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High Performance Live Tour 2023

05 may 2023 @ 7.30pm, new theatre oxford.

About High Performance Live Tour 2023

Join one of Britain’s best-respected sports broadcasters, Jake Humphrey, and Psychologist Professor Damian Hughes as they turn the lived experiences of the planet’s high performers into your life lessons.

Jake and Damian are the hosts of High Performance, a podcast which has grown into a movement with people invested in improving their mindset and finding their own version of High Performance.

They reveal the secrets used by the world’s most remarkable athletes, coaches and entrepreneurs to excel and teach you how to do the same.

This dynamic and impactful theatre show will introduce you to some very special guests, as Jake and Damian invite members of the High Performance community to share their journey, demonstrating that high happiness is within us all.

This is not a live podcast record but rather the unique opportunity to connect with members of the High Performance community, learn from experts, and interact with Jake and Damian.

High performance is already within you. This show will help you find it.

Please see important ticketing information below.

Ticketing information

Prices: From £35.18 Tickets are subject to a transaction fee

About Jake Humphrey

An experienced and knowledgeable Television and Radio broadcaster, Jake is currently the face of Champions League football on BT Sport, having been at the forefront of much of BBC Sport’s coverage for many national and international events. He is also one of the Co-Founders of the award-winning production company Whisper and Host of the chart-topping High Performance Podcast.

About Damian Hughes

Damian Hughes is a bestselling author who combines his practical and academic background within sport, organisational development and change psychology to help organisations and teams to create a high-performing culture. He is the author of eight best-selling business books, including Liquid Thinking, Liquid Leadership, How to Change Absolutely Anything, How to Think Like Sir Alex Ferguson and The Five STEPS to a Winning Mindset. His latest book, High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best, has been a number one Sunday Times bestseller. His work has been translated into ten languages.

About New Theatre Oxford

There has been a theatre on George Street for almost 170 years. The first theatre was built in 1836, and a second in 1886. In 1934, the third New Theatre opened.

The theatre has been owned by several different companies and undergone several name changes. It is now owned by the Ambassador Theatre Group and hosts everything from ballet and opera to musicals.

On performance days, the Box Office opens at noon and closes 15 minutes after the show starts. If there is a performance on a Sunday or Bank Holiday, Box Office will open 2 hours before the show begins and close 15 minutes after the show starts.

There is a large air-conditioned bar with seating located below the Stalls Foyer, two further bars in the Circle Foyer and an additional one at the back of the balcony. All stocked with an array of drinks and snacks.

There is a cloakroom located in the stalls bar. If this is closed, please speak to a member of staff. £1 per item. It is free to ATG Theatre Card members.

See important information about Getting there and Access here

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Hit podcast High Performance's stage show takes to the road in 2023

Jake Humphrey and Professor Damian Hughes to tour the UK with brand-new live theatre show, kicking off next February through to summer.

Published 04/11/2022

One of Britain’s best-respected sports broadcasters,   Jake Humphrey , and Psychologist Professor   Damian Hughes   announce a brand-new   nationwide High Performance Live Tour . High Performance podcast hosts Jake and Damian will take to the road in 2023 with a   dynamic, inspirational and impactful theatre show , helping everyone to find that high performance is already within them!

Book your tickets to High Performance Live

Co-produced with   Norwich Theatre   and kicking off in   Norwich at the Theatre Royal on Sunday, 5 February 2023 , High Performance will tour across the UK, visiting   London’s iconic Palladium ,   Nottingham ,   Oxford ,   Northampton ,   Glasgow ,   Guildford   and  Leeds , before coming to a phenomenal close at   Salford’s The Lowry.    

This is not a live podcast record! There will be spectacular   live music ,   a conversation with an expert   and   members of the High Performance community sharing their journey , demonstrating that high happiness is within us all. It’s a unique opportunity to connect with each other and directly ask Jake and Damian questions. You will leave inspired to realise your own high performance journey!

Jake Humphrey  says :   “I am delighted that we are taking High Performance around the country! This is not a live version of a podcast; this is an entirely original theatre production based on the learnings and wisdom from more than 120 of the most high performing people on the planet. I want the audience to leave inspired, uplifted, entertained and ready to find their own version of High Performance.  

“For our opening night to be in Norwich – my home city – where my journey began, is the biggest thrill of all. Walking out on the stage of the Theatre Royal will be surreal for me but I can’t wait for the fine people of the fine city of Norwich to be the first to see the show that we have created with the amazing team at Norwich Theatre.”

