather than results.
Parents should encourage their children’s growth without taking away their love for the game.
Listen & Watch
🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_2HjU-RITtg
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2IRYIz0xlxS4AN9SYVTnni?si=K691_77bQAKkcUozwc6j4w
🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-lpga-pros-handle-pressure-failure-self-doubt/id1891237091?i=1000796725358
Subscribe to In Search of Excellence: Island Style on YouTube and follow the show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts for more conversations about leadership, personal growth, resilience, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and building long-term success.
Verify your mortgage eligibility (Nov 9th, 2026)If Dewi’s story inspired you, share this episode with an athlete, entrepreneur, business owner, coach, parent, or anyone working toward a big goal.
And if you’re looking for practical lessons on handling pressure, building confidence, or overcoming setbacks, this is a conversation worth watching.
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