The Focal Point Performance Edge

In this episode Ian and Chris are joined by Jonny Ball, who talks high performance using a sandal as his focal point.



The conversation covers recovery from setback, making a positive impact on society through politics and the idea of serving again.



Some strong language in parts.

In the second part of the Armed Forces Day special, Chris and Ian take a deeper dive with Chris Gordon DFC into the performance lessons of his experiences. If you haven't already, go back to part 1 for the full story of the operation that saw him awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross [DFC] - which is his Focal Point.

In this episode we discuss, among other things, how personal involvement can change our performance, the potential power and challenges of detaching and the absolute importance of taking time to work out what has happened and it's impact.

As well as exploring the story through the lens of high performance, we also talk about some of our experiences around subjects such as PTSD and transitioning from the military into other walks of life.

Chris and Ian, as well as many of the Performance Edge team are veterans of the UK Military, and this episode, released around Armed Forces Day, is the first of a 2 part special with Chris Gordon DFC. 'Gordo' is a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, flying chinook helicopters in country, and later piloting remote aircraft from the USA.

His Focal Point is his Distinguised Flying Cross [DFC], which still has the late Queen's fingerprint on the back.

In this first episode, Gordo shares the story of the deployment that saw him awarded the DFC, telling us the story of what happened in the runup, during and immediately after the hugely challenging operation.

We wanted to give the story the space it needs, and it provides crucial context for the deeper dive into performance that comes in episode 2.

We're very grateful to Chris for sharing the story of his experience, and we hope you find it as engaging as we did.

In the last episode of this block of chats, Belinda Steward joins Ian to discuss her high performance insights via the focal point of her trusted running trainers. 

This episode was recorded back in the summer in a rather echoey room in the Isle of Arran, luckily Belinda does most of the talking so hopefully the echo isn't to annoying !!

We hope you enjoy the brilliant insights from Belinda.  

This week we are joined by Ryan Davies who is the Head of Academy Coaching at Swansea City Football Club.



Ryan talks to Ian about the power of curiosity in relation to development and gives some tips on how we can suspend judgement when it comes to learning.   

Season 3, Episode 2, this time it's with the fabulous Alice Henderson and her episode, The Mirror. I had no idea where the discussion with Alice would go and having listened back I'm honoured that she trusted me with her story.

It's an honest and frank conversation demonstrating the importance of high self awareness. Our work at Performance Edge consistently tells us that this is a fundamental for consistently operating at the highest levels. Give it a listen and let us know what you think.