E2 - Ant Middleton: How to create and maintain a zero excuses mindset

When I drew up a list of dream names for the High Performance Podcast, Ant Middleton was right at the top of that list. An accomplished military career that includes the coveted King’s Badge as a Royal Marine, before joining the Special Boat Service - Ant’s whole career epitomises high performance. He is now best known as the Chief Instructor for Channel 4’s hit show, 'SAS : Who Dares Wins', but is also a best-selling author, motivational speaker and tours the UK with his ‘Mind Over Muscle’ brand. Listen to Ant share his stories and secrets to his high-performing mindset. Give this your time, hear him out, and you won’t regret it!

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**Guest:** Anthony Middleton, Former Royal Marine, TV Presenter, Public Speaker, Author

**Topics Discussed:**

1. **Definition of High Performance:**
- Self-belief is key, along with brutal honesty with oneself.
- High performance comes from realizing limitations, suffering hardships, and learning from failures.
- Self-belief leads to resilience and eventually high performance.

2. **The Fear Bubble:**
- Anthony talks about the fear bubble and how people often comment on his transformation.
- He acknowledges that he has changed and is proud of the person he has become.

3. **The Journey to High Performance:**
- Anthony shares that his journey to high performance was a result of hundreds of small moments and experiences.
- He emphasizes that self-reflection and brutal honesty with oneself are crucial for growth.

4. **Early Military Career:**
- Anthony explains that he didn't exhibit high performance in his early military years due to a lack of teamwork and an inflated ego.
- He realized that he needed to be part of a team to achieve greater things.

5. **The Job Center Incident:**
- Anthony shares a pivotal moment when he was jobless and sitting on the steps of a job center.
- This experience led him to self-reflect and confront his negative qualities, which became a catalyst for his transformation.

6. **Emotional Intelligence in Combat:**
- Anthony highlights his ability to switch between aggression and compassion during combat.
- He emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in making quick and effective decisions in dangerous situations.

7. **Childhood and Emotional Development:**
- Anthony attributes his emotional intelligence to his childhood experiences, particularly the death of his father when he was five.
- He explains that he learned to self-reflect and control his emotions from a young age.

8. **The Importance of Self-Sufficiency:**
- Anthony stresses the value of self-sufficiency and independence, which he developed early on in life.
- He believes that being in control of oneself is essential for high performance.

9. **Limited Inner Circle:**
- Anthony reveals that he keeps his inner circle small and doesn't allow many people to see his vulnerable side.
- He believes that maintaining a certain level of privacy is necessary for his well-being.

10. **Dealing with Negativity:**
- Anthony emphasizes the importance of positive thinking and avoiding negativity.
- He credits his ability to stay positive despite witnessing immense negativity in his life as a key factor in his success.

11. **The Loneliness of High Performance:**
- Anthony acknowledges that his high-performance mindset can sometimes lead to loneliness and isolation.
- He explains that he has a few close friends but generally prefers to keep to himself.

12. **Handling Criticism:**
- Anthony discusses how he deals with criticism and negative feedback.
- He believes that constructive criticism can be beneficial, but he doesn't let negative comments affect his self-belief.

13. **The Value of Failure:**
- Anthony reiterates the importance of failure as a stepping stone to success.
- He encourages people to embrace failure and learn from their mistakes to achieve growth.

14. **Mindset Shift:**
- Anthony emphasizes the need for a mindset shift to achieve high performance.
- He believes that people should focus on their strengths, work on their weaknesses, and never give up on their goals.

15. **Final Thoughts:**
- Anthony concludes the podcast by encouraging listeners to take ownership of their lives, embrace challenges, and strive for excellence.


## Key Points:

### 1. Focus on Self-Improvement:
- Eliminate distractions to maintain focus on personal growth and achievement.
- Take ownership of actions, decisions, and outcomes, avoiding excuses.
- Embrace challenges and learn from mistakes to facilitate personal development.

### 2. Cultivate a Positive Mindset:
- Surround yourself with positive influences to maintain a high-performance mindset.
- Prioritize self-care and well-being to optimize mental and physical performance.
- Embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning.

### 3. Prioritize Family and Relationships:
- Balance personal and professional commitments to maintain healthy relationships.
- Openly communicate with loved ones about priorities and expectations.
- Seek support from family and friends during challenging times.

### 4. Embrace Challenges and Risks:
- Step outside of comfort zones to pursue ambitious goals.
- Embrace calculated risks to facilitate growth and learning.
- Maintain a positive attitude and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

### 5. Continuously Seek Improvement:
- Strive for excellence in all endeavors, constantly seeking ways to improve.
- Set high standards for yourself and relentlessly pursue them.
- Celebrate successes and learn from failures, using them as stepping stones for growth.

### 6. Develop Resilience and Mental Toughness:
- Cultivate resilience to bounce back from setbacks and challenges.
- Develop mental toughness to overcome obstacles and persevere through difficult situations.
- Embrace a "never give up" attitude and maintain a strong belief in one's abilities.

### 7. Foster a Strong Work Ethic:
- Dedicate oneself to hard work and unwavering effort.
- Embrace discipline and consistency in daily routines and habits.
- Maintain a strong work ethic even when faced with challenges or setbacks.


# High-Performance Mindset: Unlocking Your Potential with Ant Middleton

In this captivating podcast episode, Damien and Jay engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Ant Middleton, a former military personnel, adventurer, and motivational speaker. Ant's journey from Special Boat Service to Chief Instructor on Channel 4's hit show, 'SAS: Who Dares Wins,' has equipped him with a wealth of knowledge and insights on achieving a high-performance mindset.

Ant emphasizes the importance of punctuality, manners, and first impressions as non-negotiable behaviors for individuals and teams. He believes that these qualities lay the foundation for building strong relationships and fostering a positive work environment.

Reflecting on his youth, Ant acknowledges the value of letting more people in and allowing mentors to play a role in personal development. He encourages listeners to seek guidance and support from individuals who can help them grow and achieve their full potential.

When asked about his happiness, Ant expresses immense contentment with his current role. He feels that he has found his true calling and is making a meaningful impact in the world. Legacy is also important to Ant, as he hopes to leave a solid foundation for his children to build upon.

Ant emphasizes the significance of positive thinking and self-honesty in achieving a high-performance life. He believes that individuals should avoid negativity and be brutally honest with themselves to tackle challenges effectively.

The discussion highlights Ant's unwavering belief in his mindset and his ability to maintain a positive outlook even in the face of adversity. This mindset has been instrumental in his success and has allowed him to overcome numerous obstacles throughout his life.

Ant's candidness and authenticity resonate with Damien and Jay, who appreciate his willingness to share his vulnerabilities and experiences. They acknowledge that while Ant's mindset may seem unattainable, it serves as a reminder of the potential for personal growth and transformation.

The conversation concludes with Ant's emphasis on the importance of emotional intelligence and understanding the human element in leadership. He believes that effective leaders should be able to connect with their team members on a personal level and inspire them to perform at their best.

Overall, this podcast episode offers valuable insights into the mindset and strategies of a high-performance individual. Ant Middleton's experiences and perspectives provide listeners with practical advice and inspiration to cultivate a positive mindset, embrace challenges, and achieve their full potential.