Inside the Mind of Champions

Jeremy Snape delves into the essential ingredient of high-performing teams: trust. Joined by Olympian and former world kayak champion, Anna Hemmings MBE, Jeremy unpacks why trust doesn’t happen by accident, it’s carefully cultivated through shared goals, mutual respect, and transparent communication.

In this episode, Lt. Col. Justin “Astro” Elliott, ex-Thunderbirds commander and central figure in the recent Netflix documentary, shares what it takes to lead when the stakes are sky-high. From flying F16 fighter jets just inches apart at over 600 mph to developing resilient, high-trust teams, Justin breaks down the core principles that drive elite performance: purpose, accountability, and the refusal to settle for “good enough.”

He shares with Jeremy how top performers combat complacency, take intelligent risks, and maintain excellence under pressure. We also hear about the concept of ‘blind trust’ which allows each crew member to commit 100% to their skills. If you’re a leader facing complexity or building a culture of ownership and continuous improvement, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

What does it take to drive change in teams and organisations? Hear from the former Chair of UK Sport, Baroness Sue Campbell, about why people resist change, emphasising the need to understand individual mindsets and depersonalise the process. It’s about shifting the conversation from “right and wrong” to focusing on the collective mission.

With the Ashes just days away, we're exploring one of sport’s fiercest rivalries. We uncover what it takes to handle the pressure and expectation that make the Ashes so gripping. This episode dives deep into the mental battles, preparation strategies, and team dynamics with some of Ashes cricket's icons, Nasser Hussain, Shane Warne, Michael Atherton, and Stuart Broad. Whether you’re gearing up for the Ashes or preparing for your next big challenge, these insights provide a glimpse of the mindset and teamwork behind the world's best teams.

Tim Percival – the communications strategist behind England Rugby and the British & Irish Lions – joins Inside The Mind of Champions to unpack how elite leaders manage the media when the pressure is on.

From shaping the narrative in high-stakes moments to handling crises, social media storms, and those curve-ball questions that can derail a reputation, Jeremy and Tim reveal the playbook used by world-class coaches like Jürgen Klopp, Emma Hayes, Eddie Jones, and Tony Pulis. It’s a sharp, behind-the-scenes look at how top performers influence perception, protect their team, and keep control of the story, with practical lessons you can use in any boardroom or briefing.