# Why Saying No Is The Most Powerful Thing You Can Do

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-performance-podcast-1216457/why-saying-no-is-the-most-powerful-thing-you-can-do
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-performance-podcast-1216457/why-saying-no-is-the-most-powerful-thing-you-can-do.md
Podcast: [The High Performance Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-high-performance-podcast-1216457)
Published: 2026-07-01T01:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/the-high-performance-podcast/episodes/why-saying-no-is-the-most-powerful-thing-you-can-do
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/acast/s/the-high-performance-podcast/e/6a4435f6c32b71c849db53f0/media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=kvbpXniF9AB-JkXle4D4r6W2kjd-vN9cSwHdxuyq7XU
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-high-performance-podcast-1216457/episodes/why-saying-no-is-the-most-powerful-thing-you-can-do
Duration seconds: 2235

## Resource

Jake and Damian go deep on one of the most universal struggles in high performance: why so many of us find it almost impossible to say no, and what it's actually costing us when we can't. Drawing on conversations with promoter Barry Hearn, who walked away from a £30 million deal because he didn't like the people behind it, comedian Katherine Ryan, who voluntarily gave up a career-defining TV slot so other women could have their chance, and leading psychologist Gabor Maté, who traces the roots of people-pleasing all the way back to childhood, Jake and Damian explore why saying yes to everyone else might mean saying no to yourself. They cover the science of sociotropy, the difference between "I can't" and "I don't", and why the guilt you feel when you say no is usually a sign you've got your values exactly right. Plus, the audience response to Liam Lawson's recent episode has been extraordinary. Jake and Damian reflect on why it's struck such a nerve. Listen to the full episodes featured: Barry Hearn https://pod.fo/e/157c60 Katherine Ryan https://pod.fo/e/1df492 Gabor Maté https://pod.fo/e/273d65 Revolut Business 👉 High-performing businesses need powerful financial tools. Get a £200 welcome bonus with Revolut Business when you sign up at https://revolutbusiness.onelink.me/jLOt/hp-ep5-aud and add money to your account by 30/09/2026. Fees, promotion terms and T&Cs apply.  AG1 👉Head to http://drinkag1.com/highperformance to save £20 on your first month, plus a free welcome kit, Vitamin D3 + K2 and five travel packs Do Health 👉 Get ahead of your health, don't react to it. Head to https://highpfrmc.com/dohealth-hpp-au to sign up now Better Help 👉 Join Jake in Saying It Louder with 10% off Betterhelp Therapy. Click here: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-betterhelp-au&nb…

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