In this episode, Dr. Jacob Naish and Gary Peters sit down with Dean Curtis, an incredible leader whose story is as honest, human and impactful as they come.

Dean is Chief Executive Officer at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, a division of RELX, one of the UK’s top FTSE 10 companies. He's a seasoned business leader with a proven track record of building high-performing, inclusive teams and is committed to making the world a better place utilising data and technology.

Dean talks so openly about growing up in a tight community, building a career without a degree, and the simple philosophy that’s guided him throughout: “You become the people you touch.” His approach to leadership is rooted in energy, integrity and genuine connection, not titles.

He also shares the most difficult chapter of his life: losing his sister to cancer. Helping her write an ethical will for her children reshaped his values, his definition of success, and the way he now lives “two lives every day.”

Expect to hear insights on:

💠 The difference between performance and results and why most organisations get it wrong
🎯 How to stay authentic when the pressure is highest
🧭 Why purpose matters more than job titles
📘 How loss, resilience and reflection can transform the way you lead
🔍 Drains vs radiators — and why the people around you shape everything
🤝 What it means to “touch” people in the right way, every day

This is a grounded, deeply human conversation for anyone leading teams, raising a family, navigating tough moments or simply trying to do their best with what they’ve got.

It stays with you long after it ends. We hope you enjoy it.

In this episode, Dr. Jacob Naish and Gary Peters sit down with Paul Ford MBE, one of the most influential figures behind Team GB’s Olympic success over the past decade.

A high-performance leader, strategist and culture architect, Paul has spent 15+ years guiding medal-winning performance across four Olympic Games, leading delegations of 850+ athletes and staff and shaping the environments where Britain’s best perform under extreme pressure.

Originally trained in exercise physiology, Paul has built a career designing high-performance systems across sport, public and private sectors — from launching elite training centres across continents to managing multi-million-pound campaigns and advising leaders on what it really takes to win the right way.

Expect to hear insights on:

🏅 How Team GB builds performance environments that thrive under pressure
🧭 Why leadership is lonely and why that’s perfectly normal
🔥 What high-pressure environments teach us about self-care and sustainability
🎯 Why preparation beats last-minute genius every single time
🤝 The real meaning of ‘common purpose’ inside the Olympic system
🧱 Why culture-first leadership outperforms talent-first leadership in elite sport

This is a truly grounded, honest and incredibly useful conversation for anyone working in sport, media, technology or business. Paul’s lessons on pressure, planning and people translate directly into the boardroom and into everyday life.

“You can’t manage others unless you can manage yourself.”

In this episode, Dr. Jacob Naish and Gary Peters sit down with Nick Shackleton-Jones — learning innovator, philosopher, and trouble-maker-in-chief — whose career has been dedicated to challenging how we think about work, learning, and culture.

From the collapse of corporate conformity to the rise of AI as an “emergent species,” Nick takes us on a thought-provoking journey through philosophy, psychology, and the absurdities of modern business. Drawing on his experience at the BBC, BP, and Deloitte, he unpacks why so many workplace systems are broken — and what it really takes to build something more human.

Expect insights on:

💭 Why “return to office” culture is more about identity than productivity
⚙️ How corporate norms quietly engineer tragedy into our lives
📚 Why education is overdue for collapse — and what could replace it
🧠 The psychology of belonging and difference in high-performing teams
🤖 How technology may not be our tool — but we may be its

This is a wide-ranging, funny, and deeply human conversation that challenges how we see learning, leadership, and our place in an accelerating world.

Connect with Nick Shackleton-Jones:

🌐 Website: https://shackleton-consulting.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shackletonjones/
🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/shackletonjones
🎵 TikTok: shackletonjones
— 75k followers, nearly 3M likes

#icpsearch #authenticresilience #leadership #learning #culture #technology #sport #media

A recognised leader in global sport innovation, Lucy has spent over 20 years driving change, from the grassroots in Ghana to the boardrooms of FC Barcelona.

At READY, Lucy’s guiding some of the most ambitious federations, leagues, and investors on how to adopt technology responsibly, blending innovation with inclusion. Her Women’s Sport 2035 Vision is already inspiring a new generation of leaders to build a more connected, data-smart and human future for the game.

She’s delivered FIFA World Cup legacy programmes, directed women’s football at Right to Dream, and now leads Ready Sport Global (READY), a consultancy redefining how digital transformation and AI can empower people, teams and communities across sport.

In this episode:
💡 Why “the tool isn’t the strategy” and what true digital readiness looks like
💡 How executive vision defines whether transformation succeeds or fails
💡 Why women’s sport has the agility to leapfrog legacy systems
💡 How AI can help create safer, more inclusive online communities
💡 What happens when technology meets culture, and gets it right!

Lucy is also a lecturer, keynote speaker, and award-winning educator — recently recognised with the Everything in Sport Award (2023) for outstanding contributions to emerging-tech education in women’s sport.

If you care about where leadership, culture and innovation come together, this one’s essential listening.

