The High Performance Podcast

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. ** Want to get the most from High Performance? Download the new High Performance app for FREE to access every episode, enjoy exclusive documentary and masterclass content.  You’ll get instant access to insights from the world’s best, will receive daily motivational boosts and can create your own personalised High Performance playlists. Simply click here or search High Performance in the App store to get started. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. What F1 Insiders Told Us After the Australian Grand Prix

    3 DAYS AGO

    What F1 Insiders Told Us After the Australian Grand Prix

    Jake and Damian go inside the 2026 Australian Grand Prix — not with lap times and race analysis, but with something rarer: direct messages from the people who were actually there. Jake shares a WhatsApp from Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu on leading through complete uncertainty. A message from Fernando Alonso's number one mechanic on why culture beats performance when nothing is certain. And a voice note from former Williams team principal Claire Williams on what COVID taught her about navigating the unknown. With cars failing on the grid, drivers feeling mixed emotions in the cockpit, and an entirely new era of Formula One rewriting the rulebook overnight, Jake and Damian use the chaos of Australia to ask a question that matters well beyond the paddock: how do you lead, perform and stay steady when everything changes at once? Listen to our full episodes with guests mentioned in this episode: Adrian Newey: https://pod.fo/e/267f99 Ayao Komatsu: https://pod.fo/e/37b872 Ollie Bearman: https://pod.fo/e/39acad Claire Williams: https://pod.fo/e/2b956b George Russell: https://pod.fo/e/1527c9 Fernando Alonso: https://pod.fo/e/1e5849 Thanks to our partners: Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp_heights_au2 Randox 👉 Book a test today and save 20% on all health checks with the code HP20 at: https://highpfrmc.com/HPP_Randoxhealth_au   Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-visitseattle-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  2. The Mastermind Behind Arsenal's 'Invincibles' Era: David Dein (E398)

    5 DAYS AGO

    The Mastermind Behind Arsenal's 'Invincibles' Era: David Dein (E398)

    David Dein is one of the most influential figures in modern football, the visionary former vice-chairman of Arsenal F.C. who helped reshape the English game. In this episode, David sits down with Jake to reveal the decisions, relationships, and moments that defined one of football’s most transformative eras. He tells the inside story of discovering Arsène Wenger, a seven-year belief that would eventually change Arsenal forever. From quiet dinners and long conversations to fighting a sceptical board, David explains how that partnership built a culture capable of producing legendary teams, a squad bonded not just by talent, but by rituals and belief. David also shares the human side of football leadership: convincing Sol Campbell to make one of the bravest transfers in Premier League history, the painful loss of Ashley Cole, and the emotional shock of being suddenly dismissed from the club after 24 years of service. This episode explores the leadership, belief, and defining moments that helped shape one of football’s most successful eras. To find out more information about the Twinning Project, visit: https://www.twinningproject.org Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp_heights_au2 Randox 👉 Book a test today and save 20% on all health checks with the code HP20 at: https://highpfrmc.com/HPP_Randoxhealth_au   Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-visitseattle-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  3. Alex Iwobi: Wenger's Aura, Lampard's Trust & the Hard Truth About Being Yourself in Elite Football (E397)

    5 MAR

    Alex Iwobi: Wenger's Aura, Lampard's Trust & the Hard Truth About Being Yourself in Elite Football (E397)

    Alex Iwobi is one of the Premier League's most creative midfielders, known for his flair, expressiveness and ability to unlock defences. After coming through the Arsenal academy under Arsène Wenger, he has gone on to represent Everton, Fulham and Nigeria at the highest level, becoming one of football's most distinctive personalities both on and off the pitch. In this episode, Alex sits down with Jake and Damian for a candid and revealing conversation about his journey from nearly being released at 16 to becoming an established Premier League player. He opens up about the loneliness of leaving Arsenal, the moment the club sent his medical documents to Everton while he was on holiday without asking him, and how Frank Lampard's trust quite literally resurrected his career. Alex also shares rare insight into the aura of Arsène Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti — the only two managers he's ever seen silence a room just by walking in — and what that taught him about elite leadership. He discusses how being given the freedom to be himself, both on the pitch and through his music, has unlocked the best version of his performance. This episode offers a fascinating look at the mindset, identity and trust required to perform at the highest level in professional football. Alex's new EP More to Life is out on April 9th. Our Partners:  EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/highperformance Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-visitseattle-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  4. Ollie Bearman: The 10 Minute Change That Saved My F1 Career (E396)

    2 MAR

    Ollie Bearman: The 10 Minute Change That Saved My F1 Career (E396)

    Ollie Bearman is one of Formula 1’s most exciting young talents, known for his fierce drive, impressive performances, and rising star power within the sport. As a member of Haas F1 Team, Ollie is carving out a path to greatness in F1, where every race brings new challenges and opportunities to prove himself. In this episode, Ollie sits down with Jake and Damian for a raw and honest conversation about his journey from F2 to F1. He opens up about the pressure of racing at the highest level, the self-doubt he faced early in his F1 career, and the breakthrough moment that changed everything for him, realising that mental preparation and structure were just as important as raw speed. Ollie also shares the importance of learning from seasoned drivers like Fernando Alonso, acknowledging his rival’s experience and commitment to the sport. He discusses how their competition has pushed him to grow and become a more self-aware and focused driver. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the mindset and emotional challenges required to compete in Formula 1. Our Partners: EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal 👉 https://nordvpn.com/highperformance Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-visitseattle-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  5. Michael Johnson: The Mind That Never Settled For Second

