25. Mastering Performance: Words That Work - with Nick Winkelman
Release Date: 01/23/2025
72. How Men Can Develop True Confidence - With Mark Walsh & Dr Helen Machen-Pearce
Feral Philosophy Podcast
Dr Helen Machen-Pearce and I explore what real confidence actually is and why so much of what we call confidence collapses the moment it meets reality. We talk about the difference between confidence and competence, and why untested confidence often looks loud, brittle, or performative. We look at how confidence lives in the nervous system, not just the mind, and how embodiment practices like centering, grounding, strength, movement, and relaxation shape how we show up. We explore gender, class, culture, and age, and how confidence looks different across life stages. We also touch on...
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71. Why It's Critical Young Men Find Purpose - With Mark Walsh
Feral Philosophy Podcast
With countless young men feeling lost because their past, present, and future have been stolen. I break down the four spiritual disconnections - body, community, spirit, and land - that are destroying modern masculinity. Here are some actionable steps to reconnect, find hope, and win the spiritual war for your soul. It’s time to wake up. In the second half of the podcast I explain how I spent ten years completely lost - drifting, numbing myself, sabotaging my own potential - all because I couldn’t figure out my life purpose. I break down the biggest mistakes that keep men lost - and the...
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70. How Trauma, Migration & Identity Shape Modern Europe - With Ranko Ceric
Feral Philosophy Podcast
In this episode I chat with Ranko Cerić in Zagreb to explore how economics, trauma and identity shape the Balkans and the rest of Europe today. We look at how Yugoslavia fell apart, why ordinary people can be pushed into fear and extremism, and how current migration and cost-of-living pressures are creating similar tensions in the West. We also get into land, belonging and the dysregulation that comes with cultural dislocation. A grounded, honest conversation about what really drives division - and what might help us move beyond it. Find out more about Ranko's work here: ...
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69. Are We Watching the West Fall? Culture, Cycles and Meaning - With Rudyard William Lynch
Feral Philosophy Podcast
In this episode I sit down with historian and YouTuber Rudyard William Lynch for one of the densest and most fascinating cultural deep dives I have had in a long while. We look at the big question of where the West is in its historical cycle and why so many people sense that something is coming apart. Rudyard explains why today mirrors the late Roman Republic and how wealth, inequality, decadence and the loss of shared belief systems create predictable patterns across history. We explore cultural differences that most modern Westerners never notice, the decline of religion, the rise of...
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68. The Biggest Lie About Men & Masculinity - With Mark Walsh
Feral Philosophy Podcast
What if everything you’ve been told about masculinity is a lie? I break down how governments, corporations, and even social movements manipulate the concept of masculinity to serve their own interests. From ancient warrior virtues to modern consumer culture, we explore how “being a real man” has been redefined to control behavior not empower it. And in the second half of the podcast I expose the five biggest lies that modern society feeds men about what will make them happy: money, pleasure, freedom, ease, and status. These lies keep men trapped in anxiety, emptiness, and addiction,...
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67. Why Young Men Are Unhappy - With Josh Ferme
Feral Philosophy Podcast
I sat down for a conversation with Joshua Ferme about masculinity, belonging and the search for freedom in modern life. We talked about the challenges men face today, the role embodiment plays in building emotional honesty, and why many men feel disconnected from their own strength. As the discussion unfolded, we moved into topics like immigration and what it means to belong to a place or culture, as well as the appeal of wild camping, being outdoors and stepping outside controlled environments. Joshua spoke about risk, self trust and the value of discomfort, and we explored how nature can...
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66. Seven Perspectives On Anger - With Mark Walsh
Feral Philosophy Podcast
In this episode I take a deep dive into anger - one of the most misunderstood emotions. I explore different perspectives, from Buddhism and psychology to embodiment and physiology, showing how each reveals a different truth about why we get angry and what to do with it. We look at how anger can distort perception, act as a signal for crossed boundaries, and even serve as a physiological response that affects the body and mind. I also discuss how culture shapes our relationship to anger, and why understanding it through multiple lenses helps us respond rather than react. It’s part philosophy,...
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65. How Movement Shapes the Mind - With Olivier Goetgeluck
Feral Philosophy Podcast
Movement teacher Olivier joins me to talk about connecting dreams and imagery, the “longing” of the gym, aesthetics, auto-regulation, why we do sports, how to maximise learning transfer, the power of reflection, developing qualities, nonsense and play, movement culture, Instagram, nonsense, image hygiene and more. A wonderful conversation about movement, learning and play. More information about Olivier Goetgeluck's work - ---------------------------------------------------------- Since 2011, Olivier Goetgeluck has been coaching professionals, athletes, and young people eager to work...
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64. What Technology Is Doing to Our Kids - With Ranko Ceric
Feral Philosophy Podcast
I spoke with coach, youth worker and martial arts teacher Ranko Čerić about how technology is shaping children’s lives, health and attention. We explored what happens when screens become a constant presence from early childhood, how digital habits affect brain development, and why society has been slow to treat this as a public health issue. Ranko brings a systems view, looking at how parents, schools and the tech industry each play a role in shaping the digital environment children grow up in. We also talk about attention, addiction, social learning and what a healthy relationship with...
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63. Is Racism Against White People Real?
Feral Philosophy Podcast
Is racism against white people real - or just a charged talking point? I explore the claim of “reverse racism” through recent UK debates (flag protests, perceptions of two-tier policing, hiring policies, media representation) and the historical ideas shaping today’s culture war. No name-calling, no straw men, just a clear, good-faith conversation about equality before the law, meritocracy vs. equity, and how to talk about race without blowing up the room. ---------------------------------------------------------- See the Feral Philosophy YouTube channel Support the Feral...
info_outlineExplore the intersection of masculinity, sports science, and philosophy with Nick Winkelman, Head of Athletic Performance for Irish Rugby. In this episode, we dive into what sports can teach us about personal growth and leadership, overcoming mental barriers, understanding the mind-body connection, and the power of effective communication. Learn why anatomical instructions fall short, how to use cues that truly resonate, and the secrets to mastering attention, intention, and meaningful learning. This is your guide to building stronger men through mental and physical awareness.
Unlock actionable insights for men seeking peak performance in life and sports. Visit The Language of Coaching to learn more about Nick.
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Nick Winkelman is the head of athletic performance & science for the Irish Rugby Football Union. Before working for Irish Rugby, Nick was the director of education and training systems for EXOS (formerly Athletes' Performance), located in Phoenix, AZ. As the director of education, Nick oversaw the development and execution of all internal and external educational initiatives. As a performance coach, Nick oversaw the speed and assessment component of the EXOS NFL Combine Development Program and supported many athletes across the NFL, MLB, NBA, National Sports Organizations, and Military. Nick completed his PhD through Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions with a dissertation focus on motor skill learning and sprinting.
Nick is a recognized speaker and consultant on human performance and coaching science and has numerous book chapters and peer reviewed papers focusing on the intersection between coaching language and athlete learning.
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