In this episode, Gary, Jake and Amelia sit down with David Cosgrave, a leader who has spent over two decades at the heart of elite football with clubs such as Tottenham, Liverpool, Fulham, FC Copenhagen, and Orlando City. From building performance and medical structures at the top level to guiding players through the pressures of UEFA and the Premier League, David brings a rare depth of insight into resilience, identity, and high performance.

The conversation ranges from his early life in Dublin and the values instilled by his family, to a career-defining back injury that redirected him into performance science, and his later work shaping cultures inside some of the world’s biggest clubs. David opens up about meditation, the “arrival fallacy” that plagues many high achievers, and how tools like the “10 shirts exercise” help players explore their identities beyond the badge.

Listeners will also hear his take on navigating different football cultures across countries, the role of food in shaping team dynamics, and why the next frontier in sport may rest with AI and performance technology. Above all, David reflects on what resilience really means today, not just “dusting yourself off” but embracing adaptability, empathy, and even surrender.

It’s a powerful journey into the realities of elite sport, identity, and authentic leadership.

We hope you enjoy listening!

In this episode of the Authentic Resilience Podcast, Gary Peters and Dr Jacob (Jake) Naish sit down with Matt Walker, Head of Performance Services (Academy) at Manchester United, to explore his journey from teaching in the classroom to coaching at one of the world’s biggest football clubs.

Matt shares how resilience, authenticity, and personal growth have shaped his path — from leading youth development at Cambridge United to his current role at Manchester United. He opens up about the importance of mental health in performance, building positive environments, and empowering young athletes to thrive both on and off the pitch.

Whether you work in sport, media, or business, this conversation offers practical lessons on leadership, culture, and what it really takes to develop people in high-pressure environments.

🎧 Key takeaways:

• Why resilience is vital in sport and life
• The role of mental health in high performance
• How early experiences shape leadership skills
• Lessons in creating positive, authentic environments
• Finding fulfilment and identity beyond sport

We hope you enjoy listening!

Join us in a captivating conversation with the legendary Paula Radcliffe MBE, widely regarded as one of the GREATEST female marathon runners in history! 🏃‍♀️

Paula Radcliffe, born in Northwich, Cheshire, has an illustrious career filled with remarkable achievements:

🏆 Three-time winner of the London Marathon (2002, 2003, 2005)

🗽 Three-time New York Marathon champion (2004, 2007 - just 9 months after having her first child, Raphael! - 2008)

🏅 2002 Chicago Marathon winner

🌍 2005 World Champion Helsinki Marathon

🇬🇧 Represented Great Britain at the Olympics in four consecutive games (1996 to 2008)

🏃‍♀️ Former fastest female marathoner, holding the Women's World Marathon Record for an impressive 16 years with a time of 2:15:25

🏆 Accolades include BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Laureus World Comeback of the Year, IAAF World Athlete of the Year, AIMS World Athlete of the Year (three times)

🌟 Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

🏅 Voted England Athletics Athlete of the Decade at the end of 2010

🏁 Officially retired from professional athletics in 2015, marking the end of an illustrious career.

In this exclusive podcast, Paula Radcliffe reflects on her incredible journey, sharing insights into the meaning of success, pivotal moments, and the values that have driven her to the top.

Themes Include:
1️⃣ Growing Up and Becoming Who You Are Today: We explore Paula's childhood, early memories, and the journey that shaped her.
2️⃣ Her Big Break & Major Achievements: We speak openly about some of Paula's career highlights, her big breaks, and some of the challenges that defined her path.
3️⃣ Authenticity and Resilience: We discuss Paula's views on authenticity and resilience, and discover how these values played a crucial role in her life.

Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the most accomplished athletes of our time!

#PaulaRadcliffe #MarathonLegend #AthleticsIcon #Podcast #SuccessJourney #Olympics #Authenticity #Resilience

ICP Search: Global Executive Search & Talent Partners: Advanced Technology, Media, Sport & Human Capital Management 🌐🔍

🎙️ Join us on a very special episode of @Authentic Resilience, where we delve into the extraordinary life of cricket hero Mike Yardy. 🏏💪

Mike Yardy faced tough times with his mental health throughout his career, making his achievements on the cricket field even more special. 🧠🌟 In a candid and very personal discussion, Yardy generously shares his mental health toolkit and opens up about the emotional challenges he grappled with during this time, providing a unique insight into his journey – even after clinching the T20 World Cup with England in 2010. 🏴🏆

As a pivotal player, Yardy not only played a crucial role in securing a historic victory in the T20 World Cup but also left an indelible mark on Sussex County Cricket Club. In our conversation, we'll delve into his personal journey from his hometown Hastings to the world stage, tracing his steps as he guided Sussex to winning moments, including the County Championship in 2003 and the Pro40 League in 2008.

Now, as the Head Coach for England Lions, Yardy continues to contribute to the cricketing world, bringing his wealth of experience and leadership to the next generation of players. 🏆🔥

Tune in to hear Yardy's honest and powerful narrative, demonstrating that even when life gets tough, we can still emerge victorious…so long as we look after ourselves along the way! 🎧🌈

#MikeYardy #MentalHealth #CricketHero #Podcast #Authenticity #Resilience

ICP Search: Global Executive Search & Talent Partners: Advanced Technology, Media, Sport & Human Capital Management 🌐🔍