A New Way of Being

Most of us believe that there is a 'thinker' in our heads, who is thinking all our thoughts.My guest this week Sam Harris - neuroscientist, philosopher, New York Times best-selling author, host of the Making Sense podcast, and creator of the Waking Up app - argues that this is an illusion. Sam says if we can clearly see this, we can largely bring an end to our own suffering.Not pain – which is inevitable – but the psychological suffering that occurs BECAUSE we identify with our thoughts.Thoughts simply arise in consciousness, or awareness, on their own.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow and this non-dual recognition is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At Wimbledon this year, newcomer Emma Radacanu reached the fourth round, but had to withdraw with breathing difficulties.It was - it seemed - a 'bad' thing. There was concern for her welfare, and questions as to whether it would impact her future Grand Slam chances.Emma then proceeded to produce one of the all time great Grand Slam performances on the way to winning the US Open as a qualifier - without dropping a set. That experience at Wimbledon hadn't been 'bad' after all, it had been a learning experience. This is something we can all relate to. An event happens that seems 'bad' but later turns out to be anything but. Take John McAvoy - who was sentenced to life in prison for armed robbery - and said he would rather die than be arrested. How he says being sent to jail was the best thing that could have happened to him. The point is - we don't know whether something is good or bad, so better to avoid the temptation to rush to judgement and accept life as it is.**Full episode with John McAvoy here: https://play.acast.com/s/dont-tell-me-the-score-with-simon-mundie/howourenvironmentshapesus-johnmcavoyMy debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sally Gunnell is a British athletics Great; the only woman to be Olympic, World and European 400 metres hurdles champion while simultaneously holding the World Record. While she dominated her sport in the early 1990s – Sally admits she couldn’t have done it without the team she built around her. She was ahead of her time in seeking help with the psychological side of competing - but brought in experts in other areas too for example around nutrition. And so the theme of this episode is around asking for help, something lots of us are not good at doing. Whether it be simply opening up to a friend through to investing in yourself by seeking professional help in any area – Sally’s story shows it can make a huge difference and help you reach your potential.**Follow me:on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and more than 150 of these interviews - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Shakespeare wrote, "there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so."Albert Ellis - founder of Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy (REBT) - ran with this idea and came up with a model to help identify the role belief plays in how we feel and subsequently act in the world.Sports psychologist Helen Davis explained how the model worksin our earlier episode on 'beliefs' and she steps up again in this bitezize episode.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What lessons can we take from the approach, attitude and outlook of Roger Federer?Helping me answer that question is Christopher Clarey – arguably the top tennis journalist in the world. Chris has written a book called ‘the Master – the Brilliant career of Roger Federer’, in this episode we talk about what anyone can learn from the Swiss maestro – and Chris shares many stories to illustrate Federer's lessons – including around treating people with empathy and authenticity, taking care of your own business, planning spontaneity and time to recharge - and choosing to let go of disappointment and resentment. We also talk about what traits Federer took from his parents Robert and Lynette – and how they helped nurture his talent.And crucially, how Roger has a rare ability to treat all moments somewhat equally. Whether it is playing on centre court or doing some of the less enjoyable parts of the job – Roger relishes it, and that is something we can certainly all learn from.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The importance of powering your brain down several times a day.Sir John Kirwan - the All Black's legend who was knighted for services to mental health - shared this golden nugget with me.His is a fantastic analogy - when your computer stops working and you ring IT - what do they advise you to do?Switch it off and then turn it back on again!It's something we all need to be doing - but with our brains. And scrolling through your phone doesn't count - we need to find activities that give our brain's a rest - or we risk burnout.**Follow me:on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and more than 150 of these interviews - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Making good choices - even when you feel like you are missing out or not progresssing as quickly as you would like.This is something Josh has done throughout his life, even in the face of peer pressure and frustration.We also talk about getting perspective in your life, stopping complaining about things that are really unimportant in the big scheme of things and why having no regrets when you are older is something worth striving for.He also shares some compelling stories about the power of the mind and in particular the power of visualisation.Josh Warrington has arguably the most important fight of his career against Mauricio Lara on Saturday September 4th, at Headingly stadium.It’s a rematch after Josh suffered a shock defeat to the Mexican in February, the first of his career.We also discuss why switching off is so important – and why that was a big factor in his shock defeat to Lara during lockdown in February.