Who are you when the job title drops away? This episode digs deep into the question we often avoid but desperately need to ask ourselves. Jake and Damian dive into the importance of knowing who you are beyond your role, sharing honest and powerful insights from guests like Simon Sinek, Phil Heath, Ali Abdaal, and John McAvoy. They unpack how easy it is to confuse identity with achievement, and why that can leave us lost when the spotlight fades. From writing your own obituary to asking a friend ...
Jul 04, 2025•25 min
When you think of Gordon Ramsay, you probably think of shouting, sarcasm, and one-liners hot enough to sear a steak. But behind the fire is a habit that’s far more important than the volume: He takes feedback professionally, not personally. In this episode, we go beyond the reputation and dig into the mindset that helped Gordon rise, not just to fame, but to genuine mastery. From his early football dreams to Michelin-starred kitchens, Ramsay shares how embracing criticism, and choosing to learn ...
Jul 02, 2025•28 min
Mark Cuban is a billionaire entrepreneur, Shark Tank investor, and the outspoken former owner of the Dallas Mavericks. In this episode, he shares how transforming the Mavericks wasn’t just about stats, it was about building a culture. From upgrading hotels to investing in skill development, Cuban shows how leadership and empathy can shape winning teams. He also dives into the AI revolution, offering sharp advice for young people and entrepreneurs ready to take advantage of the biggest tech shift...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 358
Think pro tennis is all glamour? Think again. In this episode, Jake and Damian sit down with former Irish Tennis pro Conor Niland, who reached a high of No 129 in the world, to explore the untold reality of life on the tour for the 99% of players who never make the headlines. Conor got within one set of playing Federer at Wimbledon and faced Djokovic at the US Open. Learn why most pros can lose more than they win—yet still keep swinging. They unpack what success really means beyond trophies and ...
Jun 27, 2025•35 min
Triple H didn’t just dominate in the ring, he learned how to read a room, shift direction in real time, and lead an entire industry by listening closely. In this episode, we unpack the surprising psychology behind his success and explore how the powerful mental model known as the OODA loop (Observe. Orient. Decide. Act.) can help anyone make faster, smarter decisions under pressure. We also explore how great leaders don’t chase control, they build awareness, stay flexible, and move with purpose....
Jun 25, 2025•30 min
Premier League Defender Dan Burn opens up about the impact of Eddie Howe’s leadership, how genuine communication and taking the time to connect with players makes a difference beyond just tactics. He reflects on the rollercoaster journey from near relegation to competing in the Champions League, and how winning the League Cup wasn’t just about the trophy itself, but the collective grit and unity that got them there. The conversation also dives into the emotional highs and lows of chasing silverw...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 357
Pressure shows up at the front door in broad daylight, stress lurks in the shadows of your own mind. One is the world’s expectation. The other is your own resistance to it. In this episode, Jake and Damian unpack the crucial difference between pressure and stress, and why understanding it can transform how you handle challenges. Drawing insights from guests like Tom Aspinall, Steve Hansen, Barry Hearn, and Alistair Campbell, they explore how top performers prepare for pressure, ground themselves...
Jun 20, 2025•32 min
Mo lost his son, Ali, in a tragic and avoidable surgery. It’s the kind of grief that could break anyone. But instead of shutting down, he turned toward the pain, with honesty, logic, and a question that changed everything: Can we train ourselves to be happy, even after heartbreak? One insight stood out: the 90-second rule. According to Mo (and backed by neuroscience), our emotions only physically last 90 seconds. What happens after that? That’s on us. In this episode, we explore how to ride that...
Jun 18, 2025•35 min
Sam Allardyce is one of English football’s most seasoned and straight-talking managers, known as much for his no-nonsense attitude as for his deep understanding of the game. With a career spanning decades, he’s led clubs like Bolton, West Ham, and Everton, and even had a brief but infamous spell as England manager. In this episode, Big Sam opens up about what it really takes to build a football club from the ground up. From keeping your job long enough to make lasting changes, to scouting better...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 356
You don’t have to be who the world tells you to be, and sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is step outside the box others have put you in. In this episode, Jake and Damian dive into the idea of breaking free from the labels others place on us, and the ones we place on ourselves. Through compelling reflections and lessons from guests like Rio Ferdinand, Fearne Cotton, Tom Kerridge, and Lee Child, they unpack how we can reclaim our identities and live more purposefully. From Rio’s deter...
