This was the very first podcast interview for Steven Bartlett. You'll know him as host of The Diary of a CEO podcast, as the youngest investor on BBC TV's Dragons Den 2024, and as a successful entrepreneur. It was also the very first interview I recorded as host of this podcast some seven years ago. You'll hear from a 23-year-old Steven who talks about starting his first business at 12 by selling cigarettes at school, not receiving Christmas or Birthday presents from his parents, and dropping ou...
Feb 21, 2024•15 min
Mark Ormrod who dared to chase his dreams, entered the Royal Marines in 2011, determined to make a difference. Little did he know that his life would take a harrowing turn on Christmas Eve 2007 while serving in Afghanistan with 40 Commando Royal Marines. Mark faced the unimaginable - a devastating improvised explosive device explosion that resulted in the traumatic amputation of both legs and his right arm. Astonishingly, he was twice pronounced dead. Mark defied all expectations, emerging as th...
Feb 14, 2024•1 hr 7 min
Tom Evans served in the army for eight years, achieving the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest captain in the British Army. But everything changed for him when, in 2016 he accepted a pub bet to compete in the iconic Marathon des Sables, one of the toughest footraces on earth. 7 months later Tom found himself on the start line in the Sahara Desert for 2017's edition of the event, massively inexperienced but eager to make an impact. Tom's military training had seemingly instilled a do-or-die...
Feb 07, 2024•1 hr 13 min
Their mission is clear —to help people live without limits and grow a community built on teamwork. Spartan Race and Tough Mudder have gained popularity for their ability to provide a unique and challenging experience for participants, promoting physical fitness, mental toughness, and teamwork. Matt Brooke holds a special role as the Senior Vice President at Spartan Race and Tough Mudder. For Matt, this isn't just a position, it's a personal commitment to growth and pushing boundaries. His passio...
Jan 31, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 535
During a night raid in November 2009, Tobias Gutteridge was taking part in a mission in a compound when a bullet from an AK-47 shattered his vertebrae, he slumped on his knees, fell forward while the fighting continued around him... and was paralysed instantly. Despite being young for Special Forces selection, Gutteridge passed on his first attempt and shortly thereafter found himself facing the Taliban in Afghanistan during his second tour. On his first tour, Gutteridge had the option to return...
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 534
How does a former Special Forces Soldier transition to the uncharted territory of civilian life? Anthony ‘Staz’ Stazicker was a former Special Forces operator and Chief Sniper Instructor and has a remarkable 13-year military career. He is decorated with honours such as the Afghanistan campaign medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross. In his pursuit to be the master of his own destiny, Staz faced the struggles many encountered when leaving the military. The uncertainty, financial pressures, and...
Jan 17, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 533
How did a 22-year-old woman from Wokingham who had previously only climbed trees become the youngest British woman to climb Everest at 29,000 feet? Bonita Norris attended University where the speaker talked about climbing Everest 11 times and mentioned they reached the summit and saw the curvature of the Earth. Bonita knew she had to see that with her own eyes. During the six months leading up to her Everest expedition, she faced the daunting task of securing £50,000 for the climb. Cold calling ...
Jan 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 532
Having launched the business from his brother's spare room in a converted garage for 14 months with just £500 and transformed it into a thriving £100 million business empire. Simon Gardiner initially planned to earn money for a couple of years to launch an online retail business in men's clothing. However, he ended up in a recruitment role, which despite being challenging, turned out to be financially rewarding. However, Simon went through a significant setback during the recession, which posed ...
Jan 03, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 531
Charles Black has been a space enthusiast since childhood and it's been his dream to build a space television network that films in space. Charles envisioned a space-centric platform back in the 1990s when the world wasn't quite ready for such a revolutionary concept—no internet, no social media. Despite the technological constraints, Charles, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit cultivated since age 16, navigated a diverse career path. Throughout this journey, he held steadfast to his cosmic dre...
Dec 27, 2023•52 min•Season 1Ep. 530
Growing up, the idea of being an entrepreneur wasn't the norm, especially with an Asian background. The path often paved involved choosing prestigious banks, renowned accountancy and consultancy firms-a well-trodden route for Raj Thiruchelvarajah's family. Raj kicked off his career in a big accountancy firm before venturing into banking management consultancy, accumulating about 15 years of experience. However, Raj reached a point where he questioned the trajectory of his life. As he looked at h...
