At Tenzing, we’re fascinated by what drives people to achieve great things – not just in business, but in every walk of life. Behind every high-growth company or standout team, there are human stories: moments of resilience, leadership under pressure, and the determination to keep going when things get tough.
That curiosity sits at the heart of our podcast, The Ascent. In earlier seasons, we spoke mainly with tech founders about scaling businesses and navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. For Season 3, we’re widening the lens. We’re exploring performance and leadership through the experiences of people who’ve reached the top in very different arenas: elite sport, the military, advocacy, and healthcare, as well as business.
This season is about learning from high performers in every field – the mindsets they build, the choices they make, and the lessons that can help all of us on our own journeys.
Spotlight on the Guests
Mel Marshall MBE – Coaching with Purpose
Our first guest is Mel, one of Britain’s most decorated swimmers turned Olympic coach. Mel shares her journey from standing on the podium as an athlete to standing on the pool deck guiding others to success. She talks about what it means to “map the mountain” – setting small goals to make big challenges feel achievable – and why helping others reach their potential has become her mission.
David Hopley OBE – Leadership Under Pressure
Few people know leadership like David. With a 30-year career in the Royal Marine Commandos and UK Special Forces, including time leading the Special Boat Service, David has been tested in some of the toughest environments imaginable. In our conversation, he reflects on the difference between leadership and management, the role of trust, and why leadership is ultimately a privilege.
Adie Shariff – Psychology of Performance
As a performance psychologist, Adie has spent over 25 years helping individuals and teams unlock their best results – from elite sport to business and the military. He shares practical tools for developing high performance, including his framework for five mindsets. Adie’s focus is always on creating change that lasts, not just in the moment, and his insights are already shaping how we work together at Tenzing.
Saskia Clark MBE – Sailing to Success
Saskia, Olympic and World Champion sailor, takes us inside the world of elite sailing. A three-time Olympian, she won silver in London 2012 and struck gold in Rio 2016. Saskia talks about resilience, teamwork, and the deliberate decision-making that underpinned her success. Her reflections on knowing which stones to turn over – and which to leave unturned – are valuable reminders for anyone leading under pressure.
James Whiting – Purpose and Leadership in Law
With a career spanning law, human rights, and global advocacy, James is now Chief Executive of Doughty Street Chambers. From leading Malaria No More UK to championing environmental change at Friends of the Earth, James has always worked at the intersection of purpose and leadership. In our episode, he shares how to create a strategic vision through complexity, and why staying values-driven is so critical when the stakes are high.
Tom Whicher – Innovation in Healthcare
Finally, we hear from Tom, founder of DrDoctor, a digital health platform that’s transforming how hospitals manage outpatient care. Tom’s story begins with a simple insight – missed hospital appointments were wasting huge amounts of time and resources. His solution has grown into a system that’s helping patients and hospitals alike. We discuss what it takes to scale behaviour change technology and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
Every guest this season brings a unique perspective, but common themes run through their stories: resilience, trust, teamwork, and the importance of deliberate choices. Whether it’s preparing for an Olympic final, leading under fire, or building solutions in healthcare, the principles of high performance are surprisingly universal.
For us at Tenzing, these conversations aren’t just interesting – they’re practical. They give us tools, perspectives, and inspiration we can bring back to our own work with the companies we support and within our own teams.
Listen Now!
If you’re interested in performance, leadership, and what it takes to thrive in demanding environments, Season 3 of The Ascent is now available, wherever you find your podcasts, and right here on tenzing.pe. Enjoy.
