Inside the Mind of
Champions Podcast

Episode 89

Mastermind - Professor Roger Steare - Rethinking leadership, ethics and organisational culture

Professor Roger Steare is The Corporate Philosopher – a senior advisor on culture, leadership and organisational development, ethics and inclusion. He has a unique track record of challenging and supporting global corporations on billion-dollar risk management and remediation programmes. His work with BP after the Gulf of Mexico disaster was...

Episode 88

Jockey Harry Cobden's Winning Mindset

Harry Cobden burst onto the horse racing scene at 16 and has since matured into a seasoned professional by his mid-twenties, known for his remarkable poise under the intense pressure of the sport. He is at the top of the jump jockey's championship with 138 wins at a 23% strike...

Episode 87

Kipp Popert - world No.1 disability golfer

Despite being born ten weeks premature and developing cerebral palsy, which impairs the muscular movement in his legs, Kipp Popert has grown to become the world No.1 disability golfer. From his early struggles with surgeries to his triumphs on the golf course, Kipp's story is one of unwavering strength and...

Episode 86

Shaun Lane

Content warning: this episode covers the topic of suicide and depression. If you need resources or support, talk to your GP or a relevant health practitioner. Shaun Lane is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League...

Episode 85

Lt Col Susie Hines

Lt Col Susie Hines is an experienced mental health nurse who transitioned to the British Army and has dedicated her career to managing and delivering clinical mental health services for defence personnel. This conversation comes from a webinar for the Sporting Edge Members. Tune in as Lt Col Hines shares...

Episode 84

Jonny Wilkinson CBE

Jonny Wilkinson is one of the most respected sports stars in the world. His rugby playing career was underpinned by an intense perfectionism and attention to detail. He became a household name by kicking England's winning drop goal in the dying seconds of the 2003 World Cup with scores tied....

Episode 83

Paul Nicholls OBE

Once a successful jump jockey with 133 wins, Paul Nicholls OBE possesses the unique qualities essential to excel in this demanding sport. After a life-altering leg injury at 27, Paul transitioned to training racehorses. In three decades, he has brought 3,500 victories and earned over £4 million in prize money....

Episode 82

Brain Break

In this episode, I pick some key insights from the Sporting Edge Digital Library about the effects of chronic stress and the need for recovery periods to sustain high performance. Tune in as experts share their personal experiences and insights on managing stress, prioritising well-being, and taking breaks to clear...

Episode 81

Fiona Morgan SailGP

Purpose and sustainability needs to be at the front of mind for all organisations, and in today’s episode I share a fascinating conversation about this with a special guest, Fiona Morgan, the Chief Purpose Officer at SailGP. Tune in as we learn more about the Formula 1 of sailing, Fiona’s...

Episode 80

Risk to Grow

Drawing on insights from experts in the Sporting Edge's video library, we delve into the psychology of risk. From the primitive instincts that keep us safe to the winner effect of excessive risk. Jeremy shares his personal experiences of managing risk in elite sport and we hear thought-provoking reflections and...

Episode 79

Trust

Trust is an essential component of building solid relationships and high performing teams, but can be difficult to quantify. This episode looks at the intangible nature of trust and the benefits of taking risks with trusted individuals. Tune in to hear from leaders in the sports world Britain's most successful...

Episode 78

Captain David Marquet

Commander David Marquet is a former US nuclear submarine captain who is known for turning around the lowest-ranked nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Santa Fe. Since then he has worked as a leadership expert and speaks to audiences globally about creating workplaces where people are healthier and happier because they have...

Episode 77

Reflections on finding balance, navigating change and creating Sporting Edge

This episode flips the script where I share my interview on the Big Balance Theory podcast with Sarah Cripps. It provides a glimpse into my backstory as a former England cricketer and studying for a master's degree in sports psychology. We also explore the importance of setting goals, being disruptive,...

Episode 76

Professor Vin Walsh

Vin Walsh is Professor of Human Brain Research and Royal Society Industry Research Fellow at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, UCL. He has published over 300 scientific articles and several books, and his specialism is in how the brain achieves all the things we take for granted. In this episode,...

