Kiwi Neuroscientist To The Stars: F1, The All Blacks And Billionaires

Dr Kerry Spackman has spent much of his career trying to answer one simple question: what separates the very best from everybody else?

He’s a neuroscientist, mathematician, author and performance consultant who has worked inside the Formula One, with the All Blacks, Olympic athletes and some of the highest performers in the world.

He wrote a book called The Winners Bible which sold out and became a best seller after Dan Carter endorsed it. And he has a new book out now called The Winners Formula.

In this conversation we get into what Kerry learned from organisation's like McClaren and the All Blacks.

What he learned from people like Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher.

Why champions work differently, what causes people to choke under pressure, and why simply “working hard” isn’t enough.

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Thanks very much to the sponsors of this episode, the Generate KiwiSaver Scheme.

Generate, like today’s guest, put performance first.

Your KiwiSaver account is one of those things that’s easy to set up and then completely ignore whilst you’re hoping it’s all working out in the background.

I had a chat with a Generate KiwiSaver adviser when they came on as sponsor, and it genuinely gave me clarity on what it means to have a KiwiSaver plan, and whether mine was actually set up to perform over the long-term.

Generate is an award‑winning KiwiSaver provider with a strong track record of long‑term performance. You can check out their latest returns online, or book a no‑obligation chat with one of their advisers at https://www.generatewealth.co.nz/dom

No pressure, just clear advice to help you feel confident you’re on track, without any judgement for leaving this on the to‑do list a bit longer than planned.

The issuer of the scheme is Generate Investment Management Limited. To see their PDS and Financial Advice Provider info see generatekiwisaver.co.nz/disclosures.

Past performance does not guarantee future returns.

And remember, I’m not a financial adviser, so this is just general information. I recommend getting expert advice before making any financial decisions.

0:00 Introduction: Engineering Peak Performance 3:27 The Importance of a "Library of Solutions" 5:08 Differences: Neuroscientist vs. Sports Psychologist 8:52 The 4 Controls: Steering, Throttle, Brakes, Suspension 9:43 Handling Pressure & Imposter Syndrome 16:48 Emotional Rewiring and Overcoming Past Scars 22:18 Practical Applications & Storytelling in Coaching 30:44 Why Talent Doesn't Always Equal Success 34:54 The Relationship Between Winning and Happiness 41:26 Beyond Hard Work: Working Smarter 47:53 The Loneliness of High Performance 51:58 Insights from Behind the Scenes of Formula 1 57:03 Using Simulators to Automate Solutions 59:00 Confidence vs. Arrogance 1:05:38 The Ruthless Discipline of Champions 1:06:14 Working with the All Blacks 1:21:05 Addressing Modern Challenges & AI 1:21:47 Personal Transformation Stories 1:26:56 Knowing vs. Doing: Emotional Commitment 1:29:19 What Happens When You Choke Under Pressure 1:33:47 Winning at 70: Truth, Beauty, and Kindness 1:40:00 The Next Chapter: Critical Thinking & Truth