Jim Murphy on Inner Excellence and Why Leaders Fear Their Own Potential
Release Date: 11/12/2025
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info_outlineWhy Fewer Than 1% of SME Leaders Ever Achieve Scale — with Jim Murphy (Inner Excellence)
Why do fewer than 1% of SME leaders ever achieve scale?
The answer isn't better strategy or more capital — it's inner excellence.
In this transformative conversation, performance coach Jim Murphy, creator of the ground-breaking Inner Excellence philosophy, reveals that the path to peak performance under pressure is identical to living the best possible life.
After playing professional baseball with the Chicago Cubs and spending five years researching performance psychology in the Sonoran Desert, Jim discovered a counterintuitive truth: selfless is fearless. When leaders detach from outcomes and master their ego, they access a level of courage and clarity that transforms both business results and personal fulfilment.
Meet Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy is a performance coach to PGA Tour players, Olympians, and executives worldwide. His book Inner Excellence has been translated into more than 30 languages and went viral when NFL star A.J. Brown was photographed reading it on the sidelines.
Jim helps high performers achieve peace and confidence under extreme pressure by addressing the beliefs, fears, and attachments that block their potential.
Key Topics Covered
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Why “selfless is fearless” is the foundation of courageous leadership
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The Three Pillars of Inner Excellence: Belief, Freedom, and Focus
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How to expand what you believe is possible by embracing uncomfortable feelings
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Why most leaders never reach their potential: they back away at the edge of their beliefs
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The dangerous “single story” trap and how rigid attachment prevents growth
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Training your heart, not just your mind: why love, wisdom, and courage matter
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The Affluenza Virus (PALMS): how obsession with possessions, achievements, looks, money, and status sabotages success
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Mastering the ego: becoming unembarrassable, unoffendable, and unirritable
Who Should Listen
This episode is essential for SME leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives facing revenue plateaus, team challenges, or scaling fears.
If you're avoiding difficult conversations, delaying bold decisions, or feeling trapped by comparison and self-doubt, Jim’s Inner Excellence framework provides the mental and emotional training to break through.
Ready to Scale with Confidence?
The ScaleX™ Accelerator Programme addresses both strategy and mindset — helping you break through revenue plateaus by confronting the beliefs holding you back.
Apply now to join a community of purpose-driven leaders scaling with clarity and confidence.
About Jim Murphy
Jim Murphy is the creator of the Inner Excellence philosophy and founder of the Inner Excellence Freedom Project, a non-profit building homes for the homeless, orphans, and widows.
After competing in the Chicago Cubs organisation, he spent five years in the Sonoran Desert researching peak performance. He now coaches PGA Tour players, Olympians, and CEOs worldwide.
Website: innerexcellence.com
Instagram: @innerexcellence.jimmurphy
Books: Inner Excellence and The Best Possible Life
About ScaleX™ and Simple Scaling
ScaleX™ Insider is brought to you by Simple Scaling — creators of the ScaleX™ Accelerator Programme.
A 12-month journey for ambitious SME leaders combining strategy, mindset work, and peer support to break through growth plateaus.
Host: Brendan McGurgan
Website: simplescaling.com
Subscribe & Listen
Watch on YouTube: Simple Scaling Channel
Listen on Apple Podcasts: ScaleX Insider
Listen on Spotify: ScaleX Insider
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
03:42 What scaling with purpose means
07:15 From professional baseball to the Sonoran Desert
12:28 The birth of Inner Excellence philosophy
18:45 Why inner excellence matters for business leaders
24:10 Love, wisdom, and courage: training the heart
31:20 The Three Pillars: Belief, Freedom, and Focus
38:55 Selfless is fearless: mastering your ego
44:30 How to embrace uncomfortable feelings
52:15 The Affluenza Virus and PALMS
58:40 Daily practices for inner excellence
01:04:20 Jim’s whirlwind year and what’s next
01:09:10 Three timeless takeaways