MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers
Your STORY becomes your WHY.Marketpulse is, at heart, about sharing marketing advice and support to those who are either trying to 'DIY' what they're doing, or to help those who are looking for support, to find the right partners, and ask the right questions as they outsource.As we recorded and released season 1 (ending April 2025), we realised, that we're each of us, the product of our journey, story and vision. That's what connects us to our 'why'.As we launch Season 2, we're going to dive deeper into the amazing stories of our guests, to find out exactly what makes t...
How a Podcast Sparked a National ADHD Community | Laura Mears-Reynolds
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Laura Mears-Reynolds didn’t set out to build a charity. She didn’t even set out to build a movement. She just started talking honestly about ADHD, late diagnosis, and the reality so many women live through in silence. And then something unexpected happened. People listened. People related. And people started finding each other.
In this episode of MarketPulse Pros & Pioneers, Laura shares the real story behind ADHDAF+, the Leopard Print Army, and how a podcast recorded in a small room in North East Scotland turned into a national comm...
Stop Talking at People. Start Speaking to Them. | John Elbing
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In this episode of MarketPulse Pros & Pioneers, we sit down with John Elbing to explore why the most powerful leadership skill in a world of AI, automation, and digital transformation is still deeply human: perspective. John shares how avoiding conflict in his early career became a superpower, teaching him to see situations through other people’s eyes and build influence through understanding rather than force.
Together, we unpack why so many change programmes and technology projects fail, not because the tools are wrong, but because the people are forgotten. Fr...
Success That Feels Good, Not Just Looks Good | Zoë Thompson
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Zoë Thompson’s story is a masterclass in modern leadership. From being labelled a bossy little thing, to policing leadership in the 90s with no handbook, to becoming an international strongwoman, single parent, and eventually being made redundant after 20 years.
In this episode, Zoë shares the turning points that shaped her: the terrible supervisor that sparked her drive, the moments she had to prove people wrong, and the choice every leader faces when things aren’t working: either moan or act. She talks honestly about imposter syndrome, gender bias, and wh...
Rebels Get Results In Business | Joe Leech
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From studying neuroscience to teaching kids to coaching some of the world’s most ambitious CEOs, Joe Leech has taken the scenic route to leadership coaching – and that is exactly why his perspective lands so hard.
In this MarketPulse episode, Joe unpacks what really happens inside the minds of high-performing founders and executives. We talk about the myth of the perfect CEO, why rebels get results, and how human-first design thinking generated billions in extra revenue for brands like eBay, Marriott and Money Supermarket. Then we go deeper – into burnou...
The Business Case For Mental Toughness | Steve Ware
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What if the person leaders trust to reduce stress at IBM, Salesforce and LinkedIn once lay awake at night, dreading sleep because of racing thoughts and burnout? In this MarketPulse episode, Steve Ware reveals how he went from a burned-out technologist to one of the most respected mindfulness and mental resilience teachers operating inside the world’s biggest companies. His story shows that calm is not soft and wellbeing is not optional. It is a strategic advantage.
Steve shares the moment everything changed at IBM, how scepticism turned into ev...
Authentic Connection Beats Every Algorithm | Heidi Medina
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Heidi Medina returns to MarketPulse with one of the most honest and surprising conversations we’ve ever recorded. From being labelled too much as a child to running multi-six-figure businesses before the age of twenty-five, Heidi’s story is a lesson in resilience, reinvention and the power of real human connection. Her journey from farm life to entrepreneurship to global relationship strategist reveals how early experiences shape the way we communicate, lead and build businesses today.
This episode traces the unexpected stepping stones that built Heidi’s career: a flower...
Why Strong Leaders Sound Different | David Pope
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Your voice tells the world who you are before your words ever land. In this MarketPulse conversation, executive voice coach David Pope reveals the surprising truth about leadership communication: the sound of your voice shapes trust, confidence, authority and emotional connection long before content does. After more than 30,000 hours inside recording studios, David has developed a rare ability to diagnose the habits, fears and subconscious patterns that limit leaders. His story takes us from the BBC’s editing suites to working with global executives, TEDx speakers, founders and professionals wh...
LEGO to Leadership | Bruce McCarthy
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Bruce McCarthy has spent his life building things – first with Lego, then with teams, products, and companies. In this episode, he takes us from childhood curiosity to becoming one of the most recognised voices in modern product leadership. His stories reveal how creativity becomes strategy, and how mindset becomes culture.
You’ll hear how early experiments in building boats, ecosystems, and entire miniature worlds shaped Bruce’s instinct for systems thinking. You’ll follow the transition from startup founder to product leader, and the shock of moving from small, outcome...
From Healthcare to Helping Others | David Birchmore
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What happens when life forces you to pivot, and you finally give yourself permission to succeed? In this MarketPulse Pros & Pioneers episode, I sit down with David Birchmore, who went from a career in healthcare to building a business that helps others find the courage to make a change. His journey is full of lessons about resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of family.
David’s story begins with the dream of becoming a doctor – a dream that was brutally shattered. But instead of giving up, he found another way to l...
From Gang Kids to Global CEOs | Dr Alison Schmidt
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Can you imagine going from working with gang-affiliated kids to coaching global CEOs?
That’s the extraordinary path of Dr Alison Schmidt, who’s built a career redefining what leadership really looks like.
In this episode of MarketPulse, Alison opens up about her unconventional journey through retail, hospitality, and education — and how every setback became a lesson in empathy, purpose, and resilience.
She shares powerful moments of honesty, from carrying shame for decades to finding her voice as a neurodivergent leader.
We discuss how CO...
Why Most Leaders Hit Rock Bottom First | Kathy Archer
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Ever felt like your leadership role was slowly crushing your spirit?
In this episode of MarketPulse, we dive deep with Kathy Archer, a leadership coach who helps women in the non-profit sector lead with confidence and clarity after burnout.
Kathy’s journey is raw and honest. She shares the moment her values clashed with her career, how burnout forced her to rebuild her integrity, and what she learned about leading from within. Together, we explore how leadership isn’t about doing more – it’s about being more. Fro...
From Warehouse to Web Strategy | Mark Tuxford
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Mark Tuxford’s story is not your typical marketing career path. From stacking boxes in a warehouse to breaking through as a sports journalist, to eventually running digital strategy at MWB and hosting the People Behind Brands podcast, his journey is proof that the most powerful marketers are often those who didn’t start in marketing at all.
In this MarketPulse episode, we dig into Mark’s unconventional career trajectory and uncover the moments that shaped his perspective. From school struggles and warehouse graft to journalism breakthroughs and brand storyt...
The Rewrite Trap: Why Experts Stay Silent - Kristen Sweeney
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Kristen Sweeney’s story begins with Broadway dreams—but her real stage would be the boardroom. From training in musical theatre to founding a strategic content agency for the life sciences and B2B sectors, Kristen has learned that communication isn't just about talking—it's about translating expertise into impact.
In this episode of MarketPulse: Pros and Pioneers, Kristen dives deep into the challenges that plague subject-matter experts: perfectionism, overthinking, and the fear of putting unfinished ideas into the world. She explains why so many technical professionals struggle to connec...
Why Great Leaders Don’t Have All the Answers | Julie Donley
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What if the root of your workplace burnout wasn’t overwork—but bad leadership?
In this powerful episode of MarketPulse: Pros and Pioneers, Dr Julie Donley shares her remarkable story—starting from being abandoned at sixteen, to rising as a respected Director of Nursing, and now transforming organisations as a leadership coach. Julie’s journey is deeply personal, often raw, and always insightful. Her path is proof that resilience and a focus on people over process can shape truly impactful leaders.
Julie opens up about the emotional toll of...
She Left Banking to Save Families | Shani Avidar
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Are you a new parent desperate for better sleep — for you and your baby?
This episode is your lifeline. We’re joined by Shani Avidar, founder of The Sleep Concierge, a former banker who transformed her life (and thousands of others) by helping families reclaim their nights. From battling sleep deprivation to running a purpose-led business, this episode dives deep into what it really takes to solve baby sleep — and rediscover your own wellbeing.
🛏 Learn how ADHD affects baby sleep and parenting routines
👶 The truth behind...
Why Most People Suck at Self-Promotion | Frank Agin
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What if self-promotion is killing your business?
In this episode of MarketPulse: Pros and Pioneers, we welcome Frank Agin, founder of AmSpirit Business Connections and an authority on building value through meaningful relationships. Frank challenges the way we think about networking, referrals, and how true growth happens in business.
He shares why credentials aren't enough, why self-promotion fails, and how generosity (done right) can actually build a thriving business. From buying the competition to understanding why people really refer others, Frank's insights are a masterclass in strategy...
The Real Reason Your Meetings Suck | Hayley Watts
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Most professionals don’t need more hours in the day—they need better systems.
In this episode of MarketPulse: Pros and Pioneers, we sit down with productivity coach and speaker Hayley Watts, whose work has transformed how teams and individuals overcome overwhelm and make meetings meaningful again. With a background in charity leadership and high-stress work environments, Hayley understands burnout firsthand—and she's here to share how she turned that chaos into clarity.
You’ll learn what’s really causing your stress (spoiler: it’s not your inb...
Trailer - The Real Reason Your Meetings Suck | Hayley Watts
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If meetings are draining your week... this is your episode.
Coming this 24th September at 15:00 UK time, we’re dropping a brand new MarketPulse interview with productivity specialist Hayley Watts. She’s helped thousands of professionals take back control of their time — and in this episode, she shares her practical, no-fluff strategies.
From spotting burnout to cutting unnecessary meetings, this one is filled with useful takeaways.
Make sure you don’t miss it — subscribe now:
https://www.youtube.com/@marketpulsepodcast?sub_confirmation=1
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What to Do When Motivation Disappears in Business | Willie Nicol
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What happens when the career you’ve built your identity on... just stops feeling right?
Willie Nicol spent over 30 years in policing, moved into corporate security, and found himself completely lost after an unexpected redundancy. In this episode of MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers, Willie gets brutally honest about what burnout looks like, how he lost his “mojo,” and why helping men reset their mindset has become his mission.
We talk about how his background in Special Branch helped shape his coaching style, how his wife gave him the nudge...
Trailer - What to Do When Motivation Disappears in Business | Willie Nicol
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When do most men reach out for help? When they’ve already hit the wall.
Our next episode features mindset coach Willie Nicol. A former police officer who lost it all—and found something better. He’s helped dozens of men reconnect with drive, focus, and purpose.
💡 What you’ll learn:
The hidden science of motivationHow burnout shows up in unexpected waysWillie’s 90-day turnaround frameworkJoin us on 24th September at 15:00 UK time.
Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@marketpulsepodcast?sub_confirmation=1
Or any ap...
Stop Guessing What Your Customers Want | Babs Crane
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How do your customers actually make decisions? This week’s guest, Babs Crane, says the answer isn’t in your product—it’s in behavioural science.
In this episode of MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers, Babs shares how she went from a high-performing sales career to launching a behavioural design consultancy that helps businesses apply cognitive psychology to win customers the right way. With insights drawn from nudge theory, consumer ethics, and decision science, she breaks down why most businesses still sell based on assumptions—and how to stop guessing what your audie...
Trailer - Stop Guessing What Your Customers Want | Babs Crane
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Still wondering why your conversions are low? Babs Crane has a theory—and it’s backed by science.
In our next MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers episode, we speak with Babs Crane—a behavioural science consultant helping businesses redesign their customer experience through ethical, evidence-based strategies.
Key topics:
Why customers ignore your messagingWhat nudge theory actually looks like in businessHow sales and cognitive psychology intersectDropping 17th September at 3pm UK time.
Subscribe on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@marketpulsepodcast?sub_confirmation=1
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This Is Why Your Sales Pitch Fails | Anthony Solimini
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This is the sales episode you didn’t know you needed.
Anthony Solimini joins us on MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers to dismantle everything you think you know about selling. With a career that spans global banking, high-stakes sales training, and stand-up comedy, Anthony brings unmatched insight into how people actually connect, trust, and buy.
In this episode, you'll learn why humour is a superpower in sales, how slowing down can speed up your close rate, and why product pitches fail more often than they land. From launching the fi...
Trailer - This Is Why Your Sales Pitch Fails | Anthony Solimini
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Sales isn’t what it used to be—and that’s a good thing.
In our next MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers episode, we’re joined by Anthony Solimini—executive sales coach, stand-up comedian, and the first person to launch the Sandler Sales franchise in Asia. Anthony brings a wildly engaging perspective on what really works when you’re trying to close.
💬 Episode topics include:
How humour disarms and builds trust in businessWhy cultural intelligence makes or breaks global salesThe 3-word formula that transforms your sales pitchThe episode dro...
What School Doesn’t Teach You About Success | Seyam Hamed
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In this episode of MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers, we sit down with Seyam Hamed, a 24-year-old entrepreneur who went from tutoring in local libraries at age 16 to building a global online tutoring brand alongside his sister. Seyam shares his extraordinary journey from the traditional expectations of an academic path in physics at Durham University to dropping out and pursuing a purpose-driven mission in education.
Seyam opens up about how a single chance opportunity tutoring a student in Azerbaijan reshaped his business trajectory, launching him into the world of British expat...
Trailer - What School Doesn’t Teach You About Success | Seyam Hamed
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Could you build a global tutoring brand before turning 25?
Our next guest on MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers is Seyam Hamed, the co-founder of Faeza and Seyam’s Tutoring. From handing out leaflets in East London to supporting British expat students in five continents—his journey is full of bold decisions and valuable lessons.
🧠 What you’ll learn in this episode:
How COVID accelerated a shift to remote learningThe surprising power of word-of-mouth marketingWhy niching down can be your secret growth weaponThis episode launches on 3rd September...
Your Business Isn’t the Problem - You Are! | Mark Musselman
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What if your business problems weren’t really about your business at all—but about you? In this episode of MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers, we sit down with Mark Musselman, a leadership veteran and founder of MX5 Consulting, who’s helped steer multimillion-dollar companies and now works with CEOs to navigate their greatest personal and professional hurdles. He shares the hard-earned lessons from running $30M+ organisations, including the moment he had to take his own family business through bankruptcy—and how that shaped the no-nonsense leadership approach he teaches today.
Mark isn...
Trailer - Your Business Isn’t the Problem - You Are | Mark Musselman
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What if your business problem isn’t the team, the strategy or the product—what if it’s you?
On 27th August at 15:00 UK time, we sit down with executive coach and former CEO Mark Musselman on MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers for a raw and honest look into what it really takes to lead a business in 2025.
Mark doesn’t pull punches. He’s lived it all—from scaling a $30M company to facing bankruptcy—and now helps other leaders break through their own blin...
Faith, Fire, and Scaling Without Burnout | Jim Diebold
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Jim Diebold isn’t just a business coach—he’s a man on a mission.
After a career spanning electrical engineering, high-level sales, and entrepreneurship, Jim found his calling in helping faith-driven entrepreneurs scale their businesses without losing themselves in the process. In this episode of MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers, Jim shares how his values-first approach to growth is changing the game for founders and leaders who want to do business with heart.
You’ll hear how a personal journey through engineering, independent business ownership, and deep spiritual...
Trailer - Faith, Fire, and Scaling Without Burnout | Jim Diebold
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Faith. Focus. Fire.
Our next episode features Jim Diebold, an engineer-turned-coach who proves that scaling a business doesn’t have to come with burnout or compromise.
In this week's MarketPulse: Pros & Pioneers, Jim unpacks:
How integrating personal values into business can drive successWhy bold, faith-led decisions inspire deeper connectionsThe surprising career move that changed his entire trajectoryThis episode drops Tuesday 20th August at 15:00 UK time. If you want to scale your business without losing yourself in the process — don’t miss it.
S...
Why Business Needs More Drama (and Less BS) | Michael Allosso
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What do theatre and leadership have in common? According to Michael Allosso—everything. In this riveting episode of MarketPulse: Pros and Pioneers, we're joined by one of the world’s most dynamic speakers and leadership coaches. Michael has spent decades helping business leaders show up with presence, power, and authenticity using a surprisingly theatrical toolkit.
From humble beginnings as a high school drama teacher to coaching Fortune 500 CEOs, Michael shares the unusual trajectory that shaped his approach. His transformative method, “You On Your Best Day,” draws directly from the world of...
Trailer - Why Business Needs More Drama (and Less BS) | Michael Allosso
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Leadership is performance.
That’s the bold truth shared by Michael Allosso in our upcoming episode of MarketPulse: Pros and Pioneers.
Michael is a veteran theatre director, award-winning speaker, and leadership coach to global executives – and in this conversation, he shows how drama, improv and authenticity can help leaders build unforgettable presence.
