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Performance People
James Cracknell | The Crash, the Coma and the Comeback
Double Olympic champion James Cracknell joins Georgie for a conversation about elite sport, resilience, identity and recovery.
James reflects on the defining moment that shaped his Olympic career: missing out on Atlanta 1996 through illness, after years of preparation, and deciding to commit to another four-year cycle despite knowing the same heartbreak could happen again.
He takes us inside the pressure of rowing with Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent and Tim Foster, the standards set by legendary coach Jürgen Grobler, and the mindset that helped Team GB win Olympic gold in Sydney and Athens.
But this is also a conversation about life after elite sport. James opens up about the serious brain injury he suffered in 2010 after being hit by a fuel truck while cycling across America, the impact it had on his personality, family life and sense of self, and why he now believes asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
From Olympic gold to rowing the Atlantic, recovering from a coma, getting into the University of Cambridge, competing in the Boat Race and now coaching the next generation, James shares what it really means to rebuild, adapt and keep moving forward.
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The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.
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Connect with Performance People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
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Mary Earps | Role Models, Resilience And What Comes Next
53:04|Mary Earps joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about life at PSG, leaving her comfort zone, the rise of women’s football, and why she is determined to make goalkeeping cool.The England goalkeeper reflects on the defining moments that changed her career, from being dropped by England in 2019 to winning Euro 2022, the World Cup Golden Glove and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.She also talks about social media, role modelling, the responsibility of visibility, her future beyond PSG, and why young girls need proper access to goalkeeping.Mary discusses the courage it took to move to PSG, not because she had to, but because she felt she needed to keep growing. She talks openly about Manchester United feeling like home, the uncertainty of short contracts in women’s football, and the emotional complexity of deciding what comes next.A major theme is visibility. Mary explains how Euro 2022, the World Cup and Sports Personality of the Year changed the conversation around women’s football, but also around goalkeeping specifically. Her mission now is to make the position feel respected, desirable and accessible for young girls.She also speaks honestly about the pressure of being seen as a role model, the dangers of social media, and the importance of showing up authentically rather than presenting only the polished version of success.#MaryEarps #PerformancePeople #WomensFootball #PSG #Goalkeeper #EnglandFootball #HighPerformance________________________________The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.________________________________ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Most People Don’t Need Surgery. They Need This Instead | Dr Cuan Wayne Coetzee
30:25|This episode of Performance People explores the science behind movement, recovery, and why small, consistent changes can completely alter how your body functions. Dr Cuan Wayne Coetzee is a chiropractor and movement expert focused on helping people overcome chronic pain through movement, neuroscience, and behavioural change. His work centres on neural re-education (NRE) using simple, novel movement patterns to retrain the brain and restore function. He is also the author of, Why Movement is Medicine.Dr Cuan Wayne Coetzee breaks down:* Why movement is medicine* How novelty rewires the brain in chronic pain* The truth about posture (and why “perfect” posture doesn’t exist)* Why recovery is the most overlooked performance lever* How to build simple daily habits that actually stickTAKEAWAYS* There is no single “bad posture”, only positions you can’t move out of* Chronic pain is often a brain problem as much as a body problem* Small, consistent inputs beat extreme interventions* Recovery isn’t passive - it’s a system you have to build* Most people don’t need more information, they need simpler habitsThe Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.00:00 Creating novelty to change the brain00:23 Welcome to Performance People with Dr Kieran Kutzer01:11 The story behind Why Movement Is Medicine03:01 Is sitting really the new smoking?04:34 Movement snacks and breaking up desk posture06:18 Neuroplasticity, chronic pain and neural re-education07:50 Surgery vs movement: when each has its place10:01 Why recovery matters as much as training14:46 The MoveMed Eight: key movement patterns for spinal health20:49 Stress, breathwork, zone 2 training and the LENDS recovery model#MovementIsMedicine#ChronicPain#SpinalHealth#Recovery#PerformancePeople________________________________ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
How Matchroom Executive Emily Frazer Is Building Nine-Ball Pool Into Their Next Big Success Story
