Accelerating Excellence

James A. King
Accelerating Excellence

Accelerating Excellence takes you on a journey into the minds of the world's most elite performers, to reveal their secrets, serving them up on a plate so you can accelerate your own pursuit of excellence. If you know you’re capable of going to the next level, but aren’t quite sure where to start or how to optimise then you’re in the right place. Each episode of contains captivating interviews with renowned individuals—athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, generals, special forces operators, and scientists. We'll dive deep into their journeys, discovering the defining moments, mindset shifts, and vitally the principles and strategies that propelled them to the pinnacle in their craft. From the high-pressure stages of world cup finals, Superbowl’s, and world title fights; to covert operations, counter-terrorism, and firefights in the air and on the ground in the world of elite military; and the hundred million dollar P&L swings in the billion dollar world of trading and investing you will be exposed to the fundamental principles that connect all of these individuals success. Most importantly to me Accelerating Excellence is not just about inspiration; it's about practicality, for you, the listener. We’ll extract actionable insights and practical techniques that you can implement immediately, to stack probability in your favour of success in your own pursuit of excellence. So, if you’re ready to ignite and expand your potential, to shatter the boundaries that hold you back and unleash the ambition, talent and motivation that exists within you and your team join me, as we empower you to leverage these principles. Get ready to be inspired, shocked, and challenged, you're about to embark on an adventure that will shift your perceptions of what’s possible. For those who strive to make things better for themselves, and those they care for, manage and lead. This podcast is for you.

  1. 29 OCT

    Trading on Principle: Greg Newman’s Stoic Path to Leadership in Oil Markets

    On today's episode we have Greg Newman.   Greg is the Group Chief Executive of Onyx Capital Group - the world's number one liquidity provider in oil derivatives trading. Greg was the second super-trader I hired at Mandara Capital and it's been simply wonderful to be their firsthand and see his journey from lost graduate, to elite leader in one of the most competitive industries on the planet. Aged just twenty-two where he launched Mandaras Crude oil desk. Within just three years his desk went from scratch,  to become the largest independent market-maker in Dated Brent and Dubai swap markets.    In 2016 Greg left Mandara with fellow mandara Super trader Omar Kayaam to launch Onyx. As CEO Greg has been the driving force behind the development of Onyx on the trading floor and beyond. He established the group’s highly successful training programmes, its unique research offering, data services, brokerage, news and analysis. He featured in the book “40 Classic Crude Oil Trades : Real-Life Examples of Innovative Trading” and the crude desks he formed at Mandara and Onyx are also mentioned in “Brent Crude Oil: Genesis and Development of the World's Most Important Oil Benchmark”. In 2022 Greg published his book - World of Oil Derivatives: A Guide to Financial Oil Trading in a Modern Age.   Greg's success is testament to his principle based approach, his fierce drive, stoic mindset, he is a fearless risk taker. And the Onyx Capital Group, it continues to expand under Greg’s leadership, as he prepares to launch the Retail Trading Arm of Onyx Capital Group later this year, with the premise to digitize, democratize and provide access to the full range of the oil swaps markets to all. Most importantly to me, Greg has become one of my closest friends over the years, and we’ve overcome some insane situations together. So this conversation is extra special for me. Greg holds a BEng in Biochemical Engineering from University College London.    In this episode we discuss; the early days, the stoic mindset, driving growth and the transition from trader to CEO.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Greg: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/oilderivatives    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

    1h 43m
  2. 23 SEPT

    Olympic Gold to holistic health: Anita Nall-Richenssons’ Path to Wellness

    On todays episode we have Anita Nall-Richenssons. Anita is an American former Olympic champion, and world record-holder. She first made waves on the global stage as a teenager, when she set a world record in the 100-meter breaststroke at just 15 years old. She went on to clinch three medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, including a gold in the 4x100-meter medley relay. a silver medal in the women's 100-meter breaststroke, and a bronze in the women's 200-meter breaststroke. Her success is testament to her relentless dedication, discipline, and passion for swimming. But Anita's story goes beyond her athletic triumphs. After her swimming career, she faced significant challenges, including health issues and the transition to life beyond elite sports. Anita has since become a powerful advocate for holistic health, mental wellness, and the importance of life balance. Today, she shares her insights and experiences as a coach and mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success and well-being. In this episode we discuss: breaking world records at 15, winning gold in an Olympic final, what’s really required to perform at the pinnacle, and the pursuit of a healthy, fulfilling life.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Laura: https://x.com/AnitaNall  https://olympics.com/en/athletes/anita-nall https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanall   Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

    1h 27m
  3. 2 SEPT

    Team GB 1500m Multiple Olympian: Laura Weightman Explores What Success Really Means

