The High Performance Podcast

Who are you when the job title drops away? This episode digs deep into the question we often avoid but desperately need to ask ourselves.Jake and Damian dive into the importance of knowing who you are beyond your role, sharing honest and powerful insights from guests like Simon Sinek, Phil Heath, Ali Abdaal, and John McAvoy. They unpack how easy it is to confuse identity with achievement, and why that can leave us lost when the spotlight fades.From writing your own obituary to asking a friend what truly makes you you, this episode offers simple yet profound ways to reconnect with your real self, beyond the job, the status, or the performance.It’s a grounding reminder to live with purpose, let go of regret, and define success on your own terms.Listen to the episodes mentioned:Simon Sinek: https://pod.fo/e/18ee0ePhill Heath: https://pod.fo/e/2313e6Ali Abdaal: https://pod.fo/e/213471John McAvoy: https://pod.fo/e/f0815

When you think of Gordon Ramsay, you probably think of shouting, sarcasm, and one-liners hot enough to sear a steak. But behind the fire is a habit that’s far more important than the volume: He takes feedback professionally, not personally.In this episode, we go beyond the reputation and dig into the mindset that helped Gordon rise, not just to fame, but to genuine mastery. From his early football dreams to Michelin-starred kitchens, Ramsay shares how embracing criticism, and choosing to learn from it instead of defending against it, changed everything.We explore:Why your first reaction to feedback is rarely your bestWhat neuroscience tells us about why feedback feels so threateningThe “three-beat” rule that can shift how you respondA better way to give feedback: the feedforward methodHow humility, not ego, fuels real growthWhether you're leading a team, learning a craft, or just trying to handle tough conversations better, this episode is for you.Because growth isn’t about never being wrong. It’s about what you do when someone tells you you are.Listen to the full episode with Gordon Ramsay: https://pod.fo/e/1fa614Here is more information on the studies referenced: The effects of feedback interventions on performance, published in Psychological Bulletin: Avraham N. Kluger & Angelo DeNisi (1996) Feedforward approach Avraham N. Kluger & Dina Nir (2010)

Mark Cuban is a billionaire entrepreneur, Shark Tank investor, and the outspoken former owner of the Dallas Mavericks.In this episode, he shares how transforming the Mavericks wasn’t just about stats, it was about building a culture. From upgrading hotels to investing in skill development, Cuban shows how leadership and empathy can shape winning teams. He also dives into the AI revolution, offering sharp advice for young people and entrepreneurs ready to take advantage of the biggest tech shift in generations.This episode is packed with practical insight, real talk, and a fresh look at success from someone who’s seen it all.🚨 PartnersAG1 👉 Join Jake and top performers using AG1. Click the link and get an offer worth £68: https://hppod.co/ag1HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundationHP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-eventsExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners

Think pro tennis is all glamour? Think again. In this episode, Jake and Damian sit down with former Irish Tennis pro Conor Niland, who reached a high of No 129 in the world, to explore the untold reality of life on the tour for the 99% of players who never make the headlines. Conor got within one set of playing Federer at Wimbledon and faced Djokovic at the US Open. Learn why most pros can lose more than they win—yet still keep swinging.They unpack what success really means beyond trophies and TV appearances, the mental toll of chasing rankings, and why true high performance often lies in resilience, not recognition. From redefining winning to managing pressure and failure, this honest conversation offers a powerful reminder that personal growth often matters more than public glory.Conor's award-winning book 'The Racket' is out now.