Episode 75

Campbell Macpherson

Campbell Macpherson is an international business advisor, keynote speaker, writer and award-winning author of ‘The Change Catalyst’, ‘The Power to Change’ and ‘You: Part Two’. He has been enabling the leadership of strategic change for more than 25 years, helping organisations around the world to clarify their strategy. In this...

Episode 74

Kate Richardson-Walsh OBE

Kate Richardson-Walsh, OBE is an Olympic Gold and Bronze Medal winning English field hockey player. She is the most capped female hockey player in GB history, and was captain of the GB and England women's hockey teams for 13 years. A proud member of the LGBT+ community, Kate and her...

Episode 73

Warren Gatland CBE

Warren Gatland CBE is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former player who is currently in his second spell as the head coach of the Welsh national team. With the Six Nations just around the corner, Warren shares some great insight into the nature of high performing teams. In...

Episode 72

The Winning Mindset for 2023

In today’s episode we talk about preparing for 2023 and the importance of having a strong mindset to achieve success. We delve into the topic of personal resilience, which comes from the recent ‘Winning Mindset’ webinar I ran for the Sporting Edge community. Tune in as we explore strategies for...

Episode 71

Slow Sustainable Wins for 2023


As we kick off 2023, many of us might be experiencing a slump from the ambitious goals we have set for ourselves. It’s the brilliant basics and finding the sustainable goals that will win in the long run. Join me today as I unpick some key insights from the Sporting...

Episode 70

Leading through uncertainty - control or adapt

With uncertainty you can either go with the flow or crave control. This episode comes from our recent Members webinar event, where we explore these different ways of dealing with uncertainty. Entrepreneurs and executives from all over the world joined me on this live zoom coaching call to explore key...

Episode 69

Kieran Read

Kieran Read is a former captain of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. He is one of the most capped players of all time, playing number 8 between 2008 and 2019. He was voted IRB player of the year in 2013 and led the All Blacks to a world...

Episode 68

Stephanie Boyce

Today’s Mastermind comes from a true trailblazer for diversity and reaching to the top. Stephanie Boyce the sixth female, the first Black office holder, the first person of colour and the second in-house solicitor in almost 50 years to become president of the Law Society of England and Wales. She...

Episode 67

Detective Chief Inspector Ash Farrington

Ash Farrington spent thirty years in policing, retiring as a Detective Chief Inspector. He achieved national accreditations as a hostage negotiator, Senior Investigating Officer and Public Safety and Public Order commander. Ash then qualified as a leadership coach and has considerable coaching experience and leadership development that has included working...

Episode 66

Lieutenant Colonel Langley Sharp MBE

Lieutenant Colonel Langley Sharp MBE was head of the Centre for Army Leadership, part of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and is responsible for championing leadership excellence across the British Army. Having graduated from Sandhurst two decades ago, his career in the Parachute Regiment has seen him deployed to Northern...

Episode 65

Andy Bounds

Put simply, Andy Bounds helps companies communicate better. He is a keynote speaker, award-winning consultant and best-selling author. After having spent over 20 years studying what the world’s best salespeople do, Andy provides some impactful techniques that anyone can use to sell more. In this episode, we explore all things...

Episode 64

Rahaf Harfoush

There is no doubt that we are becoming increasingly reliant on technology in our work and social lives but we need to make sure it’s ethical and healthy. Rahaf Harfoush is a Strategist, Digital Anthropologist, and New York Times Best-Selling Author. Her focus is on the intersections between emerging technology,...

Episode 63

Ade Adepitan MBE

Ade Adepitan was born in Lagos, Nigeria. As an infant, he contracted polio, resulting in damage to his legs that meant he needed calipers to walk. At the age of three, he moved with his family to the UK, where he grew up in East London. Becoming a wheelchair basketball...

Episode 62

Bernard Petiot

From its creativity, teamwork and showmanship, there is a lot to be learnt from the Performing Arts. Today’s mastermind focuses on Cirque du Soleil’s Vice President Bernard Petiot. He has been part of the Cirque du Soleil management team for over 19 years, and prior to that he was the...

Episode 61

May Busch

May Busch is a former COO of Morgan Stanley Europe and now executive coach, speaker, advisor and author of ‘Accelerate: 9 Capabilities to Achieve Success at Any Career Stage’. Following her successful investment banking career, May Busch focuses on bringing her insights and experiences to help high-potential and high-performance leaders...

