The Exercise Paradox: Why Knowing Isn’t Enough to influence Behavioural Change with Dr Paul Batman

Michael Conlan sits down with Tarek Chouja and Jay Hedley to discuss the mental and physical demands of elite boxing. From growing up in Belfast and finding his way into boxing to becoming a world amateur champion, Olympic medalist, and professional contender, Michael shares the experiences that shaped his career. You’ll learn how he dealt with self-doubt, pressure, ego, social media criticism, difficult losses, and the relentless demands of training camps. He also reflects on retirement, family, business, legacy, and the importance of shifting your focus from outcomes to the process. Listen now for an honest look inside the mind of an elite boxer.If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Resources:Michael’s Email: [email protected]’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickconlan11/- Continue the conversation with Tarek & Jay after the episode at www.facebook.com/groups/insidetheperformersmind/ - Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/- Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO - Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup About Our Guest: Michael Conlan is an Irish professional boxer and former world amateur champion from West Belfast. An Olympic bronze medalist and Ireland’s first and only World Amateur Champion, he went on to challenge twice for a professional world title. Now retired from professional boxing, Michael manages fighters and is involved in business ventures, including his Irish lager brand. He is also passionate about the mental side of performance and has worked with Jay Hedley to strengthen his mindset throughout his career. Today, Michael is focused on his family, business ventures, and helping guide the next generation of fighters.Podcast production by Jamie Brooke.We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

Why do we know exercise matters, yet still spend hours sitting, struggling to move, or forcing ourselves through workouts we hate? In this episode, Dr Paul Batman explores the exercise paradox and why information alone rarely changes behaviour. You’ll learn why purpose, enjoyment, community, choice, and everyday movement can matter more than pushing harder; how gyms can unintentionally leave people behind; and why movement doesn’t have to look like a traditional workout to benefit your health. From active transport and gardening to sixty seconds of movement every hour, this conversation challenges how we think about exercise, motivation, and lasting behavioural change.If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Our favourite quotable moments:“Once the purpose goes, you lose the motivation to do it.” - Dr Paul Batman“There has to be a purpose for why we do things.” - Dr Paul Batman“We need to get more people active in their daily life.” - Dr Paul BatmanResources:- Dr Paul Batman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paul-batman-9092a052/- Continue the conversation with Tarek & Jay after the episode at www.facebook.com/groups/insidetheperformersmind/ - Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/- Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO - Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup About Our Guest: Dr. Paul Batman is a retired university associate professor currently researching the exercise paradox, i.e., why physical inactivity levels are increasing in light of the population being more aware of its amazing benefits. Also developing a new population health app that addresses all the physical activity guidelines from the most current WHO recommendations based on the premise that “All Movement Counts."  Podcast production by Jamie Brooke.We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

What really separates good performance from elite performance, and how much happens beyond the physical? In this episode, John Dams sits with Tarek Michael-Chouja and Jay Hedley to explore the human side of high performance. Drawing on his journey through Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, the Waratahs, and global performance strategy, John shares how failure, mental skills, data, AI, culture, self-awareness, and shared understanding shape elite performance. You’ll learn why data only becomes powerful when people know how to use it, how AI is changing sport, and why curiosity, discomfort, adaptability, and joy matter. Listen now and get ready to rethink what it really takes to perform at your best.If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Our favourite quotable moments:“By failing, that's kind of how you get to understand these different areas of what you do.” - John Dams“The best teams are the teams that have a shared understanding of where they're going.” - John Dams“Be okay to be uncomfortable, that's everything.” - John DamsResources:Kitman Labs Website: https://www.kitmanlabs.com/The Game Changer Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2beKBNPaezzi3KeTu1l2Bv?si=6e069c3f596440ad- Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/- Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO - Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup About Our Guest: John Dams is a high-performance coach and performance strategist with extensive experience across elite rugby and global sport. His career includes roles with Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, and the Waratahs, before moving into performance strategy and data with Kitman Labs. John brings a holistic approach to performance, combining physical preparation, mental skills, data, technology, and human connection to help athletes and teams perform at their best.Podcast production by Jamie Brooke.We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

What can a career spanning professional rugby, Formula One, and executive leadership teach us about sustained high performance? In this episode, hosts Tarek Michael-Chouja and Jay Dedler are joined by Jake Aliker to explore the experiences that shaped his career across elite sport and business. Jake shares how his journey from rugby performance coaching led him to Formula One, where he coached Max Verstappen during his formative years, before applying those same principles to leadership and team development. Together, they discuss adapting to new environments, building influence through trust, simplifying complexity, and helping people perform at their best when the stakes are highest. If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Resources:Connect with Jake AlikerLinkedIn: Jake AlikerInstagram (Personal): @jake_alikerInstagram (Force & Grace): @forceandgraceWebsite: Force & GraceBooks MentionedThe Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy GallweyThe Inner Game of Golf by W. Timothy GallweyOpen by Andre AgassiBarbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan- Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/- Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO - Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup About Our Guest: Jake Aliker's privilege is helping individuals and teams be the best they can be while creating some pretty special memories along the way. From strength and conditioning to leadership, he has spent his career across a broad range of performance environments. He enjoys challenging both his body and mind through activities such as trail running, believing he's an elite golfer, cooking, and spending quality time with his young family.Podcast production by Jamie Brooke.We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

How do you market your fitness business in an era where AI can write your captions, generate your ideas, and flood the internet with content in seconds? In this episode, Tarek Michael Chouja and Jay Hedley sit down with fitness business strategist Richard Toutounji to explore how AI is changing the marketing landscape for fitness professionals and why authentic messaging matters more than ever. Together, they unpack how coaches and business owners can use AI to speed up content creation, clarify their message, and improve efficiency without losing the human connection that builds trust. You’ll learn why so many great fitness professionals remain the world’s best-kept secret, how client “hero videos” can become one of your most effective marketing tools, and why the real challenge of AI may be distraction rather than technology itself. Listen now and get ready to market with more clarity, use AI more wisely, and share your message with greater purpose.If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Resources:Connect with Richard Toutounji· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardtoutounji/· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.toutounji.2025Richard’s Resources· COM Marketing: https://www.commarketing.com.au/· Marketing Muscle Up Show: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/richard-toutounji/· Richard’s One-Page Content Planner + AI Prompts: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WBfmCIWvtw6ILtsJEU1X85QN03bS39FnA338LsfSdLw/edit?usp=sharingGet 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nOJoin Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignupAbout Our Guest: For over two decades, Richard Toutounji has been driven by a passion for the health and fitness industry. From owning Australia’s first private fitness studio to founding Lifestyles Corporate Wellness, Meet Your Personal Trainer, and COM Marketing, Richard has consistently built and scaled businesses within the industry. Alongside his wife Joey, Richard co-founded COM Marketing, helping fitness and wellness businesses across Australia and New Zealand grow through clear marketing systems and strategies. Richard is a bestselling author, international speaker, and business owner focused on helping fitness professionals grow with practical systems that work.Tarek is the co-founder of the functional training institute and FitWell Education lab. Tarek is an international educator and speaker who has presented numerous times at the biggest conventions in Australia, Asia and the US. In addition, Tarek has presented courses to thousands of trainers throughout Australia, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Tarek is also a best-selling author of ‘Purpose Driven Movement.Jay Hedley is a high-performance coach and creator of the Integral+ methodology, a whole-person approach to elite development. With over 20 years of experience, he has supported Olympic gold and silver medallists, Rugby World Cup competitors, professional boxers, and Formula 1 teams including Red Bull Racing and Williams F1. His work goes beyond traditional mental skills training, developing athletes across mindset, physiology, personality structure, and leadership. A Meta Coaching Foundation Certified Coach, NLP Master Trainer, and Neuro-Semantics Specialist, Jay helps performers elevate both results and consciousness.Podcast Production by Jamie BrookeWe sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

What does it take to lead when the pressure is relentless and the stakes couldn’t be higher? In this episode, Tarek Michael-Chouja and Jay Headley sit down with Gareth Baber, Head Coach of Nissa Rugby in France and former Olympic gold medal-winning coach of the Fiji Rugby Sevens team. Together, they explore what it takes to build high-performing cultures, lead through uncertainty, and stay focused when expectations are at their highest. You’ll learn why daily habits matter more than outcomes, how shared purpose unites teams, and why authenticity and self-awareness are essential for sustained excellence. Listen now and get ready to build resilience, embrace pressure, and lead with clarity through every challenge.If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Connect with Gareth Baber:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gareth-baber-a97b80a0?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/gareth9baber/Gareth's Recommended BooksLeading with the Heart by Mike KrzyzewskiPrinciples of High-Performing Teams by Steve J. Anderson- Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/- Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO - Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup About Our Guest: Born and brought up in Cardiff, Wales. Professional playing career (7s and 15s) of over 12 years, and have been coaching for the last 19 years. Currently the Head Coach of Nissa Rugby in France. Enjoy working in high-performing environments in elite sport. Podcast Production by Jamie Brooke.We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

Why do talented athletes underperform when it matters most? In this episode, Andrew Cipriano is a culture and mental performance coach who shares how to build player-led team culture and develop mental toughness in sport. You’ll learn about controlling emotions under pressure, shifting from outcome-based thinking to process-driven performance, and simple strategies to help athletes enter flow state consistently. Andrew shares real examples of turning struggling teams into top performers through mindset, accountability, and communication. If you’re a coach or athlete looking to improve consistency and confidence, this is for you. Listen now and get ready to unlock better performance. If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Our favourite quotable moments:“Control what you can control. And then to see them come back show straight away.” - Andrew Cipriano“For an emerging coach, don't worry about the wins and the losses. The losses are there to learn from.” - Andrew Cipriano“Be honest and open and vulnerable with your players. Give them direct feedback.” - Andrew CiprianoResources:Mind Starts Now’s Website: https://www.mindstartsnow.com.au Mind Starts Now’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mind_starts_now/ Mind Starts Now’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-cipriano-11104b379/ Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup About Our Guest: Andrew Cipriano is a culture and mental performance coach and the founder of Mind Starts Now. With a background in semi-professional basketball coaching, Andrew works with athletes, teams and leaders to strengthen mindset, communication and high-performance culture. He supports programs across basketball environments within Basketball Victoria and is currently in conversations with clubs in the National Basketball League regarding future performance roles. Andrew also works with an international Australian cyclist, delivers wellbeing workshops in schools and supports business leaders and CEOs through performance coaching focused on mindset, leadership and resilience.This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!Related: how to build player led team culture, mental toughness training for athletes, how to get into flow state in sports, how to improve team culture in youth sports, process vs outcome performance coachingThis podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

Why does pain stick around even after your injury should be healed? In this episode, hosts Tarek Michael-Chouja and Jay Hedley sit down with Garrett Salpeter to break down how to retrain your nervous system for faster injury recovery and improved athletic performance. You will learn how the brain creates pain based on perceived threat, why traditional rehab can miss the real issue, and how to reduce protective tension, weakness, and fear-based movement patterns. This episode is especially useful for coaches, therapists, and athletes dealing with lingering pain or slow recovery. Listen now and get ready to reduce pain, improve movement, and recover with more confidence.If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Our favourite quotable moments:“Pain is the brain's way of saying, ‘Hey, don't do that. Change your behavior. Don't use that area of the body.’” - Garrett Salpeter“If you fight for your limitations, you get to keep them.” - Garrett Salpeter“The thought is both an output, but in that feedback loop, goes back in as an input.” - Garrett SalpeterResources:Garrett Salpeter’s InstagramNeuFit’s InstagramNeuFit’s WebsiteThe NeuFit Method Book Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup About Our Guest: Known as "The Health Engineer," Garrett combined his training in Engineering and Neuroscience to create NeuFit and the patented NEUBIE device. He and his team train doctors, therapists, and professional sports teams and universities in how to apply NeuFit with their patients and athletes, helping them use neuroscience to recover faster from injury and optimize performance. He is the best-selling author of the book The NeuFit Method and host of The Undercurrent Podcast.This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!Related: how to retrain nervous system after injury, why pain persists after injury healing, how to reduce chronic pain for athletes, nervous system recovery techniques for performance, how to overcome fear of movement after injuryThis podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

Welcome to Purpose Driven Movement | Inside the Performer’s Mind, a collaboration between Functional Training Institute and HeadCoach.Hosted by Tarek Michael Chouja and Jay Hedley, this podcast is for sport, health, wellness, and fitness professionals who want to operate at a higher level.Each episode takes you inside real conversations with coaches, athletes, and leaders in high performance. Together, Tarek and Jay explore both sides of performance — the physical and technical elements of training, and the mental skills, mindset, and leadership habits that support it.You’ll hear insights on preparation, communication under pressure, coaching philosophy, culture, and building winning environments.No fluff. No shortcuts. Just practical ideas you can apply immediately with your athletes, your clients, and your own performance.If you are serious about your craft and want to coach better, lead better, and perform better, this podcast is for you.This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

What truly sets elite sports leaders apart when managing multicultural teams? In this special episode of Purpose Driven Movement Podcast, co-hosts Jay Hedley and Tarek Michael-Chouja speak with Alana Thomas from Fiji Rugby about her journey from player to high-performance manager and how culture, connection, and empathy shape winning teams. You’ll learn how to shift from control to influence, balance accountability with care, and leverage cultural intelligence to drive team success. Discover why planning, consistency, and adaptability are essential for elite performance. These insights provide actionable strategies for athletes, coaches, and sports leaders aiming to elevate their leadership and team outcomes.Listen now and get ready to transform your leadership and high-performance approach. If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!Resources:Alana Thomas’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alana-thomas-08366971 Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO Join Our Mailing ListAbout Our Guest: Australian Wallaroo #88 and NSW Waratahs Hall of Fame inductee with over 20 years of international women's rugby experience. A former coach of the Australian A team and Melbourne Rebels Super W, she most recently served as Women's High Performance Manager at Fiji Rugby Union, leading the Fijiana programs to their second RWC and historic milestones including Fiji's first Six Nations victory and a rise from 19th to 13th in world rankings. Alana holds a Level 4 Performance Coach accreditation and serves on key World Rugby committees shaping the future of the game.About Tarek: Tarek is the co-founder of the functional training institute and FitWell Education lab. Tarek is an international educator and speaker who has presented numerous times at the biggest convention in Australia, Asia and the US. In addition, Tarek has presented courses to thousands of trainers throughout Australia, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Tarek is also a best-selling author of ‘Purpose Driven Movement.About Jay: Jay Hedley is a high-performance coach and creator of the Integral+ methodology, a whole-person approach to elite development. With over 20 years of experience, he has supported Olympic gold and silver medalists, Rugby World Cup competitors, professional boxers, and Formula 1 teams including Red Bull Racing and Williams F1. His work goes beyond traditional mental skills training, developing athletes across mindset, physiology, personality structure, and leadership. A Meta Coaching Foundation Certified Coach, NLP Master Trainer, and Neuro-Semantics Specialist, Jay helps performers elevate both results and consciousness.This podcast is produced by Brave Moon Podcasts.We sometimes include links to products and services wThis podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.