The High Performance Podcast turns the lived experiences of the planet's high performers into your life lessons. Jake Humphrey (broadcast presenter of 20 years) and Professor Damian Hughes (leading high performance expert), speak to athletes, authors, entertainers and experts about the key to their success. But, Jake and Damian look beyond the guests achievements and encourage guests to share how they developed their mindset, what gives them confidence, how they navigate adversity and much more. Hear from guests as you’ve never heard them before. The High Performance Podcast aims to help listeners navigate their own version of high performance.
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After over 200 episodes and almost 4 years of the High Performance Podcast, Jake and Damian take a moment to rewind through the episodes. For any brand new listeners, this is your ultimate guide to the key High Performance moments.
Jake and Damian reflect on their favourite guests, biggest lessons and most memorable moments from the very start of the High Performance journey to the most recent episode. To begin, Jake and Damian explore the why behind the podcast. They delve into how their understanding of high performance has evolved over the years, from deep and honest conversations with the world's highest achievers.
Listen to the full episodes from the guests mentioned in this episode:
Fernando Alonso is a two-time Formula 1 World Champion, currently competing for the fast-rising Aston Martin F1 Team. Fernando has also driven for Alpine, McLaren, Ferrari, Minardi, and Renault, where he won the World Drivers' Championship in 2005 and 2006.
This episode explores what it takes to become an elite F1 driver, and how to maintain top level performance over a 20-year career.
Jake and Damian discover the origins of Fernando’s legendary racing career, dating back to his very first race at the age of three. They learn that despite Fernando’s unshakable self-confidence, he balances this with a unique awareness of his own limitations.
Alonso also gives insights to the transformation his two-year F1 hiatus had on him personally, deepening connections with his fans, and discovering an appreciation of the privileges of his position. He also opens up about his biggest regrets, and how he has dealt with failure since his championship winning years.
This conversation transcends the racetrack, offering lessons in determination, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
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Jake shares with Damian the conversation with Joe Wicks that transformed his life, completely shifting his view on what it means to be driven by purpose. They reflect on the importance of purpose over profit and how understanding your purpose can lead to clearer and more informed decision making.
Joe also offered practical advice for staying present and making time for the people who matter. He suggested people take “mini retirements” every year: whether it is a weekend or a month, a mini-retirement is time away from work and the pressures of everyday life to focus on family, friends, rest and relaxation. Jake reflects on how this has now become a crucial part of his life.
Katherine Ryan is a comedian and writer, best known for her appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Taskmaster and her stand-up special on Netflix, Glitter Room. Originally from Canada, Katherine made the bold move to London in 2008, and shortly thereafter had her first daughter. Becoming a single mum at the age of 25 and isolated from family, Katherine shares with Jake and Damian how this experience fuelled her determination and resilience. “When I had nothing, I had everything”, Katherine’s focus and dedication to her daughter's well-being gave her the strength to fearlessly pursue her stand-up career.
In this episode, Katherine takes us behind the scenes of her comedy path, reflecting on her journey from scraping by as a single mom to her decision to create space for women in the industry by stepping away from Mock the Week. She offers insights into finding positivity in life and leading with gratitude, and sheds light on the reality of hard work.
Join us to hear Katherine’s laughter-filled journey, her resilience, and her valuable life lessons.
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Damian shares his key take-aways from one of his favourite episodes ever recorded with guest Vicky Pattison. Vicky completely shifted Damian's assumptions about reality TV stars and he came away with a brand new formula to view life.
Jake and Damian take a look back on the conversation they had with Vicky and they lessons she shared that they still use in their life today. Including, how she moved away from a strict work ethic to keep the passion for her career alive; the numbering system for everyday that has completely transformed her life and how we can categorise the most important people in our lives.
Vicky’s episode is a valuable reminder that everyone, no matter their background, has valuable lessons which we can all learn from.
