In this episode of Talking Performance we explore how systems thinking and complexity science reshape our understanding of sports performance, injury prevention, and organizational change.

Scott McLean, a seasoned researcher and consultant, dives deep into how integrated systems and holistic insights can help clubs and practitioners breakthrough traditional barriers.

In this episode:

• Scott McLean’s background in sport science and transition into complexity consultancy
• The fundamental principles of systems thinking and emergence in sports performance
• How complexity influences injury mechanisms, athlete behavior, and team dynamics
• The importance of shared understanding and communication across disciplines
• The pitfalls of reductionist approaches and the risks of Fixes that Fail archetype
• Strategies to integrate holistic system perspectives into decision-making
• Practical examples from football, golf, and elite sports organizations
• The role of culture, language, and diversity in managing complex sports environments
• Challenges and opportunities with AI, data overload, and the future of sports science

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In this episode of Talking Performance, Dan Vann shares his journey from sports coaching to mental skills and performance coaching, highlighting practical strategies for stress management, goal setting, and resilience. Discover how integrating mental skills can enhance performance in sports, corporate, and everyday life.

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Most leaders and coaches are afraid of showing their vulnerability, in this interview Cameron Schwab reveals why your “limp” is actually your greatest strength in leadership. At just 24, he became the youngest AFL CEO in history, navigating a club in deep struggle while grappling with his own insecurities.

Now, he shares how embracing imperfections, drawing out your true self, and cultivating a growth-oriented mindset can unlock authentic leadership and foster powerful trust. In this candid conversation, Cameron discusses the crucial difference between leadership based on authenticity versus performance masks.

Cameron dives into how past experiences, family influence, and risk-taking shape the way we lead—especially when confronting complexity and ambiguity. We break down practical frameworks inspired by Rick Rubin and insights from elite sport to help you create environments where trust, honesty, and growth thrive.You'll learn:

• Why having a “limp” — a metaphor for your vulnerabilities and mistakes — is key to genuine influence.
• How to communicate with integrity and meet people where they are — even in challenging organizational cultures.
• The four essential coaching postures: sounding board, truth teller, idea sharer, and partner — and how to use them to navigate tough conversations.
• The importance of mental resilience and self-awareness in avoiding ego-driven leadership pitfalls.
• How to design a systems approach to leadership that empowers others and sustains success amid chaos.

Whether you're an aspiring leader, coach, or simply passionate about creating meaningful influence, this episode is a masterclass in turning vulnerability into your most strategic asset.

Cameron's honest stories, layered insights, and fresh perspectives will inspire you to reframe your approach to authenticity, trust, and growth. Perfect for those ready to lead with integrity and embrace the full complexity of human performance.

Cameron Schwab is a thought leader in leadership development, known for his innovative work with CEOs and high performers. His journey from AFL's youngest CEO to thought-provoking artist and coach provides a unique vantage point on human resilience, self-discovery, and organizational culture.If you're committed to leading from the heart while navigating the uncertainty of modern work and life, this episode will shift your perspective and power your next move. Ready to embrace your limp and unlock your true influence? Hit play now.

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In this episode I speak to Richard (RJ) Smith as he reflects on the evolution of athlete and coach development. RJ emphasises simplicity, critical thinking, and the power of relationships in high-performance environments. This conversation explores practical strategies for coaching, self-awareness, and fostering meaningful growth in sports and beyond.

In this episode:

• The shift towards simplicity in coaching and athlete development
• How experience and knowledge enable coaches to simplify without losing depth
• The importance of critical thinking and self-reflection for continuous improvement
• Strategies for developing reflective practices and getting honest feedback
• Managing diversity of athletes and balancing long-term growth versus immediate performance
• The concept of mattering and its impact on how coaches build trust and connection
• Leveraging peer-to-peer coaching and social learning to accelerate development
• The potential of integrated regional approaches for coach education and collaboration
• Practical approaches to foster a culture of innovation and experimentation
• Future directions for coach development and leadership succession planning

This conversation highlights the significance of intentionality, the power of social learning, and the importance of trust and authenticity in leadership. It invites coaches to reflect on their practices, embrace experimentation, and develop a systems approach to sustainable high performance.

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Join us in this insightful episode where Christian Penny shares his expertise bridging Māori Tikanga, leadership, and complexity science to foster better collaboration, innovation, and performance in sports, business, and communities. Discover how cultural frameworks enhance team dynamics and how to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

In this episode:

• Christian's background spanning from arts to high-performance sports leadership
• The role of Tikanga Māori as practical tools, not just cultural practices
• How different cultural environments influence dialogue and silence
• The importance of diversity and difference in team settings
• Strategies for cultivating leadership skills that embrace complexity
• The art of listening, silence, and presence in high-stakes environments
• The significance of shared purpose and inquiry in evolving systems
• Practical examples from rugby, business, and community settings
• How to introduce Tikanga principles across organizations
• Fostering the skills to handle uncertainty and change

Resources & Links:

• Te Ao Māori - Māori World View
• Richard Young - Leadership and Tension
• Coach Accelerator Program
• High Performance Sport New Zealand
• Dara Sheridan - Workshop in Galway
• Tikanga Marae Framework
• Archaeologist in Konamara
• Kiwis and Irish whakapapa story

Note: This episode explores frameworks rooted in Māori Tikanga and complexity science, offering practical insights for leaders, coaches, and organizations seeking to deepen connection, foster diversity, and navigate uncertainty with cultural intelligence.

