Balanced Ambition

What does it really take to build a product from scratch and bring it to life? Josh Cohen, co-founder of New Lane, shares the full story — from obsession and failure to the six-year grind that almost broke him. With only £30k left from £1.2m raised and a product that kept failing safety tests, Josh reveals how one email flipped everything.

This is a raw, honest conversation about what it's really like to chase a big idