189 The "Why Not?" Mindset: How to Break Self-Imposed Limits | Matt Formston episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 29, 2026 · 1H 14M

189 The "Why Not?" Mindset: How to Break Self-Imposed Limits | Matt Formston

from Performance Intelligence · host Andrew May

What goes through your mind when you're trapped underwater by a 50-foot wave? For Matt Formston, it's not fear. It's making an omelette.After losing 97% of his vision at just 5 years old, Matt has become a Paralympian, world champion, world record holder, and the first blind athlete to conquer the legendary waves of Nazaré. But today isn't about the achievements...it's about the process behind them.Matt shares the 8 hard standards that have shaped every part of his life, from elite sport and leadership to parenting and business. Matt believes standards matter more than goals, explains why your "glass ceilings" are often self-imposed, and the mindset you can learn that turns perceived risk into opportunity.Whether you're leading a team, chasing a personal goal, or simply trying to perform better when life gets hard, Matt offers a tried, tested, and successful framework for building trust and lasting high performance. 00:00 37 seconds under a 50ft wave 02:41 One word for every achievement 06:32 Blind at five, and the story everyone gets wrong 10:05 Nearly dead or in jail 11:23 Perfect process, not perfect vision 13:41 The eight hard standards 14:37 Values in a mahogany case 15:24 Standards without consequences are just wishes 18:56 Five minutes early or you're late 21:00 Andrew's team rate him live 27:35 The standards meeting nobody runs 29:15 Why high standards make people feel safer 32:51 He refused to learn what the best in the world could do 35:16 Making an omelette while being held under 39:26 The flap of skin costing him 100 feet 44:24 The only standard that matters: coming home 48:09 The bullshit audit 01:07:49 The list of 12, and the six he wasn't 01:10:38 Why most people never set a goalBuy a copy of Matt's new book: https://www.mattformston.com/books-hubVisit Matt's website: https://www.mattformston.com/You can find Matt at his LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/matt-formston-am-gaicdOr at his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattformston/?hl=enListen to our first episode with Matt: https://shorturl.at/ICL5l

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189 The "Why Not?" Mindset: How to Break Self-Imposed Limits | Matt Formston

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