The High Performance Podcast

Ashley Young: How Sir Alex Built a Winning Mentality Nobody Could Break (432)

Premier League icon Ashley Young joins us for a masterclass in longevity, self-belief, and turning rejection into an unstoppable competitive edge. At 15, Watford told Ashley he was too small for a scholarship, a disappointment that became the operational system for his entire 20-year career. He explains why every manager's doubt or dropped selection became fuel to prove them wrong, from Antonio Conte's brutal pre-season at Inter Milan to winning Serie A at 35 and feeling fitter at 37 than at 27. He also breaks down what it means to know your value in high-stakes environments, his return to the England squad for a World Cup semi-final, walking away from Manchester United on his own terms, and playing over 750 games at the highest level. This is an essential conversation about resilience, self-worth, and proving that nobody gets to define your limits except you. Revolut Business 👉 High-performing businesses need powerful financial tools. Get a £200 welcome bonus with Revolut Business when you sign up at https://revolutbusiness.onelink.me/jLOt/hp-ep9-aud [https://revolutbusiness.onelink.me/jLOt/hp-ep9-aud] and add money to your account by 30/09/2026. Fees, promotion terms and T&Cs apply.  AG1 👉 head to drinkag1.com/highperformance [ drinkag1.com/highperformance] and get a free Morning Person Hat to help start your AG1 daily habit - plus a free D3 and K2, and five travel packs Go Henry 👉 Grow their skills and their money at gohenry.com/highperformance [gohenry.com/highperformance] with £5 FREE to get started! Vitality 👉 We've partnered with Vitality because our philosophies align perfectly: healthy habits build high performance and can lead to a healthier, longer life. Find out more about health and life insurance with Vitality: https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au [https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Eddie Howe: I Knew It Was Time To Go

Eddie Howe has stepped away from Newcastle United after nearly five years in charge — his own decision, following what he called "a period of personal reflection." He leaves having delivered the club's first major trophy in 70 years and two Champions League campaigns. So we're going back to the conversation we had with him in 2022, right as that chapter began. Eddie had just taken the Newcastle job — but before it, he'd left Bournemouth after relegation, and described the exit almost exactly as he'd describe this one: "I think it was time... I just knew." He told us it felt like grief. That the pressure he carried was never external — it was entirely his own. And he told us about the cost no one sees: missing his mum in her final months because he was too busy managing a football club. Heard now, it plays like he told us how this would end. AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/highperformance [http://drinkag1.com/highperformance] to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Revolut Business 👉 High-performing businesses need powerful financial tools. Get a £200 welcome bonus with Revolut Business when you sign up at https://revolutbusiness.onelink.me/jLOt/hp-ep9-aud [https://revolutbusiness.onelink.me/jLOt/hp-ep9-aud] and add money to your account by 30/09/2026. Fees, promotion terms and T&Cs apply. Go Henry 👉 Grow their skills and their money at gohenry.com/highperformance [https://open.acast.com/networks/66fd67414ac14a6f5628ed5d/shows/61ba3b961a8cbe53713cf2c2/episodes/gohenry.com/highperformance] with £5 FREE to get started! Vitality 👉 We've partnered with Vitality because our philosophies align perfectly: healthy habits build high performance and can lead to a healthier, longer life. Find out more about health and life insurance with Vitality: https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au [https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Remembering Nims Purja: The Lessons We'll Never Forget

Following the heartbreaking death of Nims Purja... Jake and Damian reflect on one of the most inspiring conversations in High Performance history. Before 14 Peaks made him a global icon, Nims joined High Performance to share the mindset that took him from a childhood of poverty in Nepal, to the Gurkhas, the British Special Forces, and ultimately to rewriting mountaineering history. In this special tribute episode, Jake and Damian revisit the lessons that left a lasting impact on them: * Why hope is the greatest source of strength. * How to reframe adversity into opportunity. * The importance of living for something bigger than yourself. * Why excuses never create extraordinary lives. * The mindset behind proving that "nothing is impossible." Nims' energy, humility and optimism changed the way we think about life and performance. This episode celebrates the remarkable legacy he leaves behind and the lessons that will continue to inspire millions Listen to our full episode with Nims: https://pod.fo/e/ac5aa ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

90% of Footballers Are Just Surviving: Sunderland’s Luke O’Nien Gets Brutally Honest (E431)

Sunderland captain Luke O'Nien has built his career on resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief that hard work can outlast natural talent.. He joins Jake and Damian to reflect on the setbacks that shaped him, from being overlooked early in his career to leading his club back to the Premier League. Luke explains why he no longer relies on confidence to perform, how embracing discomfort became his greatest strength, and the simple mindset shifts that help him stay present under pressure. He also shares the habits and systems that have enabled him to keep improving throughout his career. This is an insight into why great performance is built on systems, not feelings, and why resilience is forged long before the biggest moments. Away from the pitch, Luke runs Elite XI, a mental performance programme for professional footballers. Head over to www.elitexiapply.com [www.elitexiapply.com] to find out more.  AG1 👉 Head to http://drinkag1.com/highperformance [http://drinkag1.com/highperformance] to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Revolut Business 👉 High-performing businesses need powerful financial tools. Get a £200 welcome bonus with Revolut Business when you sign up at https://revolutbusiness.onelink.me/jLOt/hp-ep9-aud [https://revolutbusiness.onelink.me/jLOt/hp-ep9-aud] and add money to your account by 30/09/2026. Fees, promotion terms and T&Cs apply. Go Henry 👉 Grow their skills and their money at gohenry.com/highperformance [gohenry.com/highperformance] with £5 FREE to get started! Vitality 👉 We've partnered with Vitality because our philosophies align perfectly: healthy habits build high performance and can lead to a healthier, longer life. Find out more about health and life insurance with Vitality: https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au [https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

You Only Have 20% of Your Life to Make an Impact - Here's How To Make It Count | Adrian Gore (E430)

For more than 30 years, Adrian Gore has been challenging conventional thinking about health, leadership, and human behaviour. As the founder of Discovery and CEO of Vitality, he's built a global business by asking a simple question: what if we designed systems that helped people become the best version of themselves? Adrian joins Jake to share the leadership principles behind that philosophy, revealing why optimism is a discipline, why ambitious goals matter, and how embracing discomfort creates meaningful change. This is a thoughtful conversation about leadership, behaviour, and unlocking long-term performance. Vitality 👉 We've partnered with Vitality because our philosophies align perfectly: healthy habits build high performance and can lead to a healthier, longer life. Find out more about health and life insurance with Vitality: https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au [https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au] Get your copy of 'The Four Principles' by Adrian Gore here: https://highpfrmc.com/Vitality_Book [https://highpfrmc.com/Vitality_Book] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.