The High Performance Podcast

In this episode, Chris Williamson joins Jake and Damian to delve deep into the realms of connection and embracing authenticity.Chris Williamson is an English podcaster, YouTuber and former television personality; appearing on the first series of Love Island in 2015. Since 2018 he has hosted the highly regarded Modern Wisdom podcast, surpassing a staggering 400 million downloads.Chris boldly talks about fighting feelings of not being enough, showing how chasing success can sometimes mean giving up happiness. He chats openly about his childhood and upbringing, craving validation after growing up feeling lonely.Despite his success, Chris acknowledges his ongoing pursuit for self-improvement through journaling, meditation, and therapy; emphasising the importance of these exercises for continuous growth. From his podcasting success to his latest venture with ‘Neutonic’, a thoughtfully crafted productivity drink, Chris highlights the power of curiosity, consistency, and intentionalism. He shares the importance of defining our desires and taking action to fulfil them. This episode digs into the twists and turns of human connections, striving for real success, and finding out who we are.

Iconic ice dancing duo Torvill and Dean sit down with Jake and Damian to reflect on their illustrious career spanning over 50 years.Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean are a lengendary former British ice skating duo and 1984 Winter Olympics Champions. In this episode, they reflect on their early days, recalling the pivotal moment when they realised their potential as a duo. They highlight how their shared passion for skating and unwavering commitment to improvement bound them together for over five decades.Delving into their creative process, Torvill and Dean recount the discovery of ‘Bolero’, the routine that would later become iconic for their 1984 Olympic success. They emphasise the dedication and discipline required for success, the challenges they faced, and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of their sport.Looking back on their illustrious careers, the pair reveal their decision to retire after 50 years on the ice. With wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of skating, they embrace the idea of leaving the stage on their own terms, ready to embark on new adventures.This conversation explores the insights behind Torvill and Dean’s dynamic partnership, and how they navigated tensions and dealt with failure to become two of Great Britain’s most celebrated Olympians.

In this absorbing conversation, Jake sits down with none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger, delving into the renowned actor and former bodybuilder's remarkable journey to becoming a global icon.Arnold Schwarzenegger is an actor, businessman, former Governor of California, and legendary professional bodybuilder, among many more accolades. In this episode, Arnie opens up about his humble beginnings, confessing he never could have imagined the extraordinary path his life has taken. He shares the story of when he first visited London in 1966 as a 19 year old, to compete in the Mr. Universe competition, and reflects on how his life has transformed since. Arnold shares his unwavering belief in setting goals and passionately pursuing them, claiming he doesn’t need discipline, rather he is fueled by the pure joy of chasing goals. Arnold reflects on pivotal moments in his life and challenges he has encountered, from being labeled a narcissist by his father for his focus on physical appearance, to dealing with self-doubt whilst pursuing his wildest dreams. Throughout this, he emphasises the importance of having a clear vision, unwavering faith, and a supportive community. Arnold also acknowledges the contributions of others to his success, rejecting the idea of being a self-made man and highlighting the significance of building and maintaining a community. With his timeless wisdom and infectious optimism, Arnold inspires listeners to embrace their goals, cultivate resilience and work together towards creating a brighter future for generations to come.To listen to the audience Q&A with Arnold, download the High Performance App now:

Welcoming the incredibly talented Scottish singer-songwriter Tom Walker to High Performance, sharing his journey from breakout success to navigating fame and self-care. In this episode, Tom Walker joins Jake and Damian to share insights into his life as a successful singer and songwriter. From the highs of winning the BRIT Awards to the lows of overworking himself into a breakdown, Tom opens up about the importance of setting boundaries, especially with management and labels. He recounts on the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from being inspired by ACDC at just nine years old to creating hit songs born out of personal loss and struggles.With two million albums sold worldwide, Tom doesn't shy away from discussing the challenges of fame, admitting his discomfort with TV appearances and selling his music. Yet, he offers practical advice on coping mechanisms and the importance of reaching out for support during tough times.As he discusses navigating through the challenges of COVID-19 and teasing his upcoming album, we gain a glimpse into the evolution of Tom Walker, both as an artist and as a person. This episode dives into the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and seizing opportunities in order to navigate success and maintain mental well-being in the creative industry.