Jun 13, 2025•30 min
Undefeated boxing champion and entrepreneur Laila Ali takes us ringside, then into the heart of what it means to belong. In this episode of Essential Habits, we uncover the deceptively simple practice her father, Muhammad Ali, modeled again and again: looking after the person no one else notices. Through Laila’s stories, from waiting in queues of adoring fans to earning her father’s reluctant blessing to box, we learn how true leadership is less about spotlight and more about presence. By tuning...
Jun 11, 2025•37 min
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a Premier League striker known for his athleticism, drive, and key role at Everton FC. But beyond the goals and headlines, he’s also faced a tough road of injuries, personal setbacks, and intense pressure. In this episode, Dominic opens up about some of his lowest moments, times when injury left him feeling broken and lost. He talks candidly about the pressure to bounce back quickly, the mental toll of feeling stuck, and what it really took to dig deep and keep going. He...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 355
In this episode, we revisit a powerful conversation with Chris Voss, former FBI lead hostage negotiator and bestselling author of Never Split the Difference. In this insightful discussion with Jake and Damian, Chris shares his unique approach to communication, showing how the skills he used in life-or-death negotiations can transform the way we handle everyday conversations. From business meetings to family dynamics, Chris explains why listening more and speaking less can lead to better outcomes...
Jun 06, 2025•56 min
This new Essential Habits series breaks down the key habits behind high performance, one episode at a time. This week’s habit is deceptively simple: asking better questions. Philosopher Alain de Botton joins us to explore how a single, uncomfortable question, “How have I annoyed you?” can deepen trust, defuse tension, and create stronger connections in every part of life. Whether it’s at home, at work, or with close friends, we often avoid the conversations that would help us grow. Alain shows u...
Jun 04, 2025•35 min
John Legend is a singer, songwriter, and producer known for his soulful voice, emotional depth, and ability to cross genres with ease. With multiple Grammy Awards, an EGOT to his name, and a career that’s spanned decades, John has also become a voice for compassion, activism, and vulnerability in the public eye. In this episode, John opens up about some of the most intimate moments of his life, his complicated relationship with his mother, who faced deep struggles after family tragedies, and how...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 6 min
The voice in your head can either push you forward or hold you back. In this episode, Jake and Damian delve into the powerful impact of self-talk on performance, mindset, and emotional well-being. They explore how the inner dialogue we carry can shape our identity, build resilience, or quietly sabotage our efforts, depending on how we manage it. Revisiting insightful conversations with guests like Denise Lewis, Dr. Steve Peters, Pippa Grange, Aldo Kane, and Tom Daley, Jake and Damian highlight h...
May 30, 2025•30 min
Sometimes, the most radical thing a leader can do is trust. That’s what struck me in my conversation with James Timpson, not just the results he’s achieved, but the mindset behind them. James runs a business where people matter more than policies, and where the golden rules aren’t about performance metrics, they’re about showing up, looking the part, and doing the right thing. In this episode, I dig into the psychology behind what makes James’s approach so powerful, from the science of capitalis...
May 28, 2025•35 min
Callum Wilson is a Premier League striker known for his sharp finishing and explosive pace on the pitch; but off it, he has an equally powerful story. Warning: this episode contains themes of suicide and trauma. In this episode, Callum opens up about the darker side of his upbringing, including dealing with suicidal thoughts as a teen and the emotional scars that came with growing up in chaos. He reflects on how football gave him a sense of direction and purpose when everything else felt unstabl...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Today Jake and Damian break down why your habits matter more than you think. Did you know 43% of what you do each day is habit, not conscious choice? That means nearly half your day is lived on autopilot. So where is your autopilot taking you? This episode breaks down: Why tiny daily actions shape your entire identity How Sam Tomkins, James Clear, and Jo Malone use micro habits to stay sharp How to journal proof of your progress The 3 questions to ask yourself before any task And why folding you...
May 23, 2025•16 min
There’s a certain kind of strength that comes from knowing who you are, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise. That’s what stood out in my conversation with Rio Ferdinand. Not just the success, but the mindset behind it: the habit of refusing to be reduced to a single story. Rio’s journey is a lesson in identity, drive, and turning fear into fuel. With all the labels the world tries to throw at us, it’s not just about ignoring them, it’s about choosing your own. From the football pitch...
