logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
1h 54m

Les Ferdinand: Football's Toxic Culture,...

High Performance
About this episode

Les Ferdinand is a football legend known not only for his impressive career on the pitch but also for his strong values off it. A former striker with a career spanning the Premier League, the Championship, and international football, Les has become a respected figure in both sports and life.


In this episode, Les shares his experiences of playing abroad and how adapting to new cultures shaped his career. He opens up about the lessons he learned from setbacks, how he dealt with criticism, and the importance of staying true to his values. Whether it was handling pressure on the pitch or making tough decisions in management, he reflects on the key moments that defined him.  


Beyond football, Les discusses the mental challenges athletes face, including self-doubt and imposter syndrome. He talks candidly about his struggles and how he found ways to push through, offering a raw and relatable perspective..  


This episode offers an insightful look into the mindset of a footballer who’s faced both the highs and lows of the game.


🚨 Partners


XTB 👉 Download the XTB app today and start making your money work for you at: https://hppod.co/xtbhp

Up next
Yesterday
How to Spot and Solve Hidden Depression, with Dr Judith Joseph
We often imagine depression as something visible, but what if it doesn’t look like sadness at all? What if it looks like success? If you look successful but feel flat, this episode is for you.Psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Judith Joseph calls it high-functioning depression, the ... Show More
21m 22s
Oct 6
Rick Astley's Story: The Trauma That Forced Me On Stage (E373)
At the height of global stardom, Rick Astley made the decision to step away from fame. In this deeply honest conversation, he opens up about the anxiety and fear that came with constant travel, the unhealthy coping mechanisms it triggered, and why leaving the spotlight was the on ... Show More
1h 14m
Oct 3
Matt Fitzpatrick: How Tracking Every Shot Since 15 Built a Ryder Cup Winner
Matt Fitzpatrick reflects on the mindset and methods that have made him one of golf’s most meticulous competitors. A major champion and relentless learner, Matt has tracked every shot since he was 15, turning numbers into a powerful advantage.In this episode, he shares how he fin ... Show More
29m 13s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
Rio Ferdinand - Psychology Of Football, FIFA Memories & Man Utd Stories | TRS UK Tour
Check out my Mind Performance app: Level SuperMind Link:- https://install.lvl.fit/zltzty13po49p27t9ef5o Share your guest suggestions here Link - https://forms.gle/aoMHY9EE3Cg3Tqdx9 Join the Level Community Here: https://linktr.ee/levelsupermindcommunity Check out BeerBiceps Skill ... Show More
1h 13m
Sep 4
Hasselbaink: England’s Mistakes, Trent’s Midfield Gamble, Leeds & Chelsea Career | Stick to Football EP 92
Welcome back to Stick to Football, brought to you by ARNE.In this episode, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Jill Scott and Ian Wright are joined by former Leeds and Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to look back on a career packed with goals, big moments and unforg ... Show More
1h 20m
Oct 2
Sir Kenny Dalglish: Liverpool, Advice for Wirtz & Starting at Celtic | Stick to Football EP 96
Welcome back to Stick to Football, brought to you by ARNE.In this episode, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Jill Scott and Ian Wright are joined by one of the greatest to ever play the game, Sir Kenny Dalglish.Kenny reflects on his early career at Celtic, including what ... Show More
1h 35m
Feb 2025
One on One | Plymouth's Muslic on how football 'set him free', and Arsenal's Brazilian, Martinelli, on dreams of playing in England
Ahead of Plymouth Argyle's FA Cup tie with Manchester City, Jules meets their inspirational manager Miron Muslic. They chat about his early life when his family fled Bosnia to live in Austria, they discuss his sporting heroes, and he shares his thoughts on facing Pep Guardiola.  ... Show More
40m 47s
Nov 2024
Building Resilient Kids: The Real Game of Youth Sports
In this episode, we sit down with Steve Dagostino, a nationally recognized basketball trainer and player development coach, to dive into the chaotic world of youth sports. Connect with Steve Dagostino: Dags Basketball: https://www.dagsbasketball.com/ Maximize Basketball: https:// ... Show More
48m 52s
Apr 2025
“Forget Skill - We Need CHARACTERS!” | Who Hojlund Should Model Himself On.
Owen Hargreaves joins Rio and Joel to discuss the hugely important Europa League tie against Athletic Bilbao following Manchester United’s 15th loss in the Premier League this season. There’s advice for Rasmus Hojlund and tips from Owen Hargreaves on how he could better utilise h ... Show More
48m 22s
Sep 24
Wayne Rooney: Where United’s Decline Began | Raw & Honest Conversation Like Never Before
Wayne Rooney is the latest guest on Rio Meets and sits down with Rio in a way you’ve never seen him before.Wayne candidly reveals how his anger got him into trouble away from football, the importance of his wife Coleen in protecting himself and his favourite player that he’s ever ... Show More
1h 3m
Sep 19
Beyond the Pitch: The Rise of the Football Archetype
The modern footballer is a walking brand, a data-driven phenomenon, and a cultural icon. We dissect how advanced analytics and social biases create distinct player archetypes, from the "Powerhouse" to the "Maestro." We explore how factors like race, nationality, and social media ... Show More
5m 6s
Sep 25
Did Arteta Get it Wrong? & Ballon d’Or Fallout!| Stick to Football EP 95
Welcome back to a brand-new episode of Stick to Football brought to you by Arne. Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Roy Keane, Jill Scott and Ian Wright dive into the biggest stories in football.We start with the Ballon d’Or, asking if winner Ousmane Dembélé is a great player and whe ... Show More
1h 26m
Mar 2025
From Monk to Manchester United: How Manchester United Fuels Jay Shetty's Wisdom
Discover the surprising link between mindfulness guru Jay Shetty and his unwavering love for Manchester United! explore how Shetty's dedication to the Red Devils, forged in the glory days of Sir Alex Ferguson, shapes his teachings on resilience, leadership, and mental well-be ... Show More
3m 44s