The High Performance Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Why Fear Is Not a Weakness: UFC Champion Tom Aspinall Nov 19, 2025

Show notes

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp

Tom Aspinall is one of the most feared heavyweights in the UFC. But behind the power and precision is something far more human: fear. Tom is one of the rare fighters willing to sit down and talk about feeling genuinely scared. He candidly admits that the higher you climb, the more is at stake, and the more the fear grows.

He reveals the crucial mental habit he developed: moving past the inner battle, the ‘second fight’ against himself, to harness fear as a force for high performance.

In this powerful episode, Tom shares the habits that turn high-pressure panic into laser-sharp focus:

Reframe Fear as Fuel: Learn how to direct the adrenaline rush of fear toward opportunity, just like Tom, who tells himself, "This is the moment when I'm at my sharpest".
The Golden Rule of Action: Discover the importance of simply showing up and why consistency always beats intensity when building success.
The Power of Belief: Tom discusses the pivotal role his father played as his coach and cheerleader, relentlessly believing in him even when he struggled to believe in himself.
The Ultimate Commitment: Hear Tom's chilling, yet honest, perspective on the ‘spiritual aspect’ of his sport and the level of commitment required to reach the very top.

If you’ve ever felt your stomach drop before a big moment, or wished you knew how to stay steady when it matters most, this conversation with Tom is worth your time.

Listen to the full episode with Tom Aspinall: https://pod.fo/e/2d3d2e

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zak Brown: The Deal That Kept McLaren Alive and How I Rebuilt the Team (E379) Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown returns to High Performance to reveal the truth behind McLaren’s remarkable comeback, from financial crisis and public doubt to rebuilding one of Formula One’s most iconic teams.

He opens up to Jake and Damian about stepping into chaos, restoring belief through culture and communication, and the power of difficult conversations in transforming leadership. Zak also reflects on his unconventional journey from a rebellious kid in California to leading a global motorsport powerhouse, and why loyalty, trust, and humility remain at the heart of his success.

This is an unfiltered conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to lead under pressure, proof that true high performance starts with people, not power.

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HP 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/foundation

HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Marler: His Story of Rage, Regret and Redemption Nov 14, 2025

Show notes

England and Harlequins rugby legend Joe Marler opens up like never before, about the moment in 2018 when he hit breaking point, walked out on his family, and believed the world would be better off without him. What follows is an unfiltered journey through mental health, accountability, and rediscovering purpose.

Joe reflects on the catalyst for his breakdown, the decision that saved his life, and the teammate’s message that made it all worth sharing. He also reveals what it was like to play under Eddie Jones, the pressure of “Test Match Tuesdays,” and the emotional drive that makes great teams go beyond just winning.

Raw, honest, and deeply human, this is Joe Marler finding strength through vulnerability and proving that the bravest thing you can do is ask for help.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The SAS Mindset: Keep Going When Everyone Else Stops | Billy Billingham Nov 12, 2025

Show notes

Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January. https://hppod.co/472Og7q

There’s a difference between being tough and being strong, and Billy Billingham knows it better than most.

As a former SAS soldier, Billy has faced war zones, exhaustion, and moments most of us can barely imagine. But when you strip it all back, his greatest lesson isn’t about combat, it’s about control and why the ultimate habit you need is discipline and the drive to go a little bit further.

In this episode, we explore how discipline, humility, and calm under chaos have shaped every chapter of Billy’s life. From a teenage turning point after being stabbed to leading the world's most elite military forces and protecting some of Hollywood’s most high-profile stars, he’s learned that strength isn’t about aggression, it’s about staying grounded when everything around you isn’t.

Together, we unpack:

Why discipline matters more than motivation
How to stay calm when pressure peaks
What “controlled aggression” really means
The difference between fear and focus
Why true leadership starts with humility

Billy’s new book ‘Further - 10 lessons the SAS taught me about life’ is out now.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joe Cole: Inside Chelsea’s Ruthless Era - Abramovich, Mourinho & Mind Games (E378) Nov 10, 2025

Show notes

Former England and Premier League star Joe Cole opens up about the lessons learned beyond the pitch, honesty, resilience, and what it truly means to live a high performance life.

He reflects on the power of self-accountability, the importance of prioritising family over fame, and the danger of tying your identity solely to your career. Joe speaks candidly about setbacks, pressure, and the freedom that comes from letting go of perfection, reminding us that success is about balance, not constant achievement.

Grounded in kindness and perspective, Joe’s message is clear: when life feels heavy, look outward, helping others might just be the most powerful way to help yourself.

🚨 Partners

Simba 👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au

Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights1

Hive 👉 Take control of your home energy - smart, simple, and built for you. Find out more here: https://highpfrmc.com/hive-au-hpp

HP 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/foundation

HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How To Handle Doubters & Stop Self-Sabotage | Questions You DM Us Nov 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Jake and Damian turn the spotlight on you, answering the questions that listeners have been sending in from around the world. From overcoming self-sabotage to dealing with doubt, they explore what it really takes to build confidence, stay consistent, and live with purpose.

