The Unconventionalists with Mark Leruste

When you run your own business it can be oh so easy to get stuck in the hamster wheel trap of "doing, doing doing". Without ever stopping for a second and take a step back. So you can really get clear on what you're actually trying to achieve. Well, two weeks ago it was my birthday and I decided to take a break and not to post anything. Turns out one week became 20 days. And what came up for me wa...

When Joshua Fields Millburn's mum died and his marriage ended, all at the same time, it was time for him to reassess his priorities. It's when he found three boxes of his stuff that his mum had kept underneath her bed, he realised that memories weren't in things, but rather in people. After having climbed the corporate ladder all his life and buying everything he could get his hands on, he decided...

Getting to the top of your career ladder only to find out that you're on the wrong freakin' wall totally sucks. I know, because I've been there. And when you finally decide to make the jump and start your own business, well, things aren't quite as easy you as you had imagined. Also been there. The good news is that I caught up with with former financial services executive turned startup coach &amp...

Between the gazillion diet fads and all the mix-marketing-messaging about what you should or shouldn't eat, it's easy to give up on taking any sort of action on your health. And in today's world it's oh so easy to sit behind our laptop all day long and go from our desk to bed and repeat. That's why I caught up with Brett Sanders, former personal trainer turned entrepreneur, lifestyle coach and co-...

I caught up with strength & conditioning coach Sabina Skala along with British MMA fighter Alex Montagnani. Whether you're trying to launch a business, become the undisputed champion of the world or get in peak condition, there's going to be a few set backs along the way. The way you handle them will determine how far you'll really get go. In today's interview we talked about the importance of...

I caught up with former Hollywood blockbuster movie costume designer turned serial entrepreneur, business consultant and virtual CEO Sarah Shaw. In our interview we talked about: • How sibling rivalry can set you up for entrepreneurship • What Sarah learned from working in the movie business for 20+ years • Why asking for business is the key to growing your business • Why not everybody wants you t...

One of the most common questions I get from my peers is how did I manage to launch my first retreat THE UNCONVENTIONAL RETREAT back in 2014/2015 and actually make a profit. As most first timers either fail to sell enough tickets or end up paying out of their own pockets, "just to get their name out there". The funny thing is, I sold out all 10 places without even having a venue booked or an outlin...

I caught up with former financial planner turned Founder of Impact Marathon Series, Nick Kershaw. In our interview we talked about: • How to keep going even when the wheels come off • Why Nick isn’t interested in hearing your motivations • How to set up your own foundation • What it was like to create a running event from scratch • Why equity is not about money • How to overcome epic set backs • W...

I caught up with former family therapist turned executive leadership coach Sam House. In today’s interview we talked about: • What’s the fundamental difference between therapy and life coaching • How to overcome the starving artist syndrome as a coach • Why playing small is dangerous • How to recognize when you’re failing as a leader • What makes a powerful leader • Why masculinity is synonymous w...

I caught up with Mike Mahler, former business development director turned strength trainer, author, podcaster, natural supplement creator and hormone optimization researcher. In today's interview we talked about: • What Mike’s learned from creating more than 150 podcast episodes • What UFC fighter Matt Brown taught him about training • How to have fun doing what you love • How to live life aggress...

I caught up with Tad Hargrave, founder of Marketing For Hippies who's become an expert at helping people answer the question: "What is my niche?". In today's interview we talked about: • How to market yourself and feel good about it • The three key things to nail your target market • How to come up with a niche that feels great • Why charging what you’re worth is bull shit • What happens when you...

I caught up with Leon McCarron, a Northern Irish adventurer, film-maker and author who specialises in long distance, human-powered expeditions. In our interview we talked about • How to make a living from your laptop • How to start your first adventure • How to crowd fund your passion project • The Middle East you haven’t been told about • And how to make award winning documentaries To subscribe t...

