Performance People

Felicity 'Fliss' Barnard, CEO of Ascot Racecourse, joins Georgie Ainslie on the Performance People podcast for a rare behind-the-scenes look at Royal Ascot, the business of horse racing, and the pressure of leading one of Britain’s most iconic sporting institutions.
Fliss explains what it really takes to run Royal Ascot, from protecting a 300-year-old brand to managing reputation, revenue, relevance, horse welfare, jockey welfare, international growth and the expectations that come with hosting one of the most famous events in world sport.
She talks about her first Royal Ascot as CEO, the challenge of modernising Ascot without losing what makes it special, and why she believes the future of racing depends on better storytelling, stronger content, international expansion and a deeper connection with casual sports fans.
Fliss also discusses the wider horse racing industry, why racing is often misunderstood, how Royal Ascot compares with other major sporting events, and what racing can learn from football, tennis, Formula 1 and global sports entertainment.
There is also a powerful conversation about leadership in sport, including Fliss’s experience as a female CEO, what she learned from working in football, the importance of preparation under pressure, and why she sees her role simply: “I’m the CEO.”
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Felicity 'Fliss' Barnard FAQs
Who is Fliss Barnard?
Fliss Barnard is the CEO of Ascot Racecourse, responsible for leading one of the most famous racecourses and sporting brands in the world.

What is Fliss Barnard’s role at Ascot Racecourse?
As CEO, Fliss Barnard oversees the business, brand, operations and long-term strategy of Ascot Racecourse, including Royal Ascot.

What does Fliss Barnard say about Royal Ascot?
Fliss describes Royal Ascot as a world-class sporting event built on history, detail and reputation, but also as a brand with huge international growth potential.

How much of Ascot’s revenue comes from Royal Ascot?
In the episode, Fliss says Royal Ascot accounts for around 70% of Ascot’s revenue.

How does Ascot balance tradition and modernisation?
Fliss says the aim is not to reinvent Royal Ascot, but to preserve almost everything that makes it special while using ideas from other sports to grow the brand.

Why does Fliss Barnard think horse racing is misunderstood?
She says many people underestimate the scale, complexity and commercial importance of racing, which she describes as a multi-billion-pound sports entertainment industry.

Does the episode discuss horse and jockey welfare?
Yes. Fliss talks about the importance of horse welfare, jockey welfare, safety, medical support and the physical and psychological demands placed on jockeys.

What does Fliss Barnard say about being a female CEO in sport?
Fliss says she is proud of her position but does not want to be defined only as a female CEO. Her line is simple: “I’m the CEO.”

What is this Performance People episode about?
This episode is about the pressure of running Royal Ascot, the future of horse racing, leadership in sport, protecting a historic brand and modernising without losing tradition.
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The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.

Connect with Performance People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
_____
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Connect with Performance People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, women have been given health, fitness and nutrition advice based largely on research conducted on men.
This week on Performance People, Georgie speaks to exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Dr Stacy Sims, the woman behind the phrase: “Women are not small men.”
This is a mythbusting conversation about the gender data gap in health and performance: why women need to lift heavy, why fasted training may not work the way many women think it does, why menstrual cycles should be understood rather than treated as a complication, and how the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs is creating a new set of concerns around strength, body image and long-term health.
Stacy also explains that AI is likely reinforcing outdated male-centred health advice, and how her new project, Collective X, is aiming to close the female data gap through better research, better methodology and better tools for women.

FAQs
Who is Dr Stacy Sims?
Dr Stacy Sims is an exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist known for her work on female physiology, training, nutrition and the phrase “women are not small men.”

What does “women are not small men” mean?
It means women’s bodies should not be treated as smaller versions of men’s bodies. Female physiology has distinct hormonal, metabolic, cardiovascular and muscular differences.

Why is male data a problem in health and fitness research?
Much of the research behind training, nutrition and health advice has historically been conducted on men and then generalised to women, which can lead to advice that does not properly reflect female physiology.

Should women train the same way as men?
Dr Stacy Sims argues that women should not simply follow scaled-down male training plans. Training should account for female physiology, including differences in muscle fibre type, recovery, hormones and life stage.

Should women lift heavy weights?
Yes. Dr Sims explains that heavy lifting is important for strength, power, muscle, bone health and long-term performance.

Is fasted training good for women?
Dr Sims argues that fasted training can be counterproductive for many women because of its effects on cortisol, appetite hormones, energy availability, lean mass and recovery.

Do women need more protein?
Protein needs should be considered in relation to body weight, activity level and goals. Dr Sims stresses that many active women under-eat protein and that protein supports muscle, satiety and body composition.

Should women change their training around their menstrual cycle?
Dr Sims says women do not need to completely change training every week based on generic cycle rules. Instead, they should track their own patterns and adjust based on how they respond individually.

Are wearables accurate for women?
Dr Sims argues that many wearables are still built on male-centred algorithms and can misread normal female physiological changes, especially around ovulation, heart rate variability, temperature and recovery.

