#132 Jake Trbojevic + Michael Bevan - Understanding High Performance Anxiety & How to Channel it as a Superpower

Jake Trbojevic and Michael Bevan are on the Performance Intelligence Podcast this week! Andrew reveals the unexpected connection between the two as they delve into the surprising realities of high performance anxiety, the pressures of leadership, and the unexpected paths to success.

Jake, a prominent NRL player for the Manly Sea Eagles and the current captain of the NSW State of Origin team, is celebrated for his remarkable rugby skills and mental resilience. Known for his quiet strength, Jake exemplifies what it means to lead with integrity.

Michael, an Australian cricket legend, is renowned for his calm demeanor and match-winning contributions during Australia’s golden era in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including two World Cup victories. Now a respected mentor, he guides athletes on navigating high performance and mental health challenges.

"Superpowers* are simply those qualities that contribute to your consistency. It’s all about how YOU define your superpower. Definitions and goals are crucial to your understanding of what a superpower truly is.”

In this episode Andrew, Micahel aka Bevo and Jake talk about:

2:45 Bevo’s rockstar front hiding an introverted nerd, how Jake and Bevo first met after Jake’s nightmare training session and what first struck Jake during his.

7:20 Why Bevo resonated with Jake’s struggles, what Bevo felt like at his peak of playing and Jake’s reaction to being named NSW State Of Origin Captain unexpectedly.

15:00 The definition of high performance anxiety, how Jake gained a bit of perspective on life and deep wins and shallow losses.

21:55 Why rooming with Bevo was considered a death sentence, having anxiety so bad it ruined his sleep and how Bevo gained his self awareness to tame his anxiety.

28:30 Getting dropped from the Australian test team in a hotel in Leeds, enjoying the back of his career more after dealing with his anxiety and how working with Bevo on this had improved Jake’s day to day life.

33:20 Jake controlling the controllables, how Bevo has turned his anxiety into a superpower and having a frozen fish thrown at his head during a game.

42:15 Bevo’s different mental modes, some of the things Jake has learned from Bevo and Jake being the nicest guy in the nrl.

52:15 Bevo wanting to have a positive impact on people, knowing when to not jump in to a conversation too quickly is a skill and Jake’s mental toughness as a superpower.

58:00 How Glenn Mcgrath was able to perfect the simple things in his successful career in cricket, the difference between and average player and a great player is consistency and Jake’s new mystery skill he has been working on.

1:05:30 The Difference between consistency and playing the same game, how Bevo learned to be an effective coach and Jake learning to ask others for help.

1:14:00 The difference between a coach and a mentor, why Bevo likes learning about different industries and Jake and Bevo’s advice for people starting in their careers. 

You can find Bevo at his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bevo_michaelbevan/?hl=en
You can find Jake at his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaketrbojevic/?hl=en
Check out Bevo's gold chain look: https://performanceintelligence.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/michael-bevan-to-be-inducted-in-the-australian-cricket-hall-of-fame.jpg
Watch the interview with Jake about anxiety: https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/nrl/nrl-news-2024-jake-trbojevic-interview-manly-sea-eagles-finals/cm19608yh000c0glg0ggyl1cc
Read the article about Jake's mental toughness: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/can-you-turn-the-nicest-guy-in-rugby-league-into-an-origin-captain-20240528-p5jhc3.html