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Are You a High Performer or Just Highly Performative? | Smith & Mayhew, A-Game Consultancy

1 hr 15 minWatch on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

About this episode

Nitin speaks with Adam Smith and Adam Mayhew, co-founders of A-Game Consultancy, about what it truly means to be a high performer and why success can feel unfulfilling. They explore the distinction between genuine high performance and performative achievement, discussing how beliefs, conditioning and the need for validation shape decision-making for high achievers.

The conversation examines why successful people struggle to switch off, the impact of lifestyle factors like alcohol, nutrition and sleep on performance, and the challenges millennial men face around identity and masculinity. Smith and Mayhew share how mindset and lifestyle coaching together help people understand what holds them back and make meaningful changes.

For recruitment leaders and entrepreneurs constantly striving for the next milestone, this episode explores what a more fulfilling version of success might look like beyond career achievements, and why asking deeper questions about your own performance is worth doing.

Key takeaways

  • High achievers often feel unfulfilled because they conflate performative success with genuine high performance and wellbeing.
  • Alcohol, nutrition, sleep and lifestyle significantly impact both performance and the ability to feel satisfied with achievements.
  • Understanding your personal beliefs and conditioning helps identify whether ambition serves you or leaves you constantly seeking validation.
  • Male mental health and asking for help remain challenging for many high achievers due to shifting ideas around masculinity.
  • Breathwork, meditation, journaling and self-reflection are practical tools to understand what success truly means to you.

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