The High Performance Podcast

Why You Care More When You Build It Yourself, with Lions' Legend Alun Wyn Jones

Listen on

Episode notes

When you think of Alun Wyn Jones, you probably think of leadership, loyalty, and a rugby career built on sheer will. But behind the caps, the tackles, and the intensity, there’s a habit that mattered more than any stat: He built what he believed in, and he protected it like it was his.

In this episode, we go beyond the legend to explore the mindset that made Alun Wyn Jones not just a great player, but a builder of culture. We talk about the IKEA Effect, the psychological principle that says we value what we build, and how Alun embodied that every day, through effort, not ego.

We explore:

• Why working hard is more than grit, it’s a form of ownership
• How investing in yourself changes the way you show up
• What true leadership looks like when no one’s watching
• Why buy-in is earned through action, not talk
• The hidden cost of letting others build for you

Whether you’re trying to lead better, show up stronger, or build something that matters, this episode is for you. Because high performance isn’t about flashy moments. It’s about building something worth fighting for.

Listen to the full episode with Alun Wyn Jones: https://pod.fo/e/2b6885

Here is more information on the studies referenced: 

The IKEA Effect (Michael I. Norton, Daniel Mochon, Dan Ariely 2012)