Habits of High Performers Podcast with James Laughlin

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Why High Performers Win Big and Still Feel Empty with Dr. Jack Groppel

Jan 11, 2026

Guest

Jack L. Groppel

In this enlightening conversation, Dr. Jack Groppel, co-founder of the Human Performance Institute and author of 'Mountains Within', opens up about the hidden costs of high achievement. He shares his journey from seeking approval to finding meaning and balancing ambition with personal growth. Jack discusses how adoption reshaped his priorities and the importance of setting boundaries in leadership. With candid stories of career and personal crises, he advocates for the power of therapy and living one's truth. Tune in for insights on leading a purpose-driven life!

01:04:06

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ANECDOTE

Career Success, Personal Mess

Jack describes two marriages that ended partly because he didn't invest energy into relationships.
He admitted he neglected inner work while excelling professionally.

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ANECDOTE

Two Weeks That Changed Everything

Jack adopted his son in China and faced language and cultural barriers while parenting alone.
That two-week adoption period profoundly reshaped his capacity to love and prioritize family.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Small Bath, Huge Breakthrough

During the first night with his adopted son Jack followed a guide's advice and gave a small bath, which calmed the child and built trust.
Daily swimming and touch then became the core practices for bonding.

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Why Jack Wrote Mountains Within

01:32 • 2min

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Early Approval Seeking and the 'Watch Me' Drive

03:12 • 2min

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Building a Career in Sports Science

05:17 • 2min

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Impact on Tennis: Players and Innovations

07:00 • 4min

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Success, Identity, and Insecurity

10:57 • 2min

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Quality Over Quantity in Work

12:52 • 2min

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Personal Life Unraveling Amid Career Success

14:40 • 3min

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Health Crisis and Realization to Change

Adopting His Son: Two Weeks That Changed Everything

20:03 • 4min

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How Adoption Reoriented His Life

23:50 • 2min

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Scaling Impact After Personal Change

26:08 • 1min

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Stepping Up When Thrown Into Big Opportunities

27:09 • 4min

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Addiction to Applause and Staying Grounded

31:35 • 41sec

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Balancing Performance and Presence

32:16 • 5min

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A Public Vow: Prioritizing His Son's High School Years

37:08 • 3min

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Defining 'What's Most Important' (WMI)

39:38 • 30sec

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Mountains Within: Core Wounds and Therapy

40:09 • 5min

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Alaska Trip, Reconciliation and Fatherhood

45:27 • 2min

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Climbing Kilimanjaro with His Son

47:42 • 2min

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Summit Experience: Awe and Calmness

50:10 • 4min

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Why He Wrote the Book and Its Vulnerability

54:28 • 3min

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Jack's Current Mountain: Spreading the Book's Message

57:02 • 5min

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Final Advice: Live Who You Are

a life of achievement, a quest for meaning and the mountain that changed everything

Jack L. Groppel

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Built to Last

Successful Habits of Visionary Companies

Jerry I. Porras

James C. Collins

Jim Collins

Jim Collins and Jerry Porras's "Built to Last" examines the characteristics of visionary companies, those that have sustained exceptional performance over long periods. The authors identify key principles that contribute to long-term success, including a strong core ideology, a focus on innovation, and a commitment to continuous improvement. They analyze a range of companies across various industries, identifying common patterns and best practices. The book provides valuable insights for leaders seeking to build enduring and successful organizations. "Built to Last" has become a classic in the field of business strategy.

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The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari

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The book tells the story of Julian Mantle, a successful but stressed lawyer who suffers a heart attack and decides to leave his luxurious life behind to find meaning and balance in the Himalayan Mountains. There, he learns seven virtues from the Sages of Sivana, which he later shares with his former colleague, John. The book provides a grounding in core concepts of spirituality and self-improvement, drawing on Buddhist beliefs and practices like meditation and accepting each moment as it comes, but is written for secular readers. It emphasizes the importance of inner peace, the interconnectedness of all life, and living a peaceful, healthy, and fulfilling life.

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Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" is an allegorical novel that follows Santiago, a shepherd boy, on a journey to fulfill his Personal Legend. The story blends elements of fantasy and realism, exploring themes of self-discovery, following one's dreams, and listening to one's intuition. Along his journey, Santiago encounters various characters and challenges that teach him valuable lessons about life and the importance of perseverance. The book's simple yet profound message has resonated with readers worldwide, inspiring them to pursue their passions and embrace the journey. The Alchemist is a timeless tale of self-discovery and the pursuit of one's dreams.

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Habits of High Performers

Essential principles to thrive in life and work

James Laughlin

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Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goal

In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Dr Jack Groppel, co founder of the Human Performance Institute, to explore the hidden cost of achievement, and what it really takes to win in your career without losing yourself and the people you love.

What we cover:

The “watch me” drive, people pleasing, and how early approval seeking fuels ambition
Why world class achievement can mask insecurity, and the personal cost of always saying yes
Boundaries as a leadership skill, and the simple filter: what matters most right now
Adoption and fatherhood, and the two weeks in China that reshaped his definition of success
Mountains Within, and how to pursue meaning alongside achievement, not after it

If you’re driven, ambitious, and constantly chasing the next goal, this conversation will help you zoom out, reset your definition of high performance, and lead your life with more purpose, presence, and integrity..

Connect with Jack on linkedin here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackgroppel/
Grab a copy of Jacks book here - https://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Within-Achievement-Mountain-Everything/dp/B0G4G8YG58
If you’re interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.com

Website: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/

James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.

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Join me at the 2026 Goal-setting Workshop here - jjlaughlin.com/2026goals

- If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.com

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