Damian Hughes   adds:  “Muhammad Ali once improvised a poem about his success. ‘Me’, he said, pointing to himself, before pointing directly at his audience, ‘We’. His belief was that success is a collective endeavour. This tour allows the High Performance community to come together, lift each other and share inspiration so each of us can pursue a high performance life, defined on our own terms. I’m excited to meet, to share and to learn why high performance already lies within all of us.”

High Performance, the   Top 10 Podcast , turns the lived experiences of the planet’s high performers into life lessons. It doesn’t matter where the guest has excelled – in sport, music, business, arts or entertainment – they all have first-hand experiences and lessons to share. Previous guests include Matthew McConaughey, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Dame Kelly Holmes, Sir Chris Hoy, Dina Asher-Smith, Steven Gerrard, Kelly Jones, Tracey Neville, Holly Tucker MBE, Lily Cole, Jonny Wilkinson and Ole Gunnar Solskjear and many more.

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JAKE HUMPHREY AND PROFESSOR DAMIAN HUGHES ANNOUNCE THE HIGH PERFORMANCE PODCAST LIVE TOUR 2022

• 6th Jan 2022

One of Britain’s best-respected sports broadcasters ,Jake Humphrey, and Psychologist ,Professor Damian Hughes, the creators behind one of THE breakout hits of 2020-21 – The High Performance Podcast – have today announced they will be taking the show on the road in 2022. The High Performance Podcast Live tour will be a truly unique and interactive event, where Jake and Damian reveal the secrets used by the world’s most remarkable athletes, coaches and entrepreneurs to excel, and teach you how to do the same. The podcast draws upon their interviews from the likes Hollywood Actor Matthew McConaughey, England Football Manager Gareth Southgate, Entrepreneur Jo Malone, Rugby World Cup Winner Jonny Wilkinson and many more. Since its launch in March 2020, The High Performance Podcast has had over 10 million downloads in over 50 countries and will soon be encapsulated in new book  High Performance  – ‘Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best’ published on 9 December via Penguin Books. On embarking on their UK tour in 2022 Jake says: “Damian and I can’t wait to meet you all in 2022. We have created a live show that will be full of incredible lessons, inspiring special guests, giveaways, interactivity, and life-affirming moments. We hope to see you there!”

Tickets go onsale Friday 3 rd  December at 10am via  www.gigsandtours.com  and  www.ticketmaster.co.uk . THE HIGH PERFORMANCE PODCAST UK TOUR Tue        01 Feb 22             Birmingham Town Hall Mon      07 Feb 22             Salford Lowry Fri           18 Feb 22             Edinburgh Queens Hall Wed      02 Mar 22            London Indigo at The O2

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High Performance Live

FINAL CURTAIN CALL This show is no longer running.

Join one of Britain’s best-respected sports broadcasters, Jake Humphrey , and psychology Professor Damian Hughes , as they turn the lived experiences of the planet’s high performers into your life lessons. Jake and Damian are the hosts of High Performance , a podcast which has grown into a movement with people invested in improving their mindset and finding their own version of High Performance . They reveal the secrets used by the world’s most remarkable athletes, coaches and entrepreneurs to excel, and teach you how to do the same.

This dynamic and impactful theatre show will introduce you to some very special guests as Jake and Damian invite members of the High Performance community to share their journey, demonstrating that high happiness is within us all.

This is not a live podcast record, rather the unique opportunity to connect with members of the High Performance community, learn from experts, and interact with Jake and Damian.

High performance is already within you. This show will help you find it.

“It doesn’t matter where our guest has excelled – in sport, music, business, arts or entertainment – we can all learn from their experiences to help in our everyday lives.”

Featuring special guests: Roxie Nafousi and Kye Sones

EVENT INFORMATION

TICKETS Prices displayed include an online per ticket booking fee. All prices include a £1.70 restoration levy.

VIP EXPERIENCE VIP experience includes best seat for the show, entry to an exclusive Q&A session with Jake and Damian before the auditorium opens, and a signed copy of High Performance: The Daily Journal.

TIMES Doors – 6:30pm Act 1 – 7:30pm Interval – 8:30pm (approx) Act 2 – 8:50pm Show ends – 10:00pm

Our range of experiences are perfect for special occasions like birthdays, family celebrations, or a treat for yourself. Simply take a look through our extra-special offers, pick the experience that’s perfect for you, and we’ll take care of the rest.

