In this episode, Jake and Damian dive into an intriguing conversation about the often-overlooked soft skill of kindness and its surprising role as a high performer. While many people often overlook kindness as just a nice trait, they emphasise that it’s actually a hidden power that can drive success in various fields.

They discuss how kindness impacts lives in unexpected ways, from small gestures to life-altering support. Jake and Damian describe kindness as a trait many high performers embody quietly, without boasting, yet it's central to their success. They share insights from guests like Joe Hart, Lindsay Burrow, Sir Ian McGeechan, and Francis Ngannou, highlighting how acts of kindness and empathy have shaped their lives and careers, showing how compassion can transform someone's day or even their life.

Listen in to hear Jake and Damian unpack the importance of kindness in high performance. Their engaging conversation not only highlights the transformative power of being kind but also challenges listeners to recognise the subtle ways kindness can influence their lives and the lives of those around them.

Listen to the episodes mentioned:

Joe Hart: https://pod.fo/e/24b0f2

Lindsay Burrow: https://pod.fo/e/149343

Sir Ian McGeechan: https://pod.fo/e/da9c4

Francis Ngannou: https://pod.fo/e/21a419

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Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

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Pete Wicks is a reality TV star, best known for his role on The Only Way is Essex, where his charismatic personality and love life dramas gained him a dedicated fanbase. Beyond the cameras, Pete has navigated many personal challenges, including mental health struggles, which he openly discusses to help others facing similar battles.

In this episode, Pete sits with Jake to have an honest and raw conversation about mental health, anger, and personal growth. He reflects on how anger played a significant role in his life, especially during his younger years, and why it became a "safe space" for him. Together, Pete and Jake explore how therapy and recognising triggers can help in overcoming emotional struggles, along with discussing the healing process of addressing trauma.

Through his personal stories and insights, Pete offers valuable takeaways on mental health and self-awareness. He shares how this mindset affects him in different areas of his life, including his experience on recent shows like Strictly Come Dancing, and whether public opinion affects him.

This episode offers a raw and honest exploration of the complexities of anger, challenging the stigma around mental health. Their conversation is filled with honest reflections and insights on dealing with anger, trauma, and the importance of therapy.

🚨 Partners

Huel 👉 Get £25 off the Taster Bundle. Unlock your offer here: http://huel.com/highperformance

Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Otmar Szafnauer is a seasoned figure in the world of Formula 1, known for his leadership roles with teams like Force India, Aston Martin, and Alpine. Born in Romania and immigrating to the U.S. as a child, Otmar’s unique journey shaped his approach to success in one of the most high-stakes sports in the world. His ability to navigate challenges both on and off the track has earned him a respected reputation within the motorsport community.

In this episode, Jake and Damian sit down with Otmar to explore his career highlights and personal philosophies. He shares insights on the importance of psychological safety in Formula 1, explaining how learning from mistakes is crucial, yet minimising them is key to sustained success. He reflects on his time at Force India, where he made a significant impact and established a reputation that emphasised trust and risk-taking.

Otmar also opens up about his experiences as an immigrant and how that mindset has influenced his approach to decision-making. He talks candidly about his tenure at Aston Martin, where expectations didn’t quite align with reality, and delves into the controversial Oscar Piastri situation, providing behind-the-scenes details.

This episode offers a fascinating look at leadership, decision-making, and the personal stories that shape a successful career in one of the most demanding sports in the world.

🚨 Partners

Huel 👉 Get £25 off the Taster Bundle. Unlock your offer here: http://huel.com/highperformance

Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP

Betterhelp 👉 Be at your best. Consider therapy with our paid partner, BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/PERFORMANCE for a 10% discount on your first month of therapy.

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

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This episode is part of our ‘Startup to Standout’ mini-series, brought to you in partnership with Lloyds Bank. In this episode, Jake connects with entrepreneurs at Translate Culture, a company dedicated to helping businesses grow through innovative branding and cultural strategy. Together, they dive into the realities of running a business and share key lessons that can help startups navigate the challenging early stages of entrepreneurship.

Jake speaks with Mas Manima, founder of Translate Culture, who shares the inspiring story of how the company came to be. Mas opens up about the challenges of the early days, collaborating with entrepreneurs, and his mission to establish a value-driven organisation. Jake also chats with Translate Culture's team members, gaining insights into their roles, the sacrifices made, and the significance of taking risks to achieve success. They further discuss the importance of work relationships and the need to maintain strong company values.Lloyds Bank offers the support and guidance needed to help entrepreneurs thrive. Whether you're just starting or scaling your business, Lloyds is committed to being a reliable partner in every way.

In this episode, we revisit a captivating conversation with comedian, actress, and presenter Katherine Ryan.

Reflecting on her inspiring discussion with Jake and Damian, Katherine opens up about how her unwavering focus on her daughter’s well-being empowered her to pursue her stand-up career with fearless determination.

Listen in as Katherine shares her journey from struggling as a single mom to making the decision to create space for women in the industry by stepping away from Mock the Week. She offers valuable insights on embracing positivity, leading with gratitude, and the true meaning of hard work.

🚨 Partners

Huel 👉 Join some of the world’s top performers and millions globally choosing Huel everyday to shortcut their nutrition. Unlock your offer today at: http://huel.com/highperformance

Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Richard Osman is a well-known British television presenter, producer, and author, famous for co-creating and hosting the popular quiz show ‘Pointless’. Beyond TV, he is also an accomplished writer, best known for his bestselling crime fiction series, ‘The Thursday Murder Club’. Osman is recognised for his wit, intelligence, and distinctive presence on British television, despite having a more introverted personality.

