In episode 229, Max chats with high-performance and leadership expert Damien Taylor! Damian takes us through through purpose, values, and what makes great teams tick. He breaks down why preparation builds confidence, how elite teams stay aligned under pressure, and the simple “hot wash” method he uses with leaders, athletes and organisations around the world.

We explore the biggest gaps in modern leadership - from the rise of AI and data to the decline of emotional intelligence - and why the best leaders can still read the room, stay calm in tension, and influence situations with consistency.

Damien opens up on his philosophy around purpose-driven performance, understanding yourself before you lead others, and the importance of curiosity, self-awareness and everyday learning.

Plus, we dive into the Zach Merrett situation at Essendon - how a captain walks back into a club after exploring a trade, rebuilding trust, and leading through honesty, actions and presence.

All this and much more in episode 229 of Sporting Max!

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