Your kid runs onto that field and something happens. You forget everything you know about performance psychology and immediately start coaching from the sideline.Sound familiar?In this episode, Tim and Mario go deep on what children do naturally that most adults have spent years — sometimes decades — unlearning. From the way kids play without an outcome in mind, to the way they pick themselves up without a crisis of identity when things go wrong. There's a masterclass happening every Saturday morning at your local oval. Most adults are too busy shouting instructions to notice it.Tim shares the real story of watching his daughter run her district cross-country carnival — the nerves, the hug before the start line, the instinct to stay out of the way. Mario reflects on coaching young athletes for nearly two decades, the parents who arrive with their own unfinished business, and why he sometimes tells parents: your kid doesn't need you at training. Go for a run.The Norwegian model gets a mention. So does the pressure of getting in the car after a game. And why ice hockey players shake hands after battering each other for 60 minutes — but the loudest person at the oval is also the least qualified to have an opinion.What You'll Take Away- Why kids in flow are the purest model of performance we have — and what kills it- The single thing Tim says to his kids before any event (and the one thing he refuses to say)- What Norway got right about youth sport that the rest of the world is only starting to understand- How to separate performance from self-worth — a skill that has to be built early or it gets expensive to learn later- Why parents at training sessions can actively hurt the coach's ability to do their job- Mario's daughter's genius move: choosing sports her dad knows nothing aboutThe One PercentersPlaying cricket and running is not who you are. It's what you do. The moment a kid internalises that — truly internalises it — they've got a psychological edge most adults are still chasing.That's the one percent. And it starts earlier than you think.GET IN TOUCHMario Buchsmario@healtheticacoaching.comFollow @healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram and moreTim Buxtontim@timothybuxton.comFollow @timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads and moreDISCOVER MORE & SHAREIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares — help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

What if the hustle was never the point?

Tim and Mario get into one of the most provocative questions of our time — not whether AI is going to take our jobs, but whether the things it's replacing were ever really ours to begin with.

From Nick Cave refusing to let AI near his music, to ultra-runners choosing suffering they didn't have to choose, to a young artist refusing help mid-painting — this episode asks a confronting question: are we outsourcing the very struggle that builds us?

This isn't a tech episode. It's a human one.

In this episode:

• The question that stops most people cold — if AI did everything you did this week in 4 minutes, how would you feel?
• Why the productivity obsession was always a story we told ourselves
• What Nick Cave's stance on AI reveals about creativity, struggle, and soul
• Mario's engineering lens — AI as the hammer, not the hand
• Why ultra running is booming in an age of optimization
• The difference between being productive and being authentic
• The one piece of advice Mario gives: own it

Key Quote:"AI can rob us of our self-worth if we give it too much — because it robs us of the confidence that comes from doing the work yourself." — Tim Buxton

Get In Touch:

Mario Buchs📧 mario@healtheticacoaching.comFollow @healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram and more

Tim Buxton📧 tim@timothybuxton.comFollow @timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads and more

Discover More & Share

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares — help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

Mario and Tim discuss "Funnel The Focus" - the critical ability that separates elite performers from everyone else. Discover how to eliminate distractions, overcome fear, and achieve true focus.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why focus is more valuable than time or money

• How fear and worry silently steal your attention

• The 4-phase process to achieve elite-level concentration

• How successful people make decisions under pressure

• Practical daily reflection techniques to improve focus

• Why you might be "busy being busy" without real progress

• Using visualisation and clarity to eliminate noise

KEY TOPICS:

- Focus as your most valuable commodity

- The competition for attention in the digital age

- From awareness to execution to flow state

- Values-based decision making

- The darts analogy: maintaining focus under pressure

- Email management and boundary setting

- Fear-based narratives and how to rewrite them

PERFECT FOR:

Entrepreneurs, athletes, professionals, students, and anyone seeking greater focus, productivity, and fulfillment.

KEY TIMESTAMPS:

0:44 - Welcome to new listeners

2:04 - Topic: Funnel The Focus

3:02 - What does focus mean to you?