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amor fati means "a love of fate". The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche quoted it as his formula for human greatness.In other words – whatever happens in your life – or whatever has happened in the past – accept it fully. Not begrudgingly and reluctanctly - but as if you had chosen it yourself. The question is - how? In this short episode we explore two ways of looking at it. Firstly, through the stoic approach - where everything is an opportunity to be or do your best. Ryan Holiday - author of 'The Obstacle is the way' - chips in to help on that front. The second way is by learning to distinguish between the 'thinking mind' and the 'aware mind', and learning to identify more with the latter and less with the former.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How smartphones and social media may be making us more anxious and distracted - and what to do about it. Cal Newport is the author of two seminal books: 'Deep Work' and 'Digital Minimalism'. He argues that our ability to perform undistracted work on something cognitively demanding is a vital skill to train. However, the ability to perform 'deep work' is increasingly rare - not least because of the impact of smartphones and social media. Cal says that IGen - people born between 1995 and 2012 - have been particularly impacted, because they came of age at a time when smartphone and social media use was ubiquitous. The rates of mental health issues in that generation are reported to have been rapidly and markedly impacted. Part of the problem - Cal argues - is that for the first time in human history, people don't ever have to be alone with their thoughts and feelings. With a smartphone, you always have a distraction tool within reach, and that's a problem. Without having to experience solitude in the same way as every preceding generation, people are struggling to experience uncomfortable thoughts and feelings - and grow as human beings.***My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/***Other episodes mentioned in this one are: Sir John Kirwan: Mental health https://play.acast.com/s/dont-tell-me-the-score-with-simon-mundie/mentalhealth-sirjohnkirwanRyan Holiday: Stoicism https://play.acast.com/s/dont-tell-me-the-score-with-simon-mundie/stoicism-ryanholidayDr Sherylle Calder: Vision https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06sfg6jHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why self-sacrificing and people-pleasing can be selfish, while looking after yourself can be selfless.Ed Jackson suffered a devastating accident after diving into a shallow swimming pool and breaking his neck in 2017. He made a miraculous recovery despite being told he would never walk again. Ed first appeared on the show two years ago but this episode is very different. In this conversation we go deep exploring what Ed and his wife Lois have learned since his accident in 2017.They learnt to embrace hard and honest comversations in the transitional period after Ed's accident - and have lessons to share on that that can benefit anyone.We also discuss the importance of letting life happen and not being overly fixated on specific outcomes, and much more besides.If you could share this episode with anyone who might benefit from hearing it – we would both be incredibly grateful.@simonmundie***My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The power of tapping into our internal guidance system - and trusting that it will take us where we need to go.Chrissie Wellington is one of the greatest athletes of all time: a four-time Ironman World Champion who broke the world record and retired undefeated.More importantly, Chrissie is a humble, kind and generous person (which is not always true of people who have reached such lofty heights!).Chrissie wasn't one of these athletes who set a goal to become World Champion aged eight and then went on to achieve it. She bobbed and weaved - and had the courage to listen to her intuition and follow it - and her meandering route to success culminated in her becoming a World Champion.As Chrissie says, we all have that intuition within us. Many of us can't hear it - while others do hear it but choose to ignore it. Some do listen to their intuition, trust it and follow it - and Chrissie is a living embodiment of what is possible when you do that.We also talk about connection, what we can learn from children, the stories we tell ourselves and the innate and intrinsic value we all have as human beings, regardless of what we do.Chrissie has two fantastic new books out for children: "You're so strong (The joy in simple)" and "You're so amazing". Both highly recommended.***NEWSFLASHWe are changing the name of this podcast to "Life Lessons: From sport and beyond"Nothing will change bar the words on the artwork, and I explain why we are making the change at the start of this episode, with a BBC Radio 4 Today programme backstory.In a nutshell, research shows that Don't Tell Me the Score doesn't explain what this pod is all about - so we are really spelling it out.Let me know your thoughts @simonmundie or drop me a message via my website simonmundie.com - I would love to hear your thoughts and will try and reply.