The Bouncebackability Podcast

From designing work around energy, strengths and recovery to using rituals and visible reminders to reinforce positive behaviours, Simon and Rusty challenge the idea that there’s one right way to work, lead or perform. They also explore the value of fresh perspectives, creating a genuine sense of belonging, and knowing when helping someone means finding them a different environment. Because sometimes the kindest thing we can do is be ruthless with love.

Key Moments:

• The power of individualised support — why finding the right coach, teacher or mentor can help us overcome challenges and perform under pressure.
• Designing work around the person — using strengths, energy, recovery and experimentation rather than imposing one standard routine.
• Making positive behaviours visible — how rituals, recognition and simple artifacts can build stronger habits, relationships and team cultures.
• The value of naive experts — why fresh eyes and different perspectives can challenge assumptions and help organisations improve.
• Belonging, performance and ruthless kindness — why leaders should first ask how they can help someone who is struggling, while recognising when a different environment may be better for everyone. 

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

In this episode, Simon and Rusty are joined by human performance and mindset coach, Davie Gray. Working across elite sport, first responders, athletes, and business, Davie shares how his career moved from strength and conditioning into mindset coaching, after recognising that what happens between the ears can be just as important as sets, reps, and physical preparation.

The conversation explores mindset as a belief system and filter that shapes what we notice, how we make decisions, and how we respond under pressure. From “plus 10%” challenges and shared language to task chunking, performance rituals, and the idea of conviction over confidence, Davie explains how small interventions can create meaningful change, and how the same principles can apply far beyond sport.

In this episode:

• Why mindset can unlock performance — how our beliefs influence attention, decision-making, perception, and behaviour.
• Conviction over confidence — why you don’t need to feel confident to step into difficult or high-pressure moments.
• Building practical performance habits — using language, rituals and simple resets such as “breathe, talk, move”.
• The power of controllables — how task chunking and repeatable actions can help people navigate pressure and overwhelm.
• Taking mindset beyond sport — what elite performance, coaching, and first-response environments can teach us about leadership, culture, and wellbeing in business.

How to get in touch:

https://findyourflow.co.nz/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/davie-gray-6777b429/

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

In this episode, Simon and Rusty reconnect after a couple of months to talk leadership, capacity, and what it really takes to perform at your best. From coaching entrepreneurs to working with elite sports teams, they explore the pressure of modern life, the importance of creating space, and why there’s no single formula for doing your best work. 

The conversation gets into perfect days, managing energy, challenging assumptions, and the ripple effect of helping one person create more capacity. With stories from coaching, community, exercise, and their own lives, Simon and Rusty make the case for more individual approaches to performance—and finish with a brilliant new word to live by: pronoia, the belief that the universe might just be conspiring in your favour. 

In this episode:

• Capacity, burnout, and the modern pace of life — why creating space and boundaries is becoming essential for leaders and entrepreneurs. 
• Finding your perfect day — how designing work around what brings out your best can change performance and wellbeing. 
• Why one size doesn’t fit all — challenging standardised approaches and finding the right conditions for each individual. 
• The power of giving back — how community, contribution, and helping others can create energy and build capacity. 
• Pronoia: a different way of looking at things — challenging assumptions, choosing optimism, and asking what might happen if you believed opportunities were working in your favour.

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here: 

 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

Simon and Rusty are joined by former England international Andy Long to explore the experiences that shaped his career on and off the rugby pitch. Andy shares how losing his father at a young age influenced his outlook on life, and how the rugby community became a source of purpose, belonging, and resilience throughout his journey.

We go deep into the mental challenges of elite sport, from impostor syndrome after his England debut to the importance of supportive environments and psychological skills. Drawing on lessons from professional rugby, endurance events, and leadership, Andy offers an honest and inspiring perspective on how community, self-awareness, and the right support can help us perform, and even thrive when life gets tough.

