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The Performance Margin
Writing at the intersection of aviation human factors and endurance sport.
This blog covers the full picture of endurance performance - training structure, pacing, fuelling, recovery, human factors, and the decisions that separate good preparation from great execution.
Articles are written for runners, cyclists, and triathletes who want to understand the reasoning behind their training, not just follow a plan.
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What 129 Weeks Taught Me About Knowing When to Stop
Bank Holiday weekend here in the UK was unseasonally sunny, and I was away with my family camping in the Peak District. As it was my 30th birthday weekend, I was free to exercise as I pleased, and I definitely took advantage of that! On the Saturday, I took part in the Monsal Trail parkrun in Bakewell. This out and back route along the trail brought the challenge of narrow paths, slightly uneven, gravel terrain and a chance to test my lactate threshold after spending a lot

Steve Barbour
Jun 28 min read


The Focus Feedback Cycle: How High Performers Learn Faster and Adapt Smarter
In every high-performance environment - whether it’s the cockpit, the boardroom, or the running track - feedback is the currency of improvement. Yet too often, feedback is misunderstood. It’s treated as criticism, or worse, ignored completely. The truth is that feedback isn’t about judgement; it’s about adaptation . It’s the mechanism that allows humans to refine skill, improve focus, and make better decisions under pressure. That’s why I developed the Focus Feedback Cycle -

Steve Barbour
Dec 1, 20252 min read


Understanding Our Environment: A Journey into Perception and Awareness
As humans, we know a remarkably large amount of what’s going on around us. We see everything, hear everything, taste everything, smell everything and feel everything. So why don’t we observe everything? Think back to the last time you went to a supermarket. If you went in for some apples, you’re probably fully aware of how much the apples were, how many they had, and which type had any special offers on them. But what about the peaches? Did they have any? Or oranges? It is l

Steve Barbour
Aug 18, 20252 min read


Why Situational Awareness Fades - and How to Rebuild It
In high-stakes environments - like aviation, emergency response, sport, and leadership - we talk a lot about situational awareness. But too often, we only talk about it after it disappears. One moment you're tuned in. The next? You miss a cue, overlook a signal, or lose track of what matters most. So why does situational awareness fade? And more importantly, how can we rebuild it when the pressure’s on? 1. Situational Awareness Isn’t a Switch - It’s a System Situational awar

Steve Barbour
Jun 30, 20252 min read


What Aviation Can Teach Sport and Business About Trust and Safety
Aviation is one of the safest industries in the world - not by accident, but by design. Through decades of hard-earned lessons, aviation has created systems and cultures that prioritise safety, performance, and trust. These same principles, especially around communication, non-punitive reporting, and learning from error, hold powerful lessons for sport and business. In this post, we explore what coaches, managers, and leaders can borrow from the cockpit to build stronger, saf

Steve Barbour
Jun 23, 20254 min read
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