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Accelerating Excellence

Latest episodes

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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  
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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  
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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.
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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  
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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.
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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  

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