May 21, 2025•38 min
Damon Hill is a former Formula 1 World Champion and one of the most thoughtful voices in motorsport. The son of legendary racer Graham Hill, Damon carved out his own legacy in a sport shaped by speed, risk, and legacy. In this episode, he opens up with a rare mix of honesty and introspection, sharing stories that go far beyond the racetrack. The conversation dives into Damon’s memories of Ayrton Senna, not just as a rival, but as a human being. He reflects on Senna’s deep sense of duty to Brazil...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 30 min
This episode of High Performance is in partnership with The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and The UK Export Academy. In the special episode, Jake Humphrey leads a powerful roundtable conversation exploring the real challenges and rewards of expanding your business internationally. Featuring voices from the UK Export Academy and a range of inspiring UK entrepreneurs, the episode dives into practical advice, cultural insights, and personal stories from those who've successfully taken the...
May 16, 2025•37 min
Essential Habits is a new weekly series from High Performance. Hosted by Damian Hughes, each episode breaks down powerful habits from world-class performers and thinkers - so you can apply them in your own life. Here’s Damian’s take on the first episode, featuring Jo Malone: "Sometimes life moves so fast we forget we even can stop. That’s something Jo reminded me of in this episode, the quiet power of pausing and taking stock before charging ahead. Jo’s story is a masterclass in resilience and r...
May 14, 2025•36 min
Tom Aspinall is a top UFC heavyweight known for his speed, skill, and sharp mindset. Hailing from the UK with a strong martial arts background, he’s climbed the ranks quickly while staying grounded and brutally honest about the fight game. In this episode, Tom talks about the real fear that comes with stepping into the cage. He opens up about the nerves, the pressure, and what it means to face legends like Jon Jones, and still show up ready to go. He also shares how passion and persistence have ...
May 12, 2025•53 min
In this episode, we go inside Liverpool FC’s data revolution with Dr. Ian Graham, the mastermind behind the club’s groundbreaking use of analytics. Ian reveals how his data-driven insights helped reshape recruitment strategy, most notably identifying Mohamed Salah as a top-tier winger long before he became a global star. He also shares how analytics backed Jurgen Klopp’s appointment, supported pivotal transfer decisions like signing Sadio Mane, and overcame internal resistance to modern methods....
May 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min
Humphrey Ker is a writer, actor, comedian, and now an unexpected figure in the world of football. Best known for his work on shows like The Penny Dreadfuls and Mythic Quest, Humphrey brings a unique mix of humor, heart, and genuine passion to everything he does. In this episode, Humphrey discusses his experiences growing up, including the influence of his traditional family life and how it shaped his emotional outlook. Despite a reserved upbringing, he reveals the profound impact compassion and ...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Jeremy Renner is an award-winning actor known for his roles in films like The Hurt Locker, The Avengers, and Mayor of Kingstown. Beyond the big screen, he’s someone who’s faced serious real-life battles and come out stronger, with a powerful story of resilience and healing. In this episode, Jeremy opens up about pushing through the toughest moments of his life. He talks about the importance of facing hardships head-on, finding small emotional milestones, and how "gamifying" his recovery helped h...
May 05, 2025•57 min
In this episode, Jake and Damian explore how to handle negative people—at work, at home, and even in your own mind. You’ll hear powerful stories from guests like James Blunt, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Adam Grant, and Adrian Newey. They cover: Why negativity spreads and how to protect your mindset The difference between destructive critics and helpful truth-tellers Practical ways to stop letting others control your energy How to know when to quit, walk away, or push back If you’ve ever felt drained by ...
May 02, 2025•25 min
Owen Hargreaves is a former England international and Champions League-winning midfielder who made his mark at clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Known for his tactical intelligence and relentless work rate, he’s also battled some of the toughest injury setbacks in modern football. In this episode, Owen opens up beyond the pitch, sharing a thoughtful and inspiring look at what shaped him both as a player and a person. He highlights how important it is to push through adversity and n...
May 01, 2025•1 hr 44 min
Oliver Glasner is the current manager of Crystal Palace. He previously lead Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory. With a career rooted in resilience and personal growth, he brings a refreshing perspective on what it means to lead a team and overcome challenges. In this episode, Oliver shares his insights on what it takes to build a successful team, emphasising the importance of trust, respect, and creating an environment where everyone feels valued. With a focus on teamwork and unity, he a...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 7 min
