High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best

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We’ll never know. Because, one way or another, we’ll never bother to ask them. Their life of relentless striving led only to obscurity.

The “taking responsibility” chapter was my favourite & gave me a tough wake up call of how I can’t remain in a state of “learned helplessness” where the world and life is happening TO me. I have to learn to take responsibility. But also understanding a fine line between always thinking something is my fault = taking responsibility - that’s not true. “high performance is about what you do; it isn’t about constantly blaming yourself”. Damian Hughes is an expert on high-performance sporting cultures and a visiting professor at Manchester Metropolitan University. The author of a number of bestselling books, Damian's research has been praised by the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Muhammad Ali, Sir Roger Bannister, Tiger Woods, Jonny Wilkinson and Sir Alex Ferguson. If you are interested in elite performance this book may frustrate you. The very different personalities of the co-authors are evident in the text. Hughes takes us through some of the more populist theories of individual and organisational performance from the last thirty or so years – triune brain model, multiple intelligences, learned helplessness, grit, growth mindset, flow for example – but doesn’t question their validity or relevance. Humphrey adds his own Pit Stops which are tips in the form of his own life lessons. For me the words of the interviewees are more insightful than the theoretical models to which they are attached. Something to Try

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If you want to stop making excuses and take responsibility for your life, I recommend you read this book.' Ant Middleton There’s also a lot which seems basically verbatim from Damien’s Barcelona Way book (also really good!) about star-model/commitment etc which seemed a bit of a cop out. I found the ‘pit stop’ concept which pops up a lot a bit hammy too, though well intentioned. Looked at from a less romantic point of view, the true lesson from any Steve Jobs or Usain Bolt story is that dozens of other people stood on the same start line after putting in just as much work and had their efforts come to nothing. High Performance reveals the methods the world's most remarkable athletes, coaches and entrepreneurs use to excel.

A fantastic book that will help you think like an Olympic champion - in mind, body and spirit. DAME KELLY HOLMES I liked the reference to positive psychologist Martin Seligman’s formula for judging whether your attitude is optimistic or not. In his research on learned helplessness, he came up with three ‘Ps’ that indicate you’re overgeneralising. People who view their problems as pervasive, permanent and personal tend to end up with worse life outcomes than those who view them as specific, temporary and external. Enjoyable

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The Chimp Paradox: The Acclaimed Mind Management Programme to Help You Achieve Success, Confidence and Happiness Jake Humphrey has interviewed some of the most iconic individuals around. He has a wealth of wisdom to share.' VEX KING, author of Good Vibes, Good Life I loved this book. It isn't just about how to be a high performer sometimes, but about how to be a high performer all the time - on the pitch, at home and at work. KEVIN SINFIELD This amazing book will teach you the mindset and habits of champions. High Performance has already impacted some of the best players and coaches across the world, but Jake and Damian's insights are equally valuable to people from any walk of life. I urge you to open this book and open your mind to the lessons within. FRANK LAMPARD

I really like the podcast and have listened since Series 1. Jake and Damien have a great way of eliciting information from some of the most interesting people and the book definitely delivers that. Tom Daley, Kelly Holmes, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Kelly Jones, Matthew McConaughey, Siya Kolosi. All brilliant. High Performance will help you recognise your inner strength and celebrate your achievements. It's inspiring, exciting and massively motivating.' FEARNE COTTON

Along the way, they draw on cutting-edge research to explain why these methods work - and how we can all use them. Anyone can learn the secrets of high performance. Jake Humphrey has interviewed some of the most iconic individuals around. He has a wealth of wisdom to share. VEX KING, author of Good Vibes, Good Life then, apart from a handy recap, this book will have nothing new for you. If you haven’t encountered these books yet, then this book is probably an excellent place to start. This audiobook contains an exclusive Q&A with Jake and Damian, answering questions posed by listeners of the High Performance Podcast.