The High Performance Podcast

Ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, Jake and Damian catch up to discuss and share the insights and lessons they’ve learned from years of interviews with legendary Olympians. In this episode, they explore the different types of performance, whether peak, high or optimal, and they discuss how athletes prepare to perform their best during the most critical moments.

Reflecting on conversations with guests like Adam Peaty, Dina Asher-Smith, and Dame Kelly Holmes, they delve into the themes of resilience, dealing with failure, and the importance of trusting the process. 

Listen in as Jake and...

This episode is part of our ‘Experts In Their Field’ mini-series, presented by Salesforce.

In this episode, we welcome Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer for Google X, tech entrepreneur, and author of the best-selling books "Solve for Happy" and "Scary Smart” back to High Performance.

Mo sits down with Damian to discuss innovation, a topic he is deeply passionate about and a leading voice in. Together, they explore how we innovate, how we can define a concept as elusive as innovation, and the common obstacles that hinder productivity and creativity.

Mo s...

Four-time Olympic Champion Michael Johnson joins us on High Performance to explore the mindset and strategies that propelled him to extraordinary record-breaking athletics success.

Known for his electrifying running style, Michael Johnson made history at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics by becoming the first man to win both the 200 and 400 metres at the same games. In this episode, Michael talks about the importance of having a strong support system and staying grounded in reality.

Michael recounts difficult decisions he faced in his career, including his choice to return a relay gold medal tainted by doping...

After England's heartbreaking loss at Euro 2024 and Gareth Southgate stepping down as manager, Jake and Damian dive into the highs and lows of the tournament and Southgate's impactful tenure. 

They reflect on the unexpected turn of events throughout the tournament, noting the optimism for England's chances before the final. Jake and Damian discuss how Southgate transformed England's team from the low point of losing to Iceland in 2016 to becoming consistent contenders in major tournaments. They highlight his influence in fostering a culture of high expectations and nurturing a generation of young players proud to represent their c...

In this episode, respected neuroscientist and author Dr. Tara Swart joins Jake to uncover fascinating perspectives about the complex interplay between our brains and bodies.

Tara sheds light on how our constant smartphone use impacts us both mentally and physically, and what we can do to reduce the side effects of technology. She also discusses the impact of stress on weight gain, highlighting why our bodies hold onto fat when we’re stressed.

Exploring how high stress levels affect our brains and bodies, Tara explains the impact of reduced creativity and a weaker im...

Jake and Damian are joined by Great Britain Olympic medal favourite Keely Hodgkinson, to dive deep into her journey as a middle-distance runner and her mindset as an elite athlete.

Keely Hodgkinson is a rising star in athletics, winning 800m silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at just 19 years old, before becoming European Champion in June 2024. She shares how she manages nervous energy and the importance of staying relaxed and focused before races at the highest level.

Keely discusses balancing external expectations with staying true to herself, even in high-pressure environments like the Olympic...

In this special episode, Jake and Damian reflect on England’s iconic Euro 2024 journey so far, revealing insights into the work Damian has conducted with the England team as part of their tournament preparations. Damian shares the details behind the conception of England’s penalty shootout ‘buddy’ system, highlighting how the support of other players was critical to creating a safe environment for each penalty taker to succeed. Using moments from our conversations with Ollie Watkins and Gareth Southgate, this episode explores the true mentality of the England squad and their attention to detail throughout their journey to International success...

Discover profound insights into the workings of the brain and how we can optimise its functions, with this conversation with neurosurgeon and neuroscientist Dr Rahul Jandial.

In this episode, Rahul discusses the dynamic nature of the human brain, comparing neurons to floating jellyfish and highlighting our ever-changing emotional and behavioural states. He explains how understanding brain pathways can help manage anxiety, stress, and emotions, drawing parallels to the challenges faced by astronauts and athletes.

Rahul reflects on his transformative experiences conducting hundreds of brain surgeries, revealing the beauty and complexity of our brains...

Jake and Damian welcome former footballer Joleon Lescott to High Performance, discussing the highs and lows of his career, the influential people in his life and the challenges he faced on and off the pitch.

Joleon Lescott is best known for his time at clubs including Everton and Manchester City, contributing to City's Premier League triumphs in 2012 and 2014 and earning numerous caps for England.

In this conversation, Joleon opens up about the resilience instilled in him by his parents and the intimidating environment of his early football years. He discusses growing up after...

In this episode, we revisit a compelling conversation with the new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer. We explore the man behind the politician, and what he’s learned about leadership throughout his career

Reflecting on his journey from barrister to party leader, Keir opens up to Jake and Damian about his formative years, the challenges of his legal career, and the profound impact of his mother's resilience in his life.

From his passion for football and lessons learned from following Arsenal, to navigating the adversarial world of politics and his vision for reform, Ke...