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We explore the power of mental toughness, high-performance leadership, and resilience with Adam Smith, a retired Special Forces Commando and former Special Operations Group officer. Hosted by Zoë Routh, the conversation delves into what it takes to maintain focus under pressure, lead in extreme conditions, and push beyond personal limits.
The discussion covers a range of topics, including the influence of military and police training on decision-making, strategies for performing under high stress, and the mindset shifts necessary to overcome adversity—whether in combat, business, or personal challenges.
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Summary
Zoë shares personal updates:
Reflections on the rise of AI-powered platforms and their impact on business and creativity.
Insights on the balance between individual responsibility and organisational support in fostering mental wealth.
Updates on the progress of her book Power Games, including the upcoming Kickstarter campaign.
Thoughts on the role of endurance training in developing resilience and mental toughness.
A personal review of Magic Mind, a nootropic supplement for mental clarity and focus.
Thought-Provoking Questions for Leaders, focusing on:
How do high-performance teams maintain focus and effectiveness in high-pressure environments?
What role does structured training play in developing resilience and adaptability?
How can leaders build trust in teams operating under extreme stress?
Why is self-reflection one of the hardest but most valuable leadership tools?
What lessons from endurance sports can be applied to business and leadership?
Adam Smith reflects on:
High-Performance Under Pressure – Adam shares how military and police training prepare individuals to perform under extreme stress, from combat zones to crisis situations.
The Power of Training & Trust – He discusses the importance of rigorous preparation and team cohesion in handling unpredictable challenges.
Self-Reflection & Personal Growth – Adam highlights why looking inward and doing the deep personal work is often the hardest, yet most rewarding, journey.
Lessons from Ultra-Endurance Challenges – Drawing parallels between leadership and endurance sports, he explains how mental resilience, strategic pacing, and overcoming setbacks apply to both fields.
Key Quotes
“The way you respond under pressure is a direct reflection of the preparation you’ve put in.” — Zoë Routh
”Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about building the capacity to handle uncertainty and make decisions under stress.” — Zoë Routh
“Leadership in high-pressure environments isn’t about individual heroics—it’s about trust, discipline, and teamwork.” — Adam Smith
“Resilience isn’t about avoiding hardship—it’s about how you train yourself to respond when it inevitably comes.” — Adam Smith
“If you want to perform under pressure, you need to inoculate yourself against stress. That’s what training is all about.” — Adam Smith
Questions Explored
What does it take to stay calm and effective in high-pressure situations?
What are the key factors that make high-performance teams work under stress
What leadership lessons did you learn from your time in Special Forces and the Special Operations Group?
How do you develop mental resilience to push through physical and psychological barriers?
How do you build and maintain trust in high-pressure teams?
Take Action
Develop a resilience framework by implementing structured training for stress management.
Strengthen team trust through clear communication and shared challenges.
Adopt self-reflection practices to improve decision-making under pressure.
Invest in mental wealth initiatives that foster creativity, focus, and performance.
Tip of the Week
Start a Resilience Journal. Keep a log of challenges you face daily and how you respond to them. Over time, you’ll see patterns and gain insight into where you can improve your mindset and decision-making under stress.
Key Moments
00:00 Introduction and Weekly Question
00:17 Deep Seek: The AI Revolution
01:12 AI Magic and Energy
01:49 Business Takeaways from AI
02:28 Updates on Power Games Book
03:45 Magic Mind: Boosting Mental Clarity
05:48 Exploring Mental Wealth in the Workplace
09:17 Interview with Adam Smith: Resilience and Mindset
23:28 Finding Purpose and Mindset for Ultra Marathons
24:03 Starting the Journey: From Zero to 100 Kilometers
26:49 Training and Preparation for the Big Run
29:04 Lessons from Military Experiences
34:43 Building Trust and Team Dynamics
39:08 The Hardest Challenge: Self-Reflection
41:11 Fast Three: Future Tech, Leadership Tips, and Current Reads
44:31 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Resources
47:43 Read to Lead: A City on Mars
50:48 Conclusion and Reflections
About Adam Smith
Adam Smith’s greatest achievement is being a father to his son and daughter. Everything he does whether it's in the great outdoors, keynote speaking, or in business is driven by a desire to set an example of resilience, hard work, and pushing past limits.
A retired Special Forces Commando with combat experience across multiple overseas deployments, Adam has faced extreme highs and lows. These experiences shaped his unshakable mindset, leadership skills, and deep understanding of teamwork under extreme stress.
After his military career, he served as a Victoria Police Special Operations Group (SOG) Operator, where he was responsible for locating and arresting Victoria’s most violent and high-risk offenders. Adam has spent his life operating in high-pressure, high-stakes environments.
Now, he applies that same mental toughness, discipline, and mindset to endurance running, tackling 100km ultra marathons and proving that mental strength is just as important as physical ability.
His mission is simple — helping people break through limits and redefine what’s possible.
Related episodes on Future Trends
364 Elias Kanaris' Extraordinary Journey of Resilience and Leadership
331 Resilience, independence and learning from history - a leadership perspective on war
212 Leadership frameworks for resilience with Jennifer Eggers
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About Zoë Routh
Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.
She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zoë is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.
Zoë's fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.
Zoë is the producer of the The Future of Leadership Podcast dedicated to asking “What if…?” and sharing Big Ideas on the Future of Leadership.
Zoë is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.