Hosted by broadcast presenter Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes, an expert on high-performance sporting cultures and visiting professor at Manchester Metropolitan University, The High Performance Podcast turns the lived experiences of high performers into life lessons.

Over the past four years, they have interviewed more than 250 guests to uncover the secrets behind their success.

Featuring guests like Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, rock climber Alex Honnold, Formula One engineer Adrian Newey and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, the podcast relies on Sennheiser audio equipment to capture their stories and insights.

Finn Ryan, the podcast’s Head of Audio, explains that, with each interview, Humphrey and Hughes aim to go beyond their guests’ achievements, exploring their mindset, confidence, and how they overcome adversity. ‘The goal is to hear from guests in a way you’ve never heard them before, helping our listeners navigate their own version of high performance,’ he says.

One of Ryan’s primary concerns was creating an atmosphere where guests felt comfortable, as if they were having a conversation at home, rather than in a studio. ‘This led us to experiment with different set-ups, which is when I first met Stephen Button [UK and Nordic Trade Marketing Manager for Pro Audio at Sennheiser] at Tileyard London last year, where we recorded at the time,’ he recalls.

Following that meeting, Button introduced Ryan to Sennheiser’s Business Development Manager, Lee Shuttlewood, who demonstrated various Sennheiser solutions that could be used for studio recording, including the evolution wireless series. As Ryan notes, ‘That’s when we got hooked, as we knew they were a good fit’.

Earlier this year, after moving into a new studio in central London, the team initially rented Sennheiser audio equipment from various companies, including Hand Held Audio. They subsequently sought a permanent solution that was reliable and simple to operate.

‘The G3 system we were using was great, but the latest EW-DP has made our workflow so much easier,’ Ryan explains. ‘What’s fantastic about EW-DP is that while 80 per cent of our interviews are studio-based, if we need to record on location, it’s easy to pack three receiver boxes, three transmitters and a handful of AA batteries. It’s reassuring to know that we have everything we need in one bag.’

Not being an expert in frequency management, Ryan relies on Sennheiser’s Smart Assist App, which automatically establishes stable wireless connections. ‘I run the automatic scan every time we record. The app finds available frequencies, and I sync both boxes. Since we’re located in central London, finding available frequencies can be tricky, so the Smart Assist App is a lifesaver. Also, I can monitor everything, including battery levels, from my phone, even when the gear is in a different room.’

Ryan is well-acquainted with Sennheiser gear, having relied on HD 25 headphones since he first began working with audio. ‘I’ve always had HD 25s either in my bag or on my head,’ he says. ‘Then I started using their microphones, and their wireless mics quickly became the industry standard for me. As soon as I began working with wireless technology, particularly live handheld mics, I always chose Sennheiser evolution wireless series. I started with the G3 series, and now we’re using fifth generation sets.

‘I know that with Sennheiser receivers, I’ll get high-quality audio that I can mix into a great podcast. We only get one shot to interview our guests – redoing a line is possible, but redoing the whole interview isn’t. We want the environment to feel comfortable, and it wouldn’t be if a sound engineer was running in and out to adjust mics or batteries. With the EW-DP ME2 system, we set it up, let the guests talk for an hour, and know we’ll get great audio at the end.’

In addition to using EW-DP, Ryan is excited about incorporating Sennheiser’s MKE Series shotgun microphones and MK 4 cardioid true condenser microphones into the set-up. ‘We’re looking forward to using the MKE Series for focused audio capture, and the MK 4 mics will be perfect for recording intros with both presenters, where we usually switch from lav mics to something with a large diaphragm.’

Additionally, he has been impressed with Sennheiser’s latest HD 490 Pro Plus open-back studio headphones, which are designed to handle the complexities of modern-day sound production. ‘Mixing our latest episodes with these headphones has been a great experience. They’re incredibly comfortable and perform beautifully,’ he says.

‘Collaborating with Finn has been a great experience,’ Button concludes. ‘Their commitment to authenticity and creating a relaxed, high-quality environment aligns perfectly with Sennheiser’s dedication to delivering reliable audio solutions. It’s been a pleasure supporting them as they capture the inspiring stories of these exceptional individuals.’