In this episode, Jake and Damian have a lively conversation with Richard, where he shares his first big break in front of the camera. He opens up about the anxiety of starting something new, sharing his philosophy on pushing through fear to achieve success.

Richard also sheds light on the impact his brother, Mat Osman, has had on his career, explaining how his brother's creative journey inspired him. He reflects on his introverted nature and how it has shaped his career, as well as the benefits of feeling different from others. Richard also offers advice to those struggling to accept their own flaws, sharing tips on how to embrace individuality.

This episode offers a mix of personal stories and valuable life lessons, from the power of resilience and self-acceptance to the benefits of embracing uniqueness.

To hear a 30 minute extract from Richard’s new book, download the High Performance app at - hppod.co/app

🚨 Partners

Huel 👉 Get £25 off the Taster Bundle. Unlock your offer here: http://huel.com/highperformance

Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Jake and Damian dive into an inspiring conversation, reflecting on the resilience needed to pick yourself up off the canvas. With Anthony Joshua recently knocked down yet expressing his readiness to rise again, they explore the importance of maintaining a positive mindset even in the face of setbacks.

In this episode, Jake and Damian reflect on Joshua’s positive mindset, even when things don’t go as planned. They talk about how failure is a natural part of ambition, and how the most successful people often experience the most failures. Drawing from conversations with guests including Barry Hearn, Lee Child, and Tom Grennan, they highlight how struggles and setbacks can remind you of your strength, not your weakness.

Listen in as Jake and Damian dive deeper into how to navigate life’s toughest moments, sharing some empowering lessons and insights into overcoming life’s challenges.

For daily doses of motivation, check out Boost Stories on the High Performance App now: https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/hp-app

Listen to the episodes mentioned:

Barry Hearn: https://pod.fo/e/157c60

Lee Child: https://pod.fo/e/10a24a

Tom Grennan: https://pod.fo/e/185044

🚨 Partners

Huel 👉 Get £25 off the Taster Bundle. Unlock your offer here: http://huel.com/highperformance

Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Ndamukong Suh is a dominant NFL defensive tackle known for his power, discipline, and leadership both on and off the field. A five-time Pro Bowl player, Suh has made his mark not only as one of the league's most feared defenders but also as an entrepreneur and businessman. Over his impressive career, he has built a reputation for his strong work ethic and strategic approach to the game.

In this episode, Jake and Damian sit down with Suh to talk about his journey in the NFL, the importance of discipline, and what it takes to maintain success at the highest level. Suh opens up about his reputation, touching on how past events have shaped public perception, and whether it has affected him personally. They dive into Suh's experiences as a leader, exploring the criticism he faced when trying to be a "cultural architect" for his team and how he handled the pressure of being one of the league’s highest-paid players.

Ndamukong also shares stories from his time playing alongside legends like Tom Brady, discussing their Super Bowl win and the lessons he learned from being part of such a high-caliber team. Beyond football, Suh opens up about his ambitions to expand beyond the sport, including his venture into the business world, where he hopes to apply the same drive and discipline that made him successful in the NFL.

This episode offers a unique blend of sports insights, personal reflections, and motivational takeaways, showcasing how discipline and leadership extend far beyond the field.

Credit - PBD Podcast for the Tom Brady clip

🚨 Partners

Huel 👉 Join some of the world’s top performers and millions globally choosing Huel everyday to shortcut their nutrition. Unlock your offer today at: https://hppod.co/HuelRunning

Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Phil Jones is a professional footballer best known for his time with Manchester United and the England national team. Renowned for his versatility and defensive skill, Phil’s career has been shaped by both incredible highs and personal challenges. His journey from Blackburn Rovers to Manchester United made him one of the sport's most recognisable faces.

In this episode, Phil opens up his experiences in football, from the excitement of joining Manchester United to the difficulties of dealing with injuries. He discusses with Jake and Damian the mental toll that self-doubt, fear, and constant pressure took on him, and how he managed to rediscover his passion for the game.

Phil also recounts his early triumph of winning the Premier League at just 21 and the realisation of what it truly means to play for a club as demanding as United. He shares lessons he’s learned from working under legendary managers like Sir Alex Ferguson.

This episode offers valuable advice for anyone facing struggles, particularly young athletes, and provides a rare glimpse into the personal and professional challenges of a Premier League footballer.

🚨 Partners

Huel 👉 Join some of the world’s top performers and millions globally choosing Huel everyday to shortcut their nutrition. Unlock your offer today at: https://hppod.co/HuelRunning

Heights 👉 https://hppod.co/Heights Get 20% off your subscription by using Code: HP20

FORA 👉 Claim a free day pass at any Fora workspace and find the perfect home for your business here: https://hppod.co/FORAHP

Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:

https://hppod.co/partners

Introducing the ‘Startup to Standout’ mini-series, brought to you in partnership with Lloyds Bank. In this episode, Jake connects with business experts at Notpla to dig into the realities of entrepreneurship. Notpla is a cutting-edge company known for creating sustainable packaging solutions using seaweed, aiming to reduce environmental impact.

Notpla co-founder Pierre-Yves Paslier discusses with Jake the inspiration behind their seaweed-based products, showing how they benefit the environment. He shares insights into the challenges of the early years of building the business and what it was like during the initial phases. Jake also chats with Karlijn Sibbel about Notpla's innovative approach and their next big goal: tackling packaging problems with new water barrier technologies. Karlijn also offers valuable advice on fostering innovation in business and prioritising creative thinking.

Lloyds Bank’s purpose is to empower businesses with comprehensive support and guidance for starting, growing, and building a successful business. With their extensive expertise, Lloyds Bank is well-equipped to guide you on your business journey.