Performance Intelligence

What happens when elite athletes need elite mental skills? Enter Dr Scott Goldman - sports psychologist to some of the world’s top teams including the NBA champion Golden State Warriors. Andrew and Scott explore what it takes to shape a winning mindset, how team culture is re-built every season, and the lessons learned from locker rooms that don’t lie. From overcoming fear conditioning to coaching...

What happens when a team trains for success but doesn't plan for failure? In this Bite Size from episode #140, world-renowned performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais reflects on one of the toughest moments of his career — the Seattle Seahawks' heartbreaking Super Bowl loss. Michael shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of how that single moment sent shockwaves through the team, mentally and...

Prof Adam Nicholls reveals how imagery — the simple act of visualising success — can unlock real, measurable performance gains. Your brain doesn’t always know the difference between imagining and doing — meaning when used correctly, mental imagery can trigger physical responses, sharpen focus, and help athletes execute under pressure. Adam and Andrew share behind-the-scenes stories of athletes who...

Andrew May breaks down one of the most overlooked yet critical factors of modern leadership: Leadership Capacity. Forget the outdated grind culture - today’s best leaders know it’s not just about pushing harder, it’s about expanding your internal capacity so you can lead with energy, clarity, and resilience — even under pressure. Andrew shares where the concept of leadership capacity comes from, h...

High Performance Coach, Dan Haesler, reveals why sometimes the best way to evolve your team is to bring in an outsider. Whether it’s athletes from other sports or experts outside your industry, a fresh perspective can uncover blind spots and fast-track growth. Dan also shares a rare look behind the scenes at the Penrith Panthers, including how he’s helped players develop mental recovery strategies...

After more than 10 appearances resisting the hype, Dr Tom finally admits coffee might deserve some love - especially when it comes to your gut.   In this Bite Size from episode #131, we unpack the surprising ways your morning brew could actually benefit the gut microbiome and, by extension, your overall health (yes, in moderation!). Use Code "PQPODCAST10" to get 10% off your Lumo Coffee order:http...

Change doesn’t happen by accident - it happens when you understand how behaviour actually works. In this solo episode, Andrew May breaks down science-backed frameworks that simplify change and help you create lasting results. You’ll learn:  ✔ Why most people struggle to stick with change (and how to avoid it)  ✔ BJ Fogg’s Behaviour Change MAP (Motivation + Ability + Prompt) explained  ✔ How to use...

Share your story! We invite listeners of the podcast to share how they've applied the concepts, strategies, and lessons from our podcast to their everyday lives. Whether you’re enhancing productivity, improving decision-making, or fostering better relationships, we want to hear how Performance Intelligence (PQ) has impacted you. In this episode, Ryan Shepheard shares his passion for the intersecti...

Wearables claim to know your every move, but are they actually helping you recover? Dr Shona Halson is a renowned expert in sports science and recovery strategies. We get into the nitty gritty of the science and real life strategies you need on Performance Intelligence. Invest time to listen to this episode and you’ll hear: -If screen time can ever count as real recovery -The truth about wearables...

Discover the surprising power of vulnerability in leadership as Martin Sheppard shares the moment that reshaped his approach to leading teams. With insights from former NSW Premier Mike Baird, this episode dives into why every team member brings something unique—and how great leaders unlock that potential. Packed with real stories and actionable advice, it’s a must-listen for anyone ready to lead...

Why do most corporate presentations suck? 🤔 We sat down with one of Australia's leading Presentation Coaches, Tony Bulmer, to rip apart everything you think you know about a great presentation. Invest time to listen to this episode and you'll hear: - How to cut your prep time in HALF by focusing on messaging FIRST. - How to embrace your nerves and turn them into power! - The 5 simple steps to del...

Josh Piterman was the leading actor in some of broadways biggest theatre shows In this Bite Size from episode #129 Josh shares his experience of imposter syndrome and how how he was able to eventually redirect it his after years of performing on the biggest stages in the world.    Josh also shares the nerve-wracking story of his voice giving out in what was at the time his biggest on stage perform...

From the newsroom to navigating the unknown, Andrea Clarke has lived a life at the edge of change. As a former television reporter and foreign correspondent in Washington, D.C., she’s faced high-pressure moments, ethical dilemmas, and unexpected challenges—and turned them into lessons for leaders and teams. Andrea shares the stories behind her work as a futurist, author, and speaker, revealing how...

In this Bite Size from episode #137 Andrew and Dr Tom talk about why recent studies have shown that not only is sitting not good for your health but it has a very similar effect on mortality rates as smoking over long periods of time.    Dr Tom also explains that not only is this effect limited to sitting but lying down for long periods can have a similar effect, including when you sleep! You can...

Lisa Alexander is one of Australia’s greatest sports coaches. From leading the Australian Diamonds to global netball impact, this isn't just about netball; it's a masterclass in coaching and leadership. Hear Lisa's journey, from her early coaching days to achieving an 81% win rate with the Diamonds, winning gold at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup. In this episode Andrew and Lisa discuss: 00:2...

In this Bite Size from episode #92 Bonnie Hancock talks about how she was able to leverage vulnerability with her support crew and friends to keep herself sane and safe on her paddle around Australia 100km out from the shore by sharing when she was scared or in pain and needed some help.  Bonnie also talks about how she has used multi-sensory imagery since she was a child to prepare herself for bi...

4 keynotes in a 24-hour period that included over 2,000 attendees, four client industries, across three states. That kind of sprint could leave most people feeling flat, fractured, and f’ing broken.  At Performance Intelligence we up-skill elite athletes, sporting teams and people employed in high-stakes environments to perform in key moments, when it matters most – and last week was Andrew's turn...

Menopause is impacting your sleep. Prof Walsh reveals how the hormonal shifts and other physiological changes during this life stage can significantly disrupt sleep quality. In this episode, we delve into the challenges of researching menopause and sleep, exploring why it's a relatively under-researched area. Professor Walsh details his work with elite athletes, demonstrating how simple bedroom ad...

Dr. Michael Gervais is one of the world’s leading high-performance psychologists with an obsession about the relationship between the mind and human performance. His clients include the US Olympic beach volleyball team, Olympic athletes, NBA players, Formula 1 racing, Felix Baumgartner (jumping from space as part of Red Bull Stratos) and for 9 years he partnered with Coach Pete Carroll at the Seat...

In this Bite Size from episode #113 ultra marathon runner Sean Bell talks about the unusual diet he had to adopt on the run around Australia and why that played a part in the nausea he felt on the entire run.    Sean also elaborates on how he was able to keep going mentally by using his why, in this case raising money for sick kids and how he found himself doing a form of moving meditation to keep...

With nearly 3 decades of experience at KPMG, Martin has mastered the art of merging governance with innovation, all while stressing the importance of being "MatchFit" and creating "Leadership Capacity" - a holistic approach that combines physical and mental readiness for peak performance. "In terms of leadership, I'm not a big emailer and I'm not a big meeting requester...I think true leadership i...

In this Bite Size from episode #109 Dr Alan Thompson talks about the future of the education industry worldwide and how the AI revolution has changed the way teachers and academics work when students can have an essay written for them in seconds.  Dr Alan also talks a bit about how he doesn't have all the answers to the future AI can lead us to and anyone claiming they do is either lying to you or...

An inspiring story that begins not in a boardroom, but in the most unexpected of places: a fruit and vegetable aisle. We delve into the incredible journey of Can4Cancer, a Commbank employee-driven initiative that has raised a staggering $20 million for vital cancer research! Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) is one of the largest banks in Australia with over 48,000 employees. We hear from...

In this Bite Size from episode #128 Manly Sea Eagles head coach Anthony Seibold shares some of his teaching techniques that he employs during training sessions to ensure that the knowledge he is giving out has been received and not immediately forgotten.  Seibs also gives an example of a simple method you can use in any meeting to help embed the learning with the turn and talk, simply getting peop...

Dr Tom is back this week discussing the science of walking and the impact of sedentary behavior on our health. Join Andrew and Dr. Tom as they delve into the dangers of sedentary behavior and discuss whether sitting truly is the new smoking. As an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and a Wellbeing and Performance Coach, Dr. Tom Buckley is a trusted voice on the podcast. He intertwines...