The High Performance Podcast The Man Behind the All Blacks Mentality: Gilbert Enoka on Building Character & Connection
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Nov 5, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, veteran mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, renowned for his work with the New Zealand All Blacks, shares how his challenging upbringing shaped his insights on high performance. He discusses the importance of 'red head vs. blue head' thinking for managing emotions under pressure. Gilbert reveals transformative practices like 'squeeze drills' and emphasizes character development over talent. He also shares intimate stories about legendary players, providing a glimpse into the powerful rituals that cultivate connection and humility within the team.
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Steady, Shrink, Then Act
- Steady your mind before focusing on the next task using breathing or sensory anchors.
- Shrink the moment and win it, then build momentum moment-by-moment.
Practice Under Pressure With Squeeze Drills
- Use 'squeeze drills' to practice skills under simulated pressure and tight context.
- Deliberately prime responses so real pressure lowers anxiety and improves execution.
Character Before Performance
- The All Blacks shifted from skills-first to character-first, believing 'better people make better All Blacks.'
- To-be lists (who you want to be) became as important as to-do lists.