What you’ll learn:
How theatre teaches empathy and self-awarenessWhat great leaders borrow from the stageWhy “You on Your Best Day” beats traditional brandingTune in on Wednesday 6th August at 3PM UK time...
The Truth About Leadership They Never Taught You | Judy Micale
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Judy Micale has built a life and career around one core principle: compassion is power.
From her early experiences working across social service, education, and corporate leadership, Judy saw a recurring gap—leaders weren’t trained to lead with heart. In this episode, she reveals the truths most leadership courses won’t teach you. Through her decades of experience and coaching, Judy uncovers how to build businesses centred around people, and why that matters more now than ever.
This episode dives deep into the persona...
Trailer - The Truth About Leadership They Never Taught You | Judy Micale
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The best leaders don’t just manage. They guide.
This week on MarketPulse: Pros and Pioneers, we’re joined by Judy Micale—a coach, speaker, and leader of leaders. With decades of experience across corporate, coaching, and youth mentorship, Judy brings a fresh and deeply human perspective on what leadership looks like today.
You’ll hear how her corporate exit led to a profound career shift, why she believes coaching is essential in leadership development, and how small shifts in behaviour ripple through entire organisations.
Key insi...
How Fake Engagement is Destroying Your Business | Dan Hall
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Social media is broken—and Daniel Hall is on a mission to fix it.
This Special Edition of MarketPulse: Pros and Pioneers dives deep into two powerful stories:
1️⃣ The personal journey of Daniel Hall—from a childhood marked by adoption and dyslexia to becoming a tech innovator, entrepreneur, and creator of SPOTAPOD.
2️⃣ The dark truth about social media pods and fake engagement—how thousands of professionals unknowingly damage their credibili...
Trailer - How Fake Engagement is Destroying Your Business | Dan Hall
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Are you falling for fake engagement?
On 30th July at 3 PM UK time, we sit down with Daniel Hall, the man on a mission to redefine trust in social media. From engagement pods to bot networks, fake followers to algorithm tricks, this episode will change how you approach digital growth.
What we’re covering:
✅ The hidden dangers of artificial engagement
✅ How fake social proof is damaging your business
✅ Why au...
Why Chasing Happiness Is Making You Miserable | Erin Burgoon
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What if chasing happiness is the very thing making you miserable?
We’ve been sold the idea that happiness comes from achievements, success, and checking all the right boxes. But what if we’ve got it backwards?
Dr Erin Burgoon, author of Joy-Full AF: The Essential Business Strategy We’re Afraid to Put First, has spent years researching what truly leads to fulfilment—and it’s NOT what you think.
In this episode, we discuss:
🔥 The difference between happi...
Trailer - Why Chasing Happiness Is Making You Miserable | Erin Burgoon
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🚨 Are you chasing happiness… but still feel unfulfilled? 🚨
Erin Burgoon has spent years studying why high achievers still feel miserable—even after “success”.
In this episode, they explain:
✅ Why happiness and joy are NOT the same thing
✅ How chasing goals can actually hold you back
✅ Why joyful businesses outperform the competition
🎙️ Episode drops 23rd July at 3PM UK time! Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/@marketpulsepodcast?sub_confirmation=1
🎧 Or listen on your f...
Breaking Limits: The Man Who Won’t Stop | Andy Stone
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What does it take to go from hitting rock bottom to becoming a world record-breaking endurance athlete?
Andy Stone’s story is one of unbelievable resilience, grit, and defying the odds. Expelled from school. Battling addiction. Facing a future with no direction. But instead of becoming another statistic, Andy made a life-altering decision—he turned his pain into fuel.
He didn’t just recover. He became a world record holder for Ironman triathlons, proving that the limits most of us accept can...
Trailer - Breaking Limits: The Man Who Won’t Stop | Andy Stone
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🚀 Breaking records isn’t just about talent—it’s about mindset.
Andy Stone went from rock bottom to the record books. First, he became a world record holder in Ironman triathlons. Now, he’s setting his sights on an even bigger challenge: swimming the Atlantic Ocean.
In this episode, we break down:
🔹 The mindset of high achievers and record-breakers
🔹 The power of neurodivergence in performance and business
🔹 The unbelievable physical and mental training behin...
