You’ve probably heard the advice to "just be yourself" a thousand times. Honestly? It's some of the worst advice out there when the stakes are high. When you’re standing in the wings of a stage, sitting in a high-pressure board meeting, or staring down a heavy barbell, "yourself" is often the person filled with doubt, family baggage, and that annoying inner critic.
Todd Herman realized this twenty years ago while working with Olympic athletes and CEOs. He noticed the world's highest performers weren't actually "being themselves" when they won. They were being someone else.
This isn't about being fake. It’s about being intentional.
The Todd Herman alter ego strategy is essentially a psychological "cheat code" that allows you to bypass your insecurities by stepping into a persona designed for a specific task. Think of it like a coat you put on. When the coat is on, you’re the version of you that gets the job done. When it’s off, you’re just you again.
The Bo Jackson Revelation
The most famous example Herman uses involves one of the greatest athletes of all time: Bo Jackson. Bo was a freak of nature—the only person to be an All-Star in both baseball and football. But here’s the kicker: Bo Jackson once told Herman that Bo Jackson never played a down of football in his life.
Wait, what?
When Bo was a kid, he had a massive temper. He’d get frustrated, lash out, and get hit with penalties. He was a liability. Then, he saw the movie Friday the 13th. He became fascinated by Jason Voorhees. Not because he wanted to be a killer, but because Jason was cold, unemotional, and relentless.
So, Bo decided that whenever he stepped onto the field, he wasn't Bo. He was "Jason."
The second he crossed that white line, the emotional, hot-headed kid vanished. In his place was a "disciplined destroyer." This is the core of the Todd Herman alter ego method. You aren't lying to the world; you're just choosing which part of your personality gets the steering wheel.
Why Your Brain Falls for the Trick
It sounds kinda "woo-woo" or like something a kid does on a playground. But the science, often called "enclothed cognition," is actually pretty solid.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that when people wore a white lab coat they believed belonged to a doctor, their focus and attention to detail skyrocketed. When they wore the exact same coat but were told it was a "painter’s smock," those performance gains vanished.
The clothes didn't change. The identity did.
Herman argues that we all have "Fields of Play." You have a field of play at the office, one at home with your kids, and maybe one at the gym. The problem is we often bring the wrong "self" to the wrong field.
"You don't want the 'ruthless negotiator' version of yourself showing up to Sunday dinner with your mother-in-law."
By using an alter ego, you create a "phone booth moment"—just like Clark Kent turning into Superman. You use a trigger to signal to your brain that it’s time to perform.
Building Your Own Secret Identity
Creating a Todd Herman alter ego isn't just about picking a cool name. It's a process. If you just try to "be Batman" without any preparation, you’ll just feel like a guy in a cape.
1. Identify the Enemy
First, you have to name what’s stopping you. Is it "The Procrastinator"? Is it "The People Pleaser"? Herman calls this the "Inner Resistance." You can't fight a ghost, so you give it a name and a face. Maybe your inner critic sounds like a specific person from your past or looks like a cartoon character. Once it’s externalized, it’s easier to ignore.
2. Choose Your Hero
Who has the traits you need? It could be:
- A fictional character: (Wonder Woman, James Bond, Sherlock Holmes)
- A historical figure: (Winston Churchill, Maya Angelou)
- An animal: (A black panther for grace, a grizzly bear for power)
- A "composite" person: A mix of your mentor's confidence and your dad's work ethic.
3. The Totem or Trigger
This is the most practical part. You need a physical object that "activates" the persona.
Todd Herman himself used to wear non-prescription glasses when he started his coaching business. He felt he looked too young and inexperienced. When he put the glasses on, he became "Super Richard" (his alter ego). He was smarter, more assertive, and didn't take "no" for an answer. The second he took them off? He was just Todd again.
I’ve seen people use rings, a specific watch, or even a certain pair of socks. The object doesn't matter. The meaning you give it does.
The "Authenticity" Trap
A lot of people push back on this. They say, "I want to be authentic!"
Herman’s counter-argument is brilliant: Your "authentic self" is actually the one with all the capabilities, but your "trapped self" is the one holding you back. If you have the skill to give a great speech but your fear stops you, which one is more "authentic"? The skill or the fear?
Using an alter ego is just a way to get the fear out of the way so the skill can actually show up. It’s a tool for the "Extraordinary World" rather than the "Ordinary World" we usually inhabit.
How to Start Today
You don't need to write a biography for your new persona. Just start small.
Next time you have a task you've been dreading—maybe it's a difficult phone call or a grueling workout—pick a trait you need. If you need courage, ask yourself who the most courageous person you know is.
Assign that trait to a "totem." It could be a pen. Decide that as long as you are holding that pen, you have the courage of that person.
Your Actionable Steps:
- Define your Field of Play: Where are you struggling most right now? (Work, fitness, parenting?)
- Pick one trait: Don't try to change everything. Just pick one thing, like "decisiveness" or "patience."
- Find your trigger: Choose an object you already wear or use.
- Test it for 10 minutes: Don't commit to a lifetime. Just "play the role" for ten minutes and see if your internal dialogue shifts.
Honestly, the "you" that shows up might surprise you. Most of us are sitting on a mountain of potential we’re too embarrassed to use because we’re worried about what people think of the "real us." The alter ego gives you permission to stop worrying and start performing.
To really make this stick, don't tell anyone about your alter ego. It’s called a "secret identity" for a reason. Keeping it private preserves the psychological power of the trigger. Put the glasses on, wear the watch, or step over that imaginary line, and let the hero take over.
The goal isn't to stay in character forever. It's to prove to yourself that those "superpowers" were actually yours all along. You just needed a mask to feel safe enough to use them.