The Harsh Reality of Life Outside the Tennis Elite

In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Manson, bestselling author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***. We start at the exact moment his book became a global bestseller.
Mark says that when it blew up he was the most depressed he’d been since his teens and explains why success did not fix him. Mark unpacks the hedonic treadmill and the cost of constant chasing and how your identity can get tangled with performance, sharing raw stories of burnout, grief, and the hard choices that forced him to stop ‘performing’. He offers simple practices he used to rebuild direction and meaning. Listen as Mark walks you through the fallout, the recovery, and the small actions that changed everything. You’ll hear questions to test your own relationship with success. Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In high-performance sport, pressure is constant. In Formula 1, it’s relentless. Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, has led his team to record-breaking success. But what stands out most isn’t the trophies, it’s the clarity that drives him. In this episode, I share the lesson I’ve taken from Toto’s approach to leadership: walk in line with your why. When the world moves fast, when the noise is deafening, it’s easy to be pulled in every direction. Toto shows that knowing your purpose, and staying true to it, is what keeps you steady. We explore: How to lead with purpose under extreme pressureThe role of reflection in high-performance decision makingWhy your values matter more than your circumstancesThe mindset that keeps champions grounded Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or simply trying to stay focused in a chaotic world, this is a powerful reminder that the pace doesn’t matter if you know exactly where you’re going. Here is more information on the studies referenced:  A large-scale experiment on New Year’s resolutions: Approach-oriented goals are more successful than avoidance-oriented goals (Martin Ocarsson et al, 2020)Intention–Behavior Relations: A Conceptual and Empirical Review of Past Research (Paschal Sheeran 2002)Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life (Dr. Susan David 2016)Implementation Intentions: Strong Effects of Simple Plans (Peter M. Gollwitzer 1999) Listen to the full episode with Toto Wolff: https://pod.fo/e/28074d Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bradley Scanes isn’t just a fitness coach, he’s the guy who makes sure Max Verstappen steps into every race weekend as the most prepared driver on the grid, physically and mentally. As Max’s performance coach, he’s been in the trenches for every lap, every mind game, and every championship push. In this episode, Bradley lifts the lid on what makes Max almost impossible to beat. From the instant “switch” focus that kicks in the second he hits engineering briefings, to the freakish sensitivity that lets him feel the tiniest change in a car setup, Bradley paints a picture of a driver who operates on another level. We also dive into the behind-the-scenes strategies that shape a world champion, from building his own virtual track to train before Red Bull even had the simulation, to pulling off calculated mind games that rattled rivals without touching his on-track performance.  This is an inside look at the obsession, discipline, and psychology that power one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, straight from the man who helps keep him there. 🚨 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 FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://highpfrmc.com/fora-free-au 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we're joined by renowned journalist and former BBC newsreader, Emily Maitlis, who takes us behind the scenes of her iconic interview with Prince Andrew, sharing how she prepared for the encounter, the tension in the room, and the aftermath of a moment that became a defining chapter in British journalism.  She reflects on the teamwork, editorial precision, and personal focus required to deliver an interview that captured the world’s attention and reshaped public discourse.  Listen in as Emily Maitlis recounts the build-up, execution, and legacy of one of the most extraordinary interviews ever broadcast.  Listen to the full episode: https://pod.fo/e/19028a Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Standing on stage with nothing but a microphone, Sara Pascoe knows instantly if she’s succeeded or failed. Comedy doesn’t let you hide, if the joke doesn’t land, the silence tells you. But what makes Sara remarkable isn’t just her success as a writer, actor, and stand-up. It’s the habit she’s built to handle failure and keep showing up: Unconditional Positive Regard. The belief that your worth isn’t defined by a single mistake, a bad night, or a difficult moment. In this episode, I share what I learned from Sara about how self-compassion fuels resilience. She shows us why the way we talk to ourselves matters more than the outcome, and how reframing failure can turn doubt into progress. Together, we explore: Why comedians face some of the toughest performance pressureHow to separate who you are from what you doThe psychology of Unconditional Positive RegardHow self-compassion creates lasting confidence If you’ve ever been too hard on yourself after falling short, this episode is a reminder that high performance isn’t about being flawless. It’s about having the courage to try again, and the kindness to believe in yourself when you do. Here is more information on the studies referenced:  The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change. Journal of Consulting Psychology (Rogers, C. R. 1957)Perceived Coach Empathy and Athlete Outcomes International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2023)Alex Shevrin: Unconditional Positive Regard Video, Massachusetts Teachers Association.Bringing Carl Rogers Back In: Exploring the Power of Positive Regard at Work, British Journal of Management, 2018 Listen to the full episode with Sara Pascoe: https://pod.fo/e/2b7c84 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.