***Follow me on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - full of useful lifehacks and 'nuggets' head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why avoiding sport's undoubted riches and ensuing fame - and remaining grounded and humble - can be a blessing. Laura was the world's number one squash player and its World Champion.However, squash doesn't get the attention of some other sports, and is overlooked by the International Olympic Committee time and again. Using her mantra 'life can only be understood backwards', Laura has come to see that avoiding the fame and fortune associated with being World Champion in certain other sport's can be a blessing.Laura talks about not losing your identity in what you do, choosing to be outside your comfort zone continually and seeking feedback - even when it is painful to receive.We discuss 'ego' - what it is and how to keep it in check and why short term pain for long term gain is often well worth it.Laura's book is called 'All in: Becoming World Champion'**Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieon instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/And for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - full of useful lifehacks and 'nuggets' head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remembering the importance of play - with the first woman to make a British Olympic rowing team after having children.Helen Glover is already a two-time Olympic Gold medal winner, and wasn't expecting to have the opportunity to win a third.Since winning gold at Rio 2016, Helen has given birth to three children. She has a three-year old, and a pair of one-year-old twins to contend with.She had no plans to get back in the boat, but during lockdown Helen found herself back on the rowing machine, where the Olympic itch gradually returned. And now she's back in Tokyo making history!In this episode, Helen shares lessons-a-plenty - including around the importance of play, how pressure is self-induced, letting go of 'negative' emotions and the skill of being coachable.She also talks about the inspiration she gets from all the support she has received on social media - particularly from new mums.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/And for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and more than 150 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.comAnd please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcastsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the words of one of Britain's greatest ever athletes, "complacency has a tendency to bite you on the backside".At the 1992 Olympics, Colin Jackson was hot favourite to win gold in the 110 metres hurdles, but finished seventh in the final after getting ahead of himself in the earlier rounds.Jackson won the World Championships twice thereafter and held the world record for over a decade, so he has no regrets - just lessons to share.He also talks about not letting success go to your head, harnessing anxiety and nerves to perform better, having the bravery to reach out to people who are better than you for help and guidance and much more besides.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It may be easy to think – we all know how to breath, but many of us do it in a way that is not optimal for our health.This week’s guest is science journalist and best-selling author of 'Breath, the new science of a lost art' James Nestor.The science shows breathing through your nose is key, as is not over-breathing – something we are prone to doing, particularly when stressed.James has been part of some extensive research which shows the damage that mouth breathing can do, and it is pretty startling.We talk about the optimal number of breaths to take per minute, how breathwork can be transformative when it comes to things like releasing trauma and how it can have a dramatic impact on sports performance too.We also talk about mouth taping at night - something I have done (in the face of ridicule!) for several years. Thankfully James does it too, and shows why it can be so beneficial.There are some really simple tweaks you can make after having listened to this episode which will benefit your overall wellbeing – and I’m excited to share this chat with you.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/**DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The importance of building strong foundations and not striving to reach your goal too quickly.Matt Little has coached Andy Murray for 15 years, and is the longest standing member of his entourage.He is a man who knows the importance of values, and of building strong foundations - rather than rushing to achieve success in the shortest time possible.It is about paying your dues and enjoying the journey - taking the time to smell the roses along the way - and not jumping steps in your quest to reach your goal.His new book is called 'the way of the tortoise' - and it outlines Matt's life philosophy, which we discuss in this episode.We also discuss the importance of learning soft skills, living your values - and why slow and steady often wins the race in the end.I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation - it is full of useful nuggets and I hope you do too.**A big thankyou to the sponsors of this week's episode Puresport CBD - who make some of the best CBD products on the market. They are used by elite athletes... and me!The unwind oil is a personal favourite, it helps me relax in the evening while the deep sleep nootropics are superb. For something with a bit more lift, try their Clarity oil or the muscle and joint balm for aches and pains.For 20% off all their products, use the code score20 at puresportcbd.com**Don't forget to sign up to my weekly 'Mundie on a monday newsletter' at simonmundie.comIt features some of the best DTMTS nuggets I have learnt from over 150 interviews with the world's top performers and thinkers.**Additional production Frank McWeeny**@simonmundieHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does success mean? Is the simple 'winner and losers' narrative we hear about in sport and life too simplistic?Tim Henman reached six major tennis semi-finals - four at Wimbledon - and was ranked fourth in the world. And yet – in some quarters – there is a false narrative that somehow Tim didn't deliver, or choked when it mattered most. If that were true, then almost all of us are failures.In this episode - we talk about exploring your potential – rather than setting a goal and limiting yourself – and why everyone’s journey and trajectory is different.We discuss gratitude, honesty, humility – as well as the fickle nature of external approval and why having intrinsic self-worth is where the gold is.We also talk about the lessons Tim learnt from being the first player to be disqualified from the Championships in 1995 - and it turns out that experience may have been a blessing in disguise.