In this episode:

• How losing his father shaped Andy's resilience and outlook on life 
• The mental challenges of international sport and overcoming self-doubt 
• Why community and belonging are essential for performance and wellbeing 
• Lessons from elite rugby, endurance sport, and high-performing environments 
• How planning, perspective, and support help people thrive under pressure

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

In this episode, Simon and Rusty catch up on recent podcast highlights and revisit the interviews that have ignited conversations. From Polly Brooks MBE’s inspiring approach to life to Clare Sadler’s fresh take on human performance, they explore the ideas that have stayed with them and their listeners. There’s also time for a few laughs as they reflect on the popularity of The Wives’ Special.

The conversation touches on resilience, relationships, leadership, and self-awareness, with stories from coaching, business, and everyday life. With personal updates and a look ahead to future guests, this episode is a reminder that growth often comes from staying curious, connected, and open to new experiences.

In this episode:

• Reflections on the powerful lessons shared by Polly Brooks MBE and Clare Sadler 
• Why taking risks, embracing experimentation, and learning from failure matter 
• The importance of supporting the whole person in leadership, coaching, and work 
• Personal insights on resilience, transitions, wellbeing, and self-awareness 
• Looking ahead to new guests, fresh conversations, and continued learning together

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

In this bonus episode, Simon is joined once again by Clare Sadler to take a deeper dive into one of the core ideas behind human performance: Performance = Access to Capability. Clare unpacks why success isn't determined by mindset, motivation, or even how much training we've done, but by our ability to access the skills and capabilities we already possess when it matters most.

Using examples from elite sport, including Formula 1 and football, Clare explains how pressure, uncertainty, and cognitive load can restrict access to our capabilities. The conversation explores why creating certainty through routines, environments, and clear signals allows people to perform more consistently under pressure. Practical, thought-provoking, and immediately applicable, this episode offers a fresh perspective on what really drives success—and why reducing load, rather than increasing effort, may be the key to unlocking hidden potential.

In this BONUS episode:

• Clare's formula for success: why performance equals access to capability
• The "pipeline" analogy and how pressure can restrict access to our skills
• Why certainty, not confidence or motivation, is the foundation of performance
• Lessons from Formula 1 and elite football on routines and consistency under pressure
• How reducing load can unlock hidden capacity and improve performance

Listen now to Clares full interview with Simon and Rusty – Performance Under Load with Clare Sadler | Episode 38

Find out more about Clare and her work here:

LinkedIn

Beyond Instinct

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

In this episode, Simon and Rusty sit down with Clare Sadler, founder of Beyond Instinct, to explore the architecture behind performance under load. 

Clare draws on the architecture of Human Systems Development — the discipline that shows what drives human performance under load and what determines whether capability becomes available, collapses or expands. The discipline is underpinned by decades of her work across elite sport, Olympic programmes, defence and intelligence‑related contexts, and complex leadership environments. Rather than simply working harder or adding more skills, she shows how the real opportunity lies in understanding the human system itself. The conversation challenges common assumptions around performance and the brain, revealing how people can access greater clarity, capacity and precision in high‑load moments.

Clare shows how this architecture reframes resilience and performance, and how making these underlying mechanisms visible helps individuals, teams and organisations unlock hidden capacity in real time. Grounded, practical and thought‑provoking, this episode explores what becomes possible when people learn to leverage the architecture that drives human behaviour and performance. 

In this episode:

• The conditions that determine whether capability becomes available, collapses or expands
• Why simply pushing harder is the wrong answer in high‑performance environments
• How misconceptions and inaccurate neuroscience about how the brain operates under load and challenge lead to wasted effort and inconsistent results
• How elite teams and leaders create clarity, precision and decision quality in complex situations

Find out more about Clare and her work here:

LinkedIn

Beyond Instinct

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

A bit of a different one today! Rusty and Simon are joined by their wives, Jenny and Amy, for a post-lunch chat packed with funny and honest takes on hobbies (or lack thereof), mindfulness, and the real challenge of making time to properly switch off. From pottery and painting to sound baths, yoga, and  the simple act of staring out the window, they explore how creative outlets and shared moments can boost wellbeing – especially need while navigating parenting, screen time, and the pace of modern life. Full of laughs and relatable stories, this episode is a reminder that the small things we enjoy can make a big difference to balance, connection, and overall happiness.

