Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp Denise Lewis knows what it feels like to stand on the biggest stage in the world with everything on the line. But what makes her story remarkable isn’t just the gold medal, it’s the simple habit that helped her win it: the power of a reset. At the Sydney Olympics, after a shaky high jump that threatened her entire heptathlon, Denise didn’t spiral or cling to the mistake. She walked back to her room, reached for a different pair of shoes, slicked her hair back, and told herself: “You’re not Denise anymore, you’re Astrid.” With that small ritual, she shifted her identity, her energy, and her belief. It wasn’t superstition, it was psychology. Long before researchers named it “enclothed cognition,” Denise was living it: what you put on the outside can transform what you feel on the inside. In this episode, we explore how Denise turned seven events into seven fresh starts, and how the same principle can help all of us recover faster, perform under pressure and move forward after setbacks. Together, we dig into: Why symbols and rituals help us reset after mistakes How acceptance clears the mind and restores decision-making The alter-ego effect and why borrowing strength works What resilience really looks like in the moments no one sees How transitions, at work, at home, or in sport, shape our identity If you’ve ever struggled to let go of a bad moment, wished for a clean slate, or needed a way to step into the next chapter with confidence, Denise’s story has something powerful to teach. Listen to the full episode with Denise Lewis: https://pod.fo/e/2c05ac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