The prices below do not include the price of the seat ticket. 

Private Bar Access

• Queue jump on arrival at The London Palladium
• Reserved table 1 hour pre-show and during interval
• Pre-show and interval drinks
• Savoury bar snacks

Available to book with your tickets

 Alcohol can only be served to and consumed by persons aged 18 years and over. Please ask a member of staff for details about any food allergens. Please drink responsibly.

Book Lounge Access

• Access to an exclusive bar 1 hour pre-show
• Pre-show and interval Champagne*
• Complimentary cloakroom

 *Alternative drinks available. Alcohol can only be served to and consumed by persons aged 18 years and over. Please ask a member of staff for details about any food allergens. Please drink responsibly. 

Book a Private Suite

• Exclusive access to one of our private suites for you and your guests during pre-show, and interval where applicable
• Dedicated Red Coat to assist throughout

Available to book with the hospitality team

*Alternative drinks available.  Alcohol can only be served to and consumed by persons aged 18 years and over. Please ask a member of staff for details about any food allergens. Please drink responsibly. Accessibility Information: Please note, we regrettably cannot provide step-free access to our private suites. Please contact the Hospitality team for further details.

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The High Performance Podcast turns the lived experiences of the planet's high performers into your life lessons. Jake Humphrey (broadcast presenter of 20 years) and Professor Damian Hughes (leading high performance expert), speak to athletes, authors, entertainers and experts about the key to their success. But, Jake and Damian look beyond the guests achievements and encourage guests to share how they developed their mindset, what gives them confidence, how they navigate adversity and much more. Hear from guests as you’ve never heard them before. The High Performance Podcast aims to help listeners navigate their own version of high performance. Want to get the most from High Performance? You can download the new home of High Performance for FREE to listen to every episode we've ever recorded, get access to exclusive content and daily boosts of motivation. Everything you need to unlock your own version of High Performance. Simply click here or search High Performance in the App store. Then enter your exclusive access code: HPAPP Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The High Performance Podcast High Performance

• 4.7 • 4.2K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

Kolo Touré: Two time Premier League winner on building an unbeatable mindset (E249)

Step into the mind of a Premier League icon, in a conversation exploring self doubt, gaining respect, and coping with toxicity. Kolo Touré, a stalwart of the Premier League, is not just a football player but a symbol of resilience and determination. With a career spanning top clubs including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool, Toure's name is synonymous with grit, leadership, and unwavering commitment on the pitch. In this episode, Kolo Touré joins Jake and Damian for a conversation blending reflection and insider insights into his football journey. From meeting Arsène Wenger for the first time, to reflecting on the “invincibles” era at Arsenal, Kolo shares insights into how one of the league’s most legendary teams was built. Transitioning to Manchester City, he discusses the struggle of instilling a winning mentality at a new club. Despite setbacks, including a suspension for a substance abuse accusation, Kolo highlights how he persevered; returning alongside his brother Yaya to win the Premier League in dramatic fashion in 2012. Kolo also discusses how when his career moved onto Liverpool, he faced new pressures and expectations. He shares how he embraced the challenge, and how eager he was to prove himself to the fans and his new team. This episode encapsulates Kolo's remarkable journey; from exhilarating moments within some of the country’s most established clubs, to inspiring encounters with Arsène Wenger, and his biggest personal challenges and triumphs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 1 hr 10 min

How to become a Supercommunicator with Pulitzer Prize winner, Charles Duhigg

In this episode, Charles Duhigg shares powerful insights into understanding the unspoken desires of others, and how we can foster meaningful connection through communication. Charles Duhigg is an American journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and a non-fiction author. He is a Pulitzer prize-winning reporter and the author of best-selling book ‘The Power of Habit’, which spent over three years on New York Times bestseller lists. In this conversation, Charles discusses the importance of asking deep questions that touch on our values and experiences, allowing individuals to reveal their true intentions and mindset. He reflects on his relationship with his father, underscoring the transformative power of open and honest communication. Charles discusses the complexities of parent-child dynamics, and Jake and Damian reflect on the challenges of communicating with their own children. Reflecting on his new book, “Supercommunicators”, Charles highlights the importance of understanding the science of human connection to personal and professional success. This thought-provoking episode explores the transformative power of communication; offering practical strategies to navigate interpersonal relationships in a world that is increasingly disconnected. Manual is offering a 55% discount to people that subscriber to their first hair loss treatment order by using code HP55. Click the link for more information: https://www.manual.co/hair-loss?coupon=HP55&utm_source=streaming&utm_medium=partnership&utm_campaign=first Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 31 MAR 2024