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The importance of separating our self-worth and sense of who we are from what we do.As one of Britain's best swimmers, Siobhan-Marie's sense of self-worth was often bound up with her performance in the pool. When she recorded the third fastest time in history at Rio 2016, she was on cloud nine, but when her times slipped she felt like she was a failure. This isn't an issue only related to sport; lots of us confuse who we are for what we do.Siobhan-Marie was forced to retire from swimming aged just twenty-five after struggling with ulcerative colitis - a painful and debilitating bowel disease. She was diagnosed aged sixteen, shortly after competing at London 2012. Since coming to terms with her enforced retirement and need to focus on her health and wellbeing, Siobhan-Marie has taken the time to reflect on the lessons she learnt over the course of her ten-year elite career.***My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The power of embracing a cause bigger than yourself. The qualities associated with being selfless include generosity, kindness, thoughtfulness and a sense of humility.Former England captain Lewis "Mad Dog" Moody is someone who has embodied selflessness throughout his life, on the pitch and off it.Connection is one of his top values, which has allowed him to thrive, inspire and lead. This episode is full of lessons, including around leadership, imposter syndrome and taking responsibility.We also discuss trusting your intuition, honesty in sport compared to 'real life' and the problem with reaching your loftiest goal.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why resisting and battling uncomfortable thoughts and feelings doesn't work, but acceptance and self-compassion does.Dr. Russ Harris is the world's best-know teacher of Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT)Experiencing emotions like anxiety is entirely normal. It is part of the human experience. If you DIDN'T experience them, then there may be a problem.However, it is not unusual to believe we shouldn't experience uncomfortable feelings and thoughts, and so we are prone to resisting them, or distracting ourself from them..Dr. Russ Harris explains that there is another - better - way. It is a paradoxical intervention - in that we are taught to lean towards the discomfort, not away from it.The paradox is that when we stop battling to get rid of the thoughts and feelings, they have less power over us and pass more quickly.And Russ shares some powerful 'defusion techniques' - which are brilliant for managing difficult thoughts and feelings in the moment, and double as a mindfulness tool too.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why learning to face uncomfortable feelings is vital for our wellbeing.Clarke Carlisle, once crowned "Britain's brainiest footballer", has had well publicised mental health difficulties and issues with drink and gambling.He believes his issues with drink, gambling and other activities stemmed from an inability to sit with painful emotions.In this episode, we discuss patterns passed down through the generations and how we form negative beliefs about ourselves.We talk about not automatically identifying with thoughts that pop into our mind, and learning to sit with emotions and choosing to respond rather than react.Clarke also shares a brilliant way of teaching children 'the language of emotions'**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone has had the experience of being 'in flow' - but what about being able to create it during the exact moment you've trained your life for?Goldie is an Olympic medalist in the javelin and was Britain's top thrower for a decade.In this episode we reflect on some of the implications and possible lessons that came up during the 'philosophy of sport' conversation with Rupert Spira.Goldie resonated deeply with that episode - and has much of her lived experience and wisdom to share on the subject.**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The main battle we all face is with our self - even when you've been a World Champion boxer.Tony Bellew was the WBC Cruiserweight Champion, but he's also been a Hollywood star and is now an author too.One thing Tony isn't - is full of himself. He understands we are all the same, irrespective of what we achieve in life.We all have good days and bad days, and that's ok. It's only when we believe the hype - or compare ourselves unfavourably with others - that it becomes a problem.Tony shares lots of his life lessons in this episode - including around trust, discipline, relationships and decision making.His news book is called 'Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face', and it's a metaphor for life, not just boxing.Let us know what you think @simonmundie**My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The power of creating and living a compelling vision of how you want to be in the world.Helen Richardson Walsh scored one of the crucial penalty shootout goals as Team GB won a historic gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.The team's journey to the top of their sport was a bumpy one; after winning bronze at London 2012 they finished 11th at the 2014 World Cup prompting a radical rethink.They held a no-holds barred clear-the-air team meeting, after which they set out a new vision and set of values, which enabled them to go on and create history 2 years later in Rio.In this episode, Helen - now performance psychologist at Tottenham Hotspur women - shares wisdom on values, vulnerability, authenticity - and about being the difference you want to see in the world. She also shares her experience of the team's now-famous Thinking Thursday, and the importance of tough conversations.