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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
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http://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.
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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 People
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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.
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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
_____________________________
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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 People
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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 Diet
https://theguthealthdoctor.com/the-lowdown-on-the-low-fodmap-diet
The Bristol Stool Form Scale
https://theguthealthdoctor.com/dont-be-fooled-by-your-stool-how-to-check-in-with-your-poop
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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 People
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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.
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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 People
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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 People
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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)
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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
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Connect with Performance People
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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
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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
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On this episode of Performance People, we welcome Dr Tommy Wood; neuroscientist, performance coach and, in his own words, “elite professional nerd.” An Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Washington, Tommy also co-hosts the Better Brain Fitness podcast and serves as Hintsa Performance’s head scientist in motorsport.
In this conversation, Tommy unpacks how we can “age-proof” our brains using his simple Three S Model: stimulus, supply and support. He explains how learning complex skills, social interaction and challenging our minds provide the right stimulus; why cardiovascular health and nutrition are essential to supply the brain with oxygen and fuel; and how support; through sleep, recovery and stress management is critical for adaptation.
Tommy shares practical ways to build brain fitness without adding pressure or guilt, suggesting that small, realistic changes like 10 extra minutes of sleep can make a real difference. He challenges the myth that cognitive decline is inevitable with age, highlighting research that shows physical activity and even brisk walking can improve memory and increase brain volume.
Engagement, movement and connection, Tommy argues, are the true keys to long-term brain health.
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
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Elite performance coach Bradley Scanes joins the podcast to share insights from working at the highest levels of elite sport, most notably as Max Verstappen’s performance coach through four Formula One World Championship titles. With a background spanning gymnastics, basketball, football, boxing and UFC, Bradley explains how performance principles can be applied across sports, even as specialist as F1, which he entered without having ever watched a race.
He reveals the three traits that separate world champions from the rest: the ability to perform in chaos, stay present in the moment, and demonstrate adaptability under pressure. Using examples from Max Verstappen, Max Whitlock and Lucy Charles-Barclay, Bradley explains how champions can block out noise, park mistakes, and execute regardless of conditions.
He also discusses how adversity in early life often shapes elite performers, why meticulous preparation and automatic skill allow for higher-level decision-making under stress, and how managing off-track “load” like media, sponsors, travel and jet lag, is as critical as physical training.
Finally, Bradley offers a fascinating window into the inner workings of dominant teams like Red Bull, where clear processes, defined roles, camaraderie and relentless standards create the environment for history-making success.
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
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Connect with Performance People
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England cricket star Tammy Beaumont joins Georgie to revisit one of the defining moments of her career - her player of the series performance at the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup. Tammy opens up about the build-up to that tournament, the emotions in the dressing room, and the personal torment which defined her first few innings. She shares how the experience has shaped her perspective on pressure, preparation, and what it takes to deliver when it matters most. And, with the T20 World Cup coming to England next year, she reveals that she’s fired up for another tilt at glory on home soil.
We also rewind to her early years in Kent, exploring the influences, setbacks, and breakthroughs that turned a cricket-mad youngster into one of the most consistent performers in the women’s game. Tammy talks candidly about navigating multiple formats and the mindset shifts needed to excel in each.
With The Hundred in full swing and Tammy leading Welsh Fire, she reflects on how she adapts to changing conditions, opposition strategies and the evolving landscape of women’s cricket. Her insights reveal the balance of mental toughness, adaptability, and self-belief needed to thrive at the very top.
Away from cricket, she shares her admiration for the England women’s football and rugby teams, crediting them for raising the profile of women’s sport and inspiring the next generation. She talks about the pride of seeing them succeed on the world stage, and how she plans to use their success as research material for her Masters dissertation.
As she prepares for the 50 over World Cup in September, Tammy takes time to talk to Georgie about a life well spent at the pinnacle of her sport.
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
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In this episode of Performance People, world-renowned sleep expert Professor Russell Foster returns to talk midlife, stress, hormones and why your sleep might not be as “fine” as you think.
Russell explains that most people in midlife don’t have a sleep disorder, they have a stress or anxiety problem, often brought on by the pressures of kids, careers, ageing parents, and lost support systems. He reassures us that changing sleep in midlife isn’t broken sleep, just different, and totally manageable.
One of the highlights of the episode is Russell’s 7-point checklist to assess whether you’re getting the sleep you actually need:
/ You don’t feel sharp or functional during the day
/ You oversleep on weekends or holidays
/ You rely on an alarm to wake
/ You feel irritable, unfocused or foggy
/ You crave naps
/ You’re caffeine dependent
/ Your loved ones say you’re more impatient or reactive
Russell also unpacks the science of hormonal changes, how to manage anxiety around sleep, and why tracking apps often cause more harm than help.
Sleep changes with age, and that’s okay. Here’s how to stay on top of it.
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
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
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
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In this episode of Performance People, Georgie speaks with Dame Sarah Storey, winner of a mind-blowing 19 Paralympic gold medals, about the moment that changed everything: her debut, aged just 14, at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympic Games. Sarah reflects on what it meant to represent Great Britain so young, and how that early experience shaped her extraordinary multi-decade career in elite sport.
