Performance People

• Matthew Syed | Beckham, McIlroy & the Mindset of Elite Performers

  This week on Performance People, Georgie is joined by writer, broadcaster and former Olympian Matthew Syed; one of the most influential thinkers on high performance today. In a conversation that moves from table-tennis halls in suburban Reading to global sporting icons, Matthew unpacks the moments and mentors that shaped his life, and the ideas that continue to guide his work.He reflects on the remarkable influence of his childhood coach, Peter Charters, and how the culture of curiosity, individuality and care that Charters created became the foundation for Matthew’s career in sport, and beyond. Matthew also opens up about the pressure of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, describing in powerful detail the moment he “choked”, why it happened, and how it sparked a lifelong fascination with performance psychology.From David Beckham’s resilience and Rory McIlroy’s Masters triumph to the importance of losing with grace, the conversation explores why elite sport is a microcosm of character, humility and growth. Matthew shows how these lessons translate into everyday life, for parents, leaders, young people and anyone striving to improve.In classic Syed style, this is a masterclass in mindset: honest, generous and packed with ideas you’ll want to take straight into your own world.________________________________The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, 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 opinions expressed in this episode are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan, or Gameface Limited.Performance People is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be regarded as professional advice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• From Prince Harry’s Invictus Games to the Winter Olympics | Vicky Gosling OBE, CEO of GB Snowsport

  On this episode of Performance People, in partnership with JP Morgan Private Bank, Georgie speaks with Vicky Gosling OBE, CEO of GB Snowsport, whose career has been shaped by one extraordinary defining moment.In 2013, Vicky was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan, leaving behind her young family for what she thought would be a demanding posting. Instead, a phone call redirected her life: she was being reassigned to lead on what would become the first-ever Invictus Games. Working alongside Prince Harry, Vicky helped build a global movement showcasing the power of adaptive sport and the resilience of wounded servicemen and women. That experience transformed her sense of purpose and has guided every leadership role since.Vicky reflects on how her 20-year military career instilled mission-first clarity, resilience and an unshakeable commitment to the people she serves. Those principles now underpin her work at GB Snowsport, where she and her team have transformed a relatively underfunded programme into one capable of producing world champions and genuine medal contenders heading into the Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina in February. From Mia Brookes and Zoe Atkin to Charlotte Bankes and Dave Ryding, she outlines where the British hopes lie.Candid, gripping and often hilarious, including the night she had to sleep in a budget hire car, Vicky’s story is ultimately about belief, courage and what’s possible when a team refuses to quit.Content warning: This episode includes mention of suicide and the loss of military colleagues. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can contact the Samaritans for free, 24/7, on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.________________________________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.________________________________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, J.P. Morgan, 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.

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• Joan & Michelle MacDonald | The Viral Fitness Story Redefining What 79 Looks Like

  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.

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• Inside Team Brady | Emma Kimiläinen and Sam Coleman on E1 Racing and the Team Built to Win

  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.

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• Alistair Brownlee | What Elite Performance Really Takes - the Grind, the Graft and the Gains

  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.

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