From Lane 8 to Life - Kieren Perkins on Performing Under Pressure - A Wake Up Call

If you have ever wondered: “Why do I give my best under pressure sometimes, and completely fall apart others?” “How do I stay calm when everything is riding on this moment?” “Is it possible to rediscover my fire after I have walked away from the thing I worked hardest at?” this episode is for you. In this episode, Tess and Layne sit down with Kieren Perkins - Olympic gold medallist, CEO of the Australian Sports Commission, and the man who won gold from lane 8 at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in one of the most iconic moments in Australian sporting history. Kieren takes us inside the hours before that race: the panic, the adrenaline hijack, the dark spiral of consequences, and the single question that flipped the switch - “How did I used to do this?” He unpacks the physiology of pressure, the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic drive, and why the only job in any high-stakes moment is to get out of your own way and let your preparation speak. Together they explore the gap between chasing excellence and defending it, the surprising differences between elite sport and corporate performance, and the honest story of Kieren’s own health journey - losing over 30 kilos by first stopping exercise entirely. You will hear about: How Kieren interrupted a full amygdala hijack in the hours before an Olympic final Why defending a title is psychologically harder than chasing one The difference between an athlete’s finish line and a corporate one - and how to close the gap Why Kieren believes you cannot force elite performance on someone who does not truly want to be there How stopping exercise was the first step in Kieren’s 30-kilo transformation The one walk through Melbourne that reminded him what presence actually feels like Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/awake... Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself Grow Yourself to live a happier more purposeful life. https://www.penguin.com.au/books/awak... Follow Layne on Instagram @Laynebeachley Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy Awakes TikTok   / awakeacademy_   Sponsor our podcast https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Book us for a workshop https://www.awakeacademy.com.au/contact Disclaimer The A Wake Up Call podcast is created for general informational, educational, and inspirational purposes only. The stories, tools, and insights shared are designed to support your wellbeing journey - not to replace professional medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. In fact, we believe therapy is non-negotiable in life. If you’re experiencing a medical or mental health condition, please seek guidance from a qualified healthcare professional. Never ignore or delay seeking professional advice because of something you’ve heard on this podcast. Your wellbeing matters. Take care of yourself, stay curious, and remember the real wake-up call is listening to what your body and mind are trying to tell you.