Philosopher and bestselling author Alain de Botton invites us to completely rethink what success really means. This profound and therapeutic conversation explores how true high performance isn’t about external achievement, but about realising your unique potential and finding peace within yourself.

Alain challenges the obsession with being “special,” explaining why accepting our ordinariness can be the most liberating idea of all. He also discusses how envy can reveal our hidden potential, how we lose touch with our true selves by trying to please others, and why moments of crisis or even pain can be the body’s search for balance.

This is a deeply human exploration of ambition, self-worth, and acceptance, an invitation to define success on your own terms.

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The pressure, the noise, the meaning of the occasion, it had all become too much.

Two years later, he returned to the same stadium, the same stage, and this time everything was different. He scored one of the biggest goals of his career, not because his ability had changed, but because his mindset had.

In this episode, I share what I learned from Dan’s transformation and the powerful lesson he now lives by: play the game, not the occasion. Together, we explore:

• Why high-pressure moments can derail even the best performers
• How to “shrink the stage” and focus on what’s in your control
• The science behind reframing nerves as excitement
• What Newcastle United’s evolution teaches us about team mindset
• How to prepare for your own “Wembley moments” with clarity and calm

Here is more information on the studies referenced:

1. What Governs Choking Under Pressure? (Sian L. Beilock & Thomas H. Carr, 2001)
2. When Paying Attention Becomes Counterproductive: Impact of Divided versus Skill-Focused Attention on Novice and Experienced Performance of Sensorimotor Skills (Sian L. Beilock, Wierenga & Carr, 2002)
3. Get Excited: Reappraising Pre-Performance Anxiety as Excitement (Alison Wood Brooks, 2014)
4. A Pre-Performance Routine to Alleviate Choking in “Choking-Susceptible” Athletes (Christopher Mesagno, Daryl Marchant, Tony Morris, 2008)
5. The Effectiveness of Pre-Performance Routines in Sports: A Meta-Analysis (Anton G. O. Rupprecht, Ulrich S. Tran, Peter Gröpel, 2021.)
6. Attentional Focus and Motor Learning: A Review (Gabriele Wulf, 2013)
7. The Performance and Psychological Effects of Goal Setting (process vs outcome) (O. Williamson et al. 2024)

Listen to the full episode with Dan Burn: https://pod.fo/e/2eb8b4

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The real secret to longevity isn’t found in trendy diets or extreme hacks, it’s in mastering the basics. In this episode, human biologist Gary Brecka shares why the world’s longest-living populations thrive not through keto, paleo, or vegan plans, but by avoiding processed foods altogether.

Gary also debunks popular health myths around fasting, carbs, and supplements, explaining why biology, not trends, should guide our choices. He highlights the everyday habits that matter most: eating whole foods, prioritising protein, sleeping well, staying mobile, and building strong connections.

From Dana White’s remarkable health reset to the future of wellness, Gary shows that the path to energy and longevity is surprisingly simple: real food, real relationships, and sustainable routines that last.

This episode offers a powerful reminder that health isn’t about perfection, it’s about consistency, simplicity, and living with purpose.

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