Paul Smith: Do things which are right, not that are easy (E247)

In this episode, British fashion icon Paul Smith takes listeners on a reflective journey through his life and career, offering profound insights into the evolving landscape of society, culture, and fashion. He shares with Jake and Damian insights into his dynamic professional partnership with his wife, Pauline, highlighting their contrasting personalities as a source of balance and strength. Paul reflects on his journey since the beginning of his career, and discusses the fleeting nature of fame, emphasising the importance of sticking power and endurance. From childhood memories to lessons in communication and resourcefulness, Paul acknowledges the crucial role his father played in shaping his entrepreneurial journey, especially in international business dealings. Paul also recounts a life-altering cycling accident that led to artistic exploration and a newfound appreciation for design. Despite global success, Paul remains committed to mentorship; echoing gratitudes for the guidance he received in his youth and advocating for the next generation of talent. Through anecdotes, reflections and candid advice, Paul paints a portrait of a fashion icon dedicated to preserving the integrity and artistry of his craft. This episode explores the authenticity of fashion amidst changing trends, the importance of staying true to yourself, and offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of a true visionary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 28 MAR 2024

Lessons from the month with Jameela Jamil, Martin Lewis, Tom Kerridge and Esteban Ocon

In this month’s recap, Jake and Damian reflect on the enlightening conversations they’ve had with our guests throughout the month of March. Starting with Jameela Jamil’s powerful insights on self-awareness and societal norms, they emphasise her message of empowerment amidst societal pressures. They applauded Martin Lewis' courage and integrity, emphasising the value of trust in personal and professional success. Discussing their conversation with Tom Kerridge, Jake and Damian appreciate his unconventional path to success and willingness to reinvent himself. They admire his courage to defy conventions and prioritise well-being over conventional achievement definitions. Reflecting on Esteban Ocon’s journey in Formula One, they highlight the theme of parental sacrifice and determination. They also commend Ocon's father for establishing values despite challenges, underscoring the value of long-term goals. This month's conversations with our guests highlight the importance of authenticity, courage and purpose in navigating life’s challenges and finding true fulfilment. Listen to the episodes mentioned: Jameela: https://pod.fo/e/225b9e Martin: https://pod.fo/e/22a519 Tom: https://pod.fo/e/22356e Esteban: https://pod.fo/e/228331 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 24 MAR 2024

Martin Lewis: It’s time to stop being taken advantage of (E246)

Trustworthiness isn't just a label; it's built through consistent actions and a commitment to doing what's right, even when challenging. Martin Lewis is a prominent figure known for his expertise in consumer finance, and the founder of the ‘MoneySavingExpert’ website and platform. In this episode, Martin highlights how corporations are taking advantage of communities, focusing on the financial burden that big institutions in Britain place on the country. Touching on his own experience during the pandemic, Martin expresses the desperation for stability felt by many. He emphasises to Jake and Damian his commitment to charity, driven by a desire to reform the system and improve lives. He recounts his upbringing in a unique educational environment, which taught him early lessons about privilege and empathy. Addressing his own mental health challenges, Martin shares the effects of his personal struggles, and what coping mechanisms he developed. Offering insights into how he achieved success, Martin explores the impact and sacrifices throughout his journey. Ultimately, he shares the value of integrity in our personal and professional lives, and promotes individual accountability and moral business conduct. This episode focuses on developing trust, building an ethical society, and the importance of navigating personal and professional challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• 21 MAR 2024

How shifting your perspective can change the game with Tom Daley - Handpicked

In this episode, Damian revisits one of his favorite episodes with Tom Daley, an Olympic gold medallist in diving and British television personality. Jake and Damian reflect on what they learned from the conversation with Tom, including the importance of parental support and establishing daily goals. They discuss how Tom’s late father reframed situations positively, such as turning potential failures into achievements. They appreciate how he silently supported Tom without micromanaging or criticizing during difficult moments. Damian also delves into Tom's approach to setting daily goals. He explores how Tom finds satisfaction in small achievements and how bravery plays a role in facing life’s challenges, like dealing with the loss of his father and coming out as gay. This powerful episode provides a valuable lesson for all parents, coaches and individuals about the importance of presence and positive reinforcement, as well as overcoming challenges and adversity. Listen to the full episode with Tom Daley here: Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

• © High Performance

Customer Reviews

4.2K Ratings

Easter Bank holiday binge

Caught up on three episodes this weekend.. and all brilliant - Jameela Jamil - articulating many thoughts and feelings we all have had and continue to.. Sliding door moments and how different they are for everyone, but so significant and one of my favourites so far Paul Smith, what a legend - demonstrating that being kind and considerate is fundamental for longevity in business, he was a joy to listen to and will be listening again.. hope the socks take pride of place your draw!

