logo
episode-header-image
May 14
36m 9s

How to Hold On to What Really Matters, w...

High Performance
About this episode

Essential Habits is a new weekly series from High Performance. Hosted by Damian Hughes, each episode breaks down powerful habits from world-class performers and thinkers - so you can apply them in your own life.


Here’s Damian’s take on the first episode, featuring Jo Malone:


"Sometimes life moves so fast we forget we even can stop. That’s something Jo reminded me of in this episode, the quiet power of pausing and taking stock before charging ahead.


Jo’s story is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention. With around 6,000 thoughts flying through our minds each day, many of them negative, it’s not just about thinking less, but choosing what’s worth holding on to. Together, we explore how stopping to organise our thoughts and truly understand our story can turn moments of crisis into turning points.


I also unpack a fascinating piece of neuroscience, a study with a less-than-glamorous title, but a powerful message, showing how our brains naturally prioritise rewarding memories. If you’ve ever wanted to hold on to what matters and let the rest slip away… this one’s for you."


Here is a list of studies referenced in the episode:


  1. The Persistence and Transience of Memory. Authors: Blake A. Richards & Paul W. Frankland
  2. Ebbinghaus's Forgetting Curve. Author: Hermann Ebbinghaus
  3. Discovery of 'Thought Worms’. Researchers: Queen’s University, Canada
  4. Eyewitness Misidentification and Wrongful Convictions. Organisation: Innocence Project
  5. Post-learning Hippocampal Dynamics Promote Preferential Retention of Rewarding Events. Authors: Matthias J. Gruber, Maureen Ritchey, Shao-Fang Wang, Manoj K. Doss, Charan Ranganath
  6. Why We Forget and How to Remember Better. Authors: Andrew E. Budson & Elizabeth A. Kensinger
Up next
Aug 22
Emily Maitlis: What Really Happened Before the Prince Andrew Interview
In this episode, we're joined by renowned journalist and former BBC newsreader, Emily Maitlis, who takes us behind the scenes of her iconic interview with Prince Andrew, sharing how she prepared for the encounter, the tension in the room, and the aftermath of a moment that became ... Show More
35m 40s
Aug 20
The Habit That Stops Self-Doubt Controlling You
Standing on stage with nothing but a microphone, Sara Pascoe knows instantly if she’s succeeded or failed. Comedy doesn’t let you hide, if the joke doesn’t land, the silence tells you.But what makes Sara remarkable isn’t just her success as a writer, actor, and stand-up. It’s the ... Show More
24m 8s
Aug 18
Arsenal & Stormzy’s Elite Performance Coach Uncovers Nutrition Hacks You Can Learn (E366)
James Collins isn’t just your average nutritionist, he’s the behind-the-scenes expert trusted by the likes of Premier League stars, global artists like Stormzy, and even Olympic athletes. With a career built around peak performance, he’s helped shape what some of the world’s top ... Show More
1h 3m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2024
Tools of Titans by Timothy Ferriss Book Summary and Review | Free Audiobook
🎧 Extended Ad-free Audiobook Summary, PDF & Infographic / Show notes / Free audiobook / Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss is a best-selling self-improvement book that uncovers the habits, mindsets, and strategies of top performers, providing unique insights to optimize health, prod ... Show More
27m 6s
Jul 10
You Can Change Your Brain: Neuroscientist Explains How to Rewire Your Mind & Stop Negative Thoughts
After listening to this episode, your brain will not be the same. In this episode, you’ll learn how to stop negative thoughts, heal from past trauma, and reset your mind for peace, focus, and resilience. Today, neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf is here to share her evidence-based, ... Show More
1h 13m
Jul 2024
The Science Of Memory: How To Get Better At Remembering And Be Okay With Forgetting | Charan Ranganath
New episodes come out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for free, with 1-week early access for Wondery+ subscribers. --- A neuroscientist’s strategies to help you remember what really matters, and how mood, multitasking and other people can impact our memories Charan Ranganath ... Show More
1h 16m
May 8
How to Stop Negative Thoughts & Reset Your Mind for Positive Thinking
In today’s episode, you are getting a step-by-step guide on how to change your mindset, stop negative thoughts, and make your mind work for you. What if the voice in your head — the one that criticizes, spirals, and second-guesses everything — could actually help you? In this pow ... Show More
1h 21m
Jul 2024
#756: Anne Lamott and Josh Waitzkin
This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more ... Show More
2h 17m
Jun 2
A Powerful Mindset Makes You Unstoppable: How to Train Your Mind & Unlock Your Full Potential
Today, you’ll learn how to control your mind and train it for extraordinary performance. By the end of this episode, you’ll know the exact mental training techniques used by world-class athletes, Olympians, and elite performers to overcome fear, build resilience, and unlock the n ... Show More
1h 19m
Jul 2024
How To Optimise Your Brain Health, Improve Your Memory & Unlock Your Full Potential with Jim Kwik #469
After suffering a traumatic brain injury as a child, this week’s returning podcast guest was labelled "the boy with the broken brain" by teachers and peers, shaping his beliefs about his own capabilities and potential. Fast-forward to today, and he’s transformed his challenges in ... Show More
2h 22m
Jul 2024
Designing a Life with No Regrets Before Time Runs Out
Statistically, we experience about 4,000 Mondays and 4,000 heartbeats every hour in our lifetime. How many Mondays do you think you have left? And, more importantly, how would you like to spend your remaining time? These questions, combined with Jodi’s 25 years of experience in l ... Show More
51m 1s
Mar 2021
Grit By Angela Duckworth | Episode 6 |
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Please support our Podcast by clicking the link below. Thank You!</span></p> <p><a href="https://anchor.fm/theaudiobookspodcast/support"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://anchor.fm/theaudiobookspodcast/support</span></a></p> <p> </p> <p><s ... Show More
47m 3s
Mar 2021
Grit By Angela Duckworth | Episode 5 |
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Please support our Podcast by clicking the link below. Thank You!</span></p> <p><a href="https://anchor.fm/theaudiobookspodcast/support"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://anchor.fm/theaudiobookspodcast/support</span></a></p> <p> </p> <p><s ... Show More
59m 20s