E147 - Alex Scott: Walking into the light

Alex Scott MBE is a sports presenter, pundit and former professional football player. She played for Arsenal and made 140 appearances for the England women’s national football team. In this episode, Alex reveals how she has dealt with fear from her childhood and through her career - witnessing abuse and being vilified through social media - and how her mindset has enabled her to reach a place of freedom. 

She reflects on the most crucial aspects of leadership, teamwork and understanding her self-worth. What is a strong leader? How can leaders create a place where everyone feels valued?

Alex's book 'How (Not) To Be Strong' is out now.

- - - - - - -

We have a new Book Club! We will choose books that offer tangible take-aways that you will be able to apply to your daily life. Find out more here https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/bookclub and chat directly with other members by joining the Facebook Group.

We are back on tour and coming to Norwich for a special HIGH PERFORMANCE LIVE! Get tickets here: https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/high-performance-live/

Pre-order the new High Performance Daily Journal - 365 ways to become your best! smarturl.it/HPJournal

Want even more from High Performance? We have launched our brand new premium podcast service 'High Performance Plus' for people who want to support the podcast, listen to ad-free episodes and have access to exclusive bonus content so we can get you even closer to a life of high performance. Sign up on Apple Podcasts apple.co/highperformance or Supercast https://highperformanceplus.supercast.com/

Thank you to Lotus Cars for sponsoring this episode. A partner that has been with us from the very beginning. Thank you Lotus! www.lotuscars.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

# Alex Scott: From Fear to Freedom

**Summary:**

In this episode of the High Performance Podcast, Jake Humphrey sits down with former footballer turned broadcaster Alex Scott. Alex opens up about her childhood, her struggles with fear, and how she has overcome adversity to achieve success in her career.

Alex grew up in a challenging environment, witnessing domestic violence and experiencing abuse. These experiences left her with a deep-seated fear that she carried with her throughout her life. However, she was determined to break free from these patterns and create a better future for herself.

Alex found solace in football, which became her escape from the difficulties at home. She excelled in the sport and eventually went on to play for Arsenal and the England women's national team. Despite her success on the pitch, Alex continued to struggle with fear and self-doubt.

After retiring from football, Alex transitioned into a career in broadcasting. She faced new challenges in this role, including criticism and abuse on social media. However, she refused to let these setbacks define her. Instead, she used them as motivation to become stronger and more resilient.

Today, Alex is a successful broadcaster and role model for young people. She is passionate about using her platform to speak out against injustice and to empower others to overcome their own challenges.

**Key Points:**

* Fear can be a powerful force, but it doesn't have to control us. We can choose to face our fears and overcome them.
* It is important to have a strong support system of friends and family who can help us through difficult times.
* We should never give up on our dreams, no matter how difficult the obstacles may seem.
* We can achieve great things if we believe in ourselves and never give up.

**Memorable Quotes:**

* "I think the fear of going to bed every night and trying to listen for sounds, to hear if my mom would be okay. I needed to break some patterns in my life that stemmed yes from my dad and not being able to communicate and then that was there in relationships. I was then tending to get with people that I just wanted to help them you know which then in turn wasn't healthy healthy for myself. I didn't know that I was a leader or a captain until I went to America. I literally went from yeah I was already a right back for England but going to America where people were telling me that I'm gonna be the best right back in the world to believe in it like these people could see something in me. When I got to a stage where Lucy Bronze came in at such a young right back and I knew straight away once she had a mentality like me she was unapologetic of putting in the hard work because she wanted to be the best and I absolutely loved it and I knew I had to do what Heather Mitz did for me. I knew I was going to push Lucy, have conversations with her and get her to that place so when ultimately she took my shirt it was for all the right reasons because she was the best." - Alex Scott

* "You have to live with walking outside your door she took my shirt, it was for all the right reasons, because she was the best. You have to live with walking outside your door, taking a nice stroll, which I think is just me switching off and doing something normal, that somebody might be following you because of the stuff that they've said and the abuse that they've thrown at you, to the level of people saying that they're gonna throw acid in your face." - Alex Scott

* "I think the difference between being a good athlete or in that bracket, the high performance part is about that mindset that takes you to that next level to be really elite and keep you there performing. Which I think is coming out more and more in the sport world and not even just in sport world I think in business. Like how can you tap into things to help you know keep you there so where did that mindset come from then are we talking about you know an 11 year old Alex Scott who was like mentally solid and stable and pushing herself to the limit or as we often find with people is this a process of growth I would say it's a process of growth. And for me, understanding myself more, but I think when I go back to where I grew up in East London, playing in a football cage, there was kind of a survival instinct in there, you know, having to fight for my place in the football cage with the boys, having to prove people that I was good enough and having a dream that I wanted to get beyond that football cage. So I think there was a lot of elements in that." - Alex Scott

**Overall Message:**

Alex Scott's story is an inspiring reminder that we can overcome any obstacle if we have the courage to face our fears and never give up on our dreams. She is a role model for young people everywhere, showing them that it is possible to achieve great things no matter where you come from or what challenges you may face.

# Podcast Episode Summary: Alex Scott - How (Not) To Be Strong

**Episode Overview:**

In this episode, Alex Scott, a former professional football player and current sports presenter and pundit, shares her journey of overcoming fear and adversity, both in her personal life and career. She reflects on the importance of leadership, teamwork, and understanding one's self-worth. Alex also discusses the challenges she faced as a female athlete, including dealing with abuse and online trolling.

**Key Points:**

* **Facing Fear:** Alex recalls a time when she experienced intense fear and anxiety, leading her to seek therapy. She emphasizes the importance of seeking help when needed and highlights the benefits of therapy in her own life.

* **The Misnomer of Strength:** Alex challenges the traditional notion of strength as being stoic and unemotional. She advocates for embracing vulnerability and allowing oneself to feel emotions fully.

* **The Importance of Self-Care:** Alex stresses the need for self-care and taking time for oneself to recharge and maintain mental well-being. She encourages listeners to prioritize their own needs and not apologize for doing so.

* **Supportive Allyship:** Alex emphasizes the significance of allyship in supporting individuals who are facing criticism or going through difficult times. She encourages people to actively praise and uplift others, rather than focusing solely on negative feedback.

* **The Power of Positivity:** Alex highlights the impact of positive thinking and surrounding oneself with positive influences. She shares how a positive mindset helped her overcome challenges and achieve success.

* **Teamwork and Leadership:** Alex discusses the importance of teamwork and effective leadership. She emphasizes the value of recognizing and appreciating the contributions of every team member, regardless of their role.

* **Learning from Criticism:** Alex reflects on the criticism she has faced, particularly as a female athlete. She encourages listeners to learn from criticism and use it as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

* **The Ghosts of Childhood:** Alex explores the concept of "ghosts of childhood" - unresolved issues or questions from one's past that continue to impact their adult life. She highlights the importance of addressing these issues through therapy or self-reflection.

* **Imposter Syndrome:** Alex discusses the experience of imposter syndrome, feeling unworthy of success or recognition. She shares her own struggles with this and emphasizes the need for self-belief and self-acceptance.

* **The Importance of Mentors:** Alex acknowledges the role of mentors in her life, both in football and her broadcasting career. She emphasizes the value of seeking out mentors who can provide guidance, support, and encouragement.

**Overall Message:**

Alex Scott's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self-acceptance, and the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences. She encourages listeners to embrace their vulnerabilities, seek support when needed, and strive to be the best version of themselves.

# Podcast Episode Summary: Alex Scott MBE - Embracing Freedom Through Overcoming Fear

**Introduction**

- Alex Scott MBE is a sports presenter, pundit, and former professional football player.
- This episode delves into Alex's journey of dealing with fear, from her childhood through her career.
- She reflects on the crucial aspects of leadership, teamwork, and understanding her self-worth.

**Key Points**

**1. Overcoming Fear:**
- Alex shares how she has confronted fear throughout her life, including witnessing abuse, experiencing vilification through social media, and facing challenges in her professional football career.
- She emphasizes the importance of embracing a growth mindset and surrounding oneself with individuals who inspire growth and learning.