Drawing on lessons from past guests like James Clear, Susie Ma, and Shane Parrish, they unpack powerful ideas around mindset, happiness, and self-awareness, including why we must be brave enough to tolerate happiness and how to navigate a world that doesn’t always share your drive for improvement.

Listen in as they reflect on their most memorable guests, share the stories that shaped their thinking, and offer practical advice for anyone striving to grow, one honest question at a time.

Listen to the episodes mentioned:

James Clear: https://pod.fo/e/16868c

Susie Ma: https://pod.fo/e/bf09e

Shane Parrish: https://pod.fo/e/1ff000

Gary Stevenson: https://pod.fo/e/2af4d8

Gordon Ramsay: https://pod.fo/e/1fa614

Laura Kenny: https://pod.fo/e/249586

Dame Stephanie Shirley: https://pod.fo/e/16a443

Tyson Fury: https://pod.fo/e/14ef0f

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Man Behind the All Blacks Mentality: Gilbert Enoka on Building Character & Connection Nov 05, 2025

Show notes

Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January. https://hppod.co/472Og7q

In this profound conversation, Gilbert Enoka, the legendary mental skills coach behind the New Zealand All Blacks' success, shares the deeply personal journey that shaped his approach to high performance and the habits he’s famous for.

Gilbert opens up about the ‘ghosts’ from his past that still influence his work, explaining how early deprivation made him acutely sensitive to others' emotional states. This gift allowed him to become an emotional detective, observing subtle cues in athletes before training and meetings to meet unexpressed needs, a skill he calls game-changing.

The discussion explores pivotal concepts that transformed the All Blacks, including:

Red Head vs. Blue Head thinking: Understanding how survival instincts (red) and rational decision-making (blue) must work together under pressure
The 2007 turning point: How a devastating World Cup loss led to embracing pressure rather than avoiding it
Squeeze drills: Deliberately practicing skills under pressure to prepare for critical moments
"Better people make better All Blacks": Why character development became central to the team's philosophy
The misunderstood "no dickhead policy": How leaders actually enforce team standards
Sweeping the sheds: The true meaning behind this famous ritual of humility

Gilbert shares intimate stories about working with legends like Dan Carter and Richie McCaw. This conversation offers rare insight into the human side of elite performance, reminding us that the greatest competitor we face isn't external—it's ourselves.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mika Häkkinen: When F1 Was Fearless - Beating Schumacher & The Crash That Changed Everything (E377) Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

Two-time Formula One World Champion Mika Häkkinen reflects on the mindset, discipline, and calmness that defined his legendary career, and his unforgettable rivalry with Michael Schumacher.

He opens up about the “Finnish Ice Man” mentality that helped him stay composed under pressure, the near-fatal crash that reshaped his outlook on life, and the decision to retire at his peak with clarity and purpose. Mika also shares lessons from McLaren’s golden era on leadership, teamwork, and the psychology of high performance.

This episode offers a rare glimpse into the wisdom of a true champion, proof that greatness is built not just on speed, but on composure, humility, and knowing when to step back.

🚨 Partners

Vestaire 👉 Buy and sell preloved menswear now: https://highpfrmc.com/vestiaire-mens-yt

Hive👉 Take control of your home energy - smart, simple, and built for you. Find out more here: https://highpfrmc.com/hive-au-hpp

Simba👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://highpfrmc.com/fora-free-yt

HP 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/foundation

HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World Leading Psychologist: The 19 Words That Change How You Handle Criticism | Adam Grant Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

What does high performance really demand from the human mind? In this conversation, world-leading organisational psychologist Adam Grant explores how the best performers think, learn, and lead.

Adam unpacks why great leaders build challenge networks instead of echo chambers, how to recognise when ego is driving your decisions instead of growth, and why real loyalty means speaking up, not staying silent.

This is a practical and profound guide to sustainable success, one that brings clarity, calm, and confidence to anyone striving to perform at their best.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When to Say What You Think (And When Not To) with Harvard Psychologist Steven Pinker Oct 29, 2025

Show notes

Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January. https://hppod.co/472Og7q

What makes great communicators stand out isn’t confidence, charisma, or talent, it’s clarity.

In this episode, cognitive scientist and Harvard professor Steven Pinker joins Damian to explore the hidden psychology behind how we speak, listen, and understand one another. He explains why the real art of communication isn’t about what we say, but about how we build common knowledge, the shared understanding that allows people to think, decide, and act together.

Pinker calls it one of the most overlooked habits in high performance: the ability to step outside your own head and see the world as others do. It’s how leaders create alignment, how teams build trust, and how ideas truly land.

Together, we explore:

Why "everyone knows it" is completely different from "everyone knows that everyone knows it"
The essential habit of knowing when to make the unspoken spoken (and when not to)
How to use focal points to coordinate without words
The three types of human relationships—and why mixing them up destroys trust
Why blunt honesty can be just as damaging as ambiguity

Whether you're leading a team, navigating a difficult conversation, or simply trying to communicate more effectively, this episode will transform how you think about language, relationships, and coordination

Steven’s new book ‘When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…’ is out now.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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