High Performance

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Channel • 6 Shows

Sport

Sport

Updated twice weekly
Mental Health

Mental Health

Updated weekly
Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

Updated weekly
Fitness

Fitness

Updated weekly
Mental Health

Mental Health

Updated weekly
Sport

Sport

Updated weekly

05/04/2021

Toto Wolff: Empathy over engineering (E51)

Toto Wolff is Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. After a short racing career competing in Austrian Formula Ford, Toto pursued a business career and found a new outlet for his talent – investment. He founded his own investment companies and in November 2009, Toto merged his passion for racing and investment by investing in the Williams F1 Team. By July 2012, Toto was the Executive Director of the team, playing a key leadership role as Williams scored its first win in eight years that season. Less than a year later, Toto was announced as managing partner of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team in January 2013 after purchasing a 30 per cent stake of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. Subsequently appointed Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport at the end of 2013, Toto went on to assume full responsibility for the entire Mercedes-Benz motorsport programme. Under his leadership, the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team has clinched seven consecutive Formula One Double World Championships. PRE-ORDER THE NEW HIGH PERFORMANCE BOOK NOW! smarturl.it/hv0sdz A big thanks to our founding partners Lotus Cars and GIVEMESPORT - the exclusive sports partner of the High Performance Podcast. To gain further access to editorial and social content from the Podcast click here https://www.givemesport.com/podcast Remember, you can also get extended episodes of the podcast on our YouTube channel bit.ly/HPPYouTube and follow us on Instagram @highperformance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

05/04/2021

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1h 9m
2 DAYS AGO

Jonny Wilkinson: How Perfection Nearly Broke Me

We're revisiting one of the most profound conversations we've ever had on High Performance - a discussion that fundamentally changed the way we think about performance on this show. Jonny Wilkinson is one of rugby's greatest ever players. The drop goal that won England the 2003 Rugby World Cup is etched into sporting history. But behind the perfection, the trophies, and the records, Jonny was fighting a battle most people never saw. In this deeply philosophical and remarkably honest conversation, Jonny reveals the mental health struggles that plagued his career - the games where he could barely leave his hotel room, the 14 consecutive injuries that forced him to look inward, and the obsession with perfection that began at just four years old when he became consumed by a fear of death. Jake and Damian explore what true high performance really means. Not outcomes, not stats, not being the best in the world - but absolute presence. Living fully in every moment, whether that's a World Cup final or doing the washing up. Jonny explains why self-belief is actually fragility in disguise, why the "super version" of you already exists, and why the only thing stopping you from being extraordinary is what you're holding onto, not what you're missing. This isn't a conversation about rugby. It's a conversation about identity, choice, mortality, and what it means to truly live rather than just exist. Jonny challenges every assumption about success, performance, and self-worth - and offers a radically different way of seeing the world. If you've ever felt the weight of pressure, the fear of failure, or the exhaustion of trying to be perfect, this episode will change how you see yourself. 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.

2 days ago

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59 min
6 DAYS AGO

The Secret to a Perfect F1 Driver-Engineer Partnership | Rob Smedley on Massa, Lewis & Ferrari (E393)

Rob Smedley is one of Formula 1’s most respected engineers, known for his work with drivers like Felipe Massa and his time at Ferrari. In this episode, Rob sits down with Jake to share what it really takes to perform at the highest level, from the intense pressure of F1 to the human connections that make success possible. Rob reflects on his first meeting with Felipe Massa, explaining how belief, structure, and brutal honesty helped Felipe find his first podium. He shares why driver and engineer relationships thrive on trust and transparency, and how tough conversations, done right, can transform performance. He also opens up about the emotional side of F1, from the heartbreak of Felipe’s 2009 Hungary crash to personal losses that gave him perspective on life and sport. These moments show the human cost of high performance and why managing emotion is as important as managing the car. Beyond the track, Rob talks about giving back through the FAT Karting League, making motorsport more accessible for thousands of young drivers. This episode is a rare look at leadership, resilience, and the balance between pressure and care at the very top of sport. Find out more about FAT Karting League: https://fat-international.shop/en-ng/pages/karting-league Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp_heights_au3 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.

6 days ago

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1h 45m
6 DAYS AGO

I Turned to It for the Wrong Reasons | Sam Ryder

This week’s guest is Sam Ryder, someone who knows the struggle of chasing a dream for years, only to face the crushing reality of near-misses and setbacks. For over 15 years, Sam toured the world in tiny vans, scraping by with borrowed hope, never knowing if success would come. But when the door finally cracked open, it did so with an unexpected, life-changing shift. In this episode, Sam talks candidly about the long grind and how he found peace with failure before success even arrived. He shares the moment he made peace with the idea of never “making it,” the power of redefining what success truly means, and how, after years of struggle, he embraced gratitude as his new driving force. This is a raw, honest conversation about the non-linear journey to success, the dangers of “okay jobs,” and why comfort can kill creativity. Sam reveals his decision to get sober and the importance of protecting his voice, his gift, while rejecting the toxic hustle culture that fuels so much of the music industry. Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM Randox Health 👉 Take care of your health today and into the future. Save 20% on all health checks now with the code OTM20 at: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Randoxhealth_au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 days ago

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37 min
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.

