The High Performance Zone

Gaurav Bhatnagar and Mark Minukas are the principals at Co-Creation Partners and co-authors of Unfear: Transform Your Organization to Create Breakthrough Performance and Employee Wellbeing. As experts in business development, Gaurav and Mark favor a people-centered, mindful approach to business transformation, and they work closely with organizations to help shift mindsets, change behaviors, and increase productivity. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Gaurav and Mark on:

• (00:17:45) What fear can teach us. They discuss the normal human reaction to fear, and Gaurav points out that finding the courage to confront our fears can make us more creative, innovative, and achievement-orientated. 

• (00:20:49) Connecting to our infinite potential. Gaurav explains how we can let go of our limiting beliefs by using our imaginations to change the narratives of our lives. Plus, Mark talks about overcoming the brain’s natural negativity bias and learning to focus on positive experiences.

• (00:43:50) The inside-out process. Mark and Gaurav describe how they prefer to work on individual mindsets and team interactions before moving on to dealing with an organization as a whole and implementing appropriate policies, strategies, and structures.  

• (00:44:54) Critical mass theory. Gaurav reveals that it only takes the support of 30% of the most influential people in an organization to reach a tipping point and trigger significant change and improvement. 

• (01:00:21) The relationship between performance and wellbeing. We talk about how people perform better and feel happier when they find meaning and purpose in their work and believe they’re making a valuable contribution to an organization. 

Dr. John Demartini is a prolific author, global teacher, and one of the world’s leading experts in human behavior who has dedicated his life to learning about philosophy, psychology, and personal development. Dr. John has created over 70 courses in subjects such as leadership, financial empowerment, and relationship success, and he travels the world teaching people how to maximize their potential and live more fulfilling and purpose-driven lives. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. John on:

• (00:10:54) Prioritizing your values. He emphasizes the importance of setting goals that align with your values and stresses the need to live authentically by focussing on the objectives that matter the most to you.

• (00:32:24) The mind-body connection. We talk about balancing body and mind, and Dr. John encourages us to listen to our bodies and pay attention to any physical symptoms that may be guiding us to live more healthily and authentically.

• (00:33:48) Emptiness and fulfillment. Dr. John warns about the dangers of being either too humble or too proud. Plus, he cautions against making comparisons or judgments and encourages listeners to develop self-awareness and recognize their self-worth.

• (00:50:49) Seeing both sides. He differentiates between mindfulness and mindlessness and stresses the need to be balanced, impartial, and aware of both the positive and negative sides of a situation.

• (00:56:29) His seven steps to success. Dr. John shares the key elements of his signature program, which focuses on helping people to recognize their values, prioritize their actions,  and work effectively towards their goals.

Kent Weed is the executive producer of American Ninja Warrior and Hell’s Kitchen. He’s also a spiritual seeker, a Mindvalley certified master trainer, and the founder of LiveUrPurpose.com. As a mindfulness practitioner, Kent believes in the power of meditation to relieve anxiety, and he has recently created the Taming Your Monkey Mind mastermind course, which teaches 10-minute meditation techniques to bring more peace, joy, and fulfilment into your life. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Kent Weed on;

(00:09:39) His physical and spiritual transformation. We learn how meditation changed Kent’s life and helped him prioritize his health. Today, he’s happier, healthier, and more fulfilled than ever, and he credits his meditation practice with changing his perspective and making him think and act differently. 

(00:38:32) Gratitude and compassion. Kent reveals that his New Year’s Resolution is to run everything he says and does through the filters of gratitude and compassion. He also reminds us to be kinder to ourselves and more forgiving of others.  

(00:44:17) Taming the monkey mind. We hear how meditation helps calm the amygdala (the part of the brain that triggers the fight or flight mechanism) and makes it easier to control our thoughts and reactions. 

(00:46:31) Creating a better reality. Kent describes how our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality and explains how changing the way we look at things makes us less judgmental, more optimistic, and more open to opportunities.

(00:51:52) Positive triggers. We talk about the people and places that bring us the most joy, and Kent reveals that he feels most at peace when he’s in the ocean and happiest when he’s receiving love and affection from his family. 

Rick Nealis has been the Race Director of the Marine Corps Marathon for nearly thirty years. He’s a former Marine and a people person who loves the camaraderie that comes with organizing and being part of such a large event. Rick is also an accomplished runner whose lifelong mission is to encourage more people to take up running to improve their physical and mental health.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Rick Nealis on:

(00:12:37) The legacy of Major Megan McClung. He tells the moving story of Megan McClung, who pulled off the remarkable feat of organizing a marathon for military personnel in Iraq. Rick remembers Megan’s can-do, compassionate approach to life and reveals that, since Megan was killed in action, a toy penguin has been presented in her honor to the final finisher in the MCM each year. 

(00:21:48) The history of the Marine Corps Marathon. We learn that the Marine Corps Marathon was created in 1976 to help re-establish trust and build back community connection after the damaging media portrayal of the Marines in the Vietnam War. Rick points out that, as well as making a positive impact on the local economy, the MCM event gives the public a chance to meet Marines face to face and witness the organizational skills of the Marine Corps for themselves.

(01:04:42) Guarding the Olympic torch. Rick recalls the time he was employed as a member of the security team tasked with guarding the Olympic torch on its journey from Greece to Atlanta, where it was received by Muhammad Ali and used to light the flame of the 1996 Olympics. 

(1:08:41) Famous participants. Rick shares his memories of the year Oprah ran the race, wearing the number 40 bib to celebrate her 40th birthday. He also recalls how efficiently the Marines protected Oprah from the paparazzi and gave her the privacy she needed to focus on the race.

(01:24:02) Rick’s motivational message. He expresses his desire to reach out to a wider demographic and implores his fellow runners to encourage others (especially children) to start running.

Steve Matarante and Stuart Mullins recently officiated at the Alabama vs. Georgia College National Championship playoff. The game took place at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis and was watched by an audience of 22.6 million people. However, the pressure of the high stakes occasion did little to faze line judge Steve, who works from Monday to Friday as a sales executive, and referee Stuart, who also teaches history in middle school. Today, we talk about compartmentalization, mental focus, and the ability to keep calm under pressure. Plus, Stuart and Steve explain how the Glad to Be Here mindset and message have enabled them to perform at their absolute best as a team.


In this episode, you’ll hear from Stuart Mullins and Steve Matarante on;

(00:20:29) Making difficult calls. Steve describes how making the right call requires focus, preparation, and the ability to be in the right position at the right time. He also reveals that he relies on his instincts and experience to assess a player’s speed and body control and help him determine if he’s likely to be out of bounds.

(00:33:21) The 2022 National Championship Game Highlights. Steve and Stuart share their memories of meeting the legendary coach Nick Saban and speak about getting up close and personal with some of the biggest, strongest, and fastest players they’ve ever seen. 

(00:49:16) Compartmentalization. Stuart explains how the Glad to Be Here mentality and the John Foley IMPACT videos have helped him avoid distractions and retain his focus. Steve adds that the lessons on compartmentalization have enabled him to make a clear-cut distinction between his business and his football responsibilities.

(00:54:57) Ego and accountability. We discuss the power of the debrief and the importance of feeling sufficiently safe and secure to give and receive constructive criticism in a supportive team environment. 

(01:07:12) Performing under pressure. Steve and Stuart share how they cope with the stress of officiating at major football events by preparing thoroughly beforehand and focusing on their specific responsibilities during the game.

Jill Ellis is a legend and a trailblazer in the world of women’s soccer. As a coach, she enjoyed unparalleled success and led the U.S Women’s National Team to victory in two World Cups. However, Jill’s never been one to rest on her laurels, and she’s recently stepped into an exciting new role as president of San Diego Wave FC. She’s also accepted a leadership position on FIFA’s Technical Advisory Group, which invites thought leaders from around the world to consider the future of women’s football.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Jill Ellis on;

(00:10:43) Performing under pressure. Jill acknowledges that she works best under pressure and has never been afraid to take risks. Despite her remarkable career, she reveals that she’s still motivated by the desire to succeed and never intends to let herself get too comfortable, conservative, or complacent. 

(00:17:44) The power of teamwork. Jill testifies to the magic that can happen when a group of individuals comes together for the sake of the team. Plus, she points out that she always focuses on building a culture of mutual respect and empowering others to grow and perform to the best of their abilities. 

(00:24:30) Doing things differently. Jill recalls the unconventional approach she took to preparing her team for the World Cup in 2015 and explains that putting the players through a series of uncomfortable and challenging experiences made them humble, hungry, and eager to win.

(00:32:17) Building a community. Jill shares her vision for the future of San Diego Wave FC and expresses her desire to create a personal connection to the local community. She also refers to the increasing popularity of women’s soccer, which appeals to a diverse fan base and attracts a growing number of supporters.

(00:52:04) Looking at football through a different lens. Jill talks about her advisory role with FIFA and sets out her intention to help grow women’s football globally and learn from the experiences and perspectives of players and coaches in developing countries. 

Jim Witherbee is a former naval aviator and test pilot turned astronaut and author. In the course of his extraordinary career, Jim flew on six space flight missions and commanded and landed the Space Shuttle five times. He was also involved in the recovery efforts for the Challenger and Columbia Space Shuttle explosions and the Deepwater Horizon disaster. In his book, Controlling Risk in a Dangerous World; 30 Techniques for Operating Excellence, Jim shares the knowledge he gained from his extensive experience of managing risk in exceptionally volatile situations and advises organizations on the best way to minimize risk and optimize performance.  

In this episode, you’ll hear from Jim Wetherbee on;

(00:19:54) The three steps for reducing risk. For Jim, the essential components of risk management consist of identifying the hazard, assessing the risk, and implementing controls. In addition, he believes the ability to anticipate the prospect of the worst possible failure happening at the worst possible time makes it easier to get things right and prevent even unpredictable accidents from occurring.

(00:38:11) The process of accountability. In Jim’s opinion, accountability is a two-way process, which requires team leaders to ask employees about any problems they encounter at work. He also believes that employees should feel empowered to search for vulnerabilities in the organization and find solutions for potential issues.

(00;47:59) Jim’s ‘be here now’ ethos. As a former Navy Captain and an astronaut who is accustomed to facing potential life-or-death situations, Jim describes how he learned to focus on the present moment and make the best of every day.  

(01:05:10) Confidence and humility. Jim believes that we can achieve anything with the correct balance of confidence and humility. He points out that confidence gives us the courage to believe in ourselves and prevents us from making too many errors, whereas humility makes us aware of our weaknesses and more willing to learn from our mistakes.  

(01:35:37) The view from the International Space Station. Jim recalls the atmospheric greenish glow of the night sky when seen from the station and describes the surreal experience of traveling through the Southern Lights.

James Fitzgerald is one of the leading figures in the world of health and fitness. He excelled at sports from an early age, and, in 2007, he was awarded the title of The Fittest Man on Earth at the inaugural CrossFit Games. James is also the founder and lead educator of OPEX fitness, which teaches coaches the core principles of fitness and provides them with the skills they need to help others achieve their health and wellness goals.

In this episode, you’ll hear from James Fitzgerald on:

(00:14:12) The intention behind fitness. James explains that it isn’t helpful to view fitness as simply a way to control our weight or an opportunity to prove our physical prowess in a sports and performance setting. Instead, he believes that fitness should be a natural and integral part of our lives and something we do because we want to and because we can. 

(00:27:47) His three beacons. James believes the three main benefits of a sustained fitness routine to be cognitive resilience, prolonged physical function, and inherent contentment. He encourages listeners to work towards these achievable goals and reminds us that fitness should be free, simple, and accessible to everyone.

(00:37:24) Patterns and paces. James sets out the key elements of a simple and sustainable fitness program routine, and he recommends alternating days of strength and conditioning training (which he calls patterns) with days of sustained aerobic exercise, such as walking or hiking.

(01:10:55) Resisting entropy. As an experienced coach and a lifelong athlete, James aims to help people retain their quality of life well into midlife and beyond. As well as focusing on physical resilience, he also believes in working on spiritual and cognitive growth as we age.

(01:21:53) Getting comfortable with discomfort. James points out that the greatest growth happens when we dare to venture outside of our comfort zones, and he urges listeners to find the courage to challenge themselves, push beyond their current capabilities, and learn from their mistakes. 

Chase Chewning is a certified health coach and the host of the hugely popular Ever Forward Radio podcast, which focuses on fitness, nutrition, and mindset. Chase is a natural communicator and a skilled networker. He’s also a US army vet and a Russian linguist who worked for several years in military intelligence. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Chase Chewning on:

(00:01:46) His ‘Ever Forward’ Mantra. Chase explains that he adopted the Ever Forward motto of the 116th Infantry Regiment in honor of his late father, who served in the division. Plus, he describes how he has recently begun to apply his own interpretation to the phrase and use it to develop a heightened appreciation of the present moment. 

(00:19:32) Turning your passion into a business. As someone who has made the successful transition from health coach to podcaster, Chase advises listeners to follow their calling and recognize the unique talents and skills they have to offer the world.

(00:28:23) Love and connection. Chase recalls the role he played in helping to build a better relationship between his family members after his parent’s divorce. What’s more, he explains that he uses the same skills in his role as a podcaster to forge a sense of love and connection between himself, his audience, and his guests.

(00:36:09) His morning routine. Chase shares details of his daily routine (which focuses on hydration, movement, and sunlight) and reveals how he likes to start his day with a drink of structured water before stepping out into the morning sun to do some stretching.

(00:39:20) The science behind gratitude. We talk about mirror neurons and the role they play in empathy. We also explore what’s going on in our brains when we feel gratitude and refer to Dr. Andrew Huberman’s recent podcast on the subject.

Jonny Moseley is a freestyle skiing pioneer, an Olympic gold medalist, and the originator of the iconic off-axis Dinner Roll trick. Rated by Ski Magazine as one of the ten most influential skiers of all time, Jonny continues to be a powerful ambassador for the sport. In addition to his roles as a skiing analyst for NBC and narrator for the Warren Miller Ski Entertainment movies, Jonny is also a motivational speaker and the Chief Mountain Host at the Palisades Tahoe Resort.

Listen out for Jonny’s thoughts on:

(00:21:00) Preparing to win. Jonny describes how he prepared mentally for competitions by differentiating between outcome goals and tangible goals. He also recalls using a trigger word to stop himself from fixating on winning and to keep him focused on the task at hand.

(00:37:20) Creating a competitive advantage. For Jonny, the secret to success lies in the willingness to embrace challenges and accept discomfort. Plus, he reveals how, as a professional skier, he was committed to pushing himself to his physical limits while simultaneously developing subtler skills such as agility, precision, and thoughtfulness.

(00;40;26) Finding the edge. Jonny talks about the fine line between pushing the boundaries of innovation and potentially losing composure and control. He advises fellow competitors to have the courage to take their performance to the edge but also remember to keep their focus on staying relaxed and loose.

(01:01:17) The power of the debrief. Jonny recalls how the group debriefs after team training sessions provided him with a supportive space to receive praise, accept criticism, analyze his performance, and understand how to improve his skills.

(01:05:52) Developing gratitude. Jonny reflects on how ‘his win at all costs’ mentality may not always have been in his best interests. With hindsight, he wishes he could have felt more satisfied with his achievements and grateful for the opportunity to compete at the highest level in the sport he loves.