Food for Focus: What Leaders Get Wrong About Nutrition with James Collier, Co-Founder of Huel

In the first of this two-part series, I’m joined by James Collier, Registered Nutritionist and Co-Founder of Huel, to challenge some long-held assumptions about nutrition and performance.

As someone who works closely with CEOs and scale-up leaders, I’ve seen first-hand how often nutrition is overlooked — even by those obsessed with productivity hacks and peak performance.

So in this episode, James and I explore what really fuels consistent leadership energy… and what drains it.

Together, we cover:

• Why fibre and protein might be your secret weapons for focus and decision-making
• The real cost of poor food choices for leaders in high-pressure role
• Why food cravings = mental distractions
• How under-fuelling leads to underperforming — and what to do about it
• The growing danger of “dietology” — and how to cut through nutrition misinformation

This episode is essential listening for anyone leading through high stakes, high pressure and long days. Because the way you fuel your body shapes the way you show up as a leader.

Key Takeaways for Leaders:

• You can’t out-hack a poor diet — get the fundamentals right first
• Fibre and protein are your allies for focus, energy and decision-making
• “Food noise” is real — and it’s a major distraction for high-stakes leaders
• Forget diet fads — a structured, plant-rich diet helps build long-term mental performance
• Your midday meal can make or break your 3 pm boardroom brainpower

Free Resource for Listeners

Scaling a business takes more than ambition — it takes leadership.

But how strong is your leadership team, really?

Take the free Leadership Capability Scorecard to discover how your leaders perform across nine key areas — and where the hidden risks lie.

Complete your scorecard now and gain instant clarity.

About the Book – Well Fed

James is also the author of Well Fed: How modern diets are failing us (and what we can do about it) — a must-read for anyone looking to understand the complex relationship between food, health, mental performance, the environment, and animal welfare.

It’s not a preachy nutrition guide — it’s a smart, balanced, science-backed exploration of what really drives our food choices, and how we can do better… individually and collectively.

Buy it on Amazon.