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Performance People

Author: Georgie Ainslie

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The Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

170 Episodes
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Former Harlequins and England flanker Chris Robshaw has enjoyed the highs of a Six Nations grand slam and endured the lows of captaining England to their worst World Cup performance, winning 66 caps along the way, 43 as captain.Alongside Chris is classical singer, Camilla Kerslake. Nominated in 2010 for Classic Brit Awards Album of the Year, Camilla is England’s best selling soprano.Together, they talk about Chris’ comeback from the destructive impact of England’s early exit from the 2015 Rugby World Cup, how her early days in the music industry left Camilla broken and why she had to put a cap on Chris’ sulking time. This four way conversation was recorded on 24th August 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
First up for Season 3 of Performance People is a Hollywood movie star and his personal trainer. For the avoidance of doubt, this conversation was recorded before the writers and actors strikes began in America.Stanley Tucci is an actor, filmmaker, author and presenter. He has starred in blockbuster films such as The Devil Wears Prada and The Hunger Games. More recently, he’s gathered a huge following as a cocktail-making Instagram sensation and as a foodie through his TV series, Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. Joining Stanley is Monique Eastwood, a U.K. based personal trainer. As well as Stanley, she has trained some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Anne Hathaway, Sam Rockwell and Emily Blunt.They talk about how they used exercise to help Stanley recover from illness, Stanley shares his solution to the ‘worst’ catered food on movie sets and we discover why we've all been getting Spaghetti Bolognese wrong.This four way conversation was recorded on 12th May 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Tommy Fleetwood + Clare Fleetwood. Golfer + Manager. Husband + Wife.Tommy Fleetwood is one of the most recognisable and loved golfers in the world. With 6 DP World Tour wins, a Race to Dubai title and a winning Ryder Cup record, he’s established himself at the game’s top table. Joining Tommy is his wife and manager, Clare Fleetwood.In this episode, they discuss the reasons why Tommy’s head hasn’t been turned by the LIV Golf Tour, why Tiger could still win with a buggy and their age-gap.This four way conversation was recorded on 24th April 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kenton Cool + Jazz Cool. Mountaineer + Performance Coach. Husband + WifeKenton Cool is one of the world's leading mountaineers, with the highest success rate of any guide on Everest, summiting 16 times. He has also conquered the ‘seven summits’ – the highest mountains on each of the world’s continents. And he is the only Brit to ski down two 8,000m peaks.Joining Kenton is performance coach, Jazz Black. A proponent of a purpose focused approach to optimising performance, Jazz specialises in leadership coaching, with mindset at the heart of her work. Kenton and Jazz have two children and when not hacking up mountains, can be found at home in the Cotwolds, in England.In this episode, they discuss how they deal with the permanent threat of death which stalks Kenton’s work, why there is no substitute for experience and the lengths they go to feed Kenton’s ‘rat’.This four way conversation was recorded on 19th April 2023.You can find out more about Kenton and Jazz at www.kentoncool.com www.incoolcompany.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dame Sarah Storey + Barney Storey. Athlete + Coach. Wife + Husband.Sarah Storey’s numbers are phenomenal; 28 Paralympic medals, 17 of them gold across 2 different sports. With two kids in tow and still motivated to achieve more, she’s having a tilt at her 9th Paralympics in Paris next year, by which time she’ll be 46 years-old.Joining Sarah is her husband, Barney, who has 3 Paralympic cycling golds of his own. Barney is Sarah’s coach and confidante, manages the all female Storey Racing team and is responsible for keeping the show on the road.Together they discuss the mindset that enabled Sarah to see beyond the school bullies, her ambition to double up next year at the Olympics + Paralympics and how they have made parent/training multi-tasking work.This four way conversation was recorded on 2nd March 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
James Dyson + Jake Dyson. Inventor + Inventor. Father and Son.Performance People are on the road again, this time at Dyson’s UK base near Swindon to sit down with Sir James Dyson and his son and business partner, Jake. Sir James is one of the UK’s most successful businessmen, reimagining household products like the vacuum cleaner and hairdryer. Along the way, he’s turned his passion for engineering into a business which reported revenues of £5.7 billion in 2021.Alongside James is his chief engineer, Jake who has followed Dad into the family business and is set to ultimately assume responsibility for this great British success story.Together, they discuss the succession plan at one of the UK’s most treasured family owned businesses, how AI will revolutionise their organisation and why the British education system is broken.This four way conversation was recorded on 23rd January 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sam Warburton + Chris Tombs. Leader + Performance coach. Friend + Business partner.Sam Warburton captained Wales 49 times, guiding them to a Six Nations grand slam in 2012. He’s probably best known though for leading the British & Irish Lions on two undefeated tours, before being forced to retire at 28. As well as rugby punditry, Sam now has a podcast series of his own, ‘Captains’.Alongside Sam is his longtime strength and conditioning coach and now business partner, Chris Tombs. Chris worked with Sam at Cardiff Blues from the age of 15 and together they now run the SW7 Academy, which provides elite training programmes to its clients.Together, they talk about the brutal reality of life as an elite rugby player, the steps Sam takes to mitigate the risk of suffering with dementia, his obsessive approach to nutrition and how overnight success actually takes 15 years to actualise.This four way conversation was recorded on 9th January 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lesley Paterson + Dr Simon Marshall. Screenwriter + Psychologist. Husband + Wife.Lesley Paterson is a 5 time triathlon World Champion, author, screenwriter and film producer. In 2006, Lesley bought the film rights to the World War 1 novel, All Quiet on the Western Front, wrote a screenplay and used her triathlon winnings to fund her dream of getting the film made. Four Oscars and seven BAFTAs later, this polymath from Stirling has Hollywood at her feet.Joining Lesley is her husband, the performance psychologist and author, Dr Simon Marshall, who has worked with Formula One, Tour de France and special forces teams while excelling in academia.As a professional partnership, Lesley and Simon co-wrote the best selling book, The Brave Athlete: Calm the F*ck Down, and they also run Braveheart Coaching, where Lesley looks after clients’ bodies and Simon their minds. Simon also assisted in adapting the screenplay for, All Quiet on the Western Front.Together, they talk about sharing work-out programmes with Tom Cruise, their incredible journeys from athlete and psychologist to screenwriters and how creating a cage fighting alter ego was fundamental to Lesley’s success.This four way conversation was recorded on 15th February 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hannah Mills + Nick Dempsey.Sailor + Coach.Mum + Dad.Hannah Mills is the most decorated female sailor in Olympic history, with two gold medals and a silver. A fierce campaigner on environmental issues in her role as IOC Sustainability Ambassador, she is also an advocate for women in sport and leads the female representation for INEOS Britannia in the Americas Cup and for the Emirates GB Sail GP team.Alongside Hannah is her husband, Nick Dempsey who, until recently was coaching Team GB’s Olympic windsurfers. Nick has now taken a different path, looking after baby daughter, Sienna, while Hannah is back on the water.Together, they talk about Nick’s decision to stop chasing his career and instead, travel the sailing circuit with Hannah and Sienna and why as a coach he can’t resist the urge to analyse the performance of Hannah’s racing team.This four way conversation was recorded on 3rd February 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sir Mo Farah + Lady Tania Farah. Husband + Wife.Mo Farah is Britain’s greatest male long distance athlete. He upset the global order from 2011 to 2017, bagging 10 world titles, including the Olympic ‘double double’ over the 5,000 and 10,000m. But in a heartbreaking admission last year, Mo revealed he had been illegally trafficked to the UK as a child and he had hidden the secret from all but those closest to him.Alongside Mo is his wife, Tania. Friends since school, Tania has been at Mo’s side for every step of his remarkable personal and professional journey, while raising their four children. Tania is now studying for a degree in criminology and has become a keen long distance runner herself, competing in a number of half marathons.Together, they talk about the burden of Mo’s long periods away from home, how the trauma of trafficking has shaped the athlete we know and whether 2023 might be the year he hangs up his running shoes for good.This four way conversation was recorded on 10th January 2023. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When Joan MacDonald hit her seventies, she was on medication for high blood pressure, struggling with mobility, and feeling “blue.” Her daughter, fitness coach Michelle MacDonald, knew something had to change. Together, they transformed Joan’s life and in the process, inspired millions worldwide.In this deeply moving episode, Georgie talks to Joan and Michelle about the journey that turned a retired grandmother into a global fitness icon with more than two million Instagram followers. They discuss the health scare that started it all, the emotional realities of change, and how mindset, muscle, and measurable progress can completely rewrite what ageing looks like.Joan shares how learning to lift weights, track nutrition, and rebuild confidence gave her a new sense of purpose, and why “age is irrelevant” when you start believing in yourself. Michelle explains the science behind sustainable transformation, from macro nutrient centred meals to recovery routines tailored for later life.An inspiring story about resilience, accountability, and the power of family, proof that it’s never too late to change your body, your health, and your outlook on life.________________________________The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, or any affiliated organisations.This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.© Gameface Limited 2025. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Emma Kimiläinen and Sam Coleman race for Team Brady in the E1 World Championship, a new era of electric hydrofoil racing where men and women compete on equal terms. Heading into the Championship Finale in Miami at the top of the standings, they join Georgie Ainslie to reflect on the mindset and trust that keep them there.Emma explains how motherhood made her a calmer, more empathetic and ultimately sharper racer, helping her navigate the extreme pressures of high-speed racing and the psychological test of the series’ underwater “dunk test.” Sam offers a fascinating look into what it takes to fly a RaceBird at 100 km/h with no autopilot, comparing it to piloting a fighter jet just above the waves, where decisions are made in split seconds and teamwork is everything.They also talk about the influence of Tom Brady, whose belief in them and quiet competitiveness have inspired the team’s pursuit of perfection. From Venice to Jeddah to Miami, this is a story of courage, composure and performance at the very edge of possibility.________________________________The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Two-time Olympic triathlon gold medallist Alistair Brownlee joins Performance People to reflect on the moment that defined him; carrying his brother Jonny across the 2016 World Triathlon Series Grand Final finish line in an instant which exemplified what sportsmanship should look like.Fresh from running the Empire State Building’s 80-plus floors, Brownlee shares why he’s embracing a new chapter of bucket-list adventures, from gravel racing in South Africa to Ironman-distance events in Patagonia. He opens up about the grind behind his golden years, high intensity training for 40+ hours a week across three sports, and the mental discipline it takes to perform under pressure.Alistair discusses the fine line between confidence and self-belief, why recovery is “everything,” and how consistency trumps perfection in both elite and everyday training. Reflecting on life beyond the start line, he admits he misses the simplicity of full-time sport but relishes the freedom to say yes to life again.This is an episode about purpose, preparation, and perspective, from one of Britain’s greatest endurance athletes, still learning what performance means when medals are no longer the measure.________________________________The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com_____________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Performance People, Georgie sits down with Red Roses Rugby World Cup winner Abi Burton, whose story of survival, recovery, and triumph is as heart wrenching as it is inspiring. At just 22, Abi was struck down by a rare autoimmune brain illness that left her fighting for her life. But somehow, after more than 3 weeks in a coma, she recovered, rebuilt her body and mind, and made her way back into the England squad, lifting the Rugby World Cup just three years after her brush with death.Abi opens up about the emotional and physical battles that shaped her comeback, the lessons learned from redefining success, and how she’s found strength in vulnerability. She also shares what it means to be part of a new generation of women’s rugby players inspiring change; from Ellie Kildunne’s Barbie moment to the unapologetic individuality of rivals like Ilona Maher.It’s a conversation about resilience, self-belief and the growing power of women’s sport. Honest, funny and deeply human, Abi Burton proves that performance isn’t just about winning medals, it’s about becoming stronger than you ever thought possible.________________________________The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sleep, travel, and the gut are performance variables, not just wellness trends. In this episode, gut-health scientist and clinician Dr Megan Rossi, (The Gut Health Doctor), joins Georgie to connect the gut–brain axis to training quality, recovery, and race-day consistency. We dig into why even two or three nights of poor sleep can shift the microbiome and how supporting your gut can, in turn, improve sleep, cognition, and decision-making under pressure.For athletes and high performers on the move, Megan, who leads research at King’s College London investigating nutrition-based therapies, breaks down the “Mile-High IBS Club”: why cabin pressure amplifies gas and bloating, how to adjust fibre/FODMAP load 24–48 hours pre-flight, what to choose in-flight, and the post-landing reset (movement, breathwork, sleep hygiene). She flags red-flags you mustn’t ignore (Bristol stool changes, blood, persistent new bloating), the rise of bowel cancer in younger adults, and why early checks protect long careers.We separate signal from noise on trending hacks: “internal shower” drinks vs evidence-backed psyllium, freezing bread for resistant starch, dark chocolate polyphenols for brain blood flow, and smart “fibre-maxing” that won’t derail training. Plus: IBS vs coeliac (why to keep gluten in before testing), the estrobolome and midlife body-composition shifts (with a nod to strength training and protein distribution), and antibiotics—when they’re essential, how they disrupt the gut, and guideline-based ways to protect and then rebuild with diverse whole foods (Megan’s Super Six).Actionable science for better training, travel, and recovery.Resources:The FODMAP Diethttps://theguthealthdoctor.com/the-lowdown-on-the-low-fodmap-dietThe Bristol Stool Form Scalehttps://theguthealthdoctor.com/dont-be-fooled-by-your-stool-how-to-check-in-with-your-poop________________________________The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it take to climb a Himalayan peak, one identical twin in modern mountaineering kit and the other in the wool and leather of George Mallory’s 1920s wardrobe? That’s exactly the question adventurers Hugo and Ross Turner, better known as the Turner Twins, are about to answer.In this episode, recorded just before they set off for Mera Peak in Nepal, the brothers share the thinking behind their latest expedition: a side-by-side experiment pitting modern gear against vintage Mallory equipment at over 21,000 feet. With identical DNA and mirror-image physiology, the twins are uniquely placed to test how technology, or the lack of it, really impacts human performance.They talk candidly about what drew them into a life of extreme challenges, how a devastating neck injury sparked their first Atlantic crossing, and why the lure of risk and survival keeps pulling them back to the wild. There are stories of priceless hiking boots, mindset battles in the cold, and even a glimpse of the science they’ll be running on the mountain, from sleep tracking to stress tests.Adventure, history, data, and brotherly rivalry, this one has a bit of all of it.________________________________The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Performance People, Georgie sits down with her old colleague, Ted Kravitz, Sky Sports F1 pit-lane reporter and author of his new book, F1: An Insider’s Guide. Ted shares the defining moments that shaped his career, from discovering the intimacy of late-night radio to standing trackside at Silverstone and realising Formula 1 would become more than just a passion.Ted reflects on why radio’s authenticity still drives how he approaches television, and how his celebrated, Notebook, segment grew out of that same desire to tell unfiltered stories. He explains the craft of being in the pit lane: seeing what commentators can’t, spotting the details no monitor shows, and translating that into something fans can feel part of.The conversation takes in the evolution of Formula 1, from the rise of Drive to Survive to the sport’s explosive growth in the United States. Ted gives his perspective on Max Verstappen’s dominance, Lando Norris vs. Oscar Piastri at McLaren, and why Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari move could define the twilight of his career.An honest, detailed and passionate insight from one of Formula 1’s most recognisable voices, this episode reveals what really goes on behind the team garages and why storytelling still matters in motorsport.________________________________The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode of Performance People, Georgie sits down with George North, one of Wales’s greatest rugby players, to explore the defining moment that shaped his extraordinary career as he launches his autobiography. From growing up on the island of Anglesey, dreaming of the iconic red jersey, to scoring two tries on his Wales debut against South Africa at just 18, to his latest incarnation in the south of France, George recalls the sacrifices, the setbacks and the sheer drive that carried him to more than a century of international caps.George reflects on the grounding influence of his parents; a mother who kept him realistic, a father who drove him relentlessly and how that balance prepared him for the intensity of the Test arena. He shares candid memories of stepping into a senior Wales changing room as a teenager, the heroes who welcomed him in, and the unique pride of running out at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.The conversation also tackles the toughest chapters of his journey: a run of concussions that forced him to reassess his health and priorities. With honesty and humour, George explains how he learned to manage recovery, find perspective, and build longevity in the game. Now playing in Provence with his young family, he reflects on lessons in resilience, mindset and joy that continue to fuel his performance. No Other Place: My Autobiography by George North, is available now in hardback (HarperNonFiction, £22)________________________________The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Georgie welcomes back Dr Peter Tierney, senior research scientist with a PhD in sports science, whose career spans work with Leinster Rugby, Chelsea FC, the English FA and Lululemon. Together they explore what elite sport can teach us about exercising effectively in midlife.Peter explains how athletes like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and LeBron James have extended their careers through smarter training, recovery, and the support of human performance teams. He highlights that while professionals benefit from world-class physios, nutritionists and coaches, the core lessons of consistency, recovery, and balance are transferable to everyone.From maintaining lean muscle mass and strength into older age to adopting “exercise snacking”, short bursts of activity spread across the day, he offers practical strategies for slowing physical decline and extending not just lifespan but “healthspan.” He stresses the importance of training power as well as endurance, finding activities you enjoy, and resisting the temptation to do too much, too fast.Above all, the message is clear: build routines you can stick to, take rest seriously, and surround yourself with a supportive “human performance team,” however that looks in everyday life.The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/________________________________ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we’re joined by Sam Vesty, head coach of the reigning Premiership Rugby champions, Northampton Saints, for a candid look at creative leadership in a data-driven era. Sam explains why numbers matter, but only in service of what players see and feel on the pitch. In “open” sports like rugby, he argues, intuition, context and decision-making under pressure beat dashboards alone.We dig into nurturing talent across Saints’ pathway; names like George Furbank, Henry Pollock and Fin Smith, and how to build an environment where players are encouraged to try, err and learn. Skill mistakes are inevitable; effort mistakes are not. The job is to create psychological safety, clarity of roles and constant feedback, while keeping the game expressive, ambitious and fun.Sam opens up his training-week blueprint: Monday’s low-load skills and meetings; heavier work midweek; sharp, short sessions to protect freshness; plus hand-eye “play” (foot-tennis, wall passing, tennis-ball catches) that hones hand-eye without taxing legs. We cover recovery and availability as competitive advantages, sleep habits, smarter scheduling, and the club’s approach to nutrition - breakfasts, snacks, lunches and individual plans.Finally, we talk where the sport is heading, perhaps towards forwards who can move and handle, more akin to backs, more ambition with ball-in-hand, and a simple team motto that underpins it all: get better and better and better.The ainslie + ainslie Performance People podcast talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com________________________________Connect with Performance PeopleHit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Musichttp://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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