Accelerating Excellence

Today on Accelerating Excellence, we welcome James Hillier.   One of the most precise, fearless road racers alive, with 70 plus starts, multiple podiums, victories and speeds exceeding 206mph on public roads barely wider than a car, James isn’t chasing adrenaline — he’s mastering control at the terminal edge of chaos. From conquering the TT to tackling the Dakar Rally, this episode dives into his mindset, focus under fire, and what it takes to stay locked in when the margin for error is death. We talk pressure, risk, mental override. This episode will make you question what calm really means.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find James Hillier: https://professionalmotorcyclerider.com https://www.instagram.com/jameshillier37 https://www.facebook.com/Hillier37 Find James King: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304  

On today’s podcast we have Rahul Moodgal.   Rahul is one of the most respected investor relations professionals in finance — an absolute rocket. As a Partner at TCI, he claimed the crown for raising the most amount of capital in the shortest period of time — $20 billion dollars in just three and a half years. He also led the largest country fund launch — $1 billion for India Fund TCI New Horizon — and the largest sector fund launch in history — $1.1 billion for the sector-specific fund, Algebris. Prior to his work in investing, Rahul was an academic, studying across 19 universities in the UK, US, Japan, and Russia. He’s a graduate of Keele University, Cambridge University, and the London School of Economics. Beyond finance, Rahul’s skills are as diverse as they are impressive — he’s a qualified counsellor, bartender, musician, English teacher, interior designer, DJ, and music therapist. Today, he works independently, supporting activist managers around the world and helping grow their businesses. He is also a Partner at Parvis, a $10 billion European public equities fund. He remains deeply committed to philanthropy, involved with numerous charities including Whizz Kids and Mulberry Bush, serves as a Patron of Team GB and the Triangle Playground School, is Chair of the Board at Scientific Adventures for Girls, and actively fundraises for the British Red Cross. He is also the co-founder of Capital Allocators University.  In this episode, we discuss Rahul’s journey, exceptional leadership, and doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.    I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Rahul: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rahul-moodgal Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

On today’s podcast we have Ben Ryan.   Ben is the most successful men’s rugby sevens coach in history. He’s the only coach to have won Continental, World, and Olympic titles, and has been working at the pinnacle of international sport for over two decades and counting. His transformative leadership turned the Fiji Rugby Sevens team into a global powerhouse. Under his guidance, they went on to win back-to-back World Series titles and, most notably, Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Summer Games - Fiji’s first ever Olympic medal.   The story is insane - and no surprise to me, there’s a movie to document it soon. As a leader, Ben revolutionised the way the team embraced culture, connection, standards, and mental preparation - ensuring his players thrived both as athletes, and as individuals. His groundbreaking work in Fiji earned him the nation’s highest civilian honour: the Companion of the Order of Fiji.    He is currently in his third season as Performance Director at Brentford FC, playing in the Premier League - a club known for doing things differently. They are going from strength to strength, becoming perhaps the most talked about team in world sport, and for whom Ben is a lifelong fan. He was also an impressive athlete himself, a graduate of both Loughborough and Cambridge, a great human being, and a true leader in human performance.   In this episode, we discuss: The Fiji story, from hurricanes, dictators, and enforcing discipline, to the part I found most fascinating: the internal challenges Ben had to overcome to transition from aspiring leader to world-class leader.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Ben https://www.instagram.com/benryan7s/ https://x.com/benjaminryan    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

On today’s podcast we have Mark Warburton.   We explore how Mark went from getting up at 4:32 for 20-odd years, to be at his trading desk for 5:45, then dealing $1.5-2B a day in foreign exchange deals, getting home at 7pm and taking calls through the night from New York, to winning championships at Brentford and Rangers - two phenomenal football clubs. Mark’s story is as inspiring as it is unconventional. A former elite trader, he transitioned to coaching and quickly made his mark where he was the dominant catalyst in Brentford’s ascent to the pinnacle of English football. Most significantly to me, the mighty Glasgow Rangers. Under his leadership, Rangers returned to the pinnacle of Scotland's topflight. As a coach, mentor, and leader, Mark has a proven ability to build winning teams both on and off the pitch, and take it from me - he is an exceptional human being. I believe his best is yet to come.  In this episode we talk about what excellence in leadership, and coaching teams looks like in both trading and football, we discuss the challenges that come with senior leadership, and how serious you need to take things if you truly want to perform at your best.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Mark: https://x.com/markwarburton9   Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

On today's podcast we have Ben Askren.   Ben is legend in the world of combat sports. A two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, an undefeated 87-match streak holder, Ben redefined dominance on the mat before conquering the MMA world as a Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion. Known as 'Funky' for his unorthodox style, he's one of the most decorated grapplers in history, with an unforgettable run in the UFC. Ben has scrapped with some of the toughest guys on the planet: Jorge Masvidal, Robbie Lawler, Douglas Lima. And of course, he famously boxed YouTuber Jake Paul.   Whether he's slamming opponents or dropping knowledge as an analyst, coach, and author, Ben takes risks, finds a way to win and profits from the obstacles he encounters. He’s authored multiple books including 'Funky: My Defiant Path Through Wrestling, MMA, and Life' and most recently co-authored 'Extreme Balance', with our mutual friend, Spartan founder and former guest Joe De Sena, and psychologist David Sacks. And this is where Ben and I click on our shared obsession with mindset, he’s been studying it for as long as he can remember.   In this episode we discuss: The mindset of a combat athlete, nurturing talent, perfectionism, cowboys and what Ben means by extreme balance- and how it’s a non-negotiable for reaching the pinnacle in your craft.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Ben: https://www.instagram.com/benaskren/  https://x.com/Benaskren    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   Watch the episode with Chris Billam-Smith here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wUqaqzHzIU    The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

Today on Accelerating Excellence we have Alex Waller.   Waller is one of the most dependable and accomplished players in English rugby. A loyal servant to Northampton Saints. A one club man and a product of their academy. Amassing over 350 appearances a testament to his durability, consistency, and dedication to the game.   Alex’s journey from a young prospect to one of the most respected props in the Premiership is so inspiring. He played a pivotal role in Northampton’s historic double-winning season in 2014, scoring the decisive try in extra time of the Premiership final against Saracens, to win their first ever premiership title. Before going onto win the European challenge cup against Bath in an iconic season for the club.    With his work ethic, leadership on and off the pitch, fierce competitive spirit and extreme loyalty to his club and teammates, Alex is a role model for aspiring athletes across all sports. He embodies everything great about sport full stop. Alex concluded his 15-season career this year playing a pivotal role in leading the Saints to their second Premiership title. This victory marked the culmination of Waller's playing career, during which he became the record appearance holder, amassing 370 caps.   On this episode we discuss; fighting to find opportunities, the reaction you need to bring to failure, sharpening your leadership skills and why it’s so important to be surrounded by the best.    I love this guy.   I hope you enjoy.  

On today's episode we have Greg Newman.   Greg is the Group Chief Executive of Onyx Capital Group - the world's number one liquidity provider in oil derivatives trading. Greg was the second super-trader I hired at Mandara Capital and it's been simply wonderful to be their firsthand and see his journey from lost graduate, to elite leader in one of the most competitive industries on the planet. Aged just twenty-two where he launched Mandaras Crude oil desk. Within just three years his desk went from scratch,  to become the largest independent market-maker in Dated Brent and Dubai swap markets.    In 2016 Greg left Mandara with fellow mandara Super trader Omar Kayaam to launch Onyx. As CEO Greg has been the driving force behind the development of Onyx on the trading floor and beyond. He established the group’s highly successful training programmes, its unique research offering, data services, brokerage, news and analysis. He featured in the book “40 Classic Crude Oil Trades : Real-Life Examples of Innovative Trading” and the crude desks he formed at Mandara and Onyx are also mentioned in “Brent Crude Oil: Genesis and Development of the World's Most Important Oil Benchmark”. In 2022 Greg published his book - World of Oil Derivatives: A Guide to Financial Oil Trading in a Modern Age.   Greg's success is testament to his principle based approach, his fierce drive, stoic mindset, he is a fearless risk taker. And the Onyx Capital Group, it continues to expand under Greg’s leadership, as he prepares to launch the Retail Trading Arm of Onyx Capital Group later this year, with the premise to digitize, democratize and provide access to the full range of the oil swaps markets to all. Most importantly to me, Greg has become one of my closest friends over the years, and we’ve overcome some insane situations together. So this conversation is extra special for me. Greg holds a BEng in Biochemical Engineering from University College London.    In this episode we discuss; the early days, the stoic mindset, driving growth and the transition from trader to CEO.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Greg: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/oilderivatives    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

