Lessons civilians can borrow from elites

In this episode, Georgie sits down again with human performance coach Pete McKnight, a man with nearly 25 years’ experience shaping Olympians, F1 drivers and world-class performers. Pete breaks down what “human performance” really is: a multi-dimensional blend of physiology, psychology, cognition and nutrition, and why the days of thinking fitness alone defines performance are long gone.

He explains how the rise of specialist performance teams has transformed elite sport, moving from a lone strength coach to integrated units of physios, psychologists, nutritionists and data experts all pulling in the same direction. But the real magic, Pete says, isn’t in assembling the biggest team; it’s in getting them to collaborate, individualise and adapt around the athlete.

Georgie and Pete dig into what the rest of us can learn from elite environments: clarity of goals, proper planning and, above all, relentless consistency. No shortcuts. No silver bullets. Just smart, sustained work.

They also explore how technology and AI are reshaping training, from affordable diagnostics to data-driven programmes, and how the future hinges on understanding the athlete as much as the algorithm. Plus: fascinating insights from Pete’s work across Formula One, defence and space on how humans and machines can truly perform together.

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The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, 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 Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.

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