Episode 59

Annabel Croft

Former professional British female tennis player and current radio and television presenter Annabel Croft is proof that passion and positivity underpin success. As a tennis player she won the WTA Tour event Virginia Slims of San Diego and represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup and the Wightman Cup. She...

Episode 58

James Kerr

James Kerr is a best-selling author, award winning creative director, brand consultant and advises leading companies on brand, identity, advertising, internal communications and transformational culture change. In his book ‘Legacy’, he goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful sporting team – the All Blacks. What is the...

Episode 57

Dominic Alldis

World renowned Orchestral Conductor, Jazz musician and corporate speaker, Dominic Alldis has built a unique career over 30 years. His fluency in many different musical languages and flair for bringing them together in a distinctive way puts him in a category all of his own. He shares the lessons of...

Episode 56

Tendayi Viki

Tendayi Viki is an author and innovation consultant who holds a PhD in Psychology and an MBA. As Associate Partner at Strategyzer, he helps large organizations innovate for the future while managing their core business. Tendayi has written three books based on his research and consulting experience, ‘Pirates In The...

Episode 55

David Smith MBE

Many of us take our health for granted. In today’s episode, I invite you to pause and reflect on what’s important to you – and chase your goals with increased motivation. Today we are joined by David Smith MBE, the Paralympic Gold Medalist, who speaks about his battle with a...

Episode 54

Professor Tammy Erickson

Professor Tammy Erickson is an Adjunct Professor, Organisational Behaviour, at London Business School, where she has designed and co-directs the school’s premier leadership programme for senior-most executives, Leading Businesses into the Future. She is the Founder and CEO of Tammy Erickson Associates, a research-based firm dedicated to helping clients build...

Episode 53

Will Greenwood MBE

Today we’re joined by former England rugby union player Will Greenwood. In this fascinating conversation, we explore what the business world can learn from sport, what it means to be competitive, and knowing your ‘super strength’. We also unpack some key insights from his latest book that he co-authored with...

Episode 52

Remembering Shane Warne

The tragic news of Shane Warne’s death on 4th March 2022 has left the cricketing world in shock. He was full of life, fun and adventure and no one could have predicted this ending. Having worked with him and been friends for over a decade, the news is all the...

Episode 51

International Women’s Day

This year’s International Women’s Day is being celebrated on 8th March with the campaign to #breakthebias. In this episode, I delve into Sporting Edge’s digital library and select key insights from leading experts in sport, business and academia. What’s clear is that if we focus on changing the micro-climate around...

Episode 50

Empower

Empowering your team is essential to truly advance as a leader. In this week’s episode, I explore what we really mean by ‘empowerment’, how to give your team members autonomy, so you can watch your team take responsibility and perform better than you can imagine. Tune in to learn some...

Episode 49

Amy Williams MBE

Former skeleton racer and Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams MBE is an individual driven by ambitious goals that are backed by a disciplined process. Although unable to qualify for the 2006 Winter Olympics, she was a member of the Great Britain team four years later at the Vancouver Games. She...

Episode 48

2022 – Still Loading?

Does the start of 2022 feel like a buffering wheel to you? We have all felt overwhelmed in one way or another during the pandemic, so setting unrealistic goals in January is more likely going to increase our stress levels. In this episode I reflect on stepping away from having...

Episode 47

Dr Kate Hays Shares Winning Mindset Strategies

We’re kicking off the new year with a fascinating conversation with Dr Kate Hays. Kate was the lead psychologist for Team GB at the recent Tokyo Olympics and this is taken from Kate’s live Q&A session for the Sporting Edge Members Community. Kate is now the Head of Women's Performance...

Episode 46

Shane Warne

Widely considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricketing history, Australian Shane Warne took 708 Test wickets with his mesmerizing leg-spin bowling. He’s the closest thing to a cricketing rock star and is now a world renowned commentator. I worked alongside Shane with the Melbourne Stars and the Rajasthan Royals...