Dec 20, 2023•58 min•Season 1Ep. 529
Simon Leslie, with a rich background in business, took on the challenge of transforming a struggling football club into a beacon of hope and positivity. Step into the shoes of the real-life Ted Lasso as Leslie shares the highs and lows of his transition, the resistance he faced, and the determination that kept him moving forward. Learn about his unique strategies, including taking players to cutting-edge recovery technologies and instilling a mindset shift beyond the pitch. Simon's commitment to...
Dec 13, 2023•50 min•Season 1Ep. 528
Starting from working in chilly weather as a labourer to dressing up as a mermaid and hosting major festival stages, Jim Cregan's journey is a rollercoaster of unexpected twists. After hitting a low point and deciding that festivals and labour weren't his calling, Jim headed to Australia for a breather. It was there, in a random petrol station, that he stumbled upon ready-to-drink iced coffee and fell in love with its coolness. Returning to the UK, Jim, along with his sister Suze, took a leap of...
Dec 06, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 527
This isn't your typical success story. In today's spotlight, we have the incredible Leroy Kincaide, a name synonymous with the wrestling world, now making waves in the film industry. Leroy shares the unique moment that sparked an unexpected passion for writing, turning what seemed like a detour into a transformative path toward storytelling. A man who once dominated the wrestling arena found a new addiction – not to the roar of the crowd, but to the silent power of words on a page. His writing b...
Nov 29, 2023•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 526
With over 50 years of history, Pacha has become an iconic brand known for its world-class nightclubs, electrifying events, and thriving community of passionate fans. Our guest, Sanjay Nandi, offers a glimpse into his remarkable journey from a career in finance to becoming the driving force behind Pacha’s continued success & recent sale to Dubai Holdings Company for over £350 Million. Learn how he made the bold decision to switch industries, leaving the world of private equity to follow his p...
Nov 22, 2023•55 min•Season 1Ep. 525
On this week’s episode, I speak to Hannah Trigwell, a remarkable artist, musician, and entrepreneur, who opens up on her career and her learnings throughout her journey. Hannah began her journey as a talented musician, strumming her guitar on the streets as a busker. However, her determination set her on a path to success that includes over 300 million streams and a number-one song in Vietnam. Along the way, she transitioned into the world of digital marketing, eventually co-founding the Back Po...
Nov 15, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 524
In this episode, I speak to international athlete Adam Burgess, the Team GB Olympic Slalom Canoeist who raced his way from humble beginnings to competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Adam and I discuss the sport of canoeing, specifically his division; slalom, the dynamics of Olympic qualifying, and a day in the life of an Olympic athlete who prioritises and optimises his health and wellbeing. We also go into his introduction to breathwork and yoga after injury, how athletes are some of the worst ...
Nov 08, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 523
Trigger warning: Our story today is unlike our typical content, but it's an extraordinary journey from darkness to light, from harrowing experiences to becoming a beacon of hope. On today's episode, I have the privilege of chatting with Lurata Lyon. She's not just a survivor; she's a thriver. Lurata was a victim of human trafficking and organ harvesting in Yugoslavia, and today she's a presentation skills coach and a motivational speaker. Lurata's life took a devastating turn in the late '90s du...
Nov 01, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 522
This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Eugene Amo-Dazie, also known as The World's Fastest Accountant. Eugene’s career and future are a little different to most, if not all of the elite-level athletes and sports personnel that I speak to, where the word ‘retirement’ is filled with uncertainty… Despite holding the title of ‘the fastest kid in the school’, getting a job and paying the bills took early-life priority over pursuing his extraordinary sprint ability. 2018 saw the Screw It Just ...
Oct 25, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 521
In this episode, I speak to Dan Murray-Serter to reveal his journey which began with a strong desire to make a difference in the world through entrepreneurship. Mental health was not at the forefront of his mind during these early stages. Dan faced the initial hurdles of starting and running businesses with unwavering enthusiasm. At this point, he was yet to fully grasp the significance of mental health in his life and the lives of those around him. Today, Dan Murray-Serter is not only a thrivin...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 520
In this episode, I sit down with Rachel and Dan Atherton (who arrives fashionably late), and Dan Brown, Atherton Bikes CEO. Gee Atherton was unfortunately unable to join us today, but for anyone not familiar with the world of mountain biking, The Athertons are perhaps the most successful family mountain biking dynasty of all time. Rachel, the most awarded British mountain biker in the history of the sport, the first female ever to win 6 downhill World Cup championships and the proud owner of 39 ...
