The High Performance Podcast
Welcome to High Performance. Through fascinating conversations with remarkable guests, Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes uncover the secrets behind High Performance and explore how we can all become the best version of ourselves. We focus on uncovering the learnings from top performers in every field, from sport to entertainment, business, health and wellness. No matter where our guests have excelled, they all have first-hand experiences and lessons to share. On High Performance we find out what non-negotiable behaviours they employed to get them to the top and keep them there. ** Want to get the most from High Performance? Download the new High Performance app for FREE to access every episode, enjoy exclusive documentary and masterclass content. You’ll get instant access to insights from the world’s best, will receive daily motivational boosts and can create your own personalised High Performance playlists. Simply click here or search High Performance in the App store to get started. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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 modern era. From recognising Mo Sa...
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 evolved into a self-fulfilling pr...
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 by accidents,” to the lightning...
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 uncover the mindset shifts that hel...
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 the gold medal, it’s the simple h...
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 alchemy” our ancestors relied on,...
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 the brink of bankruptcy, before one...
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 with tactics. He started with la...
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 empathy and vulnerability that defi...
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 burden.
From finding joy without ...
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 talk about feeling genuinely scar...
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 reflects on his unconventional journ...
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, and the teammate’s message that ma...
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 lesson isn’t about combat,&nbs...
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 that comes from letting go of pe...
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 around mindset, happiness, and ...
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 the ‘ghosts’ from his past tha...
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 purpose. Mika also shares lessons ...
What does high performance really demand from the human mind? In this conversation, world-leading organisational psychologist Adam Grant explores how the best performers think, learn, and lead.
Adam unpacks why great leaders build challenge networks instead of echo chambers, how to recognise when ego is driving your decisions instead of growth, and why real loyalty means speaking up, not staying silent.
This is a practical 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
What makes great communicators stand out isn’t confidence, charisma, or talent, it’s clarity.
In this episode, cognitive scientist and Harvard professor Steven Pinker joins Damian to explore the hidden psychology behind how we speak, listen, and understand one another. He explains why the...
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