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Nick’s journey is fascinating. From one of New Zealand’s top amateurs, to early professional success, through a period where the game nearly broke him, and now into a phase where he’s playing some of his best golf with a completely different mindset.

What changed?

This conversation dives into that turning point. We explore how stepping away from outcome-driven thinking, and into a more free, self-expressive way of playing, unlocked both performance and enjoyment. It’s not about abandoning discipline or hard work. It’s about understanding who you are, and allowing that to show up when it matters most.

We talk about the tension between structure and freedom, why many athletes end up playing “with handcuffs on,” and how identity, not just technique, shapes performance. Nick shares how his experience in the YouTube golf world helped him rediscover a version of himself that had been lost in the pursuit of perfection.

There’s also an honest look at the realities of professional golf. The pressure, the internal dialogue, the sustainability of performance, and the importance of building a life that isn’t entirely dependent on results.

Some of the key ideas we unpack:

• Why playing “freely” is easier said than done, and why it takes practice
• The difference between careless, careful, and carefree performance
• How identity and self-awareness shape decision making under pressure
• Why many athletes drift into compliance instead of authenticity
• The hidden cost of success when enjoyment disappears
• How building something outside your sport can reduce pressure and improve performance

This isn’t just a golf conversation. It’s about how we perform, how we relate to pressure, and how we avoid becoming the bitter version of ourselves in pursuit of success.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but something still isn’t clicking, this one’s worth your time.

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Seemed a cool episode to release the week of the Masters! This week I am joined by Dr Raymond Prior. Discover how to cultivate "stable confidence" and perform at your best under pressure. In this episode, Dr. Raymond Prior shares his journey into performance psychology, debunks common myths about confidence, and offers practical strategies to perform freely regardless of external factors.

In this episode:

• Dr. Prior discusses how confidence relies on internal permission rather than external outcomes
• Breaks down the five sources of unstable confidence: outcomes, opinions, past/future events, thoughts/feelings, and context
• Explains how to develop resilience through acceptance and strategic mental practices
• Shares insights on training for performance, not just technique
• Highlights the importance of language and mindset for young learners and elite performers

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and overview of performance psychology and confidence
02:16 - Dr. Prior's background and journey into performance neuroscience
05:17 - Why traditional confidence hacks often fail & the concept of stable confidence
06:15 - Definition of confidence as permission to perform freely
08:06 - The five unstable sources of confidence: outcomes, opinions, past/future events, thoughts, and context
09:56 - How to develop self-generated, stable confidence amid external instability
11:39 - The role of acceptance over certainty in consistent performance
13:50 - Addressing anxiety and the "Yips": stages and mental mechanics
16:56 - Techniques for acceptance and managing pre-performance anxiety
20:18 - Insights from a figure skater’s panic experience & how anxiety hijacks performance
23:46 - Strategy for letting go of hedging shots and trusting oneself
27:41 - Variance in top athletes' scores and embracing imperfection
28:37 - Supporting young athletes through growth mindset and risk acceptance
33:11 - The damaging effects of judgment and fixed mindset praise in youth development
34:58 - The importance of language: avoiding constrictive words like "should"
36:21 - The difference between fixed and growth mindsets for sustained success
37:45 - Practical ways to foster a learning environment that embraces failure
44:03 - How to mentally prepare for on-course challenges and simulate practice under pressure
52:02 - Strategic on-course exercises to build acceptance and reduce anxiety
55:35 - The science of acceptance and how to practice it long-term
56:41 - Explaining V-shaped (threat) vs. A-shaped (threat and constriction) thoughts and their impact
61:04 - Cultivating a V-shaped mindset for resilience and performance stability
63:14 - How our beliefs shape our experience and the way forward for high performersResources & Links:

• Golf Beneath the Surface: Unlocking Performance with Dr. Raymond Prior

• Raymond Pryor - LinkedIn

• Talking Performance Podcast

Connect with Dr. Raymond Prior:

• LinkedIn | Twitter

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In this conversation, David Galbraith and I explore how courage, mindset, and the metaphor of the handbrake influence personal and team performance across sports, leadership, and everyday life. DG emphasizes the importance of psychological layers, cultural alignment, and coaching as key drivers of excellence. A pivotal moment in the discussion is David's skydiving experience, which serves as a powerful metaphor for confronting fears and unlocking true courage. *Davids Audio drops out for the last minute so it appears that I am talking to myself but it really is just goodbye and you will get the gist of it!

Key Topics:

• The metaphor of the handbrake: understanding mental restraint in high performance.
• The role of courage as a decision: moving from fear to freedom.
• Insights from skydiving as a reflection of living unconsciously vs consciously.
• Building resilience and harmony between fear and energy using scientific insights.
• The impact of coaching and culture on team and individual responses under pressure.
• Strategies for leaders and coaches to create environments of empowerment and responsibility.
• Differentiating goals and targets: strategic thinking for success.
• The importance of layered learning and staged exposure, like skydiving, to develop confidence.
• Practical ways to apply mental and emotional layers in work, sport, and life.
• Cultivating leadership that fosters legacy and independence.

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