7:39 - How elite performers make decisions

8:52 - Fear as your biggest distraction

11:21 - The awareness-to-execution shift

14:26 - Values as anchor points

17:10 - The darts analogy

19:12 - Visualization and eliminating distractions

20:45 - Daily reflection practice

25:25 - Action items for listeners

Get In TouchMario Buchs - mario@healtheticacoaching.com⁠⁠Follow @healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram and moreTim Buxton - tim@timothybuxton.com⁠⁠Follow @timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and moreDiscover More & ShareIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares—help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

In this special Christmas and end-of-year episode, Tim Buxton and Mario Buchs slow things down to reflect on the journey of The One Percenters Performance Podcast across 2025 and to set the tone for what’s ahead in 2026.

Rather than chasing trends or polished soundbites, this conversation stays grounded, honest, and human. Tim and Mario unpack what they’ve learned through lived experience in sport, work, family, leadership, coaching, and life transitions. From the unsexy power of consistency to the importance of staying true to your core values, this episode is an invitation to reflect deeply before rushing into the new year.

This is not about resolutions. It’s about rhythms. Not about reinvention. But alignment.

Key Themes & Conversations

• Why authenticity beats algorithms

  A look back at why the podcast has stayed genuine, unscripted, and rooted in real experience rather than hype.

• The myth of the “New You”

  Why growth does not require losing who you are, and how staying anchored to your core values is essential during seasons of transition.

• The unsexy work of the 99%

  The daily habits, check-ins, and consistency that make the final one percent actually matter.

• Reflection as a discipline

  Why waiting until the end of the year is often too late, and how weekly or monthly reflection builds clarity and momentum.

• Gratitude as a daily practice

  Simple habits that shift mindset, perspective, and performance long before results show up.

• Teams, mentors, and human connection

  Why no meaningful progress happens alone and how surrounding yourself with the right people changes everything.

Tim and Mario share what’s on the horizon, including Looking Ahead to 2026:

• The evolution of humanitarian ultra-endurance experiences, including a return to Kurdistan, Iraq

• Expansion of coaching and mentoring, with a strong emphasis on human-first, holistic performance

• New guests joining the podcast, bringing fresh perspectives and respectful disagreement

• Continued focus on leadership, resilience, belonging, and performance beyond sport

The One Percent Takeaway: Don’t wait for a new year to become someone else.

Build rhythms that help you become more fully yourself.

Progress comes from ownership, consistency, reflection, and community — not from sudden reinvention or chasing the next shiny solution.

Get In Touch

Mario Buchs - mario@healtheticacoaching.com⁠⁠

Follow @healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram and more

Tim Buxton - tim@timothybuxton.com⁠⁠

Follow @timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and moreDiscover More & Share

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares—help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

In this episode, Tim Buxton sits down with ultra-runner and coach Mario Buchs just two weeks after his second successful finish at Coast to Kosciuszko. What unfolds is an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at one of Australia’s most iconic endurance events: a 240km nonstop journey from the ocean at Eden to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko.

Mario takes listeners inside the physical, mental, and emotional realities of the race, from starting with soaked shoes at sunrise, to navigating hailstorms, sleep deprivation, nutrition pivots, blister management, and a perfectly timed 10-minute nap that changed everything. Along the way, Tim shares reflections from crewing and pacing Mario through the night, offering rare insight into what it truly takes to finish strong.

This conversation goes far beyond running. It explores leadership, teamwork, decision-making under pressure, and how small, consistent “one percent” choices compound into extraordinary outcomes.

Key Moments & Themes

• Touching the water to touching snow

  Mario begins the race by intentionally soaking his shoes in the ocean, symbolising the full arc of the journey ahead.

• Preparation over perfection

  From nutrition plans to heart-rate discipline, Mario explains why having a plan — and being willing to adapt it — is everything.

• The power of crew and community

  A deep dive into the critical role of a crew chief, pacers, and trusted teammates who remove ego and keep the project moving forward.

• Night running and mental clarity

  Why Mario thrives in the quiet hours, and how staying in motion becomes a form of active recovery.

• The 10-minute nap that changed the race

  A perfectly timed decision that took Mario from empty to energised and made a safe summit possible.

• Weather, uncertainty, and timing

  Hailstorms, race stoppages, and the razor-thin margin between pushing on and waiting wisely at altitude.

• Summiting Mount Kosciuszko

  Snow, ice, wind, emotion, and the payoff for months of disciplined training and sacrifice.

• Finishing strong — by design

  How Mario executed his visualisation and crossed the line on his terms.

The One Percent Lesson: Just keep moving — with intention.

Progress beats perfection. Whether in ultrarunning, work, leadership, or life, stopping without purpose is often more damaging than slowing down. Movement, however small, keeps momentum alive.