Sarah shares how her mindset evolved over the years—from a swimmer learning to train and recover with precision, to a world-beating cyclist adapting her routines and expectations with each new challenge. She offers candid insight into handling pressure, dealing with setbacks, and the discipline it takes to perform at the highest level across multiple Paralympic cycles.
Together, Georgie and Sarah explore the power of early ambition, the importance of role models, and the drive to keep pushing boundaries—personally and professionally. This conversation isn't just about medals; it’s about resilience, transformation, and unlocking performance in every stage of life.
Whether you're an athlete, a parent, or someone chasing a dream, this episode offers a masterclass in determination, reinvention, and high performance under pressure.
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
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
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Sky News Sports presenter Jacquie Beltrao joins Georgie for a deeply personal conversation about resilience, identity, and what sport has taught her about life. From a humble upbringing to the Olympic stage, Jacquie shares how her dream of competing in rhythmic gymnastics at the 1984 Los Angeles Games became a reality — despite the heartbreak of losing her mum just weeks before.
She reflects on the emotional chaos of that time, the support of her sisters and coach, and the determination that pushed her through. That same mindset would carry her into the male-dominated world of sports broadcasting, where she became one of the few women on screen at Sky Sports, juggling career, motherhood, and relentless early starts.
Jacquie also opens up about her long battle with breast cancer, including a stage-four diagnosis during lockdown. Her approach to treatment — combining medical care with fierce positivity and mental visualisation — is both unique and inspiring.
From emotional Olympic memories to crying in the press box at Wimbledon, Jacquie’s story is one of grit, humour, and humanity. This is a deeply moving episode that explores what it really means to overcome — and how sport can shape the way we face life’s toughest challenges.
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
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
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http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
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If any sport knows how to navigate the negative effects of international travel it’s Formula 1, whose teams are frequently flying their staff across time zones and need them to be firing on all cylinders as soon as they arrive.
With over 25 years of experience working with elite athletes from Olympians to Formula 1 drivers, performance coach Pete McKnight reveals what we can learn from their approach.
He explains how travel affects our reaction times and decision-making, why your chronotype is key to your travel plan, how being a good traveller can be learned, how sunglasses help in more ways than one and why travel starts long before you leave.
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
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sporting history may be full of great comeback stories, but the 2013 America’s Cup will forever take some beating.
Oracle Team USA were 8-1 down against a dominant Emirates Team New Zealand team who needed only one more win to lift the Auld Mug and put the Americans out of their misery. In a last-gasp move to change things up, Ben Ainslie was brought in by CEO Russell Coutts to join skipper Jimmy Spithill on board. Incredibly, the momentum turned and the team reeled off eight straight wins to pull off the most remarkable turnaround.
In a special live episode of Performance People filmed in Portsmouth on board HMS Warrior during the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix weekend, all three key protagonists from Team USA - Ben, Jimmy and Russell - join host Georgie Ainslie to take us back to that time when the world was glued to events in San Francisco Bay.
The panel recall how the team found themselves so far behind, describe the tensions inside the camp, explain why Ben was asked to join the crew, reveal the details that helped shift the momentum, articulate what it felt like to be part of this astonishing sporting drama and why that Cup sparked the inspiration for the performance sailing circuit founded by Russell Coutts, SailGP.
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In this episode, sleep evangelist and scientist Dr Sophie Bostock shares her mission to help people unlock the life-changing benefits of better sleep. Founder of TheSleepScientist.com, Sophie works with high performers in sport, business and leadership to improve recovery, reduce burnout, and enhance productivity by optimising their sleep routines. This conversation centres around her research-backed approach to “sleeping yourself to the top”—and why the modern understanding of recovery is shifting in workplaces and boardrooms alike.
We explore how elite performers are rethinking their relationship with rest, and why the age of bragging about ‘surviving on four hours’ is giving way to smarter, data-led habits. Sophie explains how wearables are helping leaders see the real-time impact of alcohol, poor sleep, and device usage on their recovery. Cultural norms are changing, and high performers are increasingly making conscious decisions to cut down on behaviours that harm their energy, focus and long-term health.
The discussion highlights the growing issue of ‘renorming’—when people get used to operating below their best without realising it. Sophie points to research from the US military showing how small amounts of missed sleep lead to significant performance declines, even when people feel they’re functioning fine. She also breaks down the neuroscience of tech addiction, and the cognitive toll of living in an always-on world, where switching off has become a skill in itself.
Sophie also opens up about her own experience with burnout—despite being a sleep expert. She candidly recounts the moment she literally ‘fell off a cliff’ after pushing too hard for too long, and how that became the catalyst to start her own business and truly live by the principles she teaches. Her story is a powerful reminder that even the most knowledgeable among us are vulnerable to the effects of overwork.
The episode closes with practical tips for listeners who want to make meaningful change. Sophie encourages busy professionals to start small, experiment with one habit at a time, and measure their results—whether through a sleep diary or wearable tech. The key, she says, is consistency and intentionality: put rest in your calendar like any other commitment. Because if it’s not scheduled, it’s unlikely to happen.
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
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.