Episode 45

Racism in Sport – Our Responsibility

It has been a shocking time in cricket following the Azeem Rafiq whistleblowing case. What’s clear is that this is not just about cricket – it’s about sport and wider society in general. We all have a duty to make our team members feel safe and included. As Nelson Mandela...

Episode 44

Sustainable Leadership

We all know that this is a crucial time to reconsider our impact on the environment. In this episode I focus on how we can all operate sustainably as leaders. Tune in as we explore being custodians of the future, building sustainable products, the circular economy, having patience – and...

Episode 43

Fear: Trick or Treat?

Fear can be an intensely debilitating emotion. It’s a response to perceiving or recognising a danger or threat – and we’re all get affected by it. In this episode, I invite you to reflect over your belief systems and common fear triggers. Once we can reduce the noise, we’re no...

Episode 42

High Performance in Hybrid Teams

In this new way of hybrid working, how do we create high performance teams? Some of us may thrive working from home, whilst others much prefer being back in the office. Either way, the 9-5 structure is being phased out and leaders need to consider the best routines, expectations, and...

Episode 41

Dale Steyn

Being regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time requires focus, clarity and inner drive. In today’s episode, I reflect on a conversation I had with Dale Steyn, the recently retired South African cricketer. In his incredible career he took 439 wickets in 93 tests, and was...

Episode 40

Paul McGinley

Today we explore the mindset of Paul McGinley, the Irish professional golfer who has won four events on the European Tour and was the victorious Ryder Cup Captain in 2014. The Ryder Cup is a unique challenge in sports – teams are rapidly assembled and short-lived but their legacy is...

Episode 39

Dame Sarah Storey

With 16 Paralympic Gold medals to her name, Dame Sarah Storey is one of the most successful paralympians of all time. She is a multiple gold medal winner at the Paralympic Games in both swimming and cycling and has broken 76 world records in her career spanning almost 30 years....

Episode 38

Owen Eastwood

In today’s mastermind episode, I delve into a conversation I had with one of the most in-demand performance coaches, Owen Eastwood. He has a fascinating view on team culture and leadership, and his recent book ‘Belonging: The Ancient Code of Togetherness’ unpacks some powerful insights about teamwork from the homo...

Episode 37

Sir Ian McGeechan

As the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa builds to a tense finale, I reflect on some key insights from a conversation I had with Sir Ian McGeechan, the former Scotland and Lions player and coach. The Lions are a great metaphor for any organisation where former...

Episode 36

England Football - Euro Reflections

There’s no doubt that sport brings people together. But after the Euro 2020 final, it was disheartening to see the online racist abuse by some individuals after England lost in the penalty shoot out. After the game, I reflected on how the England team handled this backlash and how their...

Episode 35

Boris Becker

With our eyes glued to Wimbledon this year, I explore some of the rare insights and coaching philosophies from one of tennis’ most successful players – Boris Becker. As the German former world No. 1 professional tennis player, he was successful from the start of his career, winning the first...

Episode 34

Purpose and Performance

We hear the word ‘Purpose’ a lot, and its intangible nature makes it tricky to apply in a practical way throughout an organisation. Today I explore what you can do to identify your ‘why’ – and stay true to it for the long-term. Learn how to translate purpose into real-life...

Episode 33

Gareth Southgate OBE

As the manager of the England national football team, Gareth Southgate OBE is a true role model for the new era of leadership we’re all facing. As a down-to-earth character, we can all learn from his empathy, authenticity, and clear communication. In this episode I set out to explore his...

Episode 32

F1 — Lessons from the Fast Lane

In continuation of the Monaco Grand Prix celebrations over the weekend, I’ve picked out some key insights from some interviews I did with the Force India Formula 1 team. Whether you’re a Formula 1 fanatic or not, find out what it takes to grow from constant competition and why you...

Episode 31

Mental Health — Naturally

Today we reflect over what we mean by mental health and wellbeing – and how nature plays such an integral role in sustaining a healthy mind and body. Mental health is not just about clinical issues, but about striving to live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. Taking in some questions...

Episode 30

IPL Insights

The Rajasthan Royals winning the inaugural Indian Premier League in 2008 was one of the greatest fairy tales in cricket history. Today I wind the clock back to then, and reflect over some key leadership insights that lead to their success. Tune in to learn more about the mindset needed...