In part 2 of the recap on their recent ultra marathon experience in Iraq, Mario & Tim discuss the emotional aftermath, the importance of teamwork, and the challenges they faced during the run. They emphasize the significance of motivation, the unexpected moments that arose, and the cultural engagement with the local community. The conversation highlights the lessons learned about endurance, resilience, and the broader humanitarian efforts that extend beyond the run itself.

Key Takeaways

• Post Marathon Blues is a common experience after intense events.
• Team dynamics play a crucial role in overcoming challenges.
• The heat during the run had a significant impact on performance.
• Finding your motivation is essential to push through tough moments.
• Unexpected challenges can arise, requiring quick thinking and adaptability.
• Cultural engagement with the local community added depth to the experience.
• Lessons learned from endurance events can be applied to everyday life.
• The journey of humanitarian efforts continues beyond the event itself.
• It's important to highlight the stories of those affected by conflict.
• This experience is just the beginning of a larger movement.

Chapters

00:00 Intro - The Journey Continues: Preparing for Tomorrow

02:34 The Journey Begins: Food and Community

05:18 Understanding the Local Culture and Nutrition Needs

07:42 The Final Days: Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Achievements

09:40 Physical Struggles: Navigating Health Risks During the Run

13:24 Lessons Learned: Endurance, Resilience, and Team Dynamics

19:30 The Bigger Picture: Humanitarian Efforts and Future Goals

24:17 Reflections on the Experience: Impact and Moving Forward

Get In TouchMario Buchs - mario@healtheticacoaching.com⁠⁠Follow @healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram and moreTim Buxton - tim@timothybuxton.com⁠⁠Follow @timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and moreDiscover More & ShareIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares—help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

After completing a 100mile challenging ultra-marathon in Iraq. Tim and Mario discuss the emotional aftermath, known as Post Marathon Blues, the importance of teamwork and collaboration, the physical challenges faced during the run, and the motivation that kept them going. They also share insights on adapting to new environments and the lessons learned about resilience and leadership throughout their journey.

Key Takeaways

• Post Marathon Blues is a common emotional response after intense events.
• Taking time to process experiences is essential for mental health.
• Team dynamics play a crucial role in overcoming challenges.
• Leadership is about humility and recognizing everyone's contributions.
• Simple tasks can significantly impact team success.
• Motivation is key to pushing through difficult moments.
• Adapting to new environments requires flexibility and quick thinking.
• Finding a personal 'why' can drive performance during tough times.
• Every day of the run presented new challenges and learning opportunities.
• Resilience is built through shared experiences and teamwork.

Chapters

00:00 Intro: The Emotional Aftermath

03:34 Team Dynamics: The Power of Collaboration

06:34 Facing Challenges: The Heat and Its Impact

08:51 Moments of Crisis: Decision Making Under Pressure

11:39 The Importance of Motivation: Finding Your Why

14:17 Daily Struggles: The Reality of Ultra Running

17:06 Cultural Encounters: Hospitality in Iraq

19:53 Reflections on Teamwork: Lessons Learned

22:35 The Journey Continues: Preparing for Tomorrow

Get In TouchMario Buchs - mario@healtheticacoaching.com⁠⁠Follow @healthetica_coaching on LinkedIn, Instagram and moreTim Buxton - tim@timothybuxton.com⁠⁠Follow @timothykbuxton on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and moreDiscover More & ShareIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Spotify, YouTube, or your favourite podcast platform. We appreciate your reviews and shares—help others discover the power of aligning your purpose with your performance!

It’s almost here. In just days, Tim and Mario will head to northern Iraq to attempt something extraordinary: running 100 miles from Mosul to Soran, retracing the road once taken by families fleeing ISIS.

In this episode of The One Percenters Performance Podcast, Tim and Mario share their final reflections before the journey begins. From training insights and mental preparation to the logistics of running in such a unique and challenging environment, they open up about the emotions, expectations, and purpose behind the Iraq100.

You’ll hear about:

• The final weeks of training and tapering.

• What’s going through their minds as they prepare to leave.

• The deeper “why” behind the run and how it connects to the Move to Belong campaign.

• How listeners can follow, support, and be part of this epic humanitarian adventure.

This is more than a run—it’s a story of resilience, belonging, and courage.

👉 Follow the journey, support the cause, and join the movement at www.move2belong.com