The Man Behind the All Blacks Mentality: Gilbert Enoka on Building Character & Connection

The Man Behind the All Blacks Mentality: Gilbert Enoka on Building Character & Connection

Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January. https://hppod.co/472Og7q


In this profound conversation, Gilbert Enoka, the legendary mental skills coach behind the New Zealand All Blacks' success, shares the deeply personal journey that shaped his approach to high performance and the habits he’s famous for.


Gilbert opens up about the ‘ghosts’ from his past that still influence his work, explaining how early deprivation made him acutely sensitive to others' emotional states. This gift allowed him to become an emotional detective, observing subtle cues in athletes before training and meetings to meet unexpressed needs, a skill he calls game-changing.


The discussion explores pivotal concepts that transformed the All Blacks, including:


  • Red Head vs. Blue Head thinking: Understanding how survival instincts (red) and rational decision-making (blue) must work together under pressure
  • The 2007 turning point: How a devastating World Cup loss led to embracing pressure rather than avoiding it
  • Squeeze drills: Deliberately practicing skills under pressure to prepare for critical moments
  • "Better people make better All Blacks": Why character development became central to the team's philosophy
  • The misunderstood "no dickhead policy": How leaders actually enforce team standards
  • Sweeping the sheds: The true meaning behind this famous ritual of humility


Gilbert shares intimate stories about working with legends like Dan Carter and Richie McCaw. This conversation offers rare insight into the human side of elite performance, reminding us that the greatest competitor we face isn't external—it's ourselves.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(703)

The Secret to a Perfect F1 Driver-Engineer Partnership | Rob Smedley on Massa, Lewis & Ferrari (E393)

The Secret to a Perfect F1 Driver-Engineer Partnership | Rob Smedley on Massa, Lewis & Ferrari (E393)

Rob Smedley is one of Formula 1’s most respected engineers, known for his work with drivers like Felipe Massa and his time at Ferrari. In this episode, Rob sits down with Jake to share what it really ...

16 Feb 1h 45min

Torvill & Dean: The Truth Behind 'Bolero' Gold - 50 Years of Discipline, Four Perfect Minutes

Torvill & Dean: The Truth Behind 'Bolero' Gold - 50 Years of Discipline, Four Perfect Minutes

Forty years ago, in Sarajevo, 24 million people watched Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean achieve the impossible, Olympic Gold that redefined their sport forever. But while the world remembers those ...

13 Feb 49min

Britain's Most Successful Coach on Culture First, Trophies Second | Matt Peet (E392)

Britain's Most Successful Coach on Culture First, Trophies Second | Matt Peet (E392)

Matt Peet is one of the most decorated coaches in British sport. In just three years as Wigan Warriors head coach, he's won seven major trophies including back-to-back Super League titles, the World C...

11 Feb 1h 4min

Pochettino & Perez: Truth About Spurs, How We Handled Kane, Neymar, Mbappé & Messi (E391)

Pochettino & Perez: Truth About Spurs, How We Handled Kane, Neymar, Mbappé & Messi (E391)

Mauricio Pochettino and Jesús Pérez, two of the most respected figures in modern football management, join Jake and Damian for a rare and insightful conversation on leadership, pressure, and human per...

9 Feb 1h 23min

Gary Barlow: Take That's Lost Era & Finding My Way Back

Gary Barlow: Take That's Lost Era & Finding My Way Back

Legendary Take That songwriter Gary Barlow joins us to share the most honest account of failure, shame, and rebuilding we've ever recorded on High Performance.The recent Netflix documentary charted Ta...

6 Feb 56min

World No. 1 Poker Player: The Secret to Reading Body Language | Daniel Negreanu (E390)

World No. 1 Poker Player: The Secret to Reading Body Language | Daniel Negreanu (E390)

Daniel Negreanu, one of poker's all-time greats reveals the psychology of high-stakes decision making.Daniel has been playing professional poker for 30 years and has earned over $50 million at the tab...

4 Feb 42min

The Man Who Changed Golf Without Winning a Single Tournament | Rick Shiels (E389)

The Man Who Changed Golf Without Winning a Single Tournament | Rick Shiels (E389)

Rick Shiels is one of the most influential figures in modern golf media, and a creator who helped redefine what high performance looks like in the digital age. From a small YouTube channel to hundreds...

2 Feb 55min

Matthew McConaughey: Stop Chasing 'Yet'

Matthew McConaughey: Stop Chasing 'Yet'

Oscar-winning actor and author Matthew McConaughey joins us to share his deeply philosophical approach to life, work, and the pursuit of satisfaction.We return to our chat with Matthew where he challe...

29 Jan 47min

Populært innen Helse

fastlegen
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-gukild-johaug
hvordan-har-du-det-mann
psykodrama
leger-om-livet
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
rss-garne-damer
bak-fasaden-en-reise-i-livet-med-sykepleier-ine
foreldreradet
rss-lopedrommen
morten-ramm-lar-kakla-ga-til-du-sovner
hjernesterk
hormonelle-frida
klimaks
treningsprat
g-punktet
rss-femihelse
rss-maren-mina
sinnsyn