This is a special episode where Mark Leruste shares what he's learned about procrastination and finally taking action, even when you really don't feel like it. To subscribe to the show click here https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/unconventionalists-mark-leruste/id1029651449?mt=2

I caught up with Danny Bent, award winning author, Guinness World Record holder, founder of Project Awesome and finalist in BBC's TV series “Special Forces’ ULTIMATE HELL WEEK”. In our interview we talked about: • How to start a Tribe from scratch • What's the one thing you should be focusing on • Why Project Awesome is spreading like Wild Fire • How to survive the most brutal experience of your l...

I caught up with Rebecca Tracey, founder of The Uncaged Life and self-proclaimed queen of the #nopantsparty who built her online business while spending 8 months living out of a van rock-climbing in North America. In our interview we talked about why most small businesses fail, why it’s OK to quit stuff that you’re just not enjoying, why keeping it simple is so important, how to deal with the flip...

I caught up with former Paratrooper turned executive coach, Dori Ben-Chanoch. In our interview we talked about the key to finding your purpose, why a job title doesn’t make you a leader, the unexplored art and science of success, why most coaches fail, why leadership is the flavor of the decade, why leaving the nest could lead you to meeting the women of your dreams and what it’s like working as a...

I caught up with Brendan Brazier, former professional Ironman triathlete, two-time Canadian 50km ultramarathon champion, bestselling author of Thrive and formulator of Vega, an award-winning line of whole food nutritional products. But what makes Brendan Brazier so unique is that he follows a 100% plant-based diet and has quickly become the most sought after authority for athletic peak performance...

I caught up with Alastair Humphreys, a National Geographic Adventurer of the year, inspirational speaker, filmmaker and author of 9 books. His #Microadventure movement has become a global phenomenon, where people around the world are discovering that time and money are no longer valid excuses for staying at home. In our interview we talked about the flipside of turning your hobby into your job, ho...

I caught up with senior creative account manager turned Crossfit Gym owner, Zade Al-Salim. In our interview we talked about why training in CrossFit is basically like being a big kid, why car parks are the new startup garages, why your friends should never become a chore, and why spinal specialists should never get to operate on you knee. Show notes: Website: www.theyardpeckham.com Twitter: www.tw...

I caught up with Shea Emry, CFL All-Star Linebacker turned mental health wellbeing activist and founder of The Wellmen Project. In our interview, we talked about why being real, taking risks and telling your story is the key to living a full life, how to be comfortable with who you are and believe in yourself no matter what, what healthy masculinity means today and how to prepare for war by eating...

I caught up with Adam Conlon, former front line British army officer turned stand up comedian. In our interview, we explored the links between being at war and running your business, why making the most of the worst situation will keep you alive, as well as how The Queen may or may not have caressed Adam’s thigh when he ended up sitting next to her Majesty, aslo knows as Big Liz, over dinner. You...

I caught up with Tom Brake, Member of Parliament (MP) for Carshalton and Wallington, who following the 2015 general elections in the UK became the only Liberal Democrat MP to secure (and hold) his seat in the London area. This is his fifth consecutive term in office and at only 53 years old, he is now the longest serving liberal democrat Member of Parliament, having spent 18 years in parliament. I...

I caught up with Robin Coghlan, my partner in masculine crime, to discuss our up coming experiential workshop "The Wildman Project" that will take place in London. We explore what it really means to feel alive as a man in the 21st century and why this workshop has nothing to do with "picking up" women.

I caught up with Rob Farrington, investment banker turned fitness blogger and owner of Live Work Train (www.liveworktrain.com), who radically transformed his body in 10 weeks despite working 60hour work weeks. We explored the modern complexities of body image men face, why there's a big fat elephant in the room of fitness models and why health isn't all about lowering your body fat to 5%.

I caught up with environmentalist, entrepreneur and adventurer Ed Hewitt, who in 2013 decided to quit his corporate job to set off on an adventure to travel from Bangkok to Birmingham by foot, along the Silk Road. This trip saw him travel 13,000 miles (or 20,900 kilometres), through 15 different countries, using 49 different forms of transport and took 228 days to complete. And in case you're wond...