**2. Leadership and Teamwork:**
- Alex believes that strong leadership involves listening to everyone, taking advice, and ultimately making decisions.
- She stresses the significance of creating an environment where everyone feels valued, fostering a sense of unity and support within the team.
- Alex highlights the importance of recognizing that the team's success depends on the collective efforts of all members.

**3. Understanding Self-Worth:**
- Alex acknowledges the challenges she faced in accepting praise and recognizing her own strengths due to patterns stemming from her childhood.
- She emphasizes the need for self-reflection and understanding one's patterns to break free from negative cycles.
- Alex advocates for self-care and taking time to date oneself, prioritizing personal growth and well-being.

**4. Achieving Freedom:**
- Alex acknowledges that the journey to finding freedom is ongoing and requires continuous growth and learning.
- She emphasizes the importance of open communication and resolving conflicts constructively to maintain healthy relationships.
- Alex highlights the significance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care to avoid burnout.

**5. Dealing with Negativity:**
- Alex emphasizes the importance of avoiding negativity and surrounding oneself with positive influences.
- She believes in setting non-negotiable boundaries for lateness, excuses, and negative attitudes.

**6. Personal Strengths and Weaknesses:**
- Alex identifies her greatest strength as being able to listen and her biggest weakness as trying to help everyone before helping herself.
- She acknowledges that while it's a weakness, she wouldn't change it as it reflects her genuine desire to support others.

**7. Biggest Failure and Reaction:**
- Alex reflects on waiting too long to share her story in her book, "How (Not) To Be Strong."
- She expresses regret for not freeing her mother and herself sooner from the pain they endured.

**8. Travel and Learning:**
- Alex shares her passion for traveling and how it has contributed to her education and personal growth.
- She believes that experiencing different cultures and meeting diverse people enriches her life and provides a broader perspective.

**9. Final Message:**
- Alex encourages listeners to keep going and believe in themselves, regardless of the fears or negativity they may encounter.
- She emphasizes the importance of not letting others' fears hinder personal achievements.

**Conclusion**

The podcast episode with Alex Scott MBE offers valuable insights into overcoming fear, embracing freedom, and leading a high-performance life. Alex's candid reflections on her personal and professional experiences provide inspiration and practical advice for listeners seeking to navigate challenges and achieve their goals.

# High Performance Podcast Episode Summary: Josh Birkley - Turning Adversity into Opportunity

## Introduction

- Alex Scott, a former professional football player and current sports presenter, shares her journey of overcoming challenges and achieving a mindset of freedom.
- The podcast focuses on leadership, teamwork, and understanding self-worth.

## Overcoming Fear and Abuse

- Alex reflects on her childhood experiences, including witnessing abuse and facing social media vilification.
- She emphasizes the importance of developing a strong mindset to overcome fear and adversity.

## Leadership and Teamwork

- Alex discusses the qualities of effective leaders and the significance of creating environments where everyone feels valued.
- She highlights the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and purpose within teams.

## Understanding Self-Worth

- Alex stresses the need for individuals to recognize their self-worth and not let external factors define their value.
- She emphasizes the value of self-belief and self-acceptance in achieving personal growth and fulfillment.

## Key Insights

- **Embrace adversity as an opportunity for growth:** Alex's battle with cancer and subsequent Ironman triathlon completion exemplify how challenges can be transformed into opportunities for personal transformation.
- **Cultivate a positive mindset:** Alex's ability to maintain a positive outlook during difficult times highlights the power of mindset in shaping one's experiences and outcomes.
- **Surround yourself with a supportive network:** Alex acknowledges the importance of having a strong support system of friends, family, and mentors in overcoming adversity.
- **Find purpose and meaning in life:** Alex's journey emphasizes the significance of finding purpose and meaning in life, which can serve as a driving force for personal growth and resilience.

## Conclusion

- Alex's story is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and the power of a positive mindset in overcoming adversity.
- The podcast offers valuable insights into leadership, teamwork, and self-worth, leaving listeners inspired and motivated to pursue their own paths to high performance.