Dr. Waheed Arian, a doctor and radiologist, endured a challenging upbringing in war-torn Afghanistan, and at 15, he was smuggled to the UK. He had a singular ambition: to become a doctor. In a heartfelt conversation with Jake and Damian, he candidly reveals the harsh realities of living amongst bombings and military presence. He recounts visiting his father in hiding, who sought to evade front-line military service.
Such traumatic experiences have shaped Waheed's character, instilling vital lessons he carries to this day. He shares with Jake and Damian the key lessons he learnt from his childhood and how he still carries them with him. The loss of childhood innocence early on forged a determined mindset, focused on supporting and caring for his family. Throughout the darkest times, his dream of becoming a doctor served as a lifeline.
Waheed discusses the moment of kindness that changed his life, the importance of responsibility and how we can find meaning in what we do.
Jake and Damian reflect on the insightful and inspiring conversations they’ve had in July, delving a little deeper into some of the key lessons from each episode.
They rediscover the teachings shared by Dan Carter on how to navigate change whilst entering retirement. In one of the most emotional episodes ever recorded, Ashley Cain reveals how his late daughter Azaylia transformed his life and how her memory lives on today.
From the conversation with Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, firefighter and author, Jake and Damian reflect on fault vs responsibility and how we can guide ourselves through challenging times. Finally, they take a look at how to find your why with Simon Sinek.
There were some invaluable take-aways from each guest this month, you can listen to the full episodes here:
Steve Parish is a businessman and the co-owner and chairman of Crystal Palace F.C. After beginning his career in computer graphics, Steve went on to acquire multiple companies. He transformed TagWorldwide into a global production powerhouse with over 2,800 employees in 13 countries. In 2010, Steve acquired Crystal Palace, saving the club from administration, and building the foundations for the growth of the club over the 13 years that followed. In this episode, he shares the secrets to his success, and behind his failings, at every stage of his career.
Steve discusses the “hard graft” he put in from a young age, and shares how emotional intelligence can guide you through every interaction. Jake and Damian explore his purchase of Crystal Palace, how he interacts with the club as an owner, and how important the club is to him having been a childhood fan. They delve deep into what drives Steve, his key to hiring the best people and how he builds a great company.
This is the final episode of our new Leadership Series, sponsored by PwC, in which we will be diving deep into what it really takes to be a great leader.
Emily Maitlis is a journalist, presenter of the ground-breaking daily podcast The News Agents, documentary filmmaker and former BBC Newsnight anchor. She is known for her skilled and informative interviews including THAT interview for Newsnight. In this conversation, they explore what it means to be an excellent interviewer. They discuss how Emily creates a compelling narrative, how she prepares for each interview and what her main objective always is.
She shares with Jake and Damian how covering traumatic events, such as school shootings in the US, the Paris terror attacks and Grenfell, has taken its toll. They discuss how she, and the Newsnight team secured the highly significant Prince Andrew interview, and the immense pressure that came with it.
Thank you to PwC for sponsoring this special CEO Series. PwC’s purpose is to build trust and solve important problems, and their global strategy - The New Equation - is bringing this to life for their clients, people and society. By combining technology with human ingenuity, passion and experience, PwC works with organisations to deliver more intelligent, sustained outcomes.
To celebrate the Women’s World Cup, Jake and Damian take a look back at the conversations they had with former England players Alex Scott, Steph Houghton, and Jill Scott, as well as former manager Phil Neville.
Jake and Damian listen back to their chat with Jill about how the experience for female footballers has completely transformed. Steph shares what it was like to put women’s football on the map, and how she realised her life would change when she returned home after winning. Alex and Phil share their experiences with the Lionesses and how it changed their lives.
Listen to the episodes mentioned in this episode:
Phil Neville - https://pod.fo/e/2680b
Alex Scott - https://pod.fo/e/14421c
Jill Scott - https://pod.fo/e/17147d
Steph Houghton - https://pod.fo/e/ad8e0
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