Michael Conlan sits down with Tarek Chouja and Jay Hedley to discuss the mental and physical demands of elite boxing. From growing up in Belfast and finding his way into boxing to becoming a world amateur champion, Olympic medalist, and professional contender, Michael shares the experiences that shaped his career. You’ll learn how he dealt with self-doubt, pressure, ego, social media criticism, difficult losses, and the relentless demands of training camps. He also reflects on retirement, family, business, legacy, and the importance of shifting your focus from outcomes to the process. Listen now for an honest look inside the mind of an elite boxer.

If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!

Resources:

Michael’s Email: michaelconlanboxing@hotmail.co.uk

Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickconlan11/

- Continue the conversation with Tarek & Jay after the episode at www.facebook.com/groups/insidetheperformersmind/
- Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/
- Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO
- Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup

About Our Guest: Michael Conlan is an Irish professional boxer and former world amateur champion from West Belfast. An Olympic bronze medalist and Ireland’s first and only World Amateur Champion, he went on to challenge twice for a professional world title. Now retired from professional boxing, Michael manages fighters and is involved in business ventures, including his Irish lager brand. He is also passionate about the mental side of performance and has worked with Jay Hedley to strengthen his mindset throughout his career. Today, Michael is focused on his family, business ventures, and helping guide the next generation of fighters.

Podcast production by Jamie Brooke.

We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

Why do we know exercise matters, yet still spend hours sitting, struggling to move, or forcing ourselves through workouts we hate? In this episode, Dr Paul Batman explores the exercise paradox and why information alone rarely changes behaviour. You’ll learn why purpose, enjoyment, community, choice, and everyday movement can matter more than pushing harder; how gyms can unintentionally leave people behind; and why movement doesn’t have to look like a traditional workout to benefit your health. From active transport and gardening to sixty seconds of movement every hour, this conversation challenges how we think about exercise, motivation, and lasting behavioural change.

If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!

Our favourite quotable moments:

“Once the purpose goes, you lose the motivation to do it.” - Dr Paul Batman

“There has to be a purpose for why we do things.” - Dr Paul Batman

“We need to get more people active in their daily life.” - Dr Paul Batman

Resources:

- Dr Paul Batman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-paul-batman-9092a052/
- Continue the conversation with Tarek & Jay after the episode at www.facebook.com/groups/insidetheperformersmind/
- Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/
- Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO
- Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup

About Our Guest: Dr. Paul Batman is a retired university associate professor currently researching the exercise paradox, i.e., why physical inactivity levels are increasing in light of the population being more aware of its amazing benefits. Also developing a new population health app that addresses all the physical activity guidelines from the most current WHO recommendations based on the premise that “All Movement Counts."

Podcast production by Jamie Brooke.

We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.

What really separates good performance from elite performance, and how much happens beyond the physical? In this episode, John Dams sits with Tarek Michael-Chouja and Jay Hedley to explore the human side of high performance. Drawing on his journey through Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, the Waratahs, and global performance strategy, John shares how failure, mental skills, data, AI, culture, self-awareness, and shared understanding shape elite performance. You’ll learn why data only becomes powerful when people know how to use it, how AI is changing sport, and why curiosity, discomfort, adaptability, and joy matter. Listen now and get ready to rethink what it really takes to perform at your best.

If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a review on this listening platform!

Our favourite quotable moments:

“By failing, that's kind of how you get to understand these different areas of what you do.” - John Dams

“The best teams are the teams that have a shared understanding of where they're going.” - John Dams

“Be okay to be uncomfortable, that's everything.” - John Dams

Resources:

Kitman Labs Website: https://www.kitmanlabs.com/

The Game Changer Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2beKBNPaezzi3KeTu1l2Bv?si=6e069c3f596440ad

- Get 15% off our Mental Skills Training course. Simply go to Functional Training Institute and input 'PDM15' at the cart checkout: https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/mental-skills-training-for-coaches/
- Check out our best selling book Purpose Driven Movement by host Tarek Michael-Chouja and Dan Henderson: https://amzn.to/499x6nO
- Join Our Mailing List: https://sa319.infusionsoft.app/app/form/vowsignup

About Our Guest: John Dams is a high-performance coach and performance strategist with extensive experience across elite rugby and global sport. His career includes roles with Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, and the Waratahs, before moving into performance strategy and data with Kitman Labs. John brings a holistic approach to performance, combining physical preparation, mental skills, data, technology, and human connection to help athletes and teams perform at their best.

Podcast production by Jamie Brooke.

We sometimes include links to products and services we find interesting. These may or may not be affiliate links. Thanks for your support!

This podcast is sponsored by ZIVA. Discover more at www.ziva.com.