    Today on accelerating excellence, we have Laura Weightman. Laura is a British middle-distance sensation who captured hearts and headlines worldwide. She is truly elite in every sense of the word. Born and raised in Northumberland, Laura’s journey from a young talent to an Team GB Olympian is nothing short of extraordinary.  Laura has represented Great Britain in the 1500m at both the London 2012, and Rio 2016 Olympic games. She has multiple European and Commonwealth medals to her name in the 1500m and 5000m. Her tenacity and drive have inspired countless athletes around the world, and her career highlights include stunning performances at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It's not just her achievements on the track that make Laura special. Off it, she’s known for her humility, her passion for giving back to the community, and her commitment to the sport she loves. Laura has since moved into a coaching role, where she is sharing her knowledge and experience with both the next generation of elite athletes along with enthusiastic amateurs. In this episode Laura shares her insights from her racing in Olympic finals, the challenges she’s faced and how she overcame them, and why the way we define success is so important.   I hope you enjoy.     ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Laura: https://x.com/lauraweightman  https://www.teamgb.com/athlete/laura-weightman/xFvJoLJCxAwt38auxnG3y    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

    1h 4m
  4. 19 AUG

    Nike Performance Maestro: Keith D’Amelio on what separates the NBA and NFL Greats from rest

    On todays podcast we have Keith D'Amelio. Keith is a visionary in the world of sports performance, a man whose expertise has shaped the careers of countless elite athletes. His career spans roles with professional sports teams, including the NBA’s Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors and Stanford University. His journey from a passionate student of athletic training to director of athlete performance at Nike where he has worked with some of the greatest athletes on the planet is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence. Keith has a PhD in Applied Sports Science and has worked across almost every professional sport you can imagine. From the EPL,NBA, NFL and AFL. Keith has been instrumental in revolutionizing how athletes train, recover, and compete at the highest levels. His expertise has helped shape the careers of some of the most celebrated athletes in the world.  Keith’s impact goes beyond just the field of play. His commitment to athlete well-being and his passion for educating the next generation of sports professionals have made him a respected figure in the industry and inspiring figure to many. In this episode we discuss; the traits of the greats, the late Kobe Bryant, and NFL superstar Ndamukong Suh; and explore the difference between the absolute best and the rest at the professional level.   I hope you enjoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Keith: https://www.instagram.com/keith.damelio/  https://x.com/keithdamelio/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-d-amelio-2166b54    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   Watch the episode with Chris Billam-Smith here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wUqaqzHzIU    The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

    1h 30m
  5. 29 JUL

    The Winningest coach in World Sport: Shane McGuigan, Mcguigan Gyms, a fighting dynasty.

    On todays Podcast we have Shane McGuigan.   Shane is a British and Irish boxing coach. The son of former World champion Barry Mcguigan. Barry had 19 million people tuned in on the BBC to watch him win his world title in 1985. Shane himself was a three time national amateur champion. Who decided his sweet spot was coaching. Since that decision he has taken 9 fighters to world champion status. Including; Josh Taylor, George Groves, Chantelle Cameron, Carl Frampton, Luke Campbell, Lawrence Okolie, Chris Billam-Smith, Ellie Scotney, and Daniel Dubois.   As a manager and coach Shane has the highest Win Percentage across all sports. With a 94% win record in total and 87.5% win record in world title fights. And next in line in his stable Caroline Dubois and Adam Azim.. Two of the most exciting names in world boxing… His most recent victory was a tactical masterclass as WBO Cruiserweight world champion chris Billam-Smith dismantle Richard Riakphore. Shane was recently awarded the BWAA Trainer of the Year award.   Shane features as the lead man in the recent BBC Documentary ‘The Stable’ which takes you behind the scenes of the Mcguigan gym talent factory, revealing all the harsh realities of professional boxing. I highly recommend it. Where the back of my head actually features for a split second- don't miss it.   Having had the pleasure to work with Shane and his fighters I can assure you he is the real deal. A master strategist, a fierce competitor himself and is regarded by his team as boxing savant. The Culture he has created in that gym is second to none.   In this episode we discuss: High standards, culture, values, burnout, and balance.   I hope you Enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Shane: https://www.instagram.com/shanemcguigan/  https://x.com/mcguigans_gym    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   Watch the episode with Chris Billam-Smith here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wUqaqzHzIU    The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

