logo
episode-header-image
May 21
37m 30s

How to Stop Letting Labels Define You, w...

High Performance
About this episode

There’s a certain kind of strength that comes from knowing who you are, even when the world tries to tell you otherwise. That’s what stood out in my conversation with Rio Ferdinand. Not just the success, but the mindset behind it: the habit of refusing to be reduced to a single story.


Rio’s journey is a lesson in identity, drive, and turning fear into fuel. With all the labels the world tries to throw at us, it’s not just about ignoring them, it’s about choosing your own. From the football pitch to the ballet studio, Rio shows us what it means to challenge assumptions and walk your own path, even when it’s uncomfortable.


In this episode, I also dig into a powerful psychological study that reveals how quickly our judgments are shaped by context, how one label can change everything we think we see. It’s a sobering insight into how easily we box others in… and how often we do it to ourselves.


If you’ve ever questioned the limits placed on you, or wanted to rewrite the script entirely, there’s something in this one for you.


Here is a list of studies referenced in the episode:


  1. Stereotype and Social Class Study. Researchers: John Darley and Paget Gross (1983)
  2. The Pygmalion Effect Study. Researchers: Robert Rosenthal and Lenore Jacobson (1968)
  3. Name Bias in Psychiatric Diagnosis. Researcher: Dr. Luke Birmingham (referenced in "Pigeonholed" by Laura L. Osterhout)


Listen to the full episode with Rio Ferdinand here: https://pod.fo/e/15914

Up next
Yesterday
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
Aug 19
3708: The Spiky, Geographic Nature of Success by Colin Wright of Exile Lifestyle on Personal Growth and Mindset
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3708: Colin Wright explores how our physical environment shapes our ambitions, mindset, and overall trajectory in life. He ... Show More
9m 38s
Feb 2025
3481: How to Find Belonging (Either Beautifully or Violently) by Dr. Kelly Flanagan on Finding True Connection
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 3481:Finding belonging is a lifelong pursuit, and Dr. Kelly Flanagan explores two very different paths to it. Some seek conn ... Show More
9m 7s
Mar 2025
Shut the F Up & Manifest: The Power of Mindful Talk | Ep75
The way we talk about our lives shapes what we experience—but most of us don’t realize how much our words hold us back. Jorge Perez, a Bestselling Author and Personal Development Expert, has spent decades studying how language impacts success. His “Shut the F Up” approach challen ... Show More
22m 46s
Jun 1
2999: Changing Your Body Image Once and for All by Dr. Lisa Firestone of PsychAlive on Self Judgement and Acceptance
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 2999: Dr. Lisa Firestone exposes the deep-rooted origins of negative body image, showing how early life experiences and int ... Show More
12m 28s
Nov 2024
What is the Pygmalion effect?
Have you ever wondered how our expectations can impact the way we perceive and interact with others? Well, it’s actually been demonstrated that beliefs and attitudes can lead to outcomes that align with those beliefs, due to what’s known as the Pygmalion effect. 20th century Amer ... Show More
4m 57s
Feb 2025
3504: Doing What it Takes Versus Taking What You Already Know How to Do by Cal Newport
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 3504:Cal Newport highlights Eric Betzig’s unconventional path to a Nobel Prize to reveal a key insight, real success comes f ... Show More
10m 36s
Oct 2024
The Science Of Personality: How To Transform Your Life, Find Inner Peace and Become a Better Parent with Dr Dan Siegel #489
Are you living your life intentionally, or are you simply reacting to the world around you? Do you feel a sense of wholeness and contentment, or are you constantly striving for something more? In today's episode, I dive into these fundamental questions about the nature of human e ... Show More
2 h
Jul 2024
2650: [Part 1] Study Suggests We're Doomed to Stay Fat by Steve Kamb of Nerd Fitness on Nutrition & Fitness
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 2650:Steve Kamb of NerdFitness.com dives into a daunting study from King's College, London, suggesting a slim chance of obes ... Show More
10m 5s
May 2021
You Are More Than What You See with Darryll Stinson
Darryll Stinson is a husband, father, former D1 athlete, motivational speaker, and founder of Second Chance Athletes. At a young age, Darryll had to take care of his younger sisters because his father was fairly absent in his life. Through custody battles and being teased at scho ... Show More
51m 58s
Dec 2024
E069 - Harvard Professor's 4-Step Method to Find Purpose Through Loneliness | Dr. Arthur Brooks
Joining me today is Dr. Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor, behavioral scientist, and best-selling author known for his groundbreaking work on the science of happiness. Once a professional classical musician, Dr. Brooks made a transformative leap into academia, where he now guide ... Show More
1h 52m