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What if the key to elite performance, emotional healing, and personal transformation wasn’t pushing harder — but learning to rewire your mind?

In this episode of Man: A Quest to Find Meaning, James is joined by cycling legend, coach, and NLP practitioner David Le Grys. With over 40 British titles, two world championships, and a lifetime of experience navigating physical and emotional trauma, David brings a rare blend of honesty, humor, and wisdom.

Together, they explore how NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) helped David reframe his anxiety, manage the pressure of international competition, and bounce back from burnout, addiction, and even open-heart surgery.

David shares how installing “anchors” — powerful mental triggers — helped him transform nerves into calm confidence, including a behind-the-scenes look at how world-class athletes like Johnny Wilkinson and Chris Hoy used these tools to perform under pressure. Through storytelling, David explains how you can build your own anchor to break through fear and unlock your full potential — whether you’re preparing for a race, a job interview, or a tough conversation.

💡 Key Insights from the Episode:

• 🧠 NLP Is About Rewriting Internal Scripts – You can change how you respond to fear, not by fighting it, but by reframing it.
• 🎯 Anchors Are Personal Power Tools – Anchors help associate specific gestures or thoughts with a desired emotional state, such as calm or confidence.
• 🔄 Visualization Rewires the Brain – Techniques like the "Cinema Hypnosis" method allow you to replace painful memories with empowering ones.
• ❤️ Trauma Lives in the Body – David explains how unprocessed trauma affects recovery, immune health, and emotional stability.
• 🕯️ Sense of Humor as a Healing Force – Laughing at yourself (even when it hurts) can be one of the most powerful tools for recovery.
• 💪 Healing Takes Patience – David's journey through heart surgery taught him that resilience isn’t about rushing — it’s about listening, slowing down, and trusting the process.
• 🌱 Success Evolves – From chasing medals to coaching a diabetic teen to national gold, David's story reminds us that legacy is often built through lifting others.