The High Performance Podcast
Self-Improvement
About
Welcome to High Performance. Through fascinating conversations with remarkable guests, Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes uncover the secrets behind High Performance and explore how we can all become the best version of ourselves.We focus on uncovering the learnings from top performers in every field, from sport to entertainment, business, health and wellness. No matter where our guests have excelled, they all have first-hand experiences and lessons to share.On High Performance we find out what non-negotiable behaviours they employed to get them to the top and keep them there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
- What Do You Do The Day After You Win? (ft. Yaya Touré, Ben Ainslie & Ian Thorpe)
This episode delves into the common feeling of emptiness experienced by elite performers after achieving victory, drawing on conversations with Yaya Touré, Ben Ainslie, and Ian Thorpe. It examines the psychology behind delayed happiness an…
- 7ft Tall and Fighting To Survive: WWE & AEW Athlete Paul Wight's Incredible Story (E409)
Paul Wight, known as "The Big Show," shares his experience of living with a terminal diagnosis and expecting not to age, alongside his current work to rebuild his body at 53. He discusses his career philosophy of prioritizing opponents, a…
- Things Men Don't Say Out Loud (E408)
In this roundtable episode, hosts Jake Humphrey, Spencer Matthews, and Matt Willis discuss mental fitness, reframing therapy as a performance tool. They explore how proactive support and therapy can help navigate modern life pressures, sus…
- When Sport Crosses the Line (ft. James Witts, Author of DOPE)
This episode of The High Performance Podcast features Damian and author James Witts discussing doping in elite sports. They explore the reasons behind athletes cheating, the culture of doping, and the moral implications in various sports.
- The Man Behind Bodø/Glimt's Champions League Miracle | Bjørn Mannsverk (E407)
Bjørn Mannsverk, former F-16 pilot, discusses leading Bodø/Glimt to Champions League success. He explains his "Fighter Pilot Method," which includes
- The Coach Who Puts People Before Medals | Adam Peaty's Olympic Coach, Mel Marshall
Mel Marshall, Adam Peaty's Olympic coach, shares her coaching philosophy, emphasizing people over performance. She discusses building commitment and providing feedback that drives behavioral change in this episode of The High Performance P…
- What Elite Performers Do When The Pressure Hits
This episode of The High Performance Podcast explores how elite performers handle pressure, featuring insights from Chrissie Wellington, Tom Aspinall, Dan Carter, James Milner, and Yaya Touré. They discuss various approaches to managing hi…
- Oscar Piastri Exclusive: The Mindset Secrets of F1's Calmest Driver (E406)
Oscar Piastri, an F1 driver, shares his psychological approach to racing, focusing on control over results. He discusses his mental training, the social dynamics of the F1 paddock, and his relationship with Lando Norris. The episode also t…
- Stephen Hendry: I Put Snooker Before Everything, Even Family
Stephen Hendry reflects on his snooker career, including his seven world titles and the personal sacrifices made for success. He shares his experiences with dominance, his relationships with rivals, and the overall cost of his dedication t…
- High Performance Racing is here! With Jake, Rob Smedley & Otmar Szafnauer
Jake, Rob Smedley, and Otmar Szafnauer announce the launch of High Performance Racing, a new podcast dedicated to Formula One. The hosts explain the show's focus on F1's biggest stories, technical breakdowns, and unfiltered conversations f…
- 105-Year-Old WW2 Bomber Pilot Shares a Century of Wisdom | Colin Bell (E405)
Flt Lt Colin Bell, a 105-year-old WW2 Mosquito pilot, shares his wisdom on mental discipline, fear control, and a survival mindset. He draws parallels between the political climate of the 1930s and the modern world, offering a philosophy f…
- Gary Lineker: How Feeling Like a Fraud Made Me One of England's Greatest
Gary Lineker, a renowned footballer and broadcaster, shares his honest experiences with imposter syndrome, detailing how despite his achievements, he often felt he didn't belong. He also recounts impactful life lessons, including interacti…
- 400 Episodes: The Conversations That Changed Us
In this special 400th episode, producer Will interviews Jake. They discuss conversations with guests that changed Jake and the foundational story of The High Performance Podcast. Jake also reveals episodes that left a lasting impression on…
- Peter Kenyon: How He Transformed Man Utd & Chelsea to Dominate World Football (E404)
Peter Kenyon joins The High Performance Podcast to discuss the leadership principles that shaped his success at Manchester United and Chelsea. He shares his "Holy Trinity Framework" and philosophy on culture, including making tough calls a…
