The Mental Skills Coach: How the Inner Game Drives the Outer Game, with HeadCoach and The Coaching Room’s Jay Hedley
Host Tarek Michael-Chouja welcomed special guest Jay Hedley, Managing Partner at The Coaching Room, a high performance coach recognised for his work with elite athletes and sporting teams. Together, they explored the mental side of high performance and the critical role mindset plays in achieving sustained success.
Throughout the episode, Jay shared lessons from his extensive experience coaching athletes and teams at the highest level, including his work with powerhouse squads such as Fiji Rugby. He explained that while technical skill and physical conditioning are essential, it is the ability to master mental skills such as focus, resilience, and emotional regulation that separates good athletes from great ones. According to Jay, anxiety is not the enemy; when channelled correctly, it can become a source of energy and potential rather than a barrier to performance.
A highlight of the conversation was the story behind the creation of the Head Coach. Jay described how this initiative was born out of a desire to bridge the gap between technical ability and mental mastery. By equipping coaches with practical mental performance strategies, Head Coach empowers them to create training environments that foster confidence, clarity, and long-term growth. Jay believes that when coaches are trained to nurture the mental game, athletes develop the inner strength needed to consistently perform under pressure.
The discussion also examined the dynamics of coaching both individuals and teams. Jay emphasised that culture is often the deciding factor in high performance environments, shaping behaviours and outcomes far more than talent alone. He highlighted the value of collaboration with sports psychologists, explaining how combining coaching expertise with psychological insights creates a holistic framework for athlete development.
As the episode wrapped up, Jay introduced his Mental Skills Training Program, a structured pathway for athletes and coaches to develop essential mental skills. The program provides practical tools to sharpen focus, manage pressure, and sustain excellence over time, ensuring that mental training becomes as integral to preparation as physical conditioning.
Whether you are an athlete, a coach, or someone seeking to understand what drives champions, this conversation is packed with insights on the mental game that fuels high performance. Jay’s experience proves that success is never just physical; it is built on the strength of the mind and the culture that supports it.
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About Our Guest: About Our Guest: Jay Hedley is the Managing Partner at The Coaching Room®, a firm dedicated to helping high-performance executives, athletes, sports coaches, and teams unleash their full potential. With a focus on identifying blind spots and challenging limiting beliefs, Hedley is known for building clarity in both professional and personal life. His extensive client roster includes executive teams at organizations like RedBull Racing, KPMG Australia, and Optus, as well as elite sports programs such as the Waratahs and Fiji Rugby Sevens. Most recently, he contributed to the Fijiana XVs at the Women’s Rugby World Cup England 2025, specializing in developing mental and leadership capacities. His unique approach synthesizes NLP, developmental coaching, and integral theory, all centered on the critical question of “how you show up.”
About Your Host: Tarek is the co-founder of the functional training institute and FitWell Education lab. Tarek is an international educator and speaker who has presented numerous times at the biggest convention in Australia, Asia and the US. In addition, Tarek has presented courses to thousands of trainers throughout Australia, Asia, the Middle East and South America. Tarek is also a best-selling author of ‘Purpose Driven Movement.
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