Drop the Act

Returning to work after maternity leave is harder than anyone admits. Maternity leave confidence gaps are real — and working mums deserve far better than tick-box support. Georgie Partridge, executive coach at Performing Perfectly, reveals why companies are failing mothers and what actually works. THE PROBLEM: Kit days. One-to-ones. Flexible hours. Companies are ticking boxes — but no one is addre...

Bulletproof Leadership with Thalia Burt explores fitness, mindset, and resilience strategies to help leaders, performers, and business professionals sustain peak performance and mental clarity. In Episode 10 of Drop the Act , host Christopher Key sits down with Thalia Burt , founder of The Bulletproof Dancer and former international performer, to explore how fitness, mindset, and resilience can tr...

FA Coach Guy Whittingham on Leadership, Mindset & Career Transitions In this episode, FA Pro Licence course leader Guy Whittingham shares how he went from Army PTI to Premier League striker to elite coach—exploring resilience, leadership, and communication in high-performance settings. You'll hear how military mindset, emotional intelligence, and adaptability shaped Guy's coaching philosophy — and...

In this episode we re-visit our best bits from Season 1 & 2. Breath control, elite team rituals, performance mindset, breath control, overcoming fear and high performance take centre stage in this curated "best‑of" episode. Featuring Annesley Park, Lucy Key, Richard Wallace, and Dan Lowe—these highlights dive into practical techniques and powerful stories guaranteed to elevate your communication a...

Words matter—but how you show up matters more. 🎭 Special Feature Episode – Chris on the How to Strive Podcast 🎙️ This week, we're switching things up on Drop the Act. Instead of hosting, Chris steps into the guest seat for a powerful conversation with Nick Adkins on the How to Strive podcast. From directing Les Misérables across continents to helping business leaders find their voice, Chris dives...

In this episode of Drop the Act , host Chris Key talks with Annasley Park — former professional cyclist, yoga instructor, somatic coach, and one of only nine women in history to complete a solo, unsupported 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean. On Friday 28th March, Annasley made history at The Alnwick Garden by finishing this grueling journey from Gran Canaria to Barbados in nearly 55 days. B...

In this powerful episode, Chris is joined by  Dr. Sophia Cashman and Mr. Benedict Sherwood —two exceptional surgeons at the forefront of NHS leadership and patient care. Together, they take us inside the operating theatre to explore the life-or-death communication, real-time decision-making, and emotional intelligence required to lead under pressure. What unfolds is an unflinching, honest, and sur...

Welcome back to  Drop the Act , the podcast brought to you by Performing Perfectly , where we explore the power of communication, presence, and performance in leadership. Hosted by Christopher Key , this show draws from the worlds of theatre, aviation, sport, and business to reveal what it really takes to perform when it matters most. In Part 2 of this episode, Chris is joined by  Daniel Lowes , f...

Welcome back to  Drop the Act , the podcast brought to you by Performing Perfectly , where we explore the power of communication, presence, and performance in leadership. Hosted by Christopher Key , this show draws from the worlds of theatre, aviation, sport, and business to reveal what it really takes to perform when it matters most. In this episode, Chris is joined by Daniel Lowes , former Red A...

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Richard Wallace , co-founder of Liverpool Media Academy (LMA )—a leading creative institution in media, music, and performing arts. Since launching LMA in 2009 with his brother Simon, Richard has grown the academy into a multi-campus success story, with major backing from Sir Terry Leahy, Bill Currie, and global superstar Robbie Willia...

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Leon Lloyd, a former England international rugby player, high-performance strategist, and leadership expert. With 11 major trophies, including English and European titles with Leicester Tigers, Leon has competed at the highest level against some of the world's best athletes. Leon shares his unique journey from professional sport to bec...

Episode Overview In this season finale of Drop the Act , Christopher Key sits down with Lucy Key , co-founder of Performing Perfectly , to reveal the hidden techniques behind powerful communication . 💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ The 3 key components of effective communication: body language, voice, and words ✔️ How storytelling releases oxytocin , building trust and engagement ✔️ Why m...

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Tess Howard, an Olympic hockey player, sports equality advocate, and founder of Inclusive Sportswear. At just 25 years old, Tess has already left a lasting impact on and off the field—making her Olympic debut in Paris while leading a movement for inclusive sportswear that has changed hockey uniforms forever. Tess shares her inspiring j...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Drop the Act, host Christopher Key sits down with former professional footballer turned keynote speaker, Mark O'Brien. From making his senior debut at just 16 to retiring at 27 due to a life-threatening heart condition, Mark's journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose beyond the game. Together, they explore the mental battles of elite sport,...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Drop the Act , host Christopher Key sits down with two seasoned performers, Ceili O'Connor and Conner Gillooly , currently starring in School of Rock on its international tour. Broadcasting from Hong Kong, the trio explores the intersection of theatre and business, revealing key insights on confidence, resilience, communication, and the art of effective storytel...

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Claire Colvin, co-founder of Simple Scaling and a transformative business leader, to explore the mindset, strategy, and leadership skills needed to scale a business with confidence and sustainability. With over 23 years of experience in business transformation, Claire shares her expertise in building high-performing teams, creating peo...

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with former Premier League striker and football pundit Chris Sutton to discuss his journey from the pitch to the world of sports broadcasting. With a storied football career spanning Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea, and Celtic, Chris reflects on the highs and lows of his time in the game, including winning the Premier League, handli...

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with West End performers and entrepreneurs Ed Currie and Andy Coxon to discuss their remarkable journey from the stage to building their deodorant brand, AKT. With an impressive array of musical theatre credits, including A Chorus Line, Hairspray, West Side Story, and Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, Ed and Andy explore topics like how...

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Mark Clemmit, a dynamic leader and broadcaster, to explore his journey from radio to TV, and his insights on leadership and communication. Mark discusses The One Leadership Skill That Will Change Everything, sharing his thoughts on why senior leaders need Gen Z perspectives to stay relevant and how storytelling can be a powerful tool t...

In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Amy Merricks, Head Coach of Birmingham City FC Women's, to explore her leadership journey, her passion for changing the perception of women in football, and her approach to developing high-performance teams. Amy shares her insights on building leaders, maintaining engagement throughout a season, and the realities of being a minority in...

Summary: In this episode of Drop the Act , host Chris Key sits down with Martin Tierney, a leader at Seating Matters, to explore the profound impact of authentic leadership, effective communication, and the transformative power of storytelling in business. Martin shares his journey of scaling a family business, cultivating a strong organizational culture, and creating meaningful connections with c...