Episode 29

Virtual Teams — Together or Alone?

It’s been over 12 months of remote working for most of us, and at Sporting Edge we’re now remote-first, so it’s been a big learning curve to get to where we are now. It’s a good chance to reflect in this episode about working virtually, and how to build a...

Episode 28

Innovation 7 Ways

Innovation is a team effort. But when and where do you best innovate? In this episode, I select powerful insights from the Sporting Edge Members Library to highlight practical strategies that you can apply to boost your organisation’s innovation. Hear from experts like the Sporting Director of the Aston Martin...

Episode 27

Rasmus Ankersen

Bestselling author, entrepreneur, speaker and a trusted advisor to businesses around the world, Rasmus Ankersen is an expert on performance development. In today’s episode, I dive deep into his insights in spotting and nurturing talent. Tune in to learn more about how talent ‘Gold Mines’ start and the role of...

Episode 26

Women Who Win

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re going inside the mind of some of the most successful women from elite sport, business and the performing arts. I’m lucky to be surrounded by some amazing women — my mum, wife, two daughters, and the mostly female team at Sporting Edge. Whether you're...

Episode 25

Opt for Optimism

As we continue to navigate through these uncertain times, it’s easier than ever to feel demotivated. In this episode I tackle the belief systems that prevent us from being optimistic. I’ve selected key insights from the Sporting Edge Member’s Library to learn how world-class performers build their bank of hope...

Episode 24

Coaching Dilemmas

Coaching is not an easy job. From my own playing career, I know that it takes a careful balance of support and challenge to help people to make progress. Today I delve into Sporting Edge’s Member’s Club video library and find insights to help deconstruct what makes a great coach,...

Episode 23

Eddie Jones

Today’s episode dives into one of the highest profile coaches in sport, Eddie Jones. Eddie qualified as a teacher in his native Australia before following his passion for coaching rugby and has coached the International teams of Australia, South Africa and Japan. In 2015 he became the head coach of...

Episode 22

Pandemental 2020

It’s been a tiring and challenging year to say the least, but the pressures throughout 2020 have allowed many of us to pivot. In this episode, I explore the psychological lessons that have helped us to overcome periods of adversity and make big decisions for our work or personal lives....

Episode 21

Five MENtal Insights

This year more than ever we have to keep talking, and for many men this can be challenging. On 19th November it was International Men’s Day, so I want to dedicate this episode to the mental wellbeing of men. In 2017 alone there were 6,000 suicides in the UK –...

Episode 20

6 Star Decision Making

From the interviews I’ve conducted at Sporting Edge, a clear theme is that to move forward we need to make decisions. This episode explores six strategies to make better quality decisions, through a diverse range of experts across sport, business, academia, and the military. Hear from experts like the former...

Episode 19

Baroness Sue Campbell

As the former Chair of UK Sport and former CEO of the National Coaching Federation, Sue Campbell is now the Director of Women's Football and a newly appointed Dame in 2020 New Year Honours for services to sport. It’s testament to her tenacity and work ethic she’s developed over her...

Episode 18

Motivation: Mind the GAPS

Becoming a champion takes incredible sacrifice and discipline. It’s not easy. Which is why understanding our motivations is key. What’s your goal? How much do you want it? How long are you willing to chase it for? In this episode we explore the science of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation so...

Episode 17

Maintaining your Mojo

Striving for success is rarely glamorous. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a corporate executive or professional athlete, we all face setbacks and have ‘down’ days. How have you recovered from previous challenges in the past? This episode reflects over what to do when facing low points. Tune in as Jeremy...

Episode 16

Rethinking Downtime

As our work has become more flexible, our working days have lengthened. While this is fine to hit a short-term deadline, prolonged exposure to stress can create mental health issues and burnout. In today’s episode we explore practical ways to manage our technology and develop healthier stress and recovery cycles...

Episode 15

Stuart Broad MBE

As your profile builds, so do the external distractions. Being the 7th bowler of all time to reach 500 Test Match wickets, Stuart Broad has developed a mental game that is as impressive as his skills. In this episode, Jeremy unpacks a conversation with Stuart into the routines and strategies...

