Screw It Just DO It with Alex Chisnall

Ever wondered what goes into creating the trailers for Steven Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast? This week, we get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look with Anthony Smith, the man responsible for those compelling visual narratives. Anthony shares his experiences, challenges, and the creative decisions that have contributed to the podcast's success. If you're interested in storytelling,...

In the first of our brand new Screw It Just Do It Sessions, I sit down with John Caudwell, founder of Phones4u, renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist. John shares a compelling story from his childhood about overcoming bullying and how these early experiences shaped his drive to succeed. He recounts a memorable incident at a caravan site, where he turned a bullying challenge into a moment of tri...

In this episode, I sit down with Timo Mullen and Karl Read, the dynamic duo behind FoamLife, a sustainably focused flip-flop brand that has been making waves since its inception during the lockdown. Timo, with his rich background in sales and brand building, and Karl, the creative force behind FoamLife, share their journey of starting a business amidst a global pandemic. From choosing flip-flops a...

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Mills, the CEO of Deliciously Ella. What started as a simple recipe website has blossomed into a comprehensive plant-based food and wellness platform, encompassing a restaurant, a range of food products, an app, bestselling books, and a highly engaged social media community. Matthew shares his insights on the importance of combining diverse skill sets to ac...

In this episode, join us as I sit down with David Haze, a man who transformed his personal turmoil into a series of world-record adventures. David shares his story from hitting rock bottom, including years in jail and battling addiction, to finding solace and freedom atop a paddleboard. Discover how embracing the spirit of adventure and the lessons from 'The Chimp Paradox' & David Gogg...

This week, I chat to Mike Beaton, a distinguished Royal Marine turned nutrition expert and endurance athlete. From the rigorous training grounds of the Royal Marines to challenging the limits in Ironman competitions, Mike has not only represented Great Britain seven times but has also been honoured with an MBE for his significant contributions to health and nutrition. In this episode, Mike shares...

I talk to Craig Harrison , former British Army sniper turned mental health advocate and survival instructor. Known globally for holding the world record for the longest confirmed sniper kill, Craig's story doesn’t just end with his military prowess. Today, we explore his life beyond the battlefield, discussing not only his remarkable military achievements but also his battles with PTSD, his tr...

In this episode of Screw It Just Do It, I sit down with the Chris Billam-Smith, the reigning World Boxing Organization cruiserweight champion. Born in Epsom and brought up in Bournemouth, Chris’s story is not just about punches and knockouts; it’s a tale of relentless perseverance, overcoming setbacks, and an undying passion for boxing that saw him rise from a humble beginning to holding multiple...

In this episode of Screw It Just Do It, I chatted with Tommy Kelly , a former Royal Marine Commando turned entrepreneur. Co-founder of Jöttnar, a highly technical outdoor clothing brand, Tommy shares his journey from navigating the harsh environments of the Arctic Circle to pioneering innovations in the outdoor apparel industry. Discover how his military experiences, especially his challenging &#3...

In this week’s episode of Screw It Just Do It, I chat to Jay Morton. A former SAS operative turned mental health advocate, Jay shares his journey from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq to personal resilience and mental well-being. In this conversation, Jay opens up about the crucial role genuine connections play in our lives, his candid take on social media in general, and the mental strate...

In this episode of Screw It Just Do It, I sit down with Martin Hewlett, a man whose story is nothing short of inspirational. From the rugged cliffs of North Devon, Martin shares his journey from facing a shocking and incorrect diagnosis of stage 3 kidney disease, to the heights of healing both himself and others through his Calming Anxiety Podcast. As a former paramedic with a rich background in m...

This week it's Screw It Just Do It host Alex Chisnall's turn to be in the hot seat as Piers Linney takes over the hosting duties. Linney, a former investor on Dragon's Den, renowned entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for technology and diversity, flips the script to uncover the compelling story behind Alex's podcasting empire. From humble beginnings to becoming a pivotal voice in...

Today, we're diving deep into a story that's etched in football legend, a tale of determination, resilience, and an iconic moment that transcends the sport itself. We're talking to none other than Jimmy Glass, the goalkeeper whose last-minute goal for Carlisle United back in 1999 kept the club in the Football League, securing his place in football folklore. But Jimmy's story is far...

In this episode, we dive deep into the icy waters of innovation with Laura Fullerton, the founder behind Monk. Laura shares her transformative journey from a cold water therapy skeptic to a pioneer in health tech, exploring how a personal challenge evolved into a groundbreaking venture. With Monk's smart ice bath and dedicated app, Laura is not just making waves; she's setting a new standa...

This week on Screw It, Just Do It, Alex Chisnall pulls up a chair with Carolyn Radford, whose journey from the legal field to leading Mansfield Town FC is a testament to when you decide to Screw It Just Do It. At the age of just 29, Carolyn smashed the glass ceiling to become one of the youngest CEOs in football, charting a course for Mansfield Town FC from the sidelines to the spotlight of EFL Le...

Steve McCulley's fascination for bikes started way back when he built his first one at just eight years old. Cruising into his teens, he was tearing up mountain bike trails in Devon like a pro. But then life had other plans – Steve joined the Royal Marines, globetrotting from Northern Ireland to Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Then came 2011, a year that changed everything. An IED explosion lef...

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...

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...

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, massivel...

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,...

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 T...

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 f...

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...

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 finan...

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 sin...