Matt Marney Podcast
Matt Marney has been working in the well-being space for over 20 years. He is a personal trainer, group exercise/Pilates instructor and meditation teacher. This unique blend and experience gives Matt an appreciation and understanding of the mind body connection and its role in promoting optimal health, wellbeing and performance.
Over the last decade Matt has also worked as a teacher trainer where he shares his experience with movement teachers and fitness professionals. This role ensures Matt is up to date with the latest research and developments in the industry and he delivers this knowledge with passion and enthusiasm.
After training hundreds of clients over the years he realised the same misconceptions about health and wellbeing came up time and again therefore he decided to start a corporate wellbeing company Wellness Education Dubai in the hope he could educate and motivate more people. He realised taking the right information and motivation to groups at the workplace could be more impactful and he enjoys educating and inspiring groups to become empowered and create agency (for individuals) to make real change.
This podcast is another vehicle Matt uses to educate and motivate people more people.
Matt Marney Podcast
Episode 137: Engagement Is the Performance Lever Most Leaders Overlook
A conversation with a new client sparked this episode.
They said:
“We hire great people—strong CVs, solid interviews—but once they’re in the job, they don’t contribute, they don’t collaborate, and they definitely don’t go the extra mile.”
I asked, “What if it’s not a skills issue—but an engagement issue?”
They laughed and said,
“Matt, we’re not interested in that woke DEI stuff.”
That moment told me everything.
In this solo episode, I unpack what employee engagement really means—beyond buzzwords, perks, or personality—and explain why it’s one of the most misunderstood (but most critical) drivers of performance and wellbeing.
This episode is the conversation I wish more leaders were ready to have.
In this episode, I explore:
- What engagement is (and what it isn’t)
→ Using sports analogies to explain why some teams overperform—despite having less talent. - The business case for engagement
→ Stats on productivity, absenteeism, turnover, and profitability. - Why measuring engagement matters
→ Including tools like eNPS, pulse surveys, and why anonymity is key. - The 4 practices of high-engagement managers
→ Clear expectations
→ Strong relationships
→ Regular recognition
→ Accountability & autonomy - The neuroscience of engagement
→ Why approach-mode brains (dopamine-driven) outperform threat-mode brains (cortisol-driven)—and how leaders influence this switch. - Other levers to pull
→ The value of right to disconnect policies, reducing distractions, and offering wellness initiatives like yoga or gym memberships—not just to reduce stress, but to send a signal:
“We hear you. We care how the work gets done.”
Who this episode is for:
- Leaders trying to unlock more from their teams
- HR professionals rethinking engagement and wellbeing
- Anyone tired of ‘tick-the-box’ perks and ready for real cultural change
Final thought:
Engagement isn’t about trying harder—it’s about working smarter by creating the right conditions.
When people feel seen, supported, and trusted—they step up.
And that starts with leadership.
If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:
- Email: info@wellnesseducationdubai.com
- Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
- Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
- Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
- LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)