Episode 14

Managing Mavericks

Mavericks are the free spirits that achieve great results in unconventional ways. It feels like we can’t live with them or without them such is their polarising impact on our teams. In today’s episode, Jeremy picks out expert insights from Sporting Edge’s digital library about how to get the best...

Episode 13

Sir Viv Richards

In the run up to this week’s West Indies cricket match in England, let’s explore the mindset of one of the sport’s biggest legends - Sir Viv Richards. What motivates him? What has he learnt from his setbacks? Following an interview when he worked alongside Viv at the Melbourne Stars...

Episode 12

The Winning Mindset for Entrepreneurs

SMEs make up about 99% of the UK economy. Viewing this data alongside the fact that we’re battling this global pandemic, business owners need to maintain their energy, tenacity and guiding principles more than ever. In this episode, Jeremy takes in questions from listeners and delves into the Sporting Edge...

Episode 11

Breaking Bias

Following the tragic death of George Floyd, it’s no surprise there’s been a global reaction of protests after three months of lockdown. The ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests will force our Governments to foster a more inclusive society but we all need to take individual responsibility if we are to achieve...

Episode 10

Mental Wellbeing and Resilience

Our mindset is the engine room of our performance. So what do we need to do as leaders and performers to stay on top of our mental game? By keeping our mental wellbeing a priority, we can build resilience, withstand adversity and make high performance choices a habit. In this...

Episode 09

Leadership After The Lockdown

As we’re entering the next phase of reintegration, leaders are facing a whole set of new challenges and opportunities. Jeremy showcases insights from The Winning Mindset for Leaders Programme to show how we can manage our own mindset and get comfortable with uncertainty. Hear how the All Blacks handle expectation,...

Episode 08

From Mandela to Mars: Lessons From Isolation

Returning to our normal lives still feels like a long way off for many of us facing lockdown extensions. So how can we learn from those who have coped in true isolation? Jeremy reflects over his conversations with anti-apartheid campaigners Ahmed Kathrada and Denis Goldberg, who were imprisoned alongside Nelson...

Episode 07

The Essential Mental Skills for Ambitious Youngster

The biggest barrier to our success is often our own mindset. Recorded especially for both parents and ambitious youngsters, Jeremy uncovers the psychology behind some of our greatest athletes. Frank Lampard, Kate Richardson-Walsh, Ade Adepitan, Sir Dave Braislford, and many more, share their best advice in this episode. Once we...

Episode 06

The Great Pause

With the deadly Covid-19 virus spreading like wildfire across the globe, we are all experiencing unprecedented uncertainty. This special episode comes from a webinar Jeremy hosted with his Sporting Edge community of sports and business leaders, where he reflects on key insights and strategies from wellbeing, health, sleep and psychology...

Episode 05

Creating a High Performing Team - Stage 2

Role clarity, goal alignment and honest conversations are constantly needed to build a strong team. As leaders, we need to set this tone early. In part two of our ‘Teamwork’ mini-series, Jeremy dives into Sporting Edge’s digital library and gathers the best insights from experts in music, military and elite...

Episode 04

Creating a High Performing Team - Stage 1

Teamwork is so powerful yet so rare. With our teams in a dynamic state of flux, leaders need to overcome common psychological challenges in order to set their teams up for success. With fascinating insights from Sporting Edge’s Performance Zone library, today’s episode showcases practical strategies from Olympians, elite coaches...

Episode 03

Embracing Change: Avoiding the Identity Crisis

Change is everywhere: in your personal life, at work, in politics and in the environment. The lack of control can bring us down; so we need to learn how to win the mental battle and focus on the things in our control. In this episode, we explore the psychology of...

Episode 02

Thriving under pressure

Fear is inevitable. But when fear gets in the way of our performance, we need to learn new ways to cope. In this episode, Jeremy dives into his digital insights library to find out what experts such as UCL’s Professor of neuroscience Vince Walsh, Australian cricketer Shane Warne and professional...

Episode 01

Gold medal days: deconstructing goal-setting

What does it take to achieve your goals? Too often we set lofty targets that leave us feeling stressed. In our first episode of Inside The Mind of Champions, host Jeremy Snape shows what it takes to beat this overwhelm and actually hit your goals. From interviewing England cricketer Stuart...