**Follow me:on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and more than 150 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.comAnd please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcastsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What the experience of flow in sport may reveal about the nature of realityOne theme that has arisen time and again on this podcast is the experience of flow: when we lose ourselves in whatever it is that we are doing.Several sportspeople have spoken about the experience of "me" not being there in such moments. But what is that "me" that seems to disappear?That’s a big question and here to help address it is Rupert Spira, a philosopher interested in the nature of reality, and the nature of consciousness.Nothing is more obvious and undeniable than the fact that we are conscious. Now in this case when we say conscious, we mean simply 'being aware'.But, there is something called the hard problem of consciousness. It is our inability to explain how a lump of tissue or matter, in other words our brain, creates consciousness.Rupert argues that we are looking in the wrong direction. This is a counterintuitive view, and we are not arguing that it’s true, but before you immediately dismiss it, here is a quote from one of the most important physicists of the 20th century – the Nobel prizewinner Max Planck."I regard consciousness as fundamental. I regard matter as derivative from consciousness. We cannot get behind consciousness."@simonmundiewww.simonmundie.com**additional production by Frank McWeeny**Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reflecting on your strengths and weaknesses to grow as a person in sport, business and life.Kerry is one of Britain's best coaches, leading Team GB's women's hockey team to gold at the Rio Olympics in 2016. He's now leading GB's men to Tokyo 2021.Rio was Kerry's third Games as GB hockey coach. His first was at Beijing 2008, after which he endured a chastening post-Games debrief in which his methods were criticised.He used what was uncomfortable feedback to challenge himself and grow. Ultimately it enabled him to create not just a winning team, but one with meaningful values at their core.**additional production by Frank McWeeny****Follow me:on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and more than 150 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.comAnd please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcastsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Letting go of control and self-importance to find peace of mind with Jonny Wilkinson.While we explore the art of letting go of control in order to find peace of mind, we talk about the concept of pressure and how it is created by thought, not by external factors.Wilkinson opens up about the emptiness he felt after winning the Rugby World Cup, and what that reveals about our false belief that happiness is something that will happen at some time in the future. We also discuss how his sense of "self" disappeared as he kicked the World Cup winning drop goal in 2003.@simonmundie**Sign up for the Mundie on monday newsletter at www.simonmundie.comFollow me on instagram.com/simonmundie/Follow me on twitter.com/simonmundieHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to go from surviving to thriving with All Black legend and mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan.Back when All Blacks legend Kirwan was one of the best rugby union players in the world, he had a serious mental health crisis which sent him on a wellness journey that eventually led to him being knighted for services to mental health.Here he shares his 'daily mental health plan', which includes switching off your brain several times a day, and a multitude of other valuable life lessons.@simonmundie **For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What causes addiction and how to face it, with the Arsenal and England legendTony Adams captained a title-winning team in three different decades - the 80s, 90s and 00s – but describes founding the Sporting Chance Clinic, that provides treatment for sports men and women suffering from drink, drug or gambling addictions, as his greatest legacy.A recovering alcoholic, Adams explains the key factors that lead someone to developing an addiction, and why avoiding thoughts and feelings is a recipe for disaster. **My debut book - Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself - is available to buy from January 18. Drawing on some of my favourite interviews from this podcast over the last five years, I want to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found. Flow is a fundamental theme.Pre-order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/bookWebsite: simonmundie.comYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundieInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kindness can make us happier, deepen our relationships and even improve our heart health and immunity.Fascinatingly, with an R number of five, kindness has the power to ripple out and make a big impact on the world around us.David Hamilton PHD explains how**For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learning to manage your mind is crucial to happiness and success - in sport and in life.Professor Steve Peters famously created a model of the mind that was the subject of his first book The Chimp Paradox – to help us develop techniques to do so. He argues that learning how to manage your inner chimp is the key to peace of mind, as well as getting ahead in sport and in life. **For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How our beliefs and perceptions shape how we experience ourselves and the world.A sports psychologist who has worked with a number of top athletes, including previous DTMTS guest Lucy Gossage, Davis explains the key understanding that it is not