- Jean Todt: The Mastermind Behind Ferrari and Schumacher’s Dominant Era (E403)
Jean Todt, a key figure in motorsport, discusses his career including leading Ferrari in F1 and his road safety work with the UN. He shares insights on his relationship with Michael Schumacher, leadership, and integrity on The High Perform…
- What Olympian David Smith Taught Us About Living Whilst Facing Death
This episode of The High Performance Podcast reflects on Olympian David Smith's message about living while facing terminal cancer. David shares his insights on dancing with life, finding beauty in stillness, and the importance of the journ…
- Yaya Touré: The Dressing Room Standards That Turned Man City Into Champions (E402)
In this episode, Yaya Touré shares his experience in transforming Manchester City into a title-winning force. He explains how the team developed a culture driven by focus, respect, dedication, and passion, and the turning points that led t…
- Martin Lewis: How I Built Britain's Most Trusted Brand — and the Price I Paid
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert, shares his journey of building a trusted consumer platform and advocating for ordinary people. He discusses the origins of his drive, the sacrifices he made, and his philosophy on earning trust a…
- How You Leave Says Everything — Salah, Trent, and the Art of the Exit
This episode of The High Performance Podcast discusses the psychology of how people leave, using the examples of Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold's departures from Liverpool. It explores what these exits reveal about legacy, loyalty, an…
- Why The Bravest Leaders Are Afraid All the Time | Brené Brown (E401)
In this episode, Brené Brown talks with Jake and Damian about fear, vulnerability, and effective leadership. She explains how fear influences decisions and why vulnerability is crucial for building trust and strong teams. They also discuss…
- How to Think Clearly When It Matters Most: Shane Parrish
In this episode, Shane Parrish, founder of Farnam Street, explores decision-making and clear thinking. He introduces positioning, explains the four defaults that hijack thinking (emotion, ego, social pressure, and inertia), and shares the…
- What Does Healthy Masculinity Look Like?
Jake and Damian explore the concept of healthy masculinity and the potential negative effects of the term "toxic masculinity." They also discuss how labels can influence identity.
- Ex-NATO Commander: Why Britain Isn't Ready for the Unthinkable (E400)
In this episode, General Sir Richard Shirreff, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, joins Jake and Damian to discuss global instability. He shares insights on leadership, decision-making, and why preparing for the 'unthinkable'…
- Mark Webber: The Truth About Vettel, Red Bull and Why I Was Never Their Number One
Mark Webber, a former Formula One driver with nine Grand Prix wins, discusses his career, including his experiences at Red Bull and his relationship with teammate Sebastian Vettel. He shares insights into challenges faced during his time w…
- When a Team Stops Believing: Inside Tottenham's Freefall (ft. Tim Krul)
Jake and Damian discuss the psychology behind a team losing faith, focusing on Tottenham's 12-game winless streak. They are joined by Tim Krul, who shares insights on fear in football and managerial challenges, drawing on his experiences w…
- Cricket Legend Kumar Sangakkara: What You Do Is Not Who You Are (E399)
Kumar Sangakkara, a cricket legend, joins "The High Performance Podcast" to discuss his philosophy on separating identity from performance, the sacrifices athletes make, and the importance of balance. He shares insights from the 2009 Lahor…
- Your Attention is Being Stolen — and Here's How to Take it Back | Johann Hari
Johann Hari, author and journalist, discusses how attention is being stolen and offers solutions. He shares insights from experts on the effects of technology on attention and practical steps for parents and individuals.
- What F1 Insiders Told Us After the Australian Grand Prix
Jake and Damian discuss the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, sharing messages from F1 insiders. The episode explores themes of leadership, culture, and performance amidst uncertainty in Formula One, drawing on experiences from figures like Ayao…
- The Mastermind Behind Arsenal's 'Invincibles' Era: David Dein (E398)
David Dein, former vice-chairman of Arsenal F.C., shares insights into the club's transformative 'Invincibles' era. He discusses his discovery of Arsène Wenger, building a successful team culture, and significant player transfers. The epis…
- Mo Gawdat: How Losing My Son Led Me To A Formula for Happiness
Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X, discusses finding a formula for happiness after experiencing a personal tragedy. He shares practical tools and insights on managing emotions and the pursuit of happiness.