Jamila Jamel

Just listened to your most recent episode and I found it unbelievably helpful at a difficult time. Thank you!

THE ultimate game changing podcast 👏👏👏

No wonder this is being listened to by almost every Premier League footballer, the England cricket team, top-level CEO’s…and in many other places. It’s my go-to every Monday. The Professor is 💥. I may sign up to their app to get even more. Well played everyone.

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High Performance Podcast - Live

One of Britain’s best-respected sports broadcasters Jake Humphrey and Psychologist Professor Damian Hughes, the creators behind one of THE breakout more...

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Past Events

Here are the most recent UK tour dates we had listed for High Performance Podcast - Live. Were you there?

• Jun 25 2023 Cardiff, Wales Millennium Centre High Performance Podcast - Live
• May 22 2023 Glasgow, Kings Theatre High Performance Podcast - Live
• May 05 2023 New Theatre Oxford High Performance Podcast - Live
• Apr 26 2023 Nottingham, Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall High Performance Podcast - Live
• Apr 20 2023 London Palladium High Performance Podcast - Live
• Mar 02 2022 London, indigo at The O2 High Performance Podcast - Live
• Feb 18 2022 Edinburgh, The Queen's Hall High Performance Podcast - Live
• Feb 07 2022 Salford, The Lowry High Performance Podcast - Live
• Feb 01 2022 Birmingham Town Hall High Performance Podcast - Live

Why Jake Humphrey is leaving BT Sport amid Champions League final farewell

TV presenter Jake Humphrey is set to leave his position as BT Sport's lead presenter following this weekend's Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan

• 13:00, 10 JUN 2023

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Jake Humphrey is “stepping back” from his role at BT Sport after a decade as the broadcaster’s lead presenter.

The Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan will be his last show after announcing his departure last month. BT Sport are set to pay tribute to Humphrey’s work over the past 10 years as they bid him farewell on Saturday.

His replacement is yet to be named, though Laura Woods has been touted for the job as the broadcaster prepares to rebrand to TNT Sports. Away from TV, Humphrey has launched the successful High Performance Podcast, as well as the Whisper Group production company, and explained his reasons for leaving his BT Sport role.

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“After 10 wonderful years, I am stepping back from BT. As a football fan, hosting Premier League matches, FA Cup games and European Finals has meant the world to me,” he wrote on Twitter last month. “It has been my dream job. I’ve loved being a very small part of a world class production team.

“I also feel blessed to have shared the screen with legends of the game and incredible broadcasters, who have become friends. Thank you all.”

Humphrey continued: “When I joined BT in 2013 I didn’t have children, Whisper Group was in its infancy and I didn’t even know what a podcast was! A decade on, Whisper now has hundreds of team members who I want to work with more, and the impact of High Performance amazes me daily. I’m also not ashamed to say I remain hugely ambitious.

“Stepping back from BT will allow me space to pursue other projects and fulfil other ambitions. I'm excited. To everyone that's watched and commented, both good and bad (!), thank you! It's been a blast...×”

Humphrey, 44, was previously a kids’ TV presenter on CBBC in the early years of his career before joining BBC Sport. He became well-known as the face of the BBC’s Grand Prix coverage before making the move over to BT Sport in 2013.

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Jake Humphrey: ‘Would I go back to football broadcasting? Probably no’

Jake Humphrey doesn’t like being interviewed.

“I get the fear,” says the former BT Sport presenter as we take our seats by the window of an unnecessarily dark coffee shop in London’s Mayfair. Humphrey moves the conversation swiftly on to talk about the challenges and frustrations of having limited time to hold in-depth conversations with pundits or players during his time fronting BT’s football coverage, and how much he values the differences in that respect between television and podcasts.

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But as we talk more, the subject of “the fear” returns.

“I still get triggered with things like this,” he says of his interview with The Athletic , “because my head goes, ‘You have this great conversation, you’ve been really honest. What headline do they pick?’. Because that can then just bring me more heat, more hate.