    27 FEB

    Michael Johnson: The Mind That Never Settled For Second

    We revisit our chat with Olympic legend Michael Johnson, a man who has more medals, world records, and gold standards than almost anyone who has ever laced up a pair of spikes. But this conversation isn't really about the glory, it's about everything that happened in the shadows of it. Jake sits down with one of the greatest athletes in history to uncover the mindset that drove him to become the only man to win gold in the 200m and 400m at the same Olympic Games. What emerges is a masterclass in evidence-based belief, brutal self-honesty, and the relentless pursuit of sustained excellence. Michael opens up about the food poisoning that robbed him of his greatest chance at Olympic glory in Barcelona, and the quiet, ruthless logic he used to pull himself back from the brink. He talks about the teammate who admitted to doping and the medal Michael willingly handed back. And he reveals the stroke that paralysed his left side almost entirely, and the remarkable clarity he found in the hospital bed when everyone around him was asking why. Along the way, you'll hear the truth behind his famous upright running style, how he mentally rehearsed a race up to ten times in the twenty minutes before the gun fired, and why the most important question he ever asked himself was simply - why me? This is one of the most candid, no-nonsense conversations in High Performance history! Our partners for this episode:  Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp_heights_au2  Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-visitseattle-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    59 min
  6. Stop Obsessing Over Sleep: Why Your Morning Routine Beats Bedtime  | Sleep Expert Reveals (E395)

    23 FEB

    Stop Obsessing Over Sleep: Why Your Morning Routine Beats Bedtime | Sleep Expert Reveals (E395)

    Sleep expert Stephanie Romiszewski has always taken an unconventional approach to rest, and in this episode, she reveals why overthinking sleep is the real culprit behind poor rest. Stephanie explains why obsessing over sleep only makes it worse, and how we can fix our sleep problems by addressing our daytime habits instead of focusing on the night itself. She dives into the dangers of sleep trackers, sharing how even false data can increase anxiety and disrupt your performance. Stephanie also introduces her game-changing advice on the importance of a consistent morning routine, wake-up times, light exposure, and movement, and why these factors are far more influential than any bedtime ritual. She also shares her AWAKE acronym, a practical guide to improving sleep by embracing variation, avoiding the chase for perfect rest, and keeping a strong, balanced day. This episode offers a refreshing, honest perspective on sleep, revealing how our mindset and routines during the day play a bigger role in getting quality rest and maintaining peak performance. Stephanie's new book 'Think Less, Sleep More' is out now and published by Atlantic Books, RRP £14.99 Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp_heights_au2 Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-visitseattle-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min
  7. Torvill & Dean: The Truth Behind 'Bolero' Gold - 50 Years of Discipline, Four Perfect Minutes

    13 FEB

    Torvill & Dean: The Truth Behind 'Bolero' Gold - 50 Years of Discipline, Four Perfect Minutes

    Forty years ago, in Sarajevo, 24 million people watched Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean achieve the impossible, Olympic Gold that redefined their sport forever. But while the world remembers those four minutes of 'Bolero,' the true story of high performance started a decade earlier in a cold, dank rink in Nottingham. In this episode, Jayne and Chris take us inside the bubble of an elite partnership that has survived and thrived for over 50 years.  In this episode, we explore: * The Creative Engineering of 'Bolero': How they pushed the boundaries of the rules by starting on their knees for 18 seconds to fit an 18-minute masterpiece into a four-minute limit . * The Discipline of the "Smallest Team": Insights into their 6-hour training days and their rule of never missing a session, even when sick or injured, to prove to their minds that they could perform under any adversity . * The Mechanics of Partnership: How they established clear roles, Chris as the "bossy" visionary and Jayne as the grounding force who made the visions possible, and why "talking with their eyes" became their ultimate competitive advantage. This is a masterclass in mutual respect, meticulous preparation, and the courage to be different when the stakes are at their highest. Whether you’re part of a business duo or looking to master your own craft, Jayne and Chris’s journey offers timeless lessons on what it takes to stay at the top for half a century. Our partners: Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp_heights_au2  Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-visitseattle-au Simba 👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  8. Pochettino & Perez: Truth About Spurs, How We Handled Kane, Neymar, Mbappé & Messi (E391)

    9 FEB

    Pochettino & Perez: Truth About Spurs, How We Handled Kane, Neymar, Mbappé & Messi (E391)

    Mauricio Pochettino and Jesús Pérez, two of the most respected figures in modern football management, join Jake and Damian for a rare and insightful conversation on leadership, pressure, and human performance at the highest level of the game. Drawing on their experience managing elite teams and global superstars, they explore what it really takes to lead in high-pressure environments, where trust, emotion, and human connection matter as much as tactics and data. They discuss why understanding players goes beyond the numbers and how to balance data-driven decisions with human intuition. The pair share stories from their long-standing partnership, including developing players like Harry Kane and Cole Palmer and managing Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé at PSG, three alphas within one dressing room. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, human connection, and the real work behind sustained success in elite football. Our partners: Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp_heights_au2  Visit Seattle 👉 Start planning your perfect summer of football by searching Visit Seattle on social media, or discover more at: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-visitseattle-au Simba 👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 23m

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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. ** Want to get the most from High Performance? Download the new High Performance app for FREE to access every episode, enjoy exclusive documentary and masterclass content.  You’ll get instant access to insights from the world’s best, will receive daily motivational boosts and can create your own personalised High Performance playlists. Simply click here or search High Performance in the App store to get started. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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