Oct 11, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 519
Today's episode is a solo episode, and you might be wondering why there's no special guest. After consecutive years of releasing episodes, I've decided to take a break. In this episode, I'll explain the reason behind this decision and share my top takeaways from a recent podcast show I attended in London. I want to assure you that this break is temporary, and we will be back soon. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to delivering an even better podcast experience when we return...
May 31, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 518
His unique blend of financial acumen and passion for music has been a driving force behind his success. And his leadership style has been instrumental in creating some of the most iconic brands in the entertainment industry. I am excited to have Andy Mooney, a renowned brand builder who's worked with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. He is perhaps best known for his role as the CEO of Disney Consumer Products, where he led the division to record profits through innovative ...
May 24, 2023•49 min•Season 1Ep. 517
Welcome to our special 6th Anniversary episode! It's hard to believe it's already been six years since we started this podcast. And if I'm being completely honest, I procrastinated a lot before finally hitting that publish button. I had doubts about whether anyone would even listen to it or if it would just fall flat. But I'm so glad I didn't give in to my fears and doubts because this podcast has grown and evolved so much over the past year, and it wouldn't have been possible without that first...
May 17, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 516
Many know for his appearance on Dragon's Den and The Secret Millionaire, where he showcased his experience in investing and entrepreneurship. But did you know that this accomplished business leader is also a qualified lawyer and accountant? With his diverse background and extensive experience in various fields, he brings a unique perspective to the world of business. In this episode, I sit down with Piers Linney, where he discusses his experience in appearing in Dragon's Den and The Secret Milli...
May 10, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 515
With her fearless attitude, determination, 49 broken bones, and numerous surgeries under her belt, she has not only conquered the slopes but also paved the way for women in skiing. As a four-time Winter Olympian, BBC Ski Sunday Presenter, Inspiration Speaker, and Ski Coach, Chemmy Alcott's journey to success is nothing short of inspiring. Despite numerous injuries and setbacks, she refused to give up and continued to push herself to be the best she could be. Chemmy knows firsthand the physical a...
May 03, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 514
This story is a shining example of how the best business plan isn't necessarily the most elaborate or comprehensive - it's the one that's grounded in a deep-seated passion and fueled by unwavering determination. In today's episode, I had the privilege of interviewing Tom Gozney, an inspiring entrepreneur and the founder of Roccbox, a portable stone-bake pizza oven that has taken the culinary world by storm. From humble beginnings with just a £5000 fund, Tom built Roccbox into a global brand, ear...
Apr 26, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 513
His impact on the world of photography extends far beyond his own stunning images. He has inspired others to use their photography as a tool for conservation and to push the boundaries of what is possible in capturing the beauty of the natural world. Welcome to this episode, where I sit down with world-renowned photographer, David Yarrow. Join us as we delve into his fascinating world of photography, exploring the time when he captured the famous image of Diego Maradona holding the World Cup dur...
Apr 19, 2023•42 min•Season 1Ep. 512
No one is more qualified than Jay Morton to describe what that really takes to be one of the best. Jay's goal has always been to excel in his field. But growing up with a short attention span, he always gets into trouble. He left school with minimal grades and joined the military. He was lucky enough that he went into mountain troop and was exposed to climbing, skiing, and to the beauty of mountains which is something that the military can't provide. It was an eye-opener for him and felt that th...
Apr 12, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 511
Despite always feeling disregarded and like the underdog, growing up underprivileged inspired her to help women get on the career ladder. Victoria was raised in a low-income family and started making her own money at the age of eight by selling cakes in her state. She set her eyes on a university and was admitted into the Foundation Year programme at Warwick Business School and was later progressing to a full Undergraduate degree. As she has always spirit to inspire hope and rally for social equ...
Apr 05, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 510
Started out by shovelling snow during a tennis tournament for the minimum salary of £150 per week. Sabrina took her experience as a learning curve and from that point forward, she was determined never to work for anyone else. She grew her tennis coaching and began to learn how to run her own tennis tournaments as a competitive business. This has helped her from working for various startups, meeting people and creating opportunities, to creating her PR firm. Today, Sabrina Stocker has built numer...
Mar 29, 2023•39 min•Season 1Ep. 509
