Ollie Watkins: From Non-League to the Champions League, how I climbed football's most competitive ladder (E265)

In this episode, Jake and Damian sit down with Premier League footballer Ollie Watkins, discussing his staggering journey from non-league football to reaching the Champions League.England and Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins joins us on High Performance after a breakthrough season, achieving the most assists in the Premier League. Ollie opens up to Jake and Damian about his route to the top, discussing his rejection from Exeter City at age nine, struggling with concentration, and his determination to prove people wrong.Reflecting on key mentors and moments throughout his career, Ollie highlights the impact of High Performance culture, emphasising the importance of humility and consistency instilled by coaches such as Unai Emery. He advocates for breaking down the stigma around mental health challenges among athletes.Ollie also recalls the pressure of scoring his first goal for Aston Villa, highlighting the memorable feeling of a weight being lifted from his shoulders when his aim became a reality. He shares a defining moment against Arsenal, where his goal and celebration asserted his belonging in the Premier League.This episode uncovers the remarkable journey of one of England's most promising footballing talents; from Ollie’s humble beginnings, to his Premier League success and Champions League aspirations.Partners:Huel 👉 hppod.co/huel Discover all 154 health benefits at uk.huel.com/benefitsEight Sleep 👉 hppod.co/eightsleepManual 👉 hppod.co/manualExplore offers and discounts through our other partners:hppod.co/partners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Om Podcasten

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.