In this episode:

·         The role of hobbies like pottery, painting, and chess in supporting mindfulness and wellbeing

·          Balancing personal interests with parenting and family life 

·         The impact of technology, screen time, and growing up in a digital world 

·         Humour, habits, and everyday quirks that shape how we unwind 

·         Rediscovering creativity and social connection as key drivers of resilience

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here: 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

Ever wondered how some people bounce back from setbacks while others burn out? In this episode, Simon and Rusty catch up and chat about resilience during busy, demanding times in work and life. They dig into the pressures of always performing at a high level and why taking time to recover really matters. They share stories, coaching reflections, and analogies to explore how leaders and teams can create environments where people feel supported and able to grow. They also explore the value of downtime, mindful pauses, and simple routines that help keep life in balance, wrapping up with a some personal intentions for looking after themselves better in the month ahead.

In this episode:

·         Resilience and Bouncebackability: How people and teams deal with setbacks, and why being able to bounce back is such an important skill.

·         The Cost of Constant Busyness: The toll of always being “on” and the importance of making space to recover.

·         Stories as Leadership Tools: How stories and analogies—like Aesop’s fable about hidden gold—can help land simple but powerful leadership messages.

·         Building Supportive Environments: Exploring how teams, communities, and culture help people feel supported when things get tough.

·         Pressure and Expectations in Performance: Lessons from sport and coaching on managing expectations while keeping perspective.

·         Mindfulness, Boredom, and Downtime: Why slowing down—and even being a bit bored sometimes—can actually be good for us.

·         Rituals, Reflection, and Personal Growth: How small habits like exercise and reflection can make a big difference over time.

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/

This episode contains strong language and discussions of sensitive topics, including mental health and suicide. These conversations may be distressing. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to seek support. You can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org. Please listen mindfully and prioritise your well-being.

 In this powerful episode, Simon and Rusty are joined by Polly Brooks (Miller) MBE, founder of Dan’s Fund for Burns, to share her extraordinary journey of survival and resilience following the 2002 Bali bombings. Losing her husband and close friends, and sustaining life-changing burns herself, Polly transformed tragedy into purpose by creating a charity that has supported thousands of burn survivors across the UK. They explore the role of community, family, and personal rituals in healing, and the strength found in taking action despite immense adversity.

Polly founded and continues to lead the charity, providing practical, emotional, and financial support to adult burn survivors. Since its creation, the charity has raised millions, funded specialist NHS roles and equipment, and built national peer-support networks - all driven by Polly’s dedication to improving the lives of those affected by burns.

Visit https://dansfundforburns.org/ for more information

In this episode: 

• Polly’s Story: Surviving the Bali bombings and the immediate aftermath of the attack.
• The Long Road to Recovery: Physical rehabilitation, emotional healing, and rebuilding life after trauma.
• From Tragedy to Purpose: The inspiration behind founding Dan’s Fund for Burns.
• Building a Charity from the Ground Up: Early challenges and milestones in creating nationwide support.
• Community and Family in Healing: The vital role of relationships in recovery and resilience.
• Supporting Burn Survivors Today: Grants, peer-support networks, and practical assistance provided by the charity.
• Rituals, Reflection, and Living with Loss: How Polly honours loved ones while continuing forward.
• The Ripple Effect of Compassion: How one act of purpose can transform thousands of lives.
• Lessons in Resilience: Insights on facing adversity and maintaining hope.
• Looking Ahead: Polly’s ongoing mission and the future vision for burn survivor support in the UK.

Please like, subscribe or follow, so you're notified of any new episodes coming up, and if you're keen to reach Rusty or Simon with any suggestions, feedback or comments, you can contact them via the show's LinkedIn page here: 

 
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bouncebackability-podcast/