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Originally aired: May 2025 Episode Number: 237 Building a successful business requires more than ambition, and knowing when to step back can be just as important as knowing when to push forward. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, security-sector entrepreneur Neil Sweeney shares how he built his company into a highly recognised security provider, the role personal development played in his growth, and how he prepared the business for an eventual exit. Discover why surrounding yourself with great people, building a strong management team, and trusting others to do their jobs can give business owners the freedom to step away without losing control. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/neilsweeney

Originally aired: May 2025 Episode Number: 235 True development isn't about forcing someone else to grow. It's about acceptance, patience, and giving them space to find their own path. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, love coach and relationship expert Annie Lalla shares how personal development can impact relationships and why trying to convince your partner to change can have the opposite effect. Learn the balance between unconditional love and seeing someone's potential, why different people develop in different ways, and how accepting someone as they are can actually create the safety and empowerment they need to grow. Listen to the full episode here: https://kite.link/annielalla

Episode Notes In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Abel, founder of TNB (a leading UK apprenticeship training provider) and headline sponsor of Ahead in AI, our upcoming event on November 10th, 2026. We talk about her winding path through roughly ten failed businesses before finding success in the hair and beauty industry, the childhood trauma - her father's suicide and becoming a full-time carer for her mother by age ten - that quietly shaped her drive for decades, and the belief she had to unlearn: that everything was hers to fix. Sarah shares the pivotal coaching investment that took her business from £400k to £1 million in two years, the profound recent challenge of her husband's dementia diagnosis, and why she believes AI education is the single biggest opportunity - and threat - facing small businesses today. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction, and TMB as headline sponsor for Ahead in AI 01:11 - The £18,000 AI qualification businesses can access for free or near-free 02:39 - How old was she when she started her first business? 03:07 - About ten failed businesses before finding what worked 04:08 - Not seeing the value of paying for education when she was young 04:33 - Learning to sell through network marketing at Amway 05:13 - Teaching Avon reps to sell through parties instead of door-to-door 06:38 - Realizing she was making someone else rich, not herself 06:58 - Walking into a nail salon and buying the business on the spot 07:37 - £75,000 in debt at the time she took the leap 08:12 - Her only employee walking out with half the client base 08:40 - Pivoting into body piercing for a better revenue stream 09:21 - Building "That Nail Place" through word of mouth 10:04 - Scaling into multiple salons 11:06 - Realizing she was training her own future competitors 12:03 - Meeting Keith and stumbling into the apprenticeship model 13:14 - How TMB began, back in 2008 14:31 - Expanding from nail apprenticeships into leadership training 15:36 - Deciding to move beyond hair and beauty to scale further 16:35 - Learning to write standout government tenders 17:08 - Getting onto the training provider register 17:32 - Landing a £500,000 government contract 18:10 - Why personal development felt pointless to her when younger 19:37 - The real ROI she's gotten from personal development 19:57 - Discovering business coaching through Clubhouse 20:45 - Investing £56,000 in coaching on a £400,000 business 21:07 - Growing to £580,000, then £1 million within two years 21:48 - Realizing her limiting belief was believing she wasn't good enough 22:44 - The coach's comment that finally got through to her 23:24 - Introducing the "feather, the brick, the bus" concept 24:13 - Considering retirement and a sale offer for the business 25:22 - Noticing something was seriously wrong with her husband Andy 27:07 - A beach epiphany in Tenerife: the belief "I have to fix everything" 28:10 - Her father's suicide when she was seven years old 29:10 - Vowing to protect her mother from further pain 29:43 - Becoming a child carer at age ten 30:10 - Finding her mother collapsed on the floor at fourteen 32:14 - How trauma fueled - and limited - her drive in business 33:11 - The pride of seeing former trainees go on to succeed 33:46 - The wake-up call: "Why are you always trying to save everyone?" 34:00 - Andy's diagnosis: frontal temporal dementia at 62 36:39 - The concept of direct vs. indirect mentors 36:59 - The single most valuable lesson from coaching: her North Star 37:23 - Her North Star having to change this year 37:43 - Breaking down in tears at a business event after the diagnosis 38:05 - Realizing she didn't have to be "the carer" or "the CEO" 39:31 - A message from a former student that redefined success for her 40:20 - Legacy as something you build now, not leave behind 41:18 - How TMB evolved from hair and beauty into AI education 41:40 - Discovering AI through a friend and the book "Scary Smart" 42:24 - Finding UK funding and creating the AI Practitioner qualification 43:17 - Why people are right to be scared of AI - and why education is the answer 45:11 - Falling behind competitors without realizing it 45:35 - Being compared to Amazon-level service, whatever your business 47:09 - Daniel Priestley's marathon analogy on falling behind with AI 48:01 - How the £18,000 AI qualification actually works 50:42 - The free 90-minute AI audit for business owners 51:42 - The difference between using ChatGPT and truly implementing AI 52:22 - Building custom AI tools that replace £100k of software spend 53:22 - Why most business owners just need a clear plan 54:15 - Where to find TAB Skills Training and the AI apprenticeship 54:40 - Ahead in AI ticket sales selling out within hours 55:03 - How to connect with Sarah 55:27 - Final reflection: "Can I change?" 56:12 - Her advice: get educated, build belief, close the skills gap 57:00 - Closing remarks \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Check out TAB Skills Training: https://aipractitioner.tnbskillstraining.co.uk/aiauditlinktreee Connect with Sarah on Instagram and LinkedIn: search "Sarah Abel"

Originally aired: May 2025 Episode Number: 234 Going from feeling capable of anything to questioning your own confidence can be a difficult part of rebuilding yourself.  In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, On a Mission Podcast Host Ellie McKay explores her journey of rebuilding confidence after experiencing a dramatic change in circumstances. Discover why personal development is an ongoing process, the importance of authenticity and self-reflection, and how focusing on small, consistent improvements can help you become a stronger version of yourself. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/elliemckay

Originally aired: April 2025 Episode Number: 232 Strong relationships, shared values, and a willingness to evolve can create opportunities that go far beyond business.  In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, President and Founder of BITA Paul Whitnell shares the evolution of BITA, the relationships that helped shape its growth, and the importance of creating a culture built around integrity, trust, and shared values. Discover how BITA has expanded internationally, why controlling growth is essential for long-term sustainability, and how building the right network can create opportunities for people to learn, connect, and support one another. Listen to the full episode here: https://kite.link/paulwhitnell

Episode Notes In this episode, I sit down with Jacob Lockwood, a former soldier in the Coldstream Guards turned founder of Lockwood Clothing, a British-made outerwear brand built on military-grade design and an unshakeable commitment to UK manufacturing. We talk about the dark moment driving down the M4 that made him realize something had to change, the decision to leave the Army with just 12 months to make his business work, and the terrifying week he came four days from losing his house. Jacob shares the discipline and integrity he carried from 15 years of service into business, his belief that "no one has depression, they have feelings of depression," and why he'd rather keep his manufacturing British than sell his products for a third of the price overseas. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: soldier, entrepreneur, or fashion designer? 02:32 - Finding your North Star 03:15 - Growing up in a single-parent household in Middlesbrough 04:26 - Falling in with the wrong crowd and being sent to live with his gran 05:38 - The ultimatum that became his saving grace 06:58 - Seeing an Army advert and finding his path 07:34 - Joining the Coldstream Guards and the anti-tank platoon 09:38 - The military values that shaped who he is today, and why your word matters 11:52 - The dark moment on the M4 that changed everything 13:02 - Going home, speaking to his wife Ruth, and seeking help 13:53 - Deciding to leave the Army with 12 months to make it work 14:51 - "Nobody has depression, they have feelings of depression" 16:34 - The failed waterproof jacket that sparked the idea 17:31 - The Falklands story behind his first invention: casualty evacuation stretchers 19:20 - How Covid and the Ukraine war shaped that first business 21:27 - Why military contracts fell apart, and pivoting to clothing 23:41 - Describing Lockwood's products and British manufacturing 24:21 - The functional mushroom brand he launched and sold in 2022 26:19 - How new Trading Standards rules killed the product's core value 27:39 - Why he refuses to manufacture overseas, whatever the cost 30:40 - The debate around what "British made" really means 31:00 - Where he was when the Queen died 34:14 - How signing off from the Army created real urgency 35:43 - Putting his house on the line, and the four days he nearly lost it 37:36 - Asking for help, and getting rescued by his now business partner 39:23 - How to determine who's actually worth asking for help 42:13 - Why coaching matters more in business than in the military 44:01 - How to choose the right coach: four things to evaluate 46:15 - Why coaching, content, and community work best combined 48:50 - Daily habits: cold showers and weekly letters to the King 50:07 - Getting replies from the Palace, and being recognized by name 53:04 - The next 1-3 years, and the goal of becoming a British Ralph Lauren 54:18 - How to connect with Lockwood Clothing 55:11 - Final reflection: the question he wishes people asked him 57:12 - Why business ownership can be lonely, and the value of support groups 58:54 - Closing remarks \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Check out Lockwood Clothing: https://www.lockwoodsmocks.com Connect with Lockwood Clothing on Instagram: @lockwoodclothing About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!

Originally aired: April 2025 Episode Number: 231 Business failures can teach you some of the most valuable lessons in entrepreneurship, forcing you to reflect, adapt, and rethink your approach. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, entrepreneur, investor, bestselling author, and keynote speaker James Ashford shares how his first business failure taught him the importance of financial discipline, strong systems, mentorship, and building a company that isn't dependent on you. Discover how learning from setbacks, investing in personal development, and simplifying complex ideas can help you turn difficult experiences into the foundation for your next chapter. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/jamesashford

Originally aired: April 2025 Episode Number: 229 The toughest moments in life can force you to question everything and create a completely new path. What matters is how you choose to respond and what you build from the experience. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, entrepreneur and professional photographer Carmel Jane shares how overcoming major personal challenges forced her to rethink her business, embrace support, and build something that could grow beyond her own time and effort. Discover how resilience, surrounding yourself with the right people, and learning to delegate can transform a self-employed career into a scalable business built for long-term growth. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/carmeljane

Episode Notes In this episode, I welcome back Matt Essam, a business strategist who works with award-winning creative studios, for his second appearance on the show. We talk about the last 16 months since his first episode - including the moment he realized he'd built a product chasing what the market wanted rather than what actually energized him, the "energy of obligation" that told him something had to change, and the sabbatical that followed. Matt shares what he's learned about courage versus confidence, why he believes business is the ultimate spiritual endeavor, and the radical (and surprisingly effective) advice he gives stressed-out clients: take a holiday. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: welcome back 00:22 - Where they've recorded across the world 01:16 - What's changed in the last 16 months 01:43 - The tension between coaching energy and market demand 02:40 - The "energy of obligation" and realizing something had to change 03:19 - Zooming out and realizing it's bigger than a client issue 04:09 - Why he pursued the lead gen challenge despite knowing better 05:32 - Blue ocean vs. red ocean, and defining his "creative" niche 06:47 - Realizing the strategy didn't scale to a mass market 09:03 - The lesson: riches are in the niches 09:44 - What the experience did for his identity 11:10 - The mountain moment: sitting on a snowboard and feeling the incongruence 12:33 - A friend's sudden death and the Steve Jobs mirror question 14:09 - The two-doors analogy: letting go of the old identity 15:18 - Significant emotional events as a loss of identity 15:45 - Creating, not finding, your North Star 16:16 - Letting go of "good" to pursue "excellent" 17:28 - The difference between a sabbatical and procrastination 18:10 - Listening to the body before burnout hits 18:35 - Where the concept of "courage over confidence" was born 19:29 - Why confidence can't exist without courage 20:34 - Setting - or not setting - an end date for the sabbatical 21:15 - Designing his ideal next chapter: five clients, two days a week 22:32 - What he's done differently on sabbatical 23:13 - Rediscovering connection to people and nature 24:16 - The value of unstructured time and a "clear horizon" 24:54 - The default diary lesson from years ago 26:05 - Will's own story about a summer with no responsibilities 28:05 - Slowing down: the difference between rushing and strolling through London 28:44 - Planning in campaigns instead of multi-year plans 29:48 - Staying laser-focused on one goal at a time 31:06 - Setting goals in stone, methods in sand 32:18 - Defining his life mission: helping people live up to their potential 34:17 - How unlocking business potential unlocks life potential 34:47 - "You are the business" - why the person changes everything 35:52 - Why business tests every area of life 36:39 - What ultra-successful people actually want once they've "made it" 37:07 - Leaving things and people better than you found them 37:59 - Advice for people who can't afford to take a sabbatical 38:37 - The client who took a holiday during a crisis - and it worked 39:45 - Giving your best vs. giving your all 40:48 - Distinguishing intentional change from self-sabotage 41:39 - The gym experience that wrecked his nervous system 44:35 - Head, heart, and gut alignment 45:49 - The three things to start being more courageous 46:13 - Forward-projecting three, five, ten years ahead 47:14 - Realizing he didn't want the life of the people ahead of him 48:51 - Tim Ferriss's fear-setting exercise, explained 51:03 - Using micro actions to build courage: the talking-to-strangers experiment 52:31 - The "talk forever drill" for building conversational confidence 55:19 - Breaking fear down into the smallest possible next step 59:24 - How to connect with Matt 1:00:53 - Being the "b******t man" of LinkedIn 1:01:02 - Final reflection: the question he wishes people asked him 1:01:55 - Closing remarks \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: search "Matt Essam" (please confirm exact spelling and handle) About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!

Originally aired: March 2025 Episode Number: 228 Boxing can build far more than physical strength. It can teach discipline, confidence, respect, and the character to face challenges head-on. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, former professional boxer, boxing coach, and founder of the Box2Burn gym Billy Long shares how boxing became a powerful vehicle for personal growth, family values, and community impact. Discover how one passion evolved into a mission to help young people develop confidence and discipline, while creating an environment where camaraderie, resilience, and self-respect can shape lives both inside and outside the ring. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/billylong

Originally aired: March 2025 Episode Number: 227 Sometimes the biggest wake-up call is realising that your income depends entirely on you. True freedom comes from building something that can grow without you being there every step of the way. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, children's entertainer turned business mogul Toby Burns dives into the moment a broken wrist forced him to rethink his career, his relationship with money, and what he really wanted from life. Discover how moving beyond trading time for income, investing wisely, and creating more flexibility can help you build a business that supports not just financial success, but freedom, family, and meaningful experiences. Listen to the full episode here: https://kite.link/tobyburns

Episode Notes In this episode, I sit down with Chris Daems, a chartered financial planner and author of "What Happens Next: Ditching the Retirement Cliff for a Life Well Lived." We talk about the client story that changed how he views retirement forever - a man who quit his job the moment he learned he had "enough," only to text two days later asking if he needed to get a life. Chris shares his framework for figuring out what a life well lived actually looks like, practical advice on savings, pensions, and business owner tax strategies, and the origin of his Kindness Project - a podcast he started with his teenage daughter that grew into a bestselling book and raised £62,000 for charity. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:28 - Comparing his book to Will's, and their shared philosophy 01:20 - The story of Mike: "you need to tell me I've got enough" 02:47 - Mike quits immediately after hearing the good news 03:29 - The model airplane text: "Do I need to get a life?" 04:33 - Realizing financial independence is only one part of a life well lived 05:27 - How Chris got into financial planning by accident 07:13 - What comes first: goals or money? 07:58 - The mistake most people make: picking an arbitrary number 09:14 - The Vonnegut and Heller story: "I know how much is enough" 10:00 - Defining financial independence 11:38 - The most common mistake: not thinking with your heart 13:12 - The Greek philosophers on wellbeing 14:19 - Why "retire" should mean "re-energize" 18:11 - The client who spent 30 years "climbing the wrong ladder" 19:20 - The concept of a North Star 19:57 - The question: "What would you do if you had all the money?" 20:36 - Watching his dad's relationship with money growing up 22:20 - The one piece of advice: just save 10% 23:03 - Making money young, and the "why save when I can earn more" trap 24:21 - Paying your future self first 24:46 - The accelerating savings technique 25:47 - The Automatic Millionaire and building habits that stick 28:21 - Saving for the kids without removing their motivation 29:39 - Using pensions to legitimately mitigate tax as a business owner 32:01 - Getting clear on "enough" as a second key habit 33:16 - Calculating your personal net worth 34:17 - Why your business, not your house, is probably your biggest asset 35:07 - Money as a tool, not a goal 36:16 - The difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor 37:55 - Direction over speed 38:27 - Design Your Life and the "wild card" question 39:37 - Incremental change and experimenting your way forward 40:06 - The ultimate success formula, and Chris's NEXT framework 41:10 - "Everybody's got a plan until they get hit in the face" 41:56 - His podcast "What Happens Next" and its growth 42:17 - What does kindness mean to him? 42:45 - The homeless man encounter that started it all 44:00 - Starting a podcast with his daughter Charlotte 44:56 - The blind app developer who built "Be My Eyes" 47:06 - Hitting rock bottom in 2019 and turning to a cathedral 48:32 - Finding a homeless man outside and getting him help 50:04 - Being resourceful with kindness, even without money 50:28 - The Kindness Calendar 51:03 - Bernadette Russell's marathon day acts of kindness 52:20 - Small, compounding acts of kindness 52:48 - Writing The Kindness Project book 53:16 - Starting with just 6 listeners a week 53:47 - Growing to a top 10 UK habits podcast on Spotify 54:37 - Why he chose to stop the podcast at its peak 55:24 - Donating £62,000 in book profits to charity 55:46 - Running the Brentwood Half Marathon and a charity boxing match 56:29 - How to connect with Chris 57:16 - Final reflection: the most important question to answer 58:09 - What you really want vs. what you think you can get 58:34 - The Five Whys technique explained 59:07 - Closing thoughts \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Check out Chris's website: https://www.whathappensnext.life Chris's financial planning website: https://www.cervellofp.co.uk/ About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!

Originally aired: March 2025 Episode Number: 226 Great relationships don't happen by accident. They need intention, play, and consistent effort to keep the connection alive. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, marriage-centric business and relationship coach Kelly Clements shares the importance of play, appreciation, and intentional connection in creating a lasting partnership. Learn how shared experiences, positive reinforcement, healthy boundaries, and protecting time away from work can strengthen your relationship, maintain intimacy, and help both partners continue to grow together. Listen to the full episode here:  http://kite.link/kellyclements

Originally aired: March 2025 Episode Number: 225 The path to becoming who you want to be rarely follows a straight line. Sometimes, the experiences that challenge us most can become the catalyst for deeper self-awareness, personal growth, and a completely different way of living. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, Founder of Superbeam Tiernan Dixon opens up about his journey through addiction, recovery, and discovering a deeper sense of spirituality. Explore how surrender, self-awareness, service, and reciprocity can transform the way you relate to yourself and others, and why shifting from a life centred around having more to one focused on being, giving, and connecting can create profound personal change. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/tiernandixon

Episode Notes In this episode, I sit down with Perry Gladstone, a serial entrepreneur who built one of Canada's largest snowboard brands, became friends with Tony Hawk through skateboarding, launched a television network in Israel, competed as a national-record-holding free diver, and now coaches elite performers and business leaders through identity transitions. We talk about the belief that's carried him through every reinvention - "I will figure it out when I get there" - and what happens when that belief meets its limits: a paragliding accident that nearly killed him in front of his pregnant wife, a free diving blackout that ended his competitive career, and the collapse of his identity when a scandal ended his skateboarding business overnight. Perry shares his framework for navigating the "transition trap," why every major decision ultimately comes down to identity, and the powerful question he wishes more people asked themselves. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:05 - Where in the world: Toronto 01:17 - Curiosity from a young age, and the school play story 03:22 - Being a "quick start," not a planner 04:07 - His foundational belief: "I will figure it out when I get there" 04:56 - The origin story: his parents' three different versions of the same event 07:50 - When has "I'll figure it out" not worked? 08:16 - The paragliding accident that nearly killed him 09:43 - Failing big, more than once 10:29 - Every decision eventually comes down to identity 13:13 - Building the muscle of survival through failure 13:52 - Teenage obsessions: skateboards and the surf culture ideal 16:23 - Becoming friends with Tony Hawk through hardware sales 18:51 - Waking up surrounded by skateboarding legends 19:43 - The transition into snowboarding 21:13 - Sneaking onto mountains before snowboarding was allowed 21:24 - Stacy Peralta's mentorship and life-changing advice 25:00 - Starting Limited Snowboards from nothing 25:51 - Selling the business, losing his marriage, and identity collapse 26:32 - The pro rider scandal that ended his skateboard career 28:45 - "So I guess you're out of the industry" - the comment that cut deep 30:42 - Does he believe in luck? 32:00 - Who are you when the thing that defines you is gone? 33:15 - Disruption and leveraging existing infrastructure 34:15 - Will's "mastery spiral" concept 36:32 - The trap of everyone around you still expecting the old identity 37:11 - The shift into music, guitar, and a record deal 38:02 - Making skateboard videos and shaping "reality" through editing 39:30 - Selling the snowboard company and starting a film company 41:21 - The Israel Global Television Network story 44:22 - An "embarrassment of riches" - doors opening everywhere 45:43 - North Star thinking and the value of the journey 46:24 - Wanting to know what's possible, and how far he can take something 47:01 - What is free diving? 47:54 - Competing in depth, time, and distance 48:15 - His national record: 6 minutes, 1 second 48:41 - The training accident that ended his free diving career 51:18 - Chasing flow state through extreme sports 53:20 - Where he finds flow state now, as a father 55:23 - The identity work he does with elite performers and leaders 58:35 - The real question leaders need to ask themselves 1:00:08 - The "transition trap" explained 1:02:47 - What comes first: knowing the next chapter, or knowing who you are? 1:03:17 - His book: Fast and Hot 1:03:49 - How to connect with Perry 1:04:17 - Who are you now? 1:05:09 - Now working with people who can change history 1:05:49 - Knowing when a risk has gone too far 1:08:00 - Who is he becoming over the next 3-5 years? 1:09:31 - Final reflection: the one question he wishes people asked 1:11:04 - Closing remarks \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Check out Perry's website: https://perrygladstone.com Get Perry's book, "Fast and Hot: How to Open Hearts, Win Minds, and Create a Better Business and a Better Life" About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!