On todays episode we have Anita Nall-Richenssons. Anita is an American former Olympic champion, and world record-holder. She first made waves on the global stage as a teenager, when she set a world record in the 100-meter breaststroke at just 15 years old. She went on to clinch three medals at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, including a gold in the 4x100-meter medley relay. a silver medal in the women's 100-meter breaststroke, and a bronze in the women's 200-meter breaststroke. Her success is testament to her relentless dedication, discipline, and passion for swimming. But Anita's story goes beyond her athletic triumphs. After her swimming career, she faced significant challenges, including health issues and the transition to life beyond elite sports. Anita has since become a powerful advocate for holistic health, mental wellness, and the importance of life balance. Today, she shares her insights and experiences as a coach and mentor, helping others navigate their own paths to success and well-being. In this episode we discuss: breaking world records at 15, winning gold in an Olympic final, what’s really required to perform at the pinnacle, and the pursuit of a healthy, fulfilling life.   I hope you enjoy.   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Laura: https://x.com/AnitaNall  https://olympics.com/en/athletes/anita-nall https://www.linkedin.com/in/anitanall   Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

Today on accelerating excellence, we have Laura Weightman. Laura is a British middle-distance sensation who captured hearts and headlines worldwide. She is truly elite in every sense of the word. Born and raised in Northumberland, Laura’s journey from a young talent to an Team GB Olympian is nothing short of extraordinary.  Laura has represented Great Britain in the 1500m at both the London 2012, and Rio 2016 Olympic games. She has multiple European and Commonwealth medals to her name in the 1500m and 5000m. Her tenacity and drive have inspired countless athletes around the world, and her career highlights include stunning performances at the 2012 London Olympics, the 2014 Commonwealth Games. It's not just her achievements on the track that make Laura special. Off it, she’s known for her humility, her passion for giving back to the community, and her commitment to the sport she loves. Laura has since moved into a coaching role, where she is sharing her knowledge and experience with both the next generation of elite athletes along with enthusiastic amateurs. In this episode Laura shares her insights from her racing in Olympic finals, the challenges she’s faced and how she overcame them, and why the way we define success is so important.   I hope you enjoy.     ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Laura: https://x.com/lauraweightman  https://www.teamgb.com/athlete/laura-weightman/xFvJoLJCxAwt38auxnG3y    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304

On todays podcast we have Keith D'Amelio. Keith is a visionary in the world of sports performance, a man whose expertise has shaped the careers of countless elite athletes. His career spans roles with professional sports teams, including the NBA’s Boston Celtics and the Toronto Raptors and Stanford University. His journey from a passionate student of athletic training to director of athlete performance at Nike where he has worked with some of the greatest athletes on the planet is a testament to his relentless pursuit of excellence. Keith has a PhD in Applied Sports Science and has worked across almost every professional sport you can imagine. From the EPL,NBA, NFL and AFL. Keith has been instrumental in revolutionizing how athletes train, recover, and compete at the highest levels. His expertise has helped shape the careers of some of the most celebrated athletes in the world.  Keith’s impact goes beyond just the field of play. His commitment to athlete well-being and his passion for educating the next generation of sports professionals have made him a respected figure in the industry and inspiring figure to many. In this episode we discuss; the traits of the greats, the late Kobe Bryant, and NFL superstar Ndamukong Suh; and explore the difference between the absolute best and the rest at the professional level.   I hope you enjoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------   Find Keith: https://www.instagram.com/keith.damelio/  https://x.com/keithdamelio/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-d-amelio-2166b54    Find James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acceleratingexcellence/ https://www.instagram.com/jamesaking_/ https://jamesaking.com/   Watch the episode with Chris Billam-Smith here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wUqaqzHzIU    The Mindset App: While the app is under development, we have decided to provide access to the full content for free on YouTube for a limited time. You can find the courses within our playlists or by the link below. I hope you enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/@AcceleratingExcellence/playlists   🔊 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5LJFspGl7b0e5YuxMfPLpx?si=e852f426c16b4f2d   🔊 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-accelerating-excellence-podcast/id1706636304