“In some ways, it makes you think, ‘What’s the point even talking about this stuff?’. But then I think I should talk about it, because this is a lived experience that I wouldn’t want someone else to live.”

Humphrey’s lived experience is one of strange contrasts.

He has been trusted with some of the biggest jobs in sports broadcasting, covering Formula One, Euro 2012 and the London Olympics for the BBC before helping launch the BT Sport channel where he spent 10 years hosting their Premier League and, later, Champions League coverage before leaving last summer. He’s built a successful production company, Whisper, and co-hosts the High Performance Podcast, which has been downloaded more than 100million times and has been trusted by some of the biggest names in sport as a space where they can speak more openly than ever.

He has also been subjected to a maelstrom of criticism and abuse on social media, something he blames partly on the “vitriolic” nature of football.

“That is part of the magic of football”, he says. “People bloody care about it. But it’s hard when you’re just going to work to try to earn your money and pay your mortgage and feed your kids, and you’re getting pelters from people who assume you hate their football club, or that you’re not very good at your job.

“That ground me down. I’m just not very good at dealing with that sort of stuff. I remember saying to Gary Lineker, ‘How do you deal with that?’. And he said, ‘I don’t care about it, it bounces off me’.

“I would go, ‘Yeah, I’m gonna feel the same’. But I just couldn’t. I never felt comfortable with that sort of criticism, because I don’t understand it. For someone to think I’m not very good at my job is fine but some of it strayed into bullying territory.”

There is a belief — wrongly held, says Humphrey — that anyone who steps into a high-profile role presenting top-level football is all ego. Smug. Arrogant. Conceited. Or, at the very least, hyper-confident.

“Trust me, that is all a fucking act,” he says. “It really annoyed me when someone would go, ‘He’s so smug, I can’t stand him’, or ‘He absolutely loves himself’.

“You couldn’t be further from the truth. But you can’t argue with those things. You just have to let them go. At times it felt like… I was a bit targeted.”

It’s fairly unusual to see presenters walking away from lead presenting jobs in football like the one Humphrey had at BT Sport. He says it was history repeating itself, after he left behind another coveted role at the BBC where his contract included presenting programmes such as Match of the Day 2 and Sports Personality of the Year, and major events: Olympic and Commonwealth Games, World Cups, European Championships and F1.

Saying goodbye to the BBC was a life decision, he says. His wife was pregnant with their first child and he couldn’t countenance the time away from home those jobs would entail.

A decade on, he says it was a combination of factors that led to his departure from BT Sport. He’d been there a long time and “gets bored quite quickly”. There was also the growing sense of discord he’d started to feel between the deep conversations he was having on the High Performance Podcast and the quick-fire, hot-take nature of football broadcasting.

“When I started High Performance, I started talking more and more to people about empathy and understanding and thinking about the shadow you cast and the legacy you leave behind.

“Then it was hard to have conversations about dropping footballers, sacking managers and criticising referees. I wanted to say, ‘Hold on, we don’t know what mental health challenges that person has, we don’t know what personal issues that person’s dealing with. So instead of guessing and trying to say something outlandish just to get social media likes and clicks, maybe we should have a more thoughtful approach’.

“But that’s not the way that world is geared.”

Finally, he points to the rebrand of BT Sport to TNT Sports that was set to take place before the start of the 2023-24 season.

“There was this sense, from my conversations with them (the channel), that I was the constant from the very beginning. And if you wanted to make it feel like something new and fresh, a new and fresh presenter as your lead host was a very simple way to do that.

“It just no longer felt right.”

Six months on, does he miss it?

“There are elements I miss. I miss the challenge of being a broadcaster. I miss the camaraderie of hanging out with my friends, the amazing pundits, co-commentators and commentators and producers and all the people who make it happen.

“But I don’t regret it.”

He talks about spending his Saturdays watching his son, Seb, play football. Spending Tuesday and Wednesday nights at home with his family instead of travelling to European games. He reels off a list of memorable moments that he is grateful to have witnessed and worked on: Liverpool winning a European trophy; Manchester United winning a European trophy; an all-English European final in Baku (Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Arsenal in the 2019 Europa League); hosting the FA Cup final to achieve a childhood ambition.

