How to Stop Letting People Put You in a Box

We make thousands of decisions every day, but under pressure, those choices become harder, and more important. When I first came across Dr. Sabrina Cohen-Hatton’s story, what struck me wasn’t just what she’s achieved, it’s how she thinks under pressure. In this episode, I unpack a habit I took from her years on the frontline of the fire service, one that has helped her make life-or-death decisions and one we can all use in our everyday lives. It’s a habit built not on instinct or speed, but on clarity. Sabrina taught me that when we freeze under pressure, it’s rarely because we don’t care, it’s because we care so much, we don’t want to get it wrong.  Whether you’re managing a team, making a personal change, or just trying to feel less overwhelmed in high-stakes situations, this conversation will help you understand how to make better choices under pressure, and why the smartest leaders aren’t the fastest, they’re the most prepared. We explore: How fear disrupts our thinkingWhy we freeze in critical momentsThe power of the pauseA decision-making tool you can use todayWhat it means to lead with clarity, not just speed This one’s for anyone facing the hard calls, and wanting to meet them with confidence. Here is more information on the studies referenced:  Stress and cognitive flexibility: The role of the prefrontal cortex, (Arnsten, A.F.T 2009)Decision Fatigue Exhausts Self-Regulatory Resources, (Baumeister, R.F., Vohs, K.D., et al 1998) Stress Promotes Habit-Based Behavior (Schwabe, L., Wolf, O.T, 2009)The Timing of Stress and Decision-Making (Pabst, S., Brand, M., Wolf, O.T, 2013) Listen to the full episode with Sabrina Cohen-Hatton: https://pod.fo/e/18cd7c 

Ryan Yates is a Premier League midfielder and captain at Nottingham Forest, but his journey started far from the spotlight. From battling for minutes in the National League to walking out at the City Ground as skipper, Ryan’s rise has been built on resilience, hard work, and an unshakable belief in his own potential. In this episode, Ryan reflects on the mindset that carried him through tough loan spells, positional switches, and the moments he seriously questioned if he was good enough. He shares how daily affirmations and setting bold goals helped shape his path, even when the odds looked stacked against him.  Ryan also gets real about the value of team culture, why having the right people around you matters more than talent alone, and how supporting each other off the pitch drives success on it. He opens up about leadership, managing emotions, and how adversity has become one of his greatest teachers. This episode is for anyone chasing a dream, it's about staying grounded, backing yourself, and doing the hard stuff when no one’s watching. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights1 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners

What if the most valuable people in your team are the ones no one’s paying attention to? Michael Lewis, author of acclaimed sports book Moneyball, The Big Short, and his new book Who Is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service — joins Jake to explore how data can reveal hidden talent, challenge gut instinct, and reshape the way we build teams. They discuss: How Moneyball rewrote the rules on spotting overlooked talentWhy culture follows winning — not the other way aroundThe myth of instinctive leadership in sport and businessAnd what Lewis learned from inside the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s takeover of the U.S. civil service This conversation will challenge how you think about performance, power, and the people who keep things moving - quietly, and without credit.

When you think of Alun Wyn Jones, you probably think of leadership, loyalty, and a rugby career built on sheer will. But behind the caps, the tackles, and the intensity, there’s a habit that mattered more than any stat: He built what he believed in, and he protected it like it was his. In this episode, we go beyond the legend to explore the mindset that made Alun Wyn Jones not just a great player, but a builder of culture. We talk about the IKEA Effect, the psychological principle that says we value what we build, and how Alun embodied that every day, through effort, not ego. We explore: Why working hard is more than grit, it’s a form of ownershipHow investing in yourself changes the way you show upWhat true leadership looks like when no one’s watchingWhy buy-in is earned through action, not talkThe hidden cost of letting others build for you Whether you’re trying to lead better, show up stronger, or build something that matters, this episode is for you. Because high performance isn’t about flashy moments. It’s about building something worth fighting for. Listen to the full episode with Alun Wyn Jones: https://pod.fo/e/2b6885 Here is more information on the studies referenced:  The IKEA Effect (Michael I. Norton, Daniel Mochon, Dan Ariely 2012)

Formula One driver Carlos Sainz has always made bold choices, but none bolder than betting on Williams. In this episode, the F1 star opens up about turning down easier options to join a long-term project led by James Vowles, and why trust, people, and honesty mattered more than numbers or hype. He also addresses the Red Bull rumours head-on, sharing his real thoughts on Max Verstappen, why he never made that call, and the reality of playing second fiddle in a team built around one superstar. It’s not bitterness, it’s clarity. Beyond the politics and paddock talk, Carlos gets real about the personal price of chasing a championship: the constant obsession, the missed moments, and the challenge of being present when your mind is always in the car. This episode is a rare look at the mindset behind the helmet, raw, reflective, and deeply human. 🚨 Partners Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights1 Tide 👉 Free £50? Just spend £100 on your Tide card to get it when you use code HP50: https://highpfrmc.com/tidehp50 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners