Why You Keep Misreading People | Surrounded By Idiots Author

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPCompMost communication fails for a simple reason: we talk to people the way we want to be talked to.In this episode, Damian sits down with behavioural expert and Surrounded by Idiots author Thomas Erikson to explore why adaptability, not eloquence, is the habit that defines effective communication. Thomas explains how even highly capable people create unnecessary friction when they rely on their own preferences instead of tuning into the person in front of them.At the centre of the conversation is self-awareness. Thomas shows how understanding your own behavioural style makes it easier to recognise what others need, whether that’s clarity, reassurance, inspiration, or detail. When that awareness is missing, conversations stall. When it’s present, trust and momentum follow.In this episode, they discuss:Why people misinterpret good intentions so oftenHow different behavioural styles process information and feedbackThe cost of assuming others think like you doSimple ways to adjust your message without losing authenticityWhy asking “How would you like me to go about this?” changes everythingIf you work with people, and especially if you lead them, this episode will sharpen how you listen, how you speak, and how you create alignment without unnecessary tension. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jacques Villeneuve is a Formula One World Champion, a racing icon, and one of the sport’s most candid, uncompromising thinkers. Known for his fearless honesty and unique path to the top, Jacques brings a perspective shaped by triumph, loss, and a lifelong obsession with competition.In this episode, Jake sits down with Jacques to explore what truly defines a champion’s mindset, on track and in life. Jacques talks about the pressure of leading a championship, the mental shift required to defend what you’ve earned, and why the fear of losing can be more intense than the hunger to win. He reflects on the evolution of today’s drivers, from Lando Norris stepping into a winning identity to the quiet battles within teams that push a competitor to prove they deserve to lead.Jacques also opens up about handling criticism in the modern era, developing the thick skin needed to survive public scrutiny, and how adversity shaped his resilience. He dives into the importance of passion, responsibility, and embracing unconventional paths, revealing how lessons from hockey, skiing, and personal tragedy helped forge the champion he became.This conversation offers deep insights into the psychology of elite performance, the realities behind racing’s brightest moments, and the inner drive required to continually grow, adapt, and compete at the highest level.Simba 👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now:https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au  Vestiaire 👉 Buy and sell preloved menswear now:  Audio link: https://highpfrmc.com/vestiaire-au Gemini 👉 Get started and grow your portfolio 📈🚀  https://highpfrmc.com/HPP-Gemini-auDon’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Gemini Intergalactic UK, Ltd is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, under Firm Reference Number: 921817HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In football, we often obsess over the goals, the trophies, the star players. But for Dr Ian Graham, the real story sits in the unseen decisions and quiet calculations that shape everything a club becomes.In this episode, Ian pulls back the curtain on Liverpool’s transformation, revealing how data challenged old assumptions and opened the door to one of the most successful periods in the club’s modern era. From recognising Mo Salah’s potential when others overlooked him to navigating internal battles over recruitment, Ian explains the thinking, the risk, and the conviction behind the signings that changed everything.With clarity and humility, he reflects on the mistakes, the debates, and the culture that allowed bold choices to thrive, offering a rare look at the work behind Liverpool’s rise and the principles that still guide his approach to the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off and to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPCompJohn Legend didn’t set out to become “Legend.” The name found him long before the world did. In this episode Damian is joined by EGOT winner John Legend to explore how a simple nickname evolved into a self-fulfilling prophecy.Before being a ‘legend’, he was John Stevens, a management consultant working on spreadsheets by day and hustling in studios by night. We explore how a nickname turned into a new identity, and how that identity shaped John’s behaviour, ambition, and artistry. Drawing on research from psychology, from the Proteus Effect to the Batman Effect, we uncover how stepping into a bigger version of ourselves can elevate performance long before results arrive.In this episode, you will learn:Why adopting a new identity can raise your standards instantlyHow John used “Legend” as a behavioural challenge, not brandingThe psychology of alter egosHow identity influences confidence, resilience, and creativityPractical ways to choose and step into an identity that helps you performThis episode is a powerful reminder that names aren’t just labels, they’re scripts. And sometimes the fastest way to grow is to choose a name that demands it.Listen to the full episode with John Legend: https://pod.fo/e/2dda44 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Wilman is the legendary executive producer behind Top Gear and The Grand Tour, the creative force who helped turn a small, ageing motoring show into one of the most-watched programmes on the planet.In this revealing conversation, Andy sits down with Jake to open up about the chaotic, brilliant, and often bruising journey behind the scenes. From the early days when Top Gear was “held together by accidents,” to the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry that formed between Clarkson, Hammond and May, Andy explains how a mix of creative instinct, insecurity, and outright stubbornness shaped the show’s rise.He also discusses the strange alchemy behind iconic ideas like The Stig, the happy mistakes that became formats, and the moments where the team’s success began to run away from them. Andy reflects on the personal cost of building a global juggernaut: the burnout, the pressure of chasing ever-bigger audience numbers, the fear of being “found out,” and the toll it took on his home life and mental health.. This episode goes far beyond cars. It’s a conversation about leadership, the dangers of unchecked momentum, the creative magic that comes from imperfection, and the deeper human truth Andy only recognised with hindsight: that success means nothing if you never stop long enough to enjoy it.Want the exclusive story on the high-stakes Amazon deal that launched The Grand Tour? Watch Andy on 'The Room Where It Happened' with Jake.Surfshark 👉 Go to https://highpfrmc.com/HPP_Surfshark_AU or use code HIGHPERFORMANCE at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN!   Simba 👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now:https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au  Vestiaire Collective 👉: Buy and sell preloved menswear now: https://highpfrmc.com/vestiaire-au  Babbel 👉 Learn a new Language and get up to 55% off your subscription at: https://highpfrmc.com/HPP-Babbel-AUDon’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.Gemini Intergalactic UK, Ltd is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, under Firm Reference Number: 921817HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partnersAndy’s book ‘Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure’ is out now and available to purchase - https://hppod.co/mr-wilmans-motoring-adventure-clarkson  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We all feel out of our depth, but the real secret is learning to stay calm anyway.In this episode, Jake and Damian explore a universal human experience, the moments when we feel completely out of our depth, and reveal why calmness, clarity, and growth often begin right there. Drawing on powerful lessons from guests like Tom Aspinall, Petr Čech, Alex Greenwood, Nick Cox, and Alex Honnold, they uncover the mindset shifts that help us stay steady when everything feels uncertain.They discuss the importance of naming your fears instead of suppressing them, accepting what you can’t control, and breaking big challenges into small, manageable steps. Through stories of athletes and leaders who chose discomfort, built resilience through “micro-dosed” challenge, and repeatedly stepped into the unknown, Jake and Damian show that fear isn’t a sign you’re failing, it’s a sign you’re expanding.This episode is a reminder that the secret to feeling calm isn’t eliminating fear, but learning to move with it: acknowledge it, act despite it, and trust that confidence grows through action, not certainty.Listen to the episodes mentioned:Tom Aspinall: https://pod.fo/e/2d3d2ePetr Čech: https://pod.fo/e/21c565Alex Greenwood: https://pod.fo/e/30cbd0Nick Cox: https://pod.fo/e/138399Alex Honnold: https://pod.fo/e/25ce8e Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPCompDenise Lewis knows what it feels like to stand on the biggest stage in the world with everything on the line. But what makes her story remarkable isn’t just the gold medal, it’s the simple habit that helped her win it: the power of a reset.At the Sydney Olympics, after a shaky high jump that threatened her entire heptathlon, Denise didn’t spiral or cling to the mistake. She walked back to her room, reached for a different pair of shoes, slicked her hair back, and told herself: “You’re not Denise anymore, you’re Astrid.” With that small ritual, she shifted her identity, her energy, and her belief. It wasn’t superstition, it was psychology. Long before researchers named it “enclothed cognition,” Denise was living it: what you put on the outside can transform what you feel on the inside.In this episode, we explore how Denise turned seven events into seven fresh starts, and how the same principle can help all of us recover faster, perform under pressure and move forward after setbacks. Together, we dig into:Why symbols and rituals help us reset after mistakesHow acceptance clears the mind and restores decision-makingThe alter-ego effect and why borrowing strength worksWhat resilience really looks like in the moments no one seesHow transitions, at work, at home, or in sport, shape our identityIf you’ve ever struggled to let go of a bad moment, wished for a clean slate, or needed a way to step into the next chapter with confidence, Denise’s story has something powerful to teach.Listen to the full episode with Denise Lewis: https://pod.fo/e/2c05ac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We welcome back world-leading gut health expert Tim Spector to unpack the simple, science-backed shifts that can dramatically transform your wellbeing. Tim explains why the gut sits at the centre of immunity, energy, mood, and long-term health, and why modern diets have quietly broken the delicate ecosystem our bodies rely on.He reveals the overlooked power of fermented foods, the ancient “food alchemy” our ancestors relied on, and why these gut-friendly ferments often outperform common fibre hacks. From busting myths about salt, fats, probiotics, and coffee to explaining the rapid benefits of gut rest and time-restricted eating, Tim offers practical, inclusive steps anyone can take, starting today.This is a hopeful, transformative conversation that reframes nutrition not as restriction, but as adding diversity, culture, and life back into your food, giving you the single most effective fix to repair your gut and reshape your health.Surfshark 👉 Go to https://highpfrmc.com/HPP_Surfshark_AU or use code HIGHPERFORMANCE at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Simba 👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now:https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au   Vestiaire 👉 Buy and sell preloved menswear now: https://highpfrmc.com/vestiaire-au HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners:https://hppod.co/partners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barry Hearn joins Jake and Damian for a no-nonsense masterclass in ambition, resilience, and the mindset that turned a kid from a council estate into one of the most influential figures in global sport. The legendary Matchroom founder opens up about the work ethic shaped by his formidable mother, the chip on his shoulder that fuelled his rise, and the Christmas Eve moment in 1988 when he stood on the brink of bankruptcy, before one audacious deal changed everything.Across the conversation, Barry lays out his 10 Rules for Life: why “everything is a competition,” how sheer graft can make you look like a genius, why honesty is a superpower, and what it means to be “unbeatable” even when life dents you. He reflects on building empires in snooker, darts, and boxing, the importance of thinking poorly to stay sharp, and the role fire, fun, and relentless optimism have played in his seven decades of success.This is Barry Hearn in full force, funny, fierce, and fiercely honest, offering the timeless laws of success from a man who refuses to be beaten. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPCompWhat if one word could unlock potential, or shut it down completely?When Rene Meulensteen coached Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United, he didn't start with tactics. He started with language. The words he chose made the difference between a player who could score goals and one obsessed with scoring them.In this episode, Damian explores the essential habit that separates good coaching from greatness: mind your language. Discover why Rene never said "change", only "add." Learn how Sir Alex Ferguson's flip chart philosophy shaped United's dominance. And find out how a Roger Federer moment transformed their Champions League campaign.Featuring insights from psychology (the famous Loftus & Palmer study on how words reshape memory), plus behind-the-scenes stories from United's golden era, this episode reveals how elite performers use language to frame reality, lower threat, and spark possibility.Together we explore:Why "change" triggers defensiveness, and what word opens people up insteadHow Ronaldo transformed into a goal-scoring machineFerguson's "if that doesn't work, we gamble" mentalityThe myth of the hairdryer treatment, and what really happened at halftimeRené reminds us that high performance isn’t just built on drills and repetitions, it’s built on the words that shape how people feel, learn, and grow.If you’ve ever wanted to give better feedback, build trust faster, or help someone reach a level they didn’t know they had in them, this conversation with René is worth your time.Listen to the full episode with René Meulensteen: https://pod.fo/e/2bd0c6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.