In this episode, we dive into the idea that high performance is deeply personal, not a universal formula. Jake Woolmore of the Bristol Bears joins us to share a powerful and refreshingly honest perspective on what alternative high performance really looks like inside a top rugby environment.Jake opens up about showing up for the team without ego, understanding his role, and building a mindset rooted in hard work, humility, and self-awareness. He talks about how his unusual source of motivation, “not wanting to be the worst”, became the fuel that pushed him to outwork others, stay consistent, and chase continuous improvement year after year.Through his experiences, Jake demonstrates that high performance isn’t just about physical outputs; it’s shaped by our values, our environments, and the inner narratives we build. His story highlights how you can create a standard of excellence that is authentic to who you are and still show up fully for those around you.A grounded, insightful conversation that reframes what it means to perform at your best… in your own way.

Regina Kuzmina, former Head of Beauty and Wellbeing for Unilever, shares deeply personal stories about her own career transitions, and how she's learned to harness mindset to navigate change at the highest levels of business. It's a powerful reminder, that high performance isn't just about pushing harder, or climbing higher - it's about knowing when to evolve, how to stay true to yourself, and how to lead with courage and care. This episode offers an alternative, beautifully human perspective on what it means to perform at your best through every chapter of your career.

Getting kicked out of Oxford Uni was a turning point that pushed RAF fighter pilot Luke Wilkinson to strive for elite performance. Here Luke opens up about the mental tactics he's developed to perform under incredible speed under intense pressure. From training his brain for split-second decision making, to using visualisation to limit the potential for error. This is a story about resilience, disciplined preparation, and what's possible when you really commit your mind and body to defy your limits.

In this episode of the Exceed High Performance Podcast, English Super Lightweight Boxing Champion Yaser Al Ghena offers a powerful exploration into the mindset behind elite performance. Yaser reveals how boxing evolved from a passion into a calling, and how he cultivated the mental resilience required to perform under the intense pressure of competition.

He reflects on transforming his underdog status into a source of energy and belief, and shares why he adopts a no-excuses philosophy—one that enabled him to capture the English title while fighting with two broken hands.

This conversation dives deep into identity, discipline, and the psychology of pursuing excellence, even when the odds are stacked against you.

#ExceedHighPerformance #Mindset #PerformancePsychology #YaserAlGhena #BoxingChampion #EliteMindset #MentalStrength #Resilience #HighPerformance #NoExcuses #AthleteMindset #SportPsychology #GrowthMindset #UnderdogMentality #PeakPerformance

Exceed High Performance and Cyrus Christie

"Strength grows in the moments you think you can't go on - but keep going anyway."

In this powerful episode, Cyrus Christie shares the mindset behind 500+ appearances across the Premier League, Championship, and International Football. What stands out is not just Cyrus' skill - but his resilience, adaptability and self-belief. From Fulham's elite standards, to representing his country of Ireland, Cyrus opens up about:

* Sustaining peak performance over more than a decade.

* Bouncing back from setbacks, injuries and criticism.

* Staying true to yourself under pressure.

* The mental habits that fuel long-term consistency.

* Why he now feels driven to mentor and inspire the next generation.

Listen now on Spotify. #Cyrus Christie #Elitemindset #exceedhighperformance #exceedperformance #resilience #fulhamfc #boltonwanderers #mindsetmatters #drtombates #performancepsychology #footballlife #500performances

Double Olympian Hannah Macleod shares the remarkable journey of the GB women’s hockey team — from heartbreak and unravelling after the World Cup in 2014, to rebuilding belief, redefining culture, and achieving Olympic gold in Rio 2016.

Hannah reveals how small behaviours can make or break performance, why mindset and connection sit at the heart of winning teams, and how legacy goes beyond medals to inspire the next generation.

Tune in for powerful lessons on resilience, culture, and the mindset that turns setbacks into success.

Resilience, perseverance and self-improvement: lessons from Steve Roest.

What does it take to build something remarkable in the face of failure?

In this episode, we speak with Steve Roest, co-founder and CEO of PocDoc, about the perseverance, resilience, and courage required to step up when the odds are stacked against you. Steve shares how early setbacks became fuel for growth, the mindset shifts that enabled him to thrive as a leader, and the practices that keep him committed to self-improvement and helping others succeed.

A conversation rich in insight, this episode explores what it really means to turn adversity into opportunity — and to lead with both ambition and care.

In this episode of Exceed High Performance, Sheffield Wednesday captain Barry Bannan joins Emma Lawson and Dr Tom Bates to explore what true leadership and belief look like under pressure.

In May 2023, Wednesday faced a 4–0 first-leg deficit against Peterborough United in the League One play-off semi-final — a position no team had ever recovered from. Yet, against all odds, they produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history.

Barry reflects on that night, sharing how mindset, focus, and emotional control helped shape the team’s response — and what these lessons reveal about resilience and performance in any field.

This is more than a football story — it’s a conversation about belief, identity, and leading through adversity.

#BarryBannan #SheffieldWednesday #ExceedHighPerformance #Leadership #Resilience