The Mindset Behind Olympic Gold | Matt Richards & James Guy

The unseen side of performance.

Elite performance begins long before the moment itself. When we caught up with British Champion Lauren Cox at the GB Aquatics Championships, we discussed: The importance of visualisation beforehand. The inner dialogue under pressure. The discipline to keep showing up. And the ability to turn setbacks into motivation. Lauren reflects openly on missing out on the Olympics, and how that experience ultimately became part of what shaped her. Lauren also speaks about the importance of rehearsing performance mentally, to the point where, by the time she races, it feels like she's already been there before. Not because confidence simply appears. But because belief is built through preparation.

The Mindset Behind Olympic Gold | Matt Richards & James Guy

What does it really take to get to the top, and stay at the top? In this episode of the Exceed High Performance Podcast, Olympic and World champions Matt Richards and James Guy share the mindset behind one of the most successful relay teams in British swimming. Together with performance psychologist Tom Bates, this conversation goes beyond the podium to explore the habits, standards and culture required to perform at the highest level. From the pressure of the Olympic call room… to the honesty and accountability inside a world-class team, this episode reveals what it takes to consistently deliver when it matters most. We explore: • The mindset required to win at the highest level • Why winning once is never enough • How great teams build trust, honesty and accountability • The discipline and commitment behind sustained success This is a conversation about more than sport. It’s about how individuals come together to form a team and how that team creates something greater than the sum of its parts. Follow the Exceed High Performance Podcast for more conversations on mindset, leadership and elite performance.

Why consistency beats brilliance!

In this episode, we dive into the idea that high performance is deeply personal, not a universal formula. Jake Woolmore of the Bristol Bears joins us to share a powerful and refreshingly honest perspective on what alternative high performance really looks like inside a top rugby environment.Jake opens up about showing up for the team without ego, understanding his role, and building a mindset rooted in hard work, humility, and self-awareness. He talks about how his unusual source of motivation, “not wanting to be the worst”, became the fuel that pushed him to outwork others, stay consistent, and chase continuous improvement year after year.Through his experiences, Jake demonstrates that high performance isn’t just about physical outputs; it’s shaped by our values, our environments, and the inner narratives we build. His story highlights how you can create a standard of excellence that is authentic to who you are and still show up fully for those around you.A grounded, insightful conversation that reframes what it means to perform at your best… in your own way.

Regina Kuzmina: Leading with courage and care!

Regina Kuzmina, former Head of Beauty and Wellbeing for Unilever, shares deeply personal stories about her own career transitions, and how she's learned to harness mindset to navigate change at the highest levels of business. It's a powerful reminder, that high performance isn't just about pushing harder, or climbing higher - it's about knowing when to evolve, how to stay true to yourself, and how to lead with courage and care. This episode offers an alternative, beautifully human perspective on what it means to perform at your best through every chapter of your career.

Defy your own limits!

Getting kicked out of Oxford Uni was a turning point that pushed RAF fighter pilot Luke Wilkinson to strive for elite performance. Here Luke opens up about the mental tactics he's developed to perform under incredible speed under intense pressure. From training his brain for split-second decision making, to using visualisation to limit the potential for error. This is a story about resilience, disciplined preparation, and what's possible when you really commit your mind and body to defy your limits.