Triple H didn’t just dominate in the ring, he learned how to read a room, shift direction in real time, and lead an entire industry by listening closely.In this episode, we unpack the surprising psychology behind his success and explore how the powerful mental model known as the OODA loop (Observe. Orient. Decide. Act.) can help anyone make faster, smarter decisions under pressure.We also explore how great leaders don’t chase control, they build awareness, stay flexible, and move with purpose. From the energy of the arena to the dynamics of boardrooms and creative endeavors, real-time feedback is the key to sustained high performance.If you’ve ever felt stuck in indecision, overwhelmed by input, or unsure how to respond in fast-moving moments, this episode offers a blueprint.It’s not about wrestling. It’s about reading the moment, and rising to it.Listen to the full episode with Triple H: https://pod.fo/e/2c762aHere is more information on the studies referenced: John Boyd & The OODA Loop (referenced in Psych Safety), Col. John R. Boyd, USAF

Premier League Defender Dan Burn opens up about the impact of Eddie Howe’s leadership, how genuine communication and taking the time to connect with players makes a difference beyond just tactics. He reflects on the rollercoaster journey from near relegation to competing in the Champions League, and how winning the League Cup wasn’t just about the trophy itself, but the collective grit and unity that got them there.The conversation also dives into the emotional highs and lows of chasing silverware and carrying the weight of a club desperate for glory. From the League Cup final to Champions League qualification, Burn doesn't just talk about the games, he talks about the journey.This episode offers real insight into the heart of Newcastle United, through the voice of someone who lives and breathes it.🚨 PartnersHeights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://hppod.co/20heightsHP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundationHP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-eventsExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners

Pressure shows up at the front door in broad daylight, stress lurks in the shadows of your own mind. One is the world’s expectation. The other is your own resistance to it.In this episode, Jake and Damian unpack the crucial difference between pressure and stress, and why understanding it can transform how you handle challenges. Drawing insights from guests like Tom Aspinall, Steve Hansen, Barry Hearn, and Alistair Campbell, they explore how top performers prepare for pressure, ground themselves in high-stakes moments, and reframe fear into freedom. With practical tools and powerful stories, this episode is a guide to staying centred when life speeds up, listen in as Jake and Damian share how to turn pressure into progress and stress into strength.Listen to episodes mentioned:Tom Aspinall:https://pod.fo/e/2d3d2eSteve Hansen: https://pod.fo/e/1ecddaBarry Hearn: https://pod.fo/e/157c60Alistair Campbell: https://pod.fo/e/f40aa

Mo lost his son, Ali, in a tragic and avoidable surgery. It’s the kind of grief that could break anyone. But instead of shutting down, he turned toward the pain, with honesty, logic, and a question that changed everything: Can we train ourselves to be happy, even after heartbreak?One insight stood out: the 90-second rule. According to Mo (and backed by neuroscience), our emotions only physically last 90 seconds. What happens after that? That’s on us.In this episode, we explore how to ride that first emotional wave, how to challenge the stories our brain creates, and how three simple questions can help us shift from reaction to intention.This isn’t about pretending everything’s okay. It’s about learning how to respond when it isn’t.If you’ve ever felt hijacked by your emotions, or just wanted a way to move through them with more clarity, this one’s worth your time.Listen to the full episode with Mo Gawdat: https://pod.fo/e/140b32Here is more information on the studies referenced: 1. 90 Second Emotion Rule (Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, 2006), My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey2. Space Between Stimulus and Response (Viktor Frankl, 1946), Man’s Search for Meaning

Sam Allardyce is one of English football’s most seasoned and straight-talking managers, known as much for his no-nonsense attitude as for his deep understanding of the game. With a career spanning decades, he’s led clubs like Bolton, West Ham, and Everton, and even had a brief but infamous spell as England manager.In this episode, Big Sam opens up about what it really takes to build a football club from the ground up. From keeping your job long enough to make lasting changes, to scouting better players and improving performance fast, he lays out the reality of trying to grow while constantly under pressure. He also reflects on his time in charge of England and the regret over how that chapter ended, showing a more reflective and human side to his story. The conversation also dives into Allardyce’s more forward-thinking strategies, like bringing cryotherapy into football before it was cool, and using player data to back up tough decisions. This episode offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what football management is really like, tough, complex, and full of lessons you won’t find in a textbook.🚨 PartnersAG1 👉 Join Jake and top performers using AG1. Click the link and get an offer worth £68: https://hppod.co/ag1HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundationHP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-eventsExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners