Exceed High Performance Podcast

Elite performance begins long before the moment itself. When we caught up with British Champion Lauren Cox at the GB Aquatics Championships, we discussed:The importance of visualisation beforehand.The inner dialogue under pressure.The discipline to keep showing up.And the ability to turn setbacks into motivation.Lauren reflects openly on missing out on the Olympics, and how that experience ultimately became part of what shaped her. Lauren also speaks about the importance of rehearsing performance mentally, to the point where, by the time she races, it feels like she's already been there before. Not because confidence simply appears. But because belief is built through preparation.

In this episode, we dive into the idea that high performance is deeply personal, not a universal formula. Jake Woolmore of the Bristol Bears joins us to share a powerful and refreshingly honest perspective on what alternative high performance really looks like inside a top rugby environment.Jake opens up about showing up for the team without ego, understanding his role, and building a mindset rooted in hard work, humility, and self-awareness. He talks about how his unusual source of motivation, “not wanting to be the worst”, became the fuel that pushed him to outwork others, stay consistent, and chase continuous improvement year after year.Through his experiences, Jake demonstrates that high performance isn’t just about physical outputs; it’s shaped by our values, our environments, and the inner narratives we build. His story highlights how you can create a standard of excellence that is authentic to who you are and still show up fully for those around you.A grounded, insightful conversation that reframes what it means to perform at your best… in your own way.

Getting kicked out of Oxford Uni was a turning point that pushed RAF fighter pilot Luke Wilkinson to strive for elite performance. Here Luke opens up about the mental tactics he's developed to perform under incredible speed under intense pressure. From training his brain for split-second decision making, to using visualisation to limit the potential for error. This is a story about resilience, disciplined preparation, and what's possible when you really commit your mind and body to defy your limits.

Exceed High Performance and Cyrus Christie"Strength grows in the moments you think you can't go on - but keep going anyway."In this powerful episode, Cyrus Christie shares the mindset behind 500+ appearances across the Premier League, Championship, and International Football. What stands out is not just Cyrus' skill - but his resilience, adaptability and self-belief. From Fulham's elite standards, to representing his country of Ireland, Cyrus opens up about: * Sustaining peak performance over more than a decade.* Bouncing back from setbacks, injuries and criticism.* Staying true to yourself under pressure.* The mental habits that fuel long-term consistency.* Why he now feels driven to mentor and inspire the next generation.Listen now on Spotify. #Cyrus Christie #Elitemindset #exceedhighperformance #exceedperformance #resilience #fulhamfc #boltonwanderers #mindsetmatters #drtombates #performancepsychology #footballlife #500performances

Resilience, perseverance and self-improvement: lessons from Steve Roest.What does it take to build something remarkable in the face of failure?In this episode, we speak with Steve Roest, co-founder and CEO of PocDoc, about the perseverance, resilience, and courage required to step up when the odds are stacked against you. Steve shares how early setbacks became fuel for growth, the mindset shifts that enabled him to thrive as a leader, and the practices that keep him committed to self-improvement and helping others succeed.A conversation rich in insight, this episode explores what it really means to turn adversity into opportunity — and to lead with both ambition and care.

Chris Lemons was stranded 90 metres under the North Sea with only minutes of air. In this episode, he shares the mindset and resilience that made survival possible.Chris Lemons is a former saturation diver and the subject of the Netflix documentary The Last Breath and a Hollywood film of the same name. His survival story is one of the most extraordinary ever told.While working 90 metres beneath the North Sea, a catastrophic technical failure severed Chris’s lifeline to oxygen, heat, light and communication. With just five minutes of air remaining, he was stranded on the ocean floor alone. His colleagues took forty minutes to reach him. Against all odds, Chris survived.In this conversation with Dr Tom Bates and Emma Lawson, Chris shares not only the events of that day, but the mindset, resilience and preparation that made survival possible. Together they explore:The training required to perform under extreme pressureThe resilience of the human body and mindLessons in courage, connection and perseverance that apply to us allAs Viktor Frankl once wrote: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Chris’s story is a living example of resilience at the highest level — and a powerful reminder of the strength within us all.

Join Dr Tom Bates and Emma Lawson as they launch Exceed High Performance — a podcast decoding the mindset and behaviours that unlock human potential.Welcome to the first episode of the Exceed High Performance Podcast with Dr Tom Bates and Emma Lawson.Dr Tom Bates is one of the UK’s leading performance psychologists, working at the highest level of elite sport — from Premier League football and international rugby to motorsport, MMA and two Olympic cycles with Team GB. Emma Lawson is a transformation lead in global business, driving change and unlocking potential in complex organisations.Together, they explore what it really takes to perform at the highest level — in sport, in business and in life.In this opening conversation, Tom reveals:Why mindset is the hidden ingredient of high performance;The common traits he sees in world-class performers;The extraordinary moments that have shaped his career.If you’ve ever wondered what separates those who step up when it matters most, create deeper connections and live a more fulfilling life, this is where the journey begins.