Inside the Mind of Champions

In today’s episode, we're thrilled to have with us Olympic gold medalist and five-time world champion rower Grace Prendergast. We explore the nuanced dynamics of high-performing teams, the importance of effective communication, and the power of celebrating small wins. Grace shares her journey from elite athlete to executive search expert, emphasising the parallels between sports and business, especially in teamwork, goal-setting, and leadership.

We'll also delve into how pressures can shift focus from personal outcomes to collective success, the balance between relying on data and intuition, and the significance of trust within a team. Plus, hear unique insights from Matthew Pinsent on managing conflict, competitive drive, and the evolving role of coaches.

Anna Hemmings’ journey from discovering kayaking at a local club to becoming a marathon kayak world champion is nothing short of inspirational.

In this episode, Anna reveals her path to success, including the power of visualisation, mastering mental skills, and recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome. She also talks about the importance of discipline, feedback, and maintaining high performance habits under pressure.

Whether you're aiming for Olympic glory or striving for excellence in any field, Anna’s insights are invaluable. Tune in for an episode packed with actionable advice and motivation.

Today we're unlocking the secrets behind the legendary All Blacks' winning mentality with insights from former captain Kieran Read. Kieran discusses the All Blacks' unique culture, where selflessness and knowing your role are key to success. He shares stories about how these principles helped them achieve an undefeated season in 2013, highlighting the power of teamwork under pressure.

Today, we have a truly inspiring guest joining us – elite triathlete Lucy Charles-Barclay. She is the 2023 World Ironman champion and is renowned for her resilience and drive. Lucy was a talented swimmer and after several painful setbacks, she made the transition to triathlon, a decision which would change her life forever. We caught up with her ahead of the T100 Triathlon in London where she is hoping to shine in front of her home crowd.

Lucy shares the significance of internal motivation and self-discipline, revealing how pushing beyond the comfort zone and maintaining enjoyment has been pivotal to her success. She opens up about her strong support network, setting clear goals, and how creativity in training, especially during injuries, has helped her remain resilient. Lucy’s ability to push herself to the limit in competition is balanced with a focus on deep recovery, something many executives and entrepreneurs would benefit from adopting given the rise in burnout.

Martin Newman is a leading expert in customer centricity. Martin shares invaluable insights on the importance of strong leadership, cultivating a customer-focused culture, and aligning all employees towards a common goal. We delve into real-world examples from companies like Walgreens, Timpson, Home Depot, and Patagonia, illustrating how empowered staff and care for employees drive long-term success.

Martin also shares practical tips on building trust, embracing agility, and balancing empowerment with consistency. Discover how businesses can create fans rather than just customers by fostering relationships built on integrity, service, and experience. Whether you're a seasoned leader or an entrepreneur just starting out, this episode will equip you with practical strategies to transform your organisation's approach to customer-centricity.