“If I carried on another 10 years, what could I do that’s different? Nothing. I sometimes see my fellow presenters doing the same thing they were doing 10 years ago, and that’s fine for them, I’m not thinking that what I’m doing is right and what they’re doing is wrong. But having those same emotions, those same experiences, those same conversations in those same stadiums and the same hotels and the same nights out is not growth and change. And it’s just not exciting.”

What is the most important FA Cup final of all time?

Humphrey is nothing if not on brand with the High Performance message. He has recently released a book, the third under the High Performance banner, called How to Change Your Life: Five Steps to Achieving High Performance, in which he writes that “high-performing people challenge themselves by seeking change, so they can realise their potential”.

In previous interviews, Humphrey has said he never felt comfortable in football. Asked why he thinks that is, he talks about the barriers between the media and the sport making him feel like he was “always on the outside looking in, rather than on the inside trying to get people closer than ever before”.

“I came from a world of Formula One,” he continues, “where you’d travel on the same planes, you’d be in the pit lane with them and in the same hotels. In football, everything felt like a challenge to try and get more access. We would be live at pitchside and there’d be someone from the football club taking a photo of how many people we had by the pitch and saying, ‘You need fewer people than that’. And that blew my mind. We’re covering this for the whole world. Why is this a problem?”

On top of that was the negativity from certain sections of social media.

Why did he get it so badly?

“It was weird,” says Humphrey, “because half of the criticism was, ‘He’s so boring’. And the other half was people being triggered. You can’t be both. Either I’m a boring, vanilla, dull presenter, or I’m doing things that you don’t like. I suppose I tried to bring a bit of personality to the conversation. I tried to bring a sense of humour. I tried to be fair and honest. I tried to ask slightly challenging, slightly different questions.”

Not all of the criticism was linked to Humphrey’s work on screen. Some of it stemmed from his determination to spread what he believed were messages of positivity, such as his annual note reminding students not to let their exam results define them: “In 1999, I got E, N, U for mine. Things haven’t turned out too bad,” he wrote on Twitter in 2016.

When one response claimed “BT Sport viewers may disagree”, Humphrey bit back: “My bank manager may not.”

More recently, his posts about what he calls “world-class basics” and how he tries to implement them into his everyday life and random meetings with strangers on train journeys who tell him how inspired they have been by the High Performance Podcast have been the source of some mirth.

“I want other people to see what I’ve done and believe it’s possible for them as well,” he says about his posts. “To realise they can do the thing they really want to do in life. And I don’t think that it’s toxic or dangerous to tell people that if you have a dream, you should try and chase it because what’s the alternative?”

It is, he says, largely on Twitter that he receives such negativity, and that he now uses it a little less. Though he says the reaction to him has probably changed now that he’s no longer talking about football.

“I was talking about something that people feel really passionately about, something that divides people like very few other things. So maybe it was a natural consequence. I’m not an ex-footballer, I’m not an expert. I’m not loved by a certain fanbase.

“I’m just a guy who’s pitched in and got lucky enough to speak to Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Cesc Fabregas, all these amazing legends of the game. Maybe if I was watching me, I might be a bit triggered or a bit envious or a bit angry that I get the chance to do it.

“I don’t know, it’s probably a question for someone else to answer. All I know is that I always did my best. And maybe the truth is my best wasn’t good enough. I love doing it. And I don’t think I’m necessarily bad at it… it’s a good reminder that even a slow drip of criticism over time is hard.”

His story, he says, is no different to that of any other broadcaster — “If you’re in the public eye, you’re fair game for criticism” — and says that some of the feedback was useful.

“I really liked it when people said, ‘I think this question was shit’, or ‘I think you should have asked that’, or, ‘I thought that was awful’. And often I would think, ‘You know what? You’re right’. I’m not sitting here saying, ‘Woe is me, I can’t cope with constructive feedback or criticism’. It’s when it crosses a line into nastiness, into abuse. That’s when it becomes a problem.”

Humphrey would see the posts after games and choose to stay away from social media for a few days waiting for the storm to pass. He says it never got rid of the feelings that came with it, though.

“It affects your performance too,” he says.

He raises the topic of female pundits and the wave of abuse that has been sent their way after the social media attacks of a certain ex-footballer with almost three million followers on Twitter.

Silenced, angry and unsupported - the week women in football were attacked

“There’s all these blokes on social media picking up on every tiny, nuanced, minuscule mistake that someone makes. There are male pundits making far bigger mistakes all the time, yet the female pundits know that one tiny slip and they’re gonna get criticised for it.