52:19|Emily Frazer is the CEO of Matchroom Multi-Sport, and trying to do with 9 ball pool what her bosses did with darts and snooker. In a candid conversation with Georgie, Emily shares what she has learned from working alongside Barry and Eddie Hearn, how Matchroom’s Netflix series changed perceptions of the business and why character, storytelling and relentless standards matter if you want to build a sport that cuts through.She also tells brilliant behind-the-scenes stories about both Hearns. Emily describes Barry Hearn as a father figure, a motivator and a huge presence inside Matchroom, while also explaining the belief he showed in her as she took on major responsibility at a young age. She reflects too on Eddie Hearn’s passion, composure and ability to handle pressure, including the moment he tuned in and saw the scale fandom that Matchroom had unlocked in Vietnam.There is also a standout Judd Trump tale, as Emily recalls convincing the snooker star to play in one of Matchroom’s pool events after he joked that the sport would be easy. After getting a sharp lesson from a pool pro, Trump found himself snookered, exactly the kind of moment Emily believes helps change perceptions of the sport.The episode also covers:* how Emily has built Matchroom Multi-Sport from the “ugly sister” of the business into a serious growth area* why Barry Hearn’s advice and backing have been so important* what Eddie Hearn has taught her about passion and leadership* how Netflix opened doors commercially* why Judd Trump’s appearance mattered* the challenge of creating stars in modern sport* the long-term ambition for nine-ball pool and Matchroom Multi-SportThis is all about compelling sport, leadership, ambition, underdog energy and building something people once overlooked into something impossible to ignore.________________________________The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.________________________________ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Kate Cross | Challenging the “Dinosaurs” Who Held Women’s Cricket Back
24:12|This week on Performance People, Georgie sits down with England cricketer Kate Cross for a conversation about resilience, identity and the moments that shape a sporting life.Recorded in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2025, before the SailGP Grand final, Kate looks back on the defining moment that changed everything: her Test debut in Perth in 2014. It came at the end of a turbulent period in which she had been dropped from the England academy, was struggling with her mental health at university and had begun to question whether cricket had a future for her at all. What followed was a brilliant summer, an England call-up and a debut Ashes victory at the WACA that helped launch both her international career and a new era for the women’s game.She reflects on the pressure of elite sport, the importance of rediscovering joy in performance, and why taking pressure off yourself can sometimes be the thing that allows you to perform at your best. Kate also speaks candidly about the professionalisation of women’s cricket, the visibility and investment that have transformed the game, and the barriers that still remain.There is also a powerful discussion about sexism in cricket, the outdated attitudes that once blocked girls from playing, and why equal opportunity, access and resource matter just as much as pay. As one of the senior voices in the dressing room, Kate explains why helping change the environment for the next generation now matters deeply to her.She also opens up about losing her England contract despite one of the most successful domestic seasons of her career and the emotional whiplash of professional sport when success and disappointment can sit side by side.00:00 “Dinosaurs” who never wanted women to play cricket00:33 Kate Cross on her surreal SailGP experience03:02 The defining moment that changed everything04:38 Why letting go of the dream helped05:55 University pressure, doubt and depression08:14 The call that brought England back into reach09:48 Proving she belonged on the biggest stage11:04 First ball nerves at the WACA12:20 Why the Ashes in Australia are brutal12:58 Kate Cross on Bazball14:21 Can Test cricket still hold attention?15:42 How professionalism changed women’s cricket17:56 The barriers still holding the women’s game back20:28 Leadership, influence and changing the culture21:18 Losing her England contract22:52 Golf, sailing and what retirement might look like________________________________The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.________________________________ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest.🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Inside Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Gamble | Wrexham Director Shaun Harvey
49:12|Wrexham’s rise has been framed as a Hollywood story. The reality is rather more structured.In this episode, Wrexham director Shaun Harvey breaks down what’s actually driven the transformation, from the earliest conversations during lockdown, through to building a club now pushing towards the Premier League.At the centre of it is the ownership model. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney didn’t just bring capital, they brought attention, storytelling and global reach. But critically, the football operation was never compromised. The club comes first. The documentary follows.What emerges is a clear set of principles:* Stay authentic* Avoid gimmicks* Trust football expertise* Build for the community firstThe result is a model that blends performance, narrative and commercial growth, without losing credibility.This is not just a football story. It’s a case study in how modern sports organisations can scale: by combining elite performance with disciplined storytelling and long-term thinking.00:00 Introduction00:03 Ryan Reynolds and Rob as Wrexham co-chairmen00:29 How the Wrexham takeover began05:18 Why Wrexham meant so much to the community08:33 The Supporters Trust meeting that decided everything11:25 The original plan for Wrexham13:04 Why Ryan and Rob did it differently15:10 Football first, documentary second21:03 The breakthrough that changed everything25:59 Why Ryan and Rob don’t interfere37:43 Community, ownership and the Premier League dream________________________________The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.________________________________ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Recovery, Stress and the Science of Longevity | Dr Tamsin Lewis