13 Feb

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50 min
9 FEB

Matt Willis: I Got Married Three Days After Rehab

Recovery isn’t a straight line, and Matt Willis reflects openly on what that reality has meant for him. In this solo episode, Matt speaks candidly about addiction, recovery, and the long process of learning to live differently. He explores the moments that forced him to confront himself, the challenges of trying to change alone, and the ongoing work required to stay well. Rather than offering simple answers, Matt discusses the uncertainty, setbacks, and searching that shaped his recovery, alongside the role of responsibility, trust, and fatherhood in helping him find steadier ground. This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about resilience, accountability, and what it really means to commit to change, without shortcuts, and without pretending recovery is linear. Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Feb

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50 min
15/08/2025

Atomic Habits Author, James Clear: Why Every Action is a Vote for Who You Become

As Atomic Habits author James Clear reminds us, the person you become is shaped not by one big decision, but by the small choices you make every single day. In this episode, we revisit our insightful conversation with James as he explores how tiny, consistent actions compound into extraordinary results. He explains how every habit is a vote for the identity you want to build, and why aligning daily behaviours with your values is the surest route to lasting change. Listen in as James unpacks the science of habit formation, the power of self-awareness, and the simple, repeatable steps that can transform both your performance and your life. Listen to the full episode: https://pod.fo/e/16868c Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

15/08/2025

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47 min
6 FEB

Gary Barlow: Take That's Lost Era & Finding My Way Back

Legendary Take That songwriter Gary Barlow joins us to share the most honest account of failure, shame, and rebuilding we've ever recorded on High Performance. The recent Netflix documentary charted Take That's journey - the split, Robbie's solo success, the comeback. But what it couldn't capture was Gary's seven-year internal collapse. The songwriter and leader everyone expected would conquer solo stardom was drowning while Robbie soared. After a catastrophic American launch performance, Gary walked alone through the rain with nobody from his label. What followed was seven years where he couldn't sing, couldn't play piano, couldn't even listen to music. Seven years of sitting in his studio pretending to work while doing nothing. Seven years of deliberate weight gain as armor and public shaming. Key moments include: * Trust Your Gut Over External Authority: How ignoring his instincts for industry pressure led to catastrophic consequences he never recovered from * The Fragility of Creative Confidence: Why someone who doubts themselves cannot create wholeheartedly - and how one moment can dismantle years of evidence * Understanding Shame vs Accepting It: Why he deliberately gained weight as armor and what it teaches us about controlling the uncontrollable * Small Steps Over Grand Gestures: His first run while overweight and smoking - giggling at how far he had to go but knowing he was finally "on the road" * Creating Psychological Safety: How Take That's reunion principle of "let's lose all the dickheads" transformed their worst years into their best This is a conversation about the fragility of creative confidence, how one moment of not trusting your gut can derail everything, and how the way back isn't through therapy or grand gestures - it's putting trainers on, lifting the piano lid, and just turning up. Our partners on this episode: 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.

6 Feb

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57 min
19 JAN

What Actually Breaks Addiction: Neuroscientist Tj Power Explains

This week’s guest is Tj Power, lead neuroscientist and founder of the DOSE Lab, who helps us understand what’s really happening in our brains when we feel overwhelmed, burnt out, glued to our phones, or stuck in patterns we can’t quite explain. In this episode, TJ breaks down mental health in a way that feels human, not clinical. He talks about why so many of us feel constantly on edge, how modern life quietly rewires our brains, and why willpower alone is rarely enough when you’re dealing with anxiety, compulsive behaviours, or emotional overload. Rather than offering quick fixes, TJ focuses on understanding, learning how your brain actually works, why certain patterns repeat, and how small, realistic changes can help you steady yourself again. This conversation is grounding and reassuring, for anyone realising that real change starts with understanding, not self-blame. Simba mattresses 👉Great recovery starts with great sleep. That’s why On The Mend is powered by Simba. Start your 200-night trial & experience the Simba difference: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM_Simba_AU Heights👉 Join Matt in getting your energy back with Vitals. 20% off here: https://highpfrmc.com/OTM Need Support? Samaritans: Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Narcotics Anonymous: na.org Alcoholics Anonymous: alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk Mental Health Mates: mentalhealthmates.co.uk Shout: https: giveusashout.org IAPT: england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adults/nhs-talking-therapies/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Jan

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1h 12m
17/12/2025

Why You Keep Misreading People | Surrounded By Idiots Author

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 before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp Most communication fails for a simple reason: we talk to people the way we want to be talked to. In this episode, Damian sits down with behavioural expert and Surrounded by Idiots author Thomas Erikson to explore why adaptability, not eloquence, is the habit that defines effective communication. Thomas explains how even highly capable people create unnecessary friction when they rely on their own preferences instead of tuning into the person in front of them. At the centre of the conversation is self-awareness. Thomas shows how understanding your own behavioural style makes it easier to recognise what others need, whether that’s clarity, reassurance, inspiration, or detail. When that awareness is missing, conversations stall. When it’s present, trust and momentum follow. In this episode, they discuss: Why people misinterpret good intentions so often How different behavioural styles process information and feedback The cost of assuming others think like you do Simple ways to adjust your message without losing authenticity Why asking “How would you like me to go about this?” changes everything If you work with people, and especially if you lead them, this episode will sharpen how you listen, how you speak, and how you create alignment without unnecessary tension. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17/12/2025

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36 min

Powerful conversations, expert insights, and inspiring stories from the world's best.

Website

High Performance

Top Shows

Toto Wolff: Empathy over engineering (E51)

Jonny Wilkinson: How Perfection Nearly Broke Me

The Secret to a Perfect F1 Driver-Engineer Partnership | Rob Smedley on Massa, Lewis & Ferrari (E393)

I Turned to It for the Wrong Reasons | Sam Ryder

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

Matt Willis: I Got Married Three Days After Rehab

Atomic Habits Author, James Clear: Why Every Action is a Vote for Who You Become

Gary Barlow: Take That's Lost Era & Finding My Way Back

What Actually Breaks Addiction: Neuroscientist Tj Power Explains

Why You Keep Misreading People | Surrounded By Idiots Author

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