“You’re trying to say that these people need to be perfect but, at the same time, you’re setting such a high bar that you know it can’t do anything but affect them. We’re putting female pundits in an almost impossible position with that level of scrutiny.

“I have probably worked with hundreds of pundits over the last 10 years and the laziest and most bone idle and least interested are not the females. The female pundits I work with are the hardest working. They realise that they’re breaking down doors for others to walk through and they’re responding accordingly.

“It tells us everything we need to know about society that one tiny slip of the tongue gets pounced upon and used as an opportunity to bash people.”

In 2021, Humphrey finished his broadcast of Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-0 defeat of Leeds United by giving a one-minute speech in support of BT Sport pundit and former England player Karen Carney, who had been subject to online attacks after comments she made about Leeds were mocked by the club’s official Twitter account.

Jake Humphrey destroying sexist misogynist arseholes in 60 seconds, what a legend. pic.twitter.com/R93cMWS1x0 — Rebekka (@rebekkarnold) January 2, 2021

He came off air to a message from Carney thanking him for his support, and a new wave of abuse sent in his direction.

“I got a huge amount of criticism from football fans telling me that I’m woke and I shouldn’t tell them what to think. From that moment on, the amount of criticism I received increased and stayed higher, without a doubt.

“But women in the game need men to be advocates and to be allies, and you’re not an ally if you quietly say to Karen Carney at work, ‘I’ve got your back, don’t you worry’. You’re only an ally if you stand live on the television and make sure that you stop talking 45 seconds before the end of a programme to tell people how you really feel.

“I’m glad I did it. And if I had the chance today to do it again, I absolutely would.

“We have a huge, serious, increasing problem with social media abuse. It’s worse and more toxic than it’s ever been.”

Whether people like it or not, Humphrey is a success story. And the secret to that success, he says, is that he is an optimist who sees the best in everyone.

“The shadow you cast is really important. And you can go back through my whole career, and you try to find someone who hated working with me, or thought I was a dick or that I didn’t pull my weight or that I wasn’t kind or caring or didn’t look after them, and you won’t find that person. Because I was brought up right. And you have to treat people in the right way.”

His purpose now is to “lift other people up, promote other people, help other people. I would love to see what would happen if we lived in a society where we experimented with lifting each other up, rather than pushing each other down”.

How much of that purpose is a result of his own life experiences?

As a schoolboy, he was bullied so badly he changed schools. Just before doing his A Levels (which he failed), he lost his grandmother, Ena, to suicide. While working for children’s television in his twenties he suffered from mental health struggles that he describes as “really awful intrusive thoughts, triggered by anxiety. A bit of a mental health breakdown, basically”.

“I don’t think I’d be doing this now without those things,” says Humphrey. “It’s like an invisible building of your resilience that you don’t even know or see is happening. And it’s a really good reminder for me that just because something is hard for you, doesn’t mean it’s bad for you.

“I look back on some of the criticism of my time at BT and think, ‘Just because it was hard for me, doesn’t mean it was bad for me, because it probably did push me down this road’.”

Though he is now free from the vitriol that can come with working in football, Humphrey isn’t necessarily free from the online criticism it brought, although it perhaps has more of a mocking tone now than an abusive one.

“I feel quite differently about the stuff that I post about now,” he says, “because football was me playing a role as a football guy, right?

“I don’t really tweet or share anything about it now, because the only part of my life that was related to football was doing that job. I love going to watch Norwich with my boy but apart from that, I’m not going to watch England away games or travel for European nights. I was never that kind of a person.”

Would he ever go back to football?

“It would have to be something really interesting to tempt me back. I love doing big events that test my skills as a broadcaster, but the constant, relentless, sausage-factory type approach of just doing football match after football match? Probably no, on reflection.”

He strongly believes High Performance is a “force for good” and that the podcast and everything that comes along with it will be his lasting legacy.

“TV presenters, they come and go. You’re just talking about other people’s success. I’m aware that if I’m not already forgotten as a football presenter, I very soon will be. And that’s fine, because this is the stuff I’d like my kids to be listening to in 20 years.”

(Top photo: Daniel Chesterton/Offside via Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)

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Sarah Shephard spent 10 years at Sport magazine before becoming Deputy Head of Content at The Coaches' Voice. She has also written for publications such as The Times, The Guardian and The Sunday Times Magazine, among others. Follow Sarah on Twitter @ SarahShepSport

How to Change Your Life

Jake humphrey , damian hughes.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published December 7, 2023

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Jake Humphrey

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