Fail Forward

This one is personal—it's my first recording since experiencing a light stroke on October 7th. During those three days in the hospital, I had some serious reflections. After my initial scan, they said I had something wrong with my head, I immediately thought I had a brain tumour. I seriously questioned my life and bargained for more years, for my kids' sake. In this episode, I delve into filling y...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast.   In this episode I talk to Chris Hawkins, the early morning DJ and "How to DJ" podcast host as he shares his journey into radio.   Stemming from his early days work experience at BBC Radio Shropshire where he kept his badge and just kept turning up and making tea, to his current role at BBC 6 Music. A true enthusiast of the medium, Chris emphas...

Welcome to this rerun episode of the Fail Forward podcast. With me almost back to full fitness, I thought I would reshape this episode as it is become more important to me in the last few weeks than ever. If I had been working in rather than on my business without the relevant systems and processes in place, I would never have been able to take the time necessary for me to recover.   So listen clo...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast.   In this Fail Forward episode I collaborated with Jay Allen of My True North and Add a Zero. Just to recap, Jay Allen is a qualified psychologist, former social worker, medically retired Sergeant Major of the British Army, business mentor and creator of the "Add a Zero" business growth methodology.   This is Jay's second time on Fail Forward an...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast. In the longest episode of the Fail Forward Podcast to date, I talk to Jay Allen, qualified psychologist, former social worker, medically retired Sergeant Major of the British Army, business mentor and creator of the "Add a Zero" business growth methodology. Jay shares his story of life before the British Army to life as a leading business mentor...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast.   In this slightly different episode, I am interviewed by Amy Rowlinson, podcaster, coach and podcasting mentor.   Over the next 40 minutes, Amy asks what made me set up my own podcast, why the topic of failure and my plans for the future.    The first question was an easy answer, Amy is who I have to thank for setting up my podcast.   When I sh...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   I believe that having an addictive personality can be a superpower.    Stay with me. Those of you who have followed me for a long time will know that I have struggled with addiction in the past.    I have an addictive personality and have learnt to channel that energy into positive things like running. I can't say I particularly enjoy the activity, but nothin...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   This podcast episode is an ode to my wife, the most empathetic person I know.   I wasn't very good at showing empathy before I met Sarah and, if I'm totally honest, it's taken me a while to master even with her support.   Before my business went under, I'd come home from a day at work feeling incredibly frustrated by mistakes people were making.    After moan...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   Are you the bottleneck in your business?   If you're the main decision maker in your business, it's likely that you hold things up from time to time. It could be because you don't have the capacity, or headspace.   In this episode I ask, is there anything you can do to change this and move your business forward?   It could be giving yourself more free time, o...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   In this episode, I talk about the importance of building an effective team.    When I started my business, I pledged myself to do whatever I could to look after my team.    There are often people in business whose only priority is making money. The truth is that by looking after your team, your staff retention will go up and so will your revenue and profit. ...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   How often have you let what someone thinks of you stop you from being yourself?   As humans, it's in our nature to want to be liked. It makes us feel good! But it's not always conducive to business.    When it comes to business, you need to be able to step outside of your comfort zone. That's impossible to do if you're always worrying about what people think....

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   In this episode, I speak about remaining dedicated, no matter what.    Something that's reflected in fitness as it is in business is that it can take time to see improvements.   When you're working hard in the gym and eating well, you expect to see that reflected in the mirror after a few months.    But that doesn't always happen. In fact, it rarely does.   A...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   In this episode, I talk about achieving a positive mindset.   Getting yourself in the right mindset helps you turn up every day. When it comes to business, this is key as there can be days when it feels like everything is going against you.   It's those days that you need to be able to break through barriers in your mind and have the tools in front of you to...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast. In this episode I talk about failure.    As my podcast name suggests, this topic forms the building blocks to my content. It's clearly close to my heart, I think the reason for that is because its so closely connected to business.    All you ever hear is, "80% of businesses fail in the first five years", or "1 in 5 businesses fail in their first year". There se...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast. "Some of the most amazing things are in the places we least expect."   We all have experiences that we wouldn't try. It could be due to preconcieved ideas, either from yourself or from others, or simply that you've decided it doesn't fit with your values.   I used to have negative preconceptions about people exercising on holiday.   "Who on earth would exercise...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast discussing how to save yourself some time.    One thing that's limited in life is time.    It wasn't until I lost everything that I first discovered how to be efficient with my tasks.    Living in rented accommodation with mould up to the ceiling of my baby's bedroom, I knew I needed to be productive to make some money and provide a nicer home fo...

In this episode I'm joined by psychotherapist, Keeley Taverner, who runs a coaching and therapy business called Key for Change.   Keeley is refreshingly real. I couldn't help but be drawn in by her incredible energy when I met her and I'm confident that it will be the same for Fail Forward listeners. "When you've got nothing to lose, you're not afraid of asking."   With a USP of helping people bre...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast.   In this episode, I'm joined by Natalie Potts, an entrepreneur who spent 19 years climbing the corporate ladder before taking the jump to go out on her own.   Today she works as a coach, mentor and strategist for business owners.    "The people who are out there creating success are the ones who are taking action."   Having spent her entire car...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast.   In this episode of the Fail Forward Podcast, I talk to Sal Kassam, a Personal Trainer (PT) who helps men over 50 get strong.   Sal explained there are three reasons why he works with people in this age bracket.   After passing the milestone age, his dad experienced two heart attacks and was diagnosed with cancer.    Sal reflected on the change...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast.   In this episode I talk to Callum Webber from Freedom Lifestyle.   Throughout this insightful conversation, Callum invites young people to really think about what will bring them happiness in life. He explains how to break away from societal norms and the benefits of doing so.    Having spent most of his school life watching the clock, Callum w...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast. Regular listeners of the Fail Forward Podcast, plus members of my Tree Surgeons Mastermind will have heard me talk about time management. Have you considered how artificial intelligence (AI) could be your best tool when it comes to saving time and stimulating creativity? In this episode I'm joined by someone who has not only delved into the thre...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast.   In previous episodes, I've been very open about the catalyst for Fail Forward but since the podcast has been running we've gained new followers who may not have heard my story.    In this episode, I'll be giving you the potted history that led to me launching the Fail Forward Podcast. If you're a new follower - I highly recommend you scrolling...

Welcome to this episode of the Fail Forward podcast.   If you've been listening to the Fail Forward podcast for a while, you'll have heard me talk about my mentor, Nick James. Now, it's time to hear from him first hand.    In this episode, Nick shares his business experiences - the highs and the lows, plus gives you a whistle-stop tour of his somewhat unusual introduction to the world of personal...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   Business isn't always easy and it isn't always plain sailing.    When things feel tough it's human nature to start to procrastinate or avoid doing things you know you need to do.    Yet it's also the time you need to find the determination to push through and come out the otherside.    It's OK to say no to things for a while. Or to adapt your plan and change...

Welcome to the Fail Forward podcast.   "The more you take yourself out of your business, the more you'll be able to turn up as a better leader."   I get it. It's your business. You've grown it from scratch. Lost sleep over it. It feels like your baby!   But you don't have to be there ALL the time in order for it to flourish.   On the contrary, it'll probably thrive faster if you take some time out...