For the first time ever, High Performance turns to the animal kingdom to unlock the secrets of mammals’ remarkable survival strategies.Jake and Damian are joined by the producers of BBC Earth’s “Mammals”, Roger Webb and Harry Lawrence; who share behind-the-scenes challenges and exciting moments from the development of the series. Roger, with 25+ years of experience in crafting mesmerising natural history content, and Harry, whose early career was shaped by the enthralling episodes of Mammals, bring a wealth of insights to the table.Roger and Harry recount their extraordinary interactions with legendary British Broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, highlighting his humility, passion for nature, and timeless energy. They share the valuable lessons they learned from Sir David, emphasising the importance of staying grounded and finding joy in their work.The producers also delve into why mammals dominate Earth and what humans can learn from their exceptional parenting and teamwork. We hear captivating tales from their wild filming experiences, and the important role of storytelling in connecting audiences with nature. Roger and Harry also provide a glimpse into how crews prepare meticulously to seize breathtaking moments with mammals without missing opportunities. This episode is an exciting exploration into wildlife filmmaking, packed with insights into the wonders of nature and the art of capturing it on camera.

In this episode, we explore a journey of resilience and transformation; the evolution of a promising basketball player to a celebrated bodybuilding champion.Phil Heath is an American IFBB Pro League professional bodybuilder, who clinched the Mr. Olympia title seven times consecutively from 2011 to 2017. His latest victory tied him with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the second-most wins in history, following Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney.From battling suicidal thoughts to finding his light in the darkness, Phil talks candidly about the pivotal moments that led him to reevaluate his life's direction. Reflecting on his basketball days, he recounts the realisation that it was time to pivot when he felt overlooked on the court. He describes the struggle of facing adversity without a support system, battling with loneliness and despair.Throughout the episode, Phil emphasises the importance of perseverance and seeking support during tough times. He credits influential figures like his gym teacher and coach Tim Grover for guiding him through adversity and teaching him valuable lessons in managing emotion.Offering advice for navigating through darkness, Phil reminds us that even in our darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope waiting to be ignited. This episode explores resilience, hope and self-discovery.Get up to £250 off the Eight Sleep Pod by following this link: https://www.eightsleep.com/uk/hpp/

In this episode, sponsored by BT, Jake sits down with Clement, Alice, Maggie and Ed - four real life business owners, with wildly varied experiences across the UK business sector. We explore what it’s really like being the boss.The key attributes you need to lead a business, and the big lessons they’ve learned over the years. Clement, Alice, Maggie and Ed reflect on the highest highs along their journeys, and also the most challenging moments, and how ultimately, marginal gains are everything. It’s more than a conversation about business, it’s about fostering a winning culture.A big thank you to BT for making this happen - remember that BT is there to support you and your business, providing strong reliability, dedicated support and robust network security - so you can get on with what you do best which is running your business. Put simply whatever your business is, BT's got your back.Thanks to Clement, Alice, Maggie and Ed for sitting down, and making for such a great roundtable. You can find out more about their businesses here…Clement - The Village People - https://princeofpeckham.co.uk/ Maggie - Lewes FC - https://lewesfc.com/ Ed - https://www.thealternativeboard.co.uk/ Alice - https://thelowdown.com/ Thanks to Clement, Alice, Maggie and Ed for sitting down, and making for such a great roundtable. You can find out more about their businesses here…Clement - The Village People - https://princeofpeckham.co.uk/ Maggie - Lewes FC - https://lewesfc.com/ Ed - https://www.thealternativeboard.co.uk/ Alice - https://thelowdown.com/ #AD

In this bonus episode, we revisit an absorbing conversation with renowned British journalist and former BBC newsreader, Emily Maitlis.Watch the full episode FREE without ads, only on the High Performance app: hppod.co/emily-maitlis.In line with the release of Netflix’s new film ‘Scoop’, we look back at Emily Maitlis’ iconic interview with Prince Andrew, exploring how she prepared, the moments leading up to the conversation, and her reactions to the now infamous exchange.Emily discusses the team and processes behind creating a compelling interview narrative, and how an unforgettable moment of British journalism was produced.