
Accelerating Excellence
Accelerating Excellence takes you on a journey into the minds of the world's most elite performers, to reveal their secrets, serving them up on a plate so you can accelerate your own pursuit of excellence. If you know you’re capable of going to the next level, but aren’t quite sure where to start or how to optimise then you’re in the right place.
Each episode of contains captivating interviews with renowned individuals—athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, generals, special forces operators, and scientists. We'll dive deep into their journeys, discovering the defining moments, mindset shifts, and vitally the principles and strategies that propelled them to the pinnacle in their craft.
From the high-pressure stages of world cup finals, Superbowl’s, and world title fights; to covert operations, counter-terrorism, and firefights in the air and on the ground in the world of elite military; and the hundred million dollar P&L swings in the billion dollar world of trading and investing you will be exposed to the fundamental principles that connect all of these individuals success.
Most importantly to me Accelerating Excellence is not just about inspiration; it's about practicality, for you, the listener. We’ll extract actionable insights and practical techniques that you can implement immediately, to stack probability in your favour of success in your own pursuit of excellence.
So, if you’re ready to ignite and expand your potential, to shatter the boundaries that hold you back and unleash the ambition, talent and motivation that exists within you and your team join me, as we empower you to leverage these principles. Get ready to be inspired, shocked, and challenged, you're about to embark on an adventure that will shift your perceptions of what’s possible.
For those who strive to make things better for themselves, and those they care for, manage and lead.
This podcast is for you.
Latest episodes

Dec 11, 2023 • 1h 32min
Inside The Octagon: Secret Science of UFC Success - Dr. Duncan French
On today's episode, we have Dr. Duncan French. Duncan is the Vice President of performance for the UFC. He's an absolute titan in the world of sports science and performance enhancement and a man whose remarkable career reads like an adventure novel of achievement and innovation. Duncan is an internationally recognised expert in sports science, strength and conditioning and high performance coaching. His journey is a symphony of groundbreaking research, practical successes and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Duncan has cultivated his skills on both sides of the Atlantic. Hailing from the United Kingdom, he embarked on a journey that led him to some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. Currently, within the UFC, he's busy elevating Mixed Martial Arts to new heights of athleticism and scientific practice. It's no exaggeration to say that he's transformed the way fighters prepare, train and recover, enhancing the sport's overall competitiveness. Some of Duncan's career highlights include key roles in premier organisations such as the English Institute of Sport, the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Yankees. His expertise has earned him accolades and invitations to speak at conferences and events worldwide, cementing his status as a global influencer in the realm of sports science and performance optimisation. In today's episode, we'll discuss what it's like working with the likes of UFC superstars, such as Conor McGregor or Khabib Nurmagomedov, how to gain a physical and mental edge and the standards in physical preparation in an elite sport. I hope you enjoy. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Find Dr. Duncan French: https://www.instagram.com/dr_duncan_french/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-french-phd-a41bb9122 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

4 snips
Nov 27, 2023 • 30min
Lessons in Excellence: Accessing your potential - The psychology of peak performance. Part 2
Balancing positive and negative experiences, overcoming fear through resilience, and the impact of past success on England's football performance are discussed. Equilibrium and awareness are key to peak performance, with insights from Beckham and Tiger Woods on maintaining a balanced approach to success.

Nov 20, 2023 • 12min
Lessons in Excellence: Accessing your potential - The psychology of peak performance. Part 1
James reflects on his conversation with Dr. John Demartini and discusses what it takes to truly access your potential. Part one of two.

5 snips
Nov 13, 2023 • 1h 9min
Balancing Acts: Mind, Mastery and Motivation - Dr. John Demartini
Dr. John Demartini, a renowned author and researcher in human behavior, shares transformative insights into personal fulfillment and mastery. He discusses aligning personal values with life goals and the dangers of societal pressures on aspirations. The conversation navigates the duality of ownership and emotional balance, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness. Additionally, Dr. Demartini highlights the law of attraction and its role in enhancing life experiences, drawing inspiration from exceptional leaders and athletes. A motivational exploration of human potential awaits!

Nov 6, 2023 • 30min
Lessons in Excellence: Talent Identification II - Five Crucial Steps
James draws on his conversation with Jerry Dipoto to discuss everything from talent identification to setting strong values and the importance of resilience.

Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 12min
Stepping up to the Plate: Elite performance at the Seattle Mariners - Jerry Dipoto
On today's episode we have Jerry Dipoto. Jerry is the maestro behind the Seattle Mariners front office. Throughout his illustrious career, Jerry has established himself as one of the most influential and dynamic figures in Major League Baseball. From his days as a talented pitcher in the big leagues to his masterful work as the Mariners general manager, Jerry's journey is a remarkable testament to the unwavering pursuit of excellence. Before taking the helm as the Mariners' GM, Jerry left an indelible mark as the pitcher with the Cleveland Indians, New York Mets and Colorado Rockies, displaying his elite skills on the mound. However, it's his post-playing career that truly sets him apart. He's been a key figure in the baseball world with a remarkable tenure as the general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels and now the Seattle Mariners. Throughout his career, Jerry's talent evaluation, knack for building championship-caliber teams and unwavering passion for the game have been recognized and applauded. With a string of impressive accolades, including Executive of the Year honors, Jerry has a reputation for crafting inventive and exciting strategies to lead his teams to victory. In this episode, we'll discuss his career highlights, strategic insights and innovative approaches to building a team for the ages. I hope you enjoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Oct 23, 2023 • 19min
Lessons In Excellence: Talent Identification - Six Secrets of the Elite
James reflects on his conversation with Toronto Blue Jays CEO Mark Shapiro on talent identification and lays out a blueprint to help you build the best team possible.

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 28min
Hitting Leadership and Performance Home Runs - Mark Shapiro
On today's podcast we have Mark Shapiro. Mark's career has been a masterclass in leadership and innovation. He's a visionary president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. Mark's a graduate of Princeton University where he played centre and offensive tackle for the Princeton Tigers football team. From his early days in the Cleveland Indians front office to his transformative leadership with the Blue Jays, Mark's journey is a testament to his commitment to excellence. Before making his mark in Toronto, Mark was a driving force with the Cleveland Indians for over 24 years. He played a pivotal role in the organisation's resurgence, leading them to multiple post-season appearances, including an incredible run to the World Series in 2016. Mark is recognized as one of the most innovative minds in baseball management. His forward-thinking strategies, emphasis on player development, and keen eye for talent have not only yielded countless wins, but also reshaped the way baseball is played and managed. And now Mark's talents are shining as brightly as ever in the heart of Toronto. As the president and CEO of the Blue Jays, he's overseen the team's resurgence, leading them back to post-season and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in today's dynamic and competitive baseball landscape. In this episode, we'll delve deep into the life and career of Mark, exploring the visionary leadership that has made him one of the most celebrated figures in baseball. From his early days as an intern to his transformation of two-story franchises, we'll discuss all things leadership, talent, and culture. I hope you enjoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Find Mark: https://twitter.com/MarkShapiro https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-shapiro-0430b51a/ 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

Oct 13, 2023 • 32min
Lessons in Excellence: Master the art of not panicking, a guided performance routine.
James draws on his conversation with Jason Henderson and explores the importance of building an elite mindset, along with demonstrating several techniques to help you develop your own.

Oct 9, 2023 • 2h 5min
Develop the Mindset of One of the Worlds Most Experienced Tier One Special Forces Operators - Jason Henderson
On today's episode, we have Jason Henderson. Hendo is a retired Master Chief in the Naval Special Warfare Development Group. For context, the NSWDG, as it is referred, is the absolute pinnacle of U.S. Tier 1 special forces. Hendo is one of the most experienced Special Forces operators on the planet. He's operated during the most active and violent period the modern special forces era has seen. He served 30 years with the SEAL teams conducting 16 combat tours from Kosovo right through to Afghanistan. Hendo was once described to me as the alpha of the alpha's within his U.S. Special Forces community. Hendo is a black belt under Dave Camarillo in Judo and a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Gustavo Machado and is an extremely impressive powerlifter. He's also the founder of the Four Pillars Collective, a not-for-profit team of elite veterans who are committed to upskilling police with tools and techniques proven to reduce and even prevent conflict with the aim of helping to restore confidence in law enforcement. In this episode, we're going to talk about extreme violence, the role of routines in performing under pressure and how to seize control of your emotions so you can deliver when it matters most. I hope you enjoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Find Hendo: https://www.hendosec.com https://www.fourpillarscollective.com https://www.instagram.com/hendosecurity https://www.instagram.com/fourpillarscollective 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