Jake Aliker on creating a Formula 1 Performance Mindset

09/07/20 • 63 min

With over a decade of experience coaching in elite level sport, Jake is passionate about helping people reach their highest potential. Moving from a strength and conditioning coach for a professional rugby team to the Formula 1 paddock was always going to be a steep learning curve. Taking on the role as the personal performance coach for Max Verstappen as he started his career at Red Bull Racing was a challenge that he grabbed with both hands. Whilst max had spent his life around race tracks and the Formula 1 paddock, this was a new environment for Jake. He also realised that the role was a lot more than just helping Max to be the fittest man in the race. For Jake Aliker, this was about creating a Formula 1 performance mindset.
In this conversation with Jake you will hear about his own development as Max's former performance coach. He will share the relationships that he developed with team, how to cut through the noise and focus on his role in helping Max go faster. He shares how we all have 'anxiety' but how an F1 Driver will often use this as a signal to push harder.
Jake is now heading up performance for the Porsche Supercup team GP Elite and shares his insights on how he sets this up for success. Having set up his own coaching company Force and Grace, Jake also discusses how the lessons he has learned in elite sports and racing, can benefit businesses by creating a Formula 1 performance mindset.

Previous Episode

Michael Lynagh on Being A Team Player

Michael Lynagh is an Aussie Rugby legend and has a list of achievements and accolades that many would envy, but you wouldn’t always know it when you speak with him. Michael is a very humble man and spends much of his time focused on how he can help those around him to look good. Whether it be as part of the World Cup Winning team, captaining his country, playing professional rugby in England or his role as MD of Dow Jones Corporate EMEA, I was keen to talk with Michael Lynagh on being a team player.
Playing at a time before rugby was a full time career choice, Michael gives a new insight into how to achieve high performance and the challenges that you will have to face to stay there. Michael talks of having natural talent, but also making sure that you don’t waste it. Then there is all the practice, preparation and putting in the extra efforts and as importantly what you learn from it rather than just going through the motions.
Make sure you listen carefully as he shares his perspective of wanting to deliver for the team and team mates and the expectations that brings. Of course, we also talk about how Michael sees himself in a business environment and even the sense that he is not satisfied yet, no doubt based on the standards he sets for himself. But rather than putting on an act he talks of the benefits of knowing and being true to yourself. Michael, in his role as Managing Director, also shares how the lessons he learned from his time at elite levels of sports have been applied to business.

As I mentioned, Michael is an incredibly humble guy and it was an absolute pleasure to chat with him.

So take a listen and let me know what you think...

Next Episode

Keith Hackett on Decision Making

Keith Hackett was a top flight referee and is still counted among the top 100 referees of all time in a list maintained by International Federation of Football History and statistics. Following his career of managing games and events on the field, he took up a role as General Manager of Professional Game Match Officials Board and was responsible for process development, continued professionalism and bringing in technology and innovation.
No stranger to having to assess a situation, explore the options and move things forward quickly, so who better to speak to than Keith Hackett on making decisions.