- Alex Iwobi: Wenger's Aura, Lampard's Trust & the Hard Truth About Being Yourself in Elite Football (E397)
Alex Iwobi, a Premier League midfielder, shares his experiences from Arsenal to Everton, discussing his career journey, the impact of managers like Arsène Wenger and Frank Lampard, and the importance of being authentic in professional foot…
- Ollie Bearman: The 10 Minute Change That Saved My F1 Career (E396)
Ollie Bearman, a talent in Formula 1, discusses his career journey, the pressures of high-level racing, overcoming self-doubt, and the significance of mental preparation. He also touches on learning from seasoned drivers like Fernando Alon…
- Michael Johnson: The Mind That Never Settled For Second
Michael Johnson, Olympic legend, shares insights into his mindset, career, and personal challenges. He discusses his unique running style, mental rehearsal techniques, and experiences with adversity, including food poisoning, a doping team…
- Micro Habits: Lando Norris' Secret Weapon + Adam Peaty's Comeback Formula (Exclusive Audiobook Preview)
This episode is an exclusive preview of the Micro Habits audiobook. It features insights from Lando Norris on distinguishing a job from a calling and Adam Peaty discussing his comeback after a breakdown, including advice from Michael Phelp…
- Stop Obsessing Over Sleep: Why Your Morning Routine Beats Bedtime | Sleep Expert Reveals (E395)
Sleep expert Stephanie Romiszewski explains that obsessing over sleep can lead to worse rest and suggests focusing on daytime habits, especially morning routines, for better sleep. She also discusses the negative impact of sleep trackers o…
- Jonny Wilkinson: How Perfection Nearly Broke Me
Jonny Wilkinson, one of rugby's greatest players, shares his experiences with mental health struggles and the pressure of perfection throughout his career. This episode explores themes of identity, choice, and mortality, challenging conven…
- Inside the Mind of Gazza: Paul Gascoigne on Trauma, Fame & the Man Nobody Knows (E394)
Paul Gascoigne, known as Gazza, opens up about his life, career, and personal struggles with trauma and addiction. He discusses the impact of fame and the moments that defined him in football. This conversation offers an honest look at the…
- The Secret to a Perfect F1 Driver-Engineer Partnership | Rob Smedley on Massa, Lewis & Ferrari (E393)
Rob Smedley, a respected Formula 1 engineer, shares insights on successful driver-engineer partnerships, drawing from his experiences with Felipe Massa and Ferrari. He emphasizes the roles of trust, honesty, and emotional management in ach…
- Torvill & Dean: The Truth Behind 'Bolero' Gold - 50 Years of Discipline, Four Perfect Minutes
Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean discuss their enduring partnership, the development of their iconic 'Bolero' routine, and the intense discipline that led to their Olympic gold. They share insights into their creative process, training r…
- Britain's Most Successful Coach on Culture First, Trophies Second | Matt Peet (E392)
In this episode, Matt Peet, head coach of Wigan Warriors, shares his coaching philosophy centered on putting culture first. He explains how this approach, focusing on shared vision, attitude, and behavior, led to significant success and tr…
- Pochettino & Perez: Truth About Spurs, How We Handled Kane, Neymar, Mbappé & Messi (E391)
Mauricio Pochettino and Jesús Pérez join The High Performance Podcast to discuss leadership, pressure, and human performance in football. They share insights from managing elite teams and players, including Harry Kane, Messi, Neymar, and M…
- Gary Barlow: Take That's Lost Era & Finding My Way Back
Gary Barlow shares his experiences of failure, shame, and rebuilding after Take That's split. He talks about his struggles with creative confidence and how he eventually found his way back. This episode explores themes of trusting instinct…
- World No. 1 Poker Player: The Secret to Reading Body Language | Daniel Negreanu (E390)
Daniel Negreanu, a highly successful poker player, shares insights into high-stakes decision-making, reading opponents, and maintaining a top-tier mindset. He discusses adaptability, self-awareness, and the importance of humility in profes…
- The Man Who Changed Golf Without Winning a Single Tournament | Rick Shiels (E389)
In this episode of The High Performance Podcast, Rick Shiels shares his experiences building a successful golf media career by embracing authenticity and questioning traditional paths to success. He discusses the mental health impact of so…
- Matthew McConaughey: Stop Chasing 'Yet'
Matthew McConaughey shares his philosophical approach to life, work, and the pursuit of satisfaction. He discusses his process for finding one's true self and explains why high performance is about daily decisions.
- How I Coached Serena Williams to 10 Grand Slams & Built Champion Mindset | Patrick Mouratoglou (E388)
Patrick Mouratoglou, known for coaching Serena Williams, shares his philosophy that champions are built through mindset, discipline, and professionalism. He discusses examples like Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams to illustrate his point…
- Free Solo Legend Alex Honnold: What Conquering Fear Actually Looks Like
Alex Honnold joins The High Performance Podcast to discuss his mental approach to high-stakes challenges, differentiating between founded and unfounded fear, and the importance of meticulous preparation. He shares insights into visualizati…
- Haas F1 Boss: How the Smallest Team in F1 Plans to Shock in 2026 (E387)
Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal of Haas F1, discusses leadership in Formula 1. He shares insights on trust, accountability, and responding to failure, drawing from his experiences transforming the Haas team and witnessing Romain Grosjean’s Ba…
- Prince Naseem Hamed: Boxing's Greatest Entertainer Who Broke Every Rule (E386)
Prince Naseem Hamed joins The High Performance Podcast to discuss his boxing career, including his unique style and mental approach. He also shares details about his Islamic faith, his self-belief, and his relationship with his former trai…
- How Giving Up Alcohol Transformed Everything, with Dr Alex George
Dr. Alex George joins Jake on The High Performance Podcast to discuss happiness, mental health, and sobriety, including the impact of alcohol and the importance of acknowledging all emotions. The conversation covers grief, therapy, ADHD, a…