    1h 29m
  6. 8 JUL

    Adversity to Triumph Through Building a Winning Culture - Shona McCallin

    On todays episode we have Shona McCallin.   Shona is a former International Field Hockey player, playing as a midfielder for England and Great Britain. She's also the co-founder of the Ten Percent Club, a wellness supplement company. Shona won an Olympic gold medal in the 2016 Summer Games, and she's a key part of the 292 Performance Team that provides one to one support for some of the worlds most elite athletes.   In her early twenties Shona adventured to Tilburg in the Netherlands to pursue her Hockey career. She spent almost four years in Holland, gaining a degree in International Business and also becoming fluent in Dutch. Upon her return she was selected for the centralised Great Britain training program at Bisham Abbey, then selected for the Rio 2016 Olympic Squad and helped them to win a Gold Medal. Shona has also promised to compete with me at a Hyrox mixed pairs next season, which might possibly end me.   In this episode were going to discuss the practical steps you can take to build a winning culture. Were going to discuss coming back from adversity with specific reference to injury, and also the mindset required to transition from aspirational contender to Olympic Gold Medalist.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Katherine: https://katherinegrainger.com/  https://www.britishrowing.org/athlete/katherine-grainger/    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

    1h 10m
  7. 17 JUN

    Achieving Gold: Dame Katherine Grainger on the Pursuit of Peak Performance

    On today's podcast, we have Dame Katherine Grainger. Katherine is a former Scottish rower and the current chair of UK sports. She's competed at a record five Olympic games. She won an incredible gold medal race in the London 2012 Olympic Games, and she's a four time Olympic silver medalist and six time world champion at the London Olympics in 2012. Katherine and her incredible teammate Anna Watkins, smashed the Olympic record as they qualified for the final, where they ultimately won gold for Team GB. Not just an incredible athlete, Katherine holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Edinburgh, a Master of Philosophy in Medical Law and Medical Ethics from the University of Glasgow, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Law from King's College, London. In April, 2017 she was appointed Chair of UK's School of And then reappointed for a second term in July 2021. She's currently leading that charge for Team GB into the Paris Olympics. Katherine was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, DBE, in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to sport and charity. In this episode, we discuss the magic that was the London Olympics, the journey from novice to expert, And the powerful role your teammates will play in your success.   I hope you enjoy   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Katherine: https://katherinegrainger.com/  https://www.britishrowing.org/athlete/katherine-grainger/    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

    1h 30m
  8. 3 JUN

    From Balance Sheets to Bestsellers: An Interview with a CEO, Author and Elite Performer Brett Kelly

    On todays episide we have Brett Kelly. Brett Kelly is the Founder and CEO of Kelly+Partners. Brett founded Kelly+Partners Chartered Accountants in 2006 and, over 16 years, has grown the business to become the private business specialist accounting network, one of the largest firm in Australia. Kelly+Partners has 75 equity Partners, employs over 400 team members and assists 14,000 Private Business Owners from 25 offices in Australia and Hong Kong,  In 1997 at age 22, unemployed, with no money, journalistic experience, connections, or publisher, he got a grip of his own mind, and interviewed 34 leading Australian achievers, raised capital, and gathered the expertise to self-publish his first book ‘Collective Wisdom’ in 1999 which became a national best seller. Every seven years subsequently, Brett has published a book focused on growing in Wisdom: Universal Wisdom in 2005, 2 Business Owners’ Wisdom in 2012, Investment Wisdom in 2019. Brett is also an exceptional keynote speaker, and also the host of the better off podcast, with guests including Shaquille O’Neill and Jordan Peterson. Brett has become a good friend the last few years and is an absolute killer. He has high standards, is relentlessly self improving and I think almost impossible to compete with in his craft. In this episode we discuss, mindset, eliminating obstacles and how far a can-do attitude can take you.   I hope you enjoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Brett: https://au.linkedin.com/in/brett-kelly-b315265  https://www.youtube.com/@bebetteroffshow    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

    1h 33m

About

Accelerating Excellence takes you on a journey into the minds of the world's most elite performers, to reveal their secrets, serving them up on a plate so you can accelerate your own pursuit of excellence. If you know you’re capable of going to the next level, but aren’t quite sure where to start or how to optimise then you’re in the right place. Each episode of contains captivating interviews with renowned individuals—athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, generals, special forces operators, and scientists. We'll dive deep into their journeys, discovering the defining moments, mindset shifts, and vitally the principles and strategies that propelled them to the pinnacle in their craft. From the high-pressure stages of world cup finals, Superbowl’s, and world title fights; to covert operations, counter-terrorism, and firefights in the air and on the ground in the world of elite military; and the hundred million dollar P&L swings in the billion dollar world of trading and investing you will be exposed to the fundamental principles that connect all of these individuals success. Most importantly to me Accelerating Excellence is not just about inspiration; it's about practicality, for you, the listener. We’ll extract actionable insights and practical techniques that you can implement immediately, to stack probability in your favour of success in your own pursuit of excellence. So, if you’re ready to ignite and expand your potential, to shatter the boundaries that hold you back and unleash the ambition, talent and motivation that exists within you and your team join me, as we empower you to leverage these principles. Get ready to be inspired, shocked, and challenged, you're about to embark on an adventure that will shift your perceptions of what’s possible. For those who strive to make things better for themselves, and those they care for, manage and lead. This podcast is for you.

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