What the No.1 Brain Surgeon Taught Us About Delivering Hard Truths
Some conversations change lives. Others change the way we think about how we have them.In this episode, I share the lesson I took from Dr. Rahul Jandial, world-renowned brain surgeon, neuroscientist, and author, about the quiet power of the pause.Rahul has delivered some of the hardest news anyone can hear. And what he’s learned is that it’s not just the words that matter, it’s what happens after them. In those seconds of silence, people begin to process, to find their footing, to summon the courage for what comes next.It’s a habit we can all use. At work when we’re giving feedback. At home in tough conversations. In moments with friends when they trust us enough to share what’s really going on.In this episode, we explore:How silence builds trust faster than reassuranceThe neuroscience behind giving people space to thinkWhy the pause can change the way we lead, comfort, and connectHow to practice it in your everyday lifeIf you’ve ever wanted to show up better in the conversations that matter most, this one’s for you.Here is more information on the studies referenced: Physician–Patient Communication: The Relationship With Malpractice Claims (Wendy Levinson et al., JAMA 1997)How to Stop Saying “Um,” “Ah,” and “You Know” Harvard Business ReviewListen to the full episode with Dr. Rahul Jandial: https://pod.fo/e/251425
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Steve Backshall on Surviving Near Death, Fatherhood and What Really Matters (E365)
Steve Backshall is no stranger to the edge. As a BAFTA-winning naturalist, adventurer, and presenter of Deadly 60, he’s spent his life in some of the world’s most extreme environments, from dense jungles to deep caves. In this raw and gripping episode, Steve opens up about what really happens when you face death head-on.He takes us through one of his most terrifying moments: being trapped underwater in Bhutan for over four minutes. Steve also dives deep into how the brain shifts gears in life-or-death moments, revealing the strange clarity and focus that can emerge at the edge.Beyond survival, Steve reflects on why humans are wired to chase risk and adventure. He talks about fear, not just feeling it, but using it, and the powerful difference between facing hard-earned challenges versus easy wins.This episode explores the razor-thin line between danger and discovery, and what it teaches us about our own minds.Steve's new podcast That's Just Wild is out now. Amazing animal facts, fascinating science and stories of real-life, wildlife adventures, wherever you get your podcasts. 🚨 PartnersHeights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights1HP 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/foundationHP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-eventsExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners
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1:00:28
Alex Greenwood Exclusive: What It Took to Win the Euros - The Story Behind England’s Winning Culture (E364)
Alex Greenwood opens up like never before, sharing the moments that shaped her, from missing a high-stakes penalty to becoming a leader who others can lean on. It’s raw, honest, and packed with the kind of self-reflection most people avoid but every top athlete needs.She talks about sticking to your process when the pressure hits, and how moving abroad changed her not just as a player, but as a person. Alex also doesn’t shy away from the struggles, body image, mental health, and the wake-up call that nearly cost her the game she loves. This episode is about more than football, it’s about resilience, leadership, and finding your way back to yourself.Heights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights20
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1:23:39
How Brutal Self-Honesty Drives Real Progress, with Michael Johnson
There’s a moment in this conversation with 4x Olympic Champion Michael Johnson that stopped me in my tracks. He said, “Success doesn’t care what you believe you deserve.”That line sums up what this episode is really about, the difference between wishing for results and doing the work required to earn them.Michael didn’t become one of the most dominant athletes in history by chasing comfort. He became great by facing the hard truth. By asking himself the questions most of us avoid. And then doing something about it.In this episode, I unpack the habits Michael used throughout his life, from championship seasons to career-ending injuries to the day he was told he might never walk properly again. It’s about discipline, honesty, and doing what it takes, not what feels easy.We explore:Why the best avoid shortcutsThe mindset Michael used to break recordsHow to handle setbacks without denialThe power of asking better questionsWhy doing the uncomfortable thing often leads to growthThis episode is a reminder that high performance doesn’t come from believing you’re ready. It comes from acting like it, even when no one’s watching.Here is more information on the studies referenced: Self-Regulation and Performance in Elite Athletes (Joanne Hudson & Dave Day 2016, Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology)What Self-Awareness Really Is (and How to Cultivate It), (Dr. Tasha Eurich, Harvard Business Review)Emotion Regulation Choice (Gal Sheppes et al. 2012)Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Carol Dweck)Self-Control and Grit (Angela Duckworth et al. (2020), Personality and Individual Differences)Listen to the full episode with Michael Johnson: https://pod.fo/e/254ca8
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David Coulthard: From Senna's Seat to Red Bull's Rise | The Story of My F1 Career (E363)
David Coulthard is a 13-time Grand Prix winner and former F1 driver for Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull. Known for his sharp insights and calm exterior, he’s lived through some of the sport’s most intense moments, on and off the track.In this episode, David opens up about that life-altering day before the Spanish Grand Prix, walking away from wreckage, losing two pilots, and the brutal clarity that followed. He speaks candidly about how that moment stripped away the noise, made him less needy, and more certain about what he wanted from life and racing.He also shares what it was really like inside McLaren, a team where decisions were fast and pressure was high. He explains how that no-nonsense culture shaped the way he thinks and works.This episode dives into what it takes to survive in F1, mentally, emotionally, and physically.🚨 PartnersHeights 👉 Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20 here: https://highpfrmc.com/heights1HP 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/foundationHP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-eventsExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners
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.
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