people or events that make us feel or behave in a certain way, but rather our perceptions and beliefs that are crucial.Davis shares tips on how to uncover unhelpful beliefs and ways of thinking, and shows why tweaking the language you use can make a big difference. We would be very grateful if you could leave a rating (ideally 5*!) and a kind review where possible@simonmundie**For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The art of embracing moderation to be happier and healthier with snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan.Having struggled with various addictions throughout his life, including food, drink, and even running, snooker legend O’Sullivan tells how learning to exercise restraint in all areas of life, including in planning his playing schedule, has extended his career and left him feeling healthier and happier.He also talks of the importance of accepting his addictive nature rather than trying to fight against it.**Follow me:on instagram https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/on twitter https://twitter.com/simonmundieAnd for the 'Mundie on Monday' newsletter - featuring three of the best Life Lessons from three years and more than 150 of these conversations - head to simonmundie.comAnd please do share this episode with anyone who may benefit, and rate and review wherever you get your podcastsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to create a winning culture with in sport, business and life with Sir Clive Woodward. After Woodward was appointed England coach in 1997, he went about transforming the culture of the team using many of the lessons he had learnt running a small business - taking England to the Rugby World Cup in 2003. Here he shares his thoughts on how to create a winning culture within sport, business and life, and talks us through many of the lessons he shared to take England from underachievers to the best team in the world.@simonmundie**simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to deal with pressure and thrive when the stakes are high with elite performance coach Dave Alred.Alred is the go-to elite performance coach of many of the world's best athletes, including golf major champions and World Cup winners including, most famously, Jonny Wilkinson.He started his career as a teacher, though, and it was during that period that he developed many of his guiding principles. In this episode he talks about the key factors in dealing with pressure, thriving when the stakes are high and learning to embrace failure rather than fearing it. #DTMTS@simonmundie**For the weekly newsletter, head to www.simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to use the ancient Greek philosophy of stoicism to cope with the ups and downs of life.See clearly, act correctly and endure and accept the world as it is; these are the three key pillars of stoicism.Best-selling author Holiday teaches us how to use this ancient Greek philosophy to cope with the ups and downs of life, and explains why we should focus on objective judgement, unselfish action and willing acceptance of all external events. @simonmundie**For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taking full responsibility for your life and facing challenges head on with the former Manchester United psychologistBeswick is one of the world's best-respected sports psychologists, having worked at United under Sir Alex Ferguson during the club's dominant reign. In this episode he talks about developing a ‘fighter mindset’; ie taking full responsibility for your life and facing the inevitable challenges it throws up head-on.This contrasts with a ‘victim mindset’, in which someone make excuses and blames others, and the world, for all their misfortunes. I would be hugely grateful if you could share this episode - it makes a big difference.@simonmundie**For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Judging behaviour but not the person with the ex-armed robber reformed through sport in high-security prison.Having grown up around some of the most notorious criminals in the country, McAvoy spent ten years in the UK's highest security prisons – where he had an epiphany that transformed his outlook and identity. McAvoy – now a Nike-sponsored Iron Man athlete – proves that a leopard can change its spots, and that while we can judge someone’s behaviour, we may want to reconsider being too quick to judge the person, because the environment we find ourselves in has a profound impact on our life choices. I would be hugely grateful if you could find time to leave DTMTS a rating (ideally 5* and a kind review if you have time). It would make a huge difference.@simonmundie**For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Giving your everything and having no regrets with Olympic gold medal winning hockey player Alex DansonAfter suffering a traumatic brain injury in 2018, Danson – one of Britain’s greatest ever hockey players – shares why the most difficult aspect of her accident was the loss of identity, connection and purpose.She has now come to see what happened as a gift that has enabled her to have more balance in her life, and value what is truly important; her health and relationships.**For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why emotional intelligence can be more important than IQ.An internationally known psychologist and author of the best-selling book Emotional Intelligence, Goleman explains how EQ is about understanding ourselves better, managing our own emotions, and using empathy to better understand the feelings and emotions of the people around us. In this episode, he explains how we can develop it – as well as how mindfulness can contribute to that process – and, ultimately, why emotional intelligence can be even more important than IQ.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Resolving complicated feelings, recognising patterns and understanding yourself better – with the 1996 Formula One World Champion.When Hill secured the Formula1 Championship in 1996, he ensured that he and his father Graham Hill entered the record books as the first father-and-son pair to win the sport’s biggest prize.But sadly, his dad was not there to celebrate the achievement; he tragically died in a plane crash in 1975 shortly after retiring from the sport.After his own retirement, Hill went on a journey of self-discovery, battling depression and questions of identity – as well as understanding and unpicking complicated feelings, and patterns that get passed down through the generations. **For the newsletter - head to simonmundie.comHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to use mindfulness to thrive with Headspace co-founder and former Buddhist monk Andy PuddicombeMindfulness is about focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.Puddicombe, former Buddhist monk and founder of Headspace, has arguably done more than anyone to popularise mindfulness. He speaks about how the technique directly applies to sport, but he also goes deep into the ultimate aim of meditation; to achieve enlightenment and reveal 'non-duality'. ***Follow me @simonmundiesimonmundie.com for 'Mundie on Monday' newsletterHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why having self-doubt is normal and how preparation and perspective are key, with the six-time Olympic gold medalist.Having won six Olympic gold medals during a dazzling cycling career, becoming World Champion 11 times, Hoy is perfectly placed to explain how to develop the right attitude.He explains why looking a fear of failure in the face can be utterly transformative, and how thoughts of winning and losing create pressure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The power of accepting yourself and letting go of the need for approval.Billy Monger is a racing driver who, after having both his legs amputated after a crash, was back behind the wheel of a car within a year.Since the accident, he has been thrust into the limelight, but he has not lost sight of what is important; positivity, kindness and authenticity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring your own limits and trusting your own judgement with the England cricketer and World Cup winner.One of England’s greatest cricketers and an integral member of the team that won the World Cup in 2019, Buttler tells how staying in touch with the childlike enthusiasm for what you are doing and by taking delight in exploring your own limits you can tap into your deepest potential.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why being true to yourself is vital to success and happiness with Wales rugby legend‘Being true to yourself’ is something Warburton values highly – and it can as simple as saying no to something that doesn’t feel right, he explains in this episode.The former Wales rugby captain also talks about the importance of knowing yourself and keeping your personal standards as high as possible, the benefit in getting out of your comfort zone, how confidence comes from proper preparation, why facing adversity in life is important, the importance of manners and respect, and how often less is more. www.simonmundie.com - sign up for the Mundie on Monday newsletterHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Being willing to throw yourself into something without any guarantee of a successful outcome – with the former Special Forces soldier.Ollerton is a former Special Forces soldier turned TV star and author who passed the SAS's gruelling six-month selection process – testing his physical and mental endurance to the limit – before spending six years with the SBS.But it was after leaving the special forces that he came unstuck; the process of getting himself back on track informed many of the life lessons he holds dear, including courage, motivation, purpose, self-doubt and ego. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to address insomnia and anxious thoughts with the Sleep School founderMeadows uses an approach known as ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - which teaches you to relate to your uncomfortable feeling and emotions in an often counter-intuitive way. (ACT has helped a number of top sportspeople including Sir Alastair Cook, who talked about it in our earlier episode).This approach is a powerful tool for addressing anxiety in all areas of life. **Sign up for the Mundie on monday newsletter at www.simonmundie.comFollow me on instagram.com/simonmundie/Follow me on twitter.com/simonmundieHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to overcome fear with the legendary Free Solo climber and Oscar winnerAs the saying goes, there’s nothing to fear but fear itself. In this episode, free solo climber Honnold, the man who scaled a 3000 foot vertical cliff without ropes, discusses fear and how to overcome it. His conquering of the awe inspiring El Capitan in America has been described as ‘one of the greatest athletic feats of any kind, ever’ – it was so impressive, they made an Oscar winning film about it called Free Solo. As Honnold recalls his legendary climb, he shares the importance of preparation and visualisation and tells why incremental practice can be used to overcome just about any fear, including social anxiety and fear of public speaking.Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The importance of a positive outlook in achieving success is crucial, according to legendary jockey Dettori.While he tells us he aims to be in a positive frame of mind every time he leaves the house, which has contributed to his remarkable longevity, he says it also has a tangible effect on his horses, who can sense the frame of mind he is in and react accordingly.That may well explain how he famously managed to win all seven races in one day at Ascot in 1996, when he lost his sense of 'self' on what was his final ride of the day…Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.