The Art of Performance Podcast

Dean Hammond & Acos Ashioti
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  • FITNESS
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Weekly interviews and talks on fitness, self-improvement, marketing, business and well-being topics with exciting and influential guests.

  1. 5D AGO

    Ep 75: Resilience is a Lie - The Dark Side of "Get Hard" Culture

    Resilience has become a badge of honour. Cold plunges. 4am alarms. No days off. "Stay hard." But what if most of what we call resilience is actually emotional suppression, chronic stress exposure and identity armour masquerading as strength? In this deep psychological dive, Dean & Acos dismantle the modern narrative of resilience and rebuild it properly through the lens of neuroscience, stress physiology, emotional processing and high-performance culture. We explore: • The difference between acute stress and chronic nervous system dysregulation • Why suppression is not strength • How sympathetic dominance quietly erodes performance • When resilience becomes ego-driven self-destruction • The hidden cost of "unfuckablewith" culture • Why high performers burn out silently • The role of psychological flexibility in real toughness • How to build durable humans without breaking them This is not a motivational episode. It's a clinical, uncomfortable and evidence-based conversation about what resilience actually is and what it isn't. If you pride yourself on being tough… this one might challenge you.

    56 min

  2. 11/28/2025

    Ep 74: Under-Fuelled, Overwhelmed & Misled - The Silent Nutrition Crisis Breaking Modern Humans

    In this episode Dean and Acos rip apart one of the biggest and most damaging myths in modern health and performance... The belief that people are overeating! Most high performers, tactical & hybrid athletes and everyday humans are actually chronically under fuelled because modern life has created the perfect storm of: The Under-Eating Paradox Stress, caffeine intake, dopamine addiction, poor sleep and chaotic schedules blunting hunger signals, suppressing appetite and literally tricking people into believing they "don't need much food" The Death of Satiety Hyper-processed food, poor meal structure, speed eating culture, digital overstimulation and disrupted gut–brain signalling have destroyed our ability to feel full, satisfied and substantially fuelled Nutrition Fatigue People don't fail because of willpower. They fail because the decision load of modern life has become unbearable. Too much choice. Too much noise. Zero routine. No defaults. No system. This episode is a deep dive into the physiology, the behavioural psychology and the social realities behind why modern humans struggle with nutrition and why it has doesn't have as much to do with fads, trends or dietary tribes as many think. You'll learn: Why "not feeling hungry in the morning" is a red flag How stress and caffeine quietly shut down appetite Why everyday athletes under-eat more than sedentary people How hyper-palatable food hijacks reward circuitry Why satiety signals lag behind eating speed How decision fatigue destroys consistency The real reason you snack at night Why structure beats motivation in every environment And what a reliable, athlete-ready nutrition system actually looks like This is not another surface-level nutrition chat. This is proper, evidence-based human performance coaching. If you train hard, think you're eating "enough" or feel like you underperform despite putting the work in this episode is about to give you answers you won't hear anywhere else.

    1h 9m

  3. 10/17/2025

    Ep 73: Placebo Power - Why Your Mind Is the Strongest Supplement You'll Ever Take

    In this episode, Dean and Acos unpack one of the most fascinating — and misunderstood - forces in human performance: the placebo effect. From fake supplements that still trigger weight loss to rituals that enhance focus, pain tolerance, and recovery, the science is clear - your beliefs change your biology. We break down the new research on open-label placebos (where people know they're taking something fake but still get results), how belief alters RPE, HRV, digestion, and sleep and why coaches must learn to remove b******t without removing belief. No magic pills. No pseudoscience. Just evidence based insight into how your mind drives performance. "Where the mind goes, the body follows."

    51 min

  4. 10/10/2025

    Ep 72: Ultra-Processed Foods, Fear Marketing and the Real Science Behind Joe Wicks Killer Bar

    Joe Wicks says his new "Killer Protein Bar" proves how dangerous ultra-processed foods really are. The media says it's a wake-up call. We say it's an epic opportunity to discuss the real issue in fear marketing dressed up as health education. In this episode, Dean and Acos cut through the hysteria to expose what's really going on: • The truth about ultra-processed foods and what the science actually shows • Why blaming a single protein bar misses the entire systemic picture • How the fitness industry weaponises fear for clicks, clout and cash • The hidden ingredients Joe Wicks "forgot" to mention and where you already eat them daily • The real health risks that matter: behaviour, context and lifestyle patterns Expect sarcasm, science, and straight talk - no influencer filters, no sensational headlines. Because the real killer isn't the protein bar. EPIt's the b******t we keep swallowing.

    1 hr

  5. 10/03/2025

    Ep 71: Why You'll NEVER Lift The Same As Everyone Else

    Not all Lifts are created equal and neither are you. In this episode we break down why your lever lengths, hip structure, and joint mechanics decide how you move under the bar. Forget copy and paste form cues and Instagram 'perfect' squats this is about biomechanics, not bad form. We'll cover: Why bone length and torso ratios change mechanics Anthropometry How hip morphology and tendon moment arms put hard limits on range of motion A coach's framework to individualise big lifts without wrecking joints Backed by research, stripped of shite and made relatable for athletes and coaches alike - this is your blueprint for programming around anatomy not against it.

    46 min

  6. 09/26/2025

    Ep 70: Mega-Dosing Creatine - Science, Scam or Shitshow?

    Creatine works...it's the most researched supplement in sport, proven to boost strength, power, recovery and even brain health. But somewhere along the way, people started asking: if 5 grams a day works… what about 20? 30? 50? That's where mega-dosing was born. In this episode, I break down: The truth about muscle saturation and why more isn't better Where the "mega-dose" idea came from (and how supplement companies spun it) The side effects and wasted money nobody talks about What the latest 2024-2025 research actually shows Exactly how much creatine you need to perform at your best Spoiler: once your muscles are full, they're full. Mega-dosing is just expensive diarrhoea. Key Takeaways: 3-5 g/day works. That's all you need. Loading is optional (20 g/day x 5-7 days → then 3-5 g/day). Mega-dosing has no added benefit for size, strength, or recovery in healthy athletes. Side effects go up as the dose goes up (bloating, cramps, GI distress). Creatine monohydrate wins - no need for fancy "new" versions.

    36 min

  7. 09/05/2025

    Ep 69: The Actual Stages of Change - Why Habit Stacking Isn't Enough

    You've heard of Atomic Habits. You've probably tried to build a morning routine, stack habits or optimise your environment. But if those strategies haven't stuck - this episode explains why. In this episode we break down the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change - a proven, six-stage framework that goes beyond surface-level habit advice. Whether you're a coach helping others change or someone trying to finally stay consistent with your own training, nutrition or lifestyle this is the episode that reveals what actually drives real, long-term change. You'll learn: Why habit-only models fail without internal alignment What stage of change you're actually in (and what to do next) How to coach or lead yourself with psychological precision Real-world examples with clear takeaways and the truth about what it takes to change for good.

    1h 5m

  8. 08/22/2025

    Ep 68: Red Light Therapy - Science, Snake Oil or Secret Weapon?

    You've seen the glowing panels. Heard the claims: faster recovery, better skin, boosted testosterone. But does red light therapy actually do anything for athletes? In this episode, we strip away the biohacking hype and get to the evidence. We'll break down how red light works, what it actually helps with, and how to use it from beginner to elite levels - without wasting your money or falling for Instagram pseudoscience. 👉🏻 For lifters, hybrid athletes, and everyday performers chasing smarter recovery

    38 min
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Weekly interviews and talks on fitness, self-improvement, marketing, business and well-being topics with exciting and influential guests.

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