35:08|What does real longevity look like when you’ve lived at the sharp end of performance?In this episode of Performance People, Georgie is joined by Dr Tamsin Lewis, longevity physician, psychiatrist, former GB triathlete and founder of Wellgevity, for a wide-ranging conversation about health, performance and what it really takes to sustain both over time.Tamsin reflects on her journey from elite sport into medicine, and how triathlon became both a focus and a turning point during a period of stress, overwork and unhealthy coping mechanisms. She speaks candidly about anxiety, eating disorders, perfectionism, validation, and the darker side of high achievement, as well as the role competition, challenge and community can play in transforming behaviour.The conversation also explores the bigger picture of modern wellbeing: burnout, relationships, diet, environment, nervous system regulation and the daily habits that can either protect or deplete us. This is an episode about much more than living longer, it is about living better, with greater awareness, resilience and intention.In this episode:* Dr Tamsin Lewis’s journey from elite triathlon to longevity medicine* The relationship between high performance, stress and self-sabotage* How exercise can become a healthier outlet for pressure and anxiety* Why burnout protection goes beyond sleep and nutrition* The role of relationships, environment and nervous system health* Perfectionism, validation and the psychology of achievement* What sustainable health actually looks like in real life00:00 Introduction00:23 Meet Dr Tamsin Lewis01:18 How triathlon changed everything04:12 Competition, stress and overtraining07:11 What good coaching really does08:57 Female performance, fuelling and training differences13:06 Burnout, elite sport and building a business17:00 The hidden cost of pushing too hard20:02 Mold, Covid and immune system overload23:45 Burnout, cortisol and recovery25:00 What longevity should actually mean32:16 How to future-proof your health________________________________The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.________________________________ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Inside Max Verstappen’s Training Regime with F1 Performance Coach Bradley Scanes
28:34|What does it take to prepare a Formula 1 world champion to perform at the very highest level?In this episode of Performance People, Georgie Ainslie sits down with elite performance coach and physio Bradley Scanes, whose work in Formula 1 included training and supporting Max Verstappen through the relentless physical, mental and logistical demands of the sport. Bradley explains what an F1 driver’s off-season really looks like, from structured downtime after Abu Dhabi to the intense six-to-seven-week pre-season block where every detail counts. He breaks down the extraordinary fitness demands of driving at the top level, from neck strength and reaction speed to cardio conditioning, heat tolerance, recovery, hydration and jet lag management. He also shares what his role on race weekends actually involved: not just physical preparation, but creating the calm, focused environment that allows a driver to perform when the pressure is greatest.The conversation then shifts from the world of Formula 1 to a challenge many listeners will relate to far more directly: marathon running. Bradley explains why running can be such an effective and accessible form of exercise, why many fears around damage to the knees are overstated, and what really causes most running injuries. He talks through what it takes to break the four-hour marathon barrier, why consistency matters more than anything clever or complicated, and why amateurs should think in terms of months of sensible build-up rather than quick-fix plans. The discussion also explores the mental side of endurance training, the reality of hitting the wall, and the importance of trust between coach and athlete, whether you’re preparing for a Grand Prix or your first marathon.From world-class basics to world championship standards, this is a fascinating conversation about performance, recovery, preparation and doing the work that most people never see.00:00 Intro00:16 Inside Max Verstappen’s world with performance coach Bradley Scanes00:35 What Formula 1 can teach us about elite preparation01:04 The off-season: how Max Verstappen resets after a campaign03:47 The brutal physical training demands of Formula 107:01 How drivers train reaction speed, focus and decision-making09:39 Why championships are built in pre-season12:02 Bradley Scanes on supporting Max Verstappen on race weekends14:09 The sleep, jet lag and recovery battle in Formula 117:40 Why marathon running is more achievable than most people think20:23 The truth about breaking the 4-hour marathon barrier26:36 Why trust is the secret ingredient in elite coaching28:11 Outro________________________________The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.________________________________ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu | How a Herbal Blend Saved his Football Career and Inspired a Booming Business
31:32|Former Premier League footballer Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu joins Performance People to talk about the injury crisis that nearly ended his career at 17, the natural recovery blend his father created to help him heal, and how that personal turning point became the foundation for his wellness business, The Turmeric Co.In this episode, Thomas reflects on chronic pain, elite sport, recovery, entrepreneurship, preventative health, and why he believes the future of healthcare should focus far more on education and prevention than treatment alone.In this episode:* The career-threatening knee injuries that changed everything* Why conventional anti-inflammatories caused more problems* How his father developed the original turmeric blend at home* The six-week turning point that helped him return to football* Building The Turmeric Co from a kitchen recipe into a serious business* The challenges of manufacturing, shelf life and retail growth* Why Thomas believes recovery is the foundation of performance* His bigger vision for preventative health in the UK00:00 The vision behind The Turmeric Co00:39 Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu’s defining moment01:16 Two ACL ruptures by 1703:46 Living with chronic pain04:47 Searching for a natural solution06:27 The library research behind the blend08:02 Creating the first homemade shot10:41 Pain-free in six weeks12:23 From home remedy to business14:15 Rejected by manufacturers16:20 Building production from scratch17:39 The first life-changing testimonial20:52 Scaling The Turmeric Co25:11 A vision for the NHS28:56 What recovery means now________________________________The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.________________________________ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.