E120 coincides nicely with National Apprenticeships Week. In this episode, Kevin interviews Gary Laybourne, co-founder and CEO of Coach Core, who shares his inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing to leading a charity that empowers marginalised young people through sports.

Gary discusses the foundational principles of Coach Core, the impact of sports on personal development, and the importance of mentorship. He reflects on the challenges and successes of the organisation, the value of apprenticeships, and the need for employers to adapt to a changing workforce.

The conversation emphasises the significance of community support, leadership lessons learned from sports, and the ongoing mission to create opportunities for young people.

You can find out more about Coach Core here: https://coachcore.org.uk/

Connect with Gary here:

linkedin.com/in/gary-laybourne-5307697a

Connect with our host Kevin on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpickard88/

Support Kevin in his fundraising efforts for Coach Core here:

https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/kevin-pickard

In this full circle conversation, more than five years on from their first interview, Kevin sits down with the incredible author, speaker and podcast that is Professor Damian Hughes. They reflect on the evolution of the podcasting space, the power of authentic conversations, and the memorable moments that have shaped their journeys. They discuss the insights gained from various guests, the inspiration behind Damian's new book 'Micro-Habits', which is available NOW: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/476360/micro-habits-by-hughes-jake-humphrey-and-damian/9781529976205

The discussion covers a broad range of areas, reflecting on the hundreds of guests that have featured on The High Performance Podcast over the last six years. One area in particular that was covered emphasises the significance of being present and embracing the journey rather than constantly chasing the next goal, something that can be a real challenge in today’s world. In the show they also explore the amazing Charity that Damian co-founded with his wife, The School Coat Charity, which you can find out more and donate to or apply for support here: https://theschoolcoatcharity.co.uk/

You can connect with Damian on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-hughes-a376121/

You can find out more about High Performance here: https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/

Connect with our host Kevin on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpickard88/

In this podcast episode, we are joined by the inspiring Will Godwin.

Will shares his incredible journey from a competitive childhood in sports to two life-altering incidents that changed his perspective on life and athletics. He discusses his early years, the discovery of triathlon, and the impact of sports on his direction and choices.

He reflects on the psychological impact of his experiences, the importance of resilience, and the lessons learned from adversity. He emphasises the value of pursuing passions and enjoying life, regardless of the obstacles faced along the way.

Connect with Will via Linked-in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-godwin-91067819b/

And via Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/w_godwin/

Todays conversation is the epitome of why we started the show. We are joined today by Chris Hines MBE, the co-founder of Surfers against sewage, the former sustainability director for the Eden Project, a world-renowned campaigner, and a true inspiration for those looking to take up the fight for the many challenges our society faces.

In this conversation, Chris Hines shares his journey from a childhood spent in nature to becoming a prominent environmental activist. He discusses the evolution of activism, the importance of education, and the role of community in driving change. We explore the need for intelligent activism that utilises modern tools while fostering resilience and collective action.

Chris ultimately reflects on the significance of inspiring the next generation and the legacy we leave behind, advocating for a world where care, respect, and appreciate that sustainability needs to be at the forefront of everything we do.

You can connect with Chris and find out more via the links below:

www.agos.co

https://www.instagram.com/chrishinessurfs/

In this conversation, we are joined by Cath Pendleton exploring her remarkable journey in swimming, particularly focusing on her experiences with cold water swimming and her incredible swim in Antarctica.

We discuss the mental health benefits of swimming, the formation of the Dippy Dragons, and the challenges faced during her journey to becoming an ice swimmer. Cath shares her insights on making one's own luck and the importance of preparation and community support in achieving extraordinary goals.

Ultimately, she encourages others to embrace new experiences and follow their passions. Cath’s journey was documented by the BBC for the fantastic documentary The Merthyr Mermaid, which you can find via the link below: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000qnb4/the-merthyr-mermaid

You can connect with Cath on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swimcathswim/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherine.howard.33449138

Website: http://www.merthyrmermaid.co.uk/index.html

Louise Minchin's book Fearless, in which Cath features, can be found here: https://amzn.eu/d/183YjpX

This weeks guest is a hurricane of energy. In an interview with Forbes, our guest Jacqueline Williams is quoted as saying:

"Decide you have a destination and go there.  If you say you are going to the store and there is a detour or roadblock you don't just stop and turn around to go home. You figure out another route. There is always another way. Always.”

Is there a more accurate embodiment of why we started our podcast in the first place?! Jac shares with us her transformative journey from the Midwest to Los Angeles, detailing how a personal tragedy set her on a path to start a successful business focused on sustainability.

She reflects on the lessons learned from grief, the importance of resourcefulness, and how her experiences shaped her values as a parent. The discussion emphasises the significance of finding purpose and fulfilment in life, even amidst challenges. 

Jac is part of the wider Do Lectures family that a number of our guests have emerged from, and once you’ve completed with today’s conversation, please check out the link to The Do Lectures, as for anyone in the creative space, it is a must to explore. https://thedolectures.com/

In this conversation, we’re joined by the inspiring Tiana Gordon. A professional rugby player and founder of Peak Team Performance, Tiana shares her journey from being a former competitive swimmer, before starting rugby at university, through to her current role in empowering coaches and athletes. 

She discusses the importance of coaching relationships, the impact of social connection on performance, and her mission to optimize athlete wellbeing. She reflects on her experiences in high-performance environments and emphasizes the need for balance between performance and mental health. The conversation also explores the coaching landscape and the significance of community building among coaches!

You can connect with Tiana and Peak Team Performance via the links below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tianagordoncx/

https://www.instagram.com/tianagordon7

https://www.linkedin.com/company/peaktp/

www.peaktp.com

In this conversation, Rachelle shares her unique journey from being an elite alpine skier to becoming an airline pilot. We discuss the challenges she faced during her athletic career, including the pressures of balancing academics and sports, the impact of her upbringing, and the transition to aviation.

She emphasises the importance of resilience, support from her family, and following her passions despite initial fears. Her story highlights the significance of adaptability and the pursuit of personal growth in the face of change.  

Connect with Athlete Interactions and Rachelle:

https://www.athleteinteractions.org/

https://www.instagram.com/athleteinteractions/

Direct to link to request support from Athlete Interactions: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScS3U8QBlfzugYm9373XMHF-X2QXFoKLcUG9-h8nGwsfbowZg/viewform

https://thecognitiveequestrian.substack.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the.cognitive.equestrian/

For this conversation we are joined by Dr Amy Whitehead and Jen Coe, who come from the world of Sports Psychology and Sports Coaching respectively. Collectively, the dynamic duo have co-edited a number of books, including most recently the Myths of Sports Performance, which is the topic of our conversation. 

Jen has been on the show previously, exploring her journey on episode 28, which has moved on lots since then. We start with an overview of both our guests, then dive straight into some of the most poignant topics in their most recent book.

You can connect with Amy and Jen via their linked-in below:

Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-amy-whitehead-1b431441/

Jen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-coe-1a308a49/

You can check out their latest book, Myths of Sports Performance here: https://amzn.eu/d/hJV0jPe

In this episode, Mike Martin shares his inspiring journey from being a professional basketball player and representing his country, medaling at the Commonwealth Games, through to facing a life-altering brain cancer diagnosis. He discusses the importance of sports in shaping his mindset, the challenges of transitioning out of professional sport, and lessons learned along the way. 

Part of his recent journey has included hiking to Mount Everest base camp, and raising funds and awareness for those diagnosed with Brain Cancer. It is a very deep and humbling conversation and we are extremely grateful to Mike for being so open and honest with us. 

You can connect with Mike on both Instagram and Linkedin:

https://www.instagram.com/mikemartinfitness/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-martin-b727a171/