Why might AI make women’s health advice worse?
Because AI tools often learn from existing published information, Dr Sims warns they may repeat older male-centred data and outdated health advice unless female-specific evidence is built into the system.

What does Dr Stacy Sims say about GLP-1 weight-loss drugs?
She says GLP-1 drugs can be powerful and useful when prescribed appropriately, but she is concerned about microdosing for vanity weight loss, body image effects and the loss of lean mass without proper lifestyle support.
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The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Connect with Performance People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Double Olympic champion James Cracknell joins Georgie for a conversation about elite sport, resilience, identity and recovery.
James reflects on the defining moment that shaped his Olympic career: missing out on Atlanta 1996 through illness, after years of preparation, and deciding to commit to another four-year cycle despite knowing the same heartbreak could happen again.
He takes us inside the pressure of rowing with Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent and Tim Foster, the standards set by legendary coach Jürgen Grobler, and the mindset that helped Team GB win Olympic gold in Sydney and Athens.
But this is also a conversation about life after elite sport. James opens up about the serious brain injury he suffered in 2010 after being hit by a fuel truck while cycling across America, the impact it had on his personality, family life and sense of self, and why he now believes asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
From Olympic gold to rowing the Atlantic, recovering from a coma, getting into the University of Cambridge, competing in the Boat Race and now coaching the next generation, James shares what it really means to rebuild, adapt and keep moving forward.
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The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.
________________________________
Connect with Performance People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Connect with Performance People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mary Earps joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about life at PSG, leaving her comfort zone, the rise of women’s football, and why she is determined to make goalkeeping cool.
The England goalkeeper reflects on the defining moments that changed her career, from being dropped by England in 2019 to winning Euro 2022, the World Cup Golden Glove and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
She also talks about social media, role modelling, the responsibility of visibility, her future beyond PSG, and why young girls need proper access to goalkeeping.

Mary discusses the courage it took to move to PSG, not because she had to, but because she felt she needed to keep growing. She talks openly about Manchester United feeling like home, the uncertainty of short contracts in women’s football, and the emotional complexity of deciding what comes next.
A major theme is visibility. Mary explains how Euro 2022, the World Cup and Sports Personality of the Year changed the conversation around women’s football, but also around goalkeeping specifically. Her mission now is to make the position feel respected, desirable and accessible for young girls.
She also speaks honestly about the pressure of being seen as a role model, the dangers of social media, and the importance of showing up authentically rather than presenting only the polished version of success.

#MaryEarps #PerformancePeople #WomensFootball #PSG #Goalkeeper #EnglandFootball #HighPerformance
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The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.
________________________________
ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.
We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com
________________________________
Connect with Performance People

Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music

http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Connect with Performance People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Performance People explores the science behind movement, recovery, and why small, consistent changes can completely alter how your body functions.
Dr Cuan Wayne Coetzee is a chiropractor and movement expert focused on helping people overcome chronic pain through movement, neuroscience, and behavioural change. His work centres on neural re-education (NRE) using simple, novel movement patterns to retrain the brain and restore function. He is also the author of, Why Movement is Medicine.

Dr Cuan Wayne Coetzee breaks down:
* Why movement is medicine
* How novelty rewires the brain in chronic pain
* The truth about posture (and why “perfect” posture doesn’t exist)
* Why recovery is the most overlooked performance lever
* How to build simple daily habits that actually stick

TAKEAWAYS
* There is no single “bad posture”, only positions you can’t move out of
* Chronic pain is often a brain problem as much as a body problem
* Small, consistent inputs beat extreme interventions
* Recovery isn’t passive - it’s a system you have to build
* Most people don’t need more information, they need simpler habits

The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday.

00:00 Creating novelty to change the brain
00:23 Welcome to Performance People with Dr Kieran Kutzer
01:11 The story behind Why Movement Is Medicine
03:01 Is sitting really the new smoking?
04:34 Movement snacks and breaking up desk posture
06:18 Neuroplasticity, chronic pain and neural re-education
07:50 Surgery vs movement: when each has its place
10:01 Why recovery matters as much as training
14:46 The MoveMed Eight: key movement patterns for spinal health
20:49 Stress, breathwork, zone 2 training and the LENDS recovery model

#MovementIsMedicine
#ChronicPain
#SpinalHealth
#Recovery
#PerformancePeople
________________________________
ainslie + ainslie NIGHT POWDER, winner of Best Sleep Supplement in the GQ Sleep Awards 2025.
We love performance, which is why we’ve launched ainslie + ainslie – the first supplement brand to be developed inside elite sport. Now available for everyone. Find out more at www.ainslieainslie.com
________________________________
Connect with Performance People

Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music

http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Connect with Performance People
Hit subscribe today for the latest.
🎧 Spotify/Apple Music
http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/
________________________________
The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations.
This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only.
© Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.