The High Performance Podcast

Robert Lewandowski is one of the most consistent goal scorers of his generation, a player who has stayed at the very top of world football not just through talent, but through mindset.  In this episode, Robert sits down with Jake and Damian to explain why he believes mentality counts for more than physical ability, and how players like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have sustained excelle...

Happy New Year! Jake and Damian kick off 2026 by revealing their brand new book MICRO HABITS – a game-changing guide built from five years and 400+ High Performance interviews ( Buy your copy here ) Forget complex systems and thousand-page textbooks. This episode proves that success starts simple. From Jake's 15-minute alarm shift that transformed his mornings, to Ian McGeechan's "world-class basi...

Prof. Steve Peters is one of the most influential minds in performance psychology, best known for The Chimp Paradox and his work with elite athletes, leaders, and organisations around the world. In this episode, Steve breaks down how the mind really works, and why understanding it is the key to unlocking your potential. The conversation explores self-esteem, core values, and why we so often act ag...

As High Performance wraps up its sixth year, Jake Humphrey, Damian Hughes and producer Will sit down to reflect on the moments, conversations, and lessons that defined 2025. In this special end-of-year episode, they revisit the guests and ideas that resonated most, not just in downloads and views, but in lasting impact. From the strategic thinking of Ian Graham to the raw honesty of Tom Aspinall a...

World’s leading neuroscientists Dr Tara Swart explains why so many high-functioning people feel exhausted, stressed, and out of balance, even when they’re doing everything “right.” She breaks down the hidden cost of being constantly switched on, how chronic stress rewires the brain, and why late-night scrolling is quietly sabotaging your energy, focus, and health. Dr Tara also reveals how stress c...

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp Most communication fails for a simple reason: we talk to people the way we want to be talked to. In this episode, Damian sits down with behavioural expert and...

Jacques Villeneuve is a Formula One World Champion, a racing icon, and one of the sport’s most candid, uncompromising thinkers. Known for his fearless honesty and unique path to the top, Jacques brings a perspective shaped by triumph, loss, and a lifelong obsession with competition. In this episode, Jake sits down with Jacques to explore what truly defines a champion’s mindset, on track and in lif...

In football, we often obsess over the goals, the trophies, the star players. But for Dr Ian Graham, the real story sits in the unseen decisions and quiet calculations that shape everything a club becomes. In this episode, Ian pulls back the curtain on Liverpool’s transformation, revealing how data challenged old assumptions and opened the door to one of the most successful periods in the club’s mo...

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off and to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp John Legend didn’t set out to become “Legend.” The name found him long before the world did. In this episode Damian is joined by EGOT winner John Legend to explore how a simple nickname e...

Andy Wilman is the legendary executive producer behind Top Gear and The Grand Tour, the creative force who helped turn a small, ageing motoring show into one of the most-watched programmes on the planet. In this revealing conversation, Andy sits down with Jake to open up about the chaotic, brilliant, and often bruising journey behind the scenes. From the early days when Top Gear was “held together...

We all feel out of our depth, but the real secret is learning to stay calm anyway. In this episode, Jake and Damian explore a universal human experience, the moments when we feel completely out of our depth, and reveal why calmness, clarity, and growth often begin right there. Drawing on powerful lessons from guests like Tom Aspinall, Petr Čech, Alex Greenwood, Nick Cox, and Alex Honnold, they unc...

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp Denise Lewis knows what it feels like to stand on the biggest stage in the world with everything on the line. But what makes her story remarkable isn’t just t...

We welcome back world-leading gut health expert Tim Spector to unpack the simple, science-backed shifts that can dramatically transform your wellbeing. Tim explains why the gut sits at the centre of immunity, energy, mood, and long-term health, and why modern diets have quietly broken the delicate ecosystem our bodies rely on. He reveals the overlooked power of fermented foods, the ancient “food a...

Barry Hearn joins Jake and Damian for a no-nonsense masterclass in ambition, resilience, and the mindset that turned a kid from a council estate into one of the most influential figures in global sport. The legendary Matchroom founder opens up about the work ethic shaped by his formidable mother, the chip on his shoulder that fuelled his rise, and the Christmas Eve moment in 1988 when he stood on...

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp What if one word could unlock potential, or shut it down completely? When Rene Meulensteen coached Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, he didn't start wit...

We welcome back Sir Gareth Southgate to High Performance for his most open and reflective conversation yet.  In this episode, Gareth breaks his silence on England’s “almost” era, revealing the fear of failure, pressure of history, and fine margins that have shaped his time as manager. He discusses the burden of expectation, the culture of small daily habits and respect he’s built, and the emp...

Most of us care far too much about what other people think, and it’s holding us back. In this episode, Jake and Damian break down how to free yourself from the need for approval, drawing on powerful insights from Adam Grant, Fernando Alonso, Mat Fraser, Mark Manson, and Paul McKenna. They explore how to filter feedback, value the right opinions, and view criticism as a privilege rather than a burd...

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp Tom Aspinall is one of the most feared heavyweights in the UFC. But behind the power and precision is something far more human: fear. Tom is one of the rare fighters willing to sit down and t...

McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown returns to High Performance to reveal the truth behind McLaren’s remarkable comeback, from financial crisis and public doubt to rebuilding one of Formula One’s most iconic teams. He opens up to Jake and Damian about stepping into chaos, restoring belief through culture and communication, and the power of difficult conversations in transforming leadership. Zak also refl...

​​England and Harlequins rugby legend Joe Marler opens up like never before, about the moment in 2018 when he hit breaking point, walked out on his family, and believed the world would be better off without him. What follows is an unfiltered journey through mental health, accountability, and rediscovering purpose. Joe reflects on the catalyst for his breakdown, the decision that saved his life, an...

Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January. https://hppod.co/472Og7q There’s a difference between being tough and being strong, and Billy Billingham knows it better than most. As a former SAS soldier, Billy has faced war zones, exhaustion, and moments most of us can barely imagine. But when you strip it all back, his greatest l...

Former England and Premier League star Joe Cole opens up about the lessons learned beyond the pitch, honesty, resilience, and what it truly means to live a high performance life. He reflects on the power of self-accountability, the importance of prioritising family over fame, and the danger of tying your identity solely to your career. Joe speaks candidly about setbacks, pressure, and the freedom...

In this episode, Jake and Damian turn the spotlight on you, answering the questions that listeners have been sending in from around the world. From overcoming self-sabotage to dealing with doubt, they explore what it really takes to build confidence, stay consistent, and live with purpose. Drawing on lessons from past guests like James Clear, Susie Ma, and Shane Parrish, they unpack powerful ideas...

Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January. https://hppod.co/472Og7q In this profound conversation, Gilbert Enoka, the legendary mental skills coach behind the New Zealand All Blacks' success, shares the deeply personal journey that shaped his approach to high performance and the habits he’s famous for. Gilbert opens up about t...

Two-time Formula One World Champion Mika Häkkinen reflects on the mindset, discipline, and calmness that defined his legendary career, and his unforgettable rivalry with Michael Schumacher. He opens up about the “Finnish Ice Man” mentality that helped him stay composed under pressure, the near-fatal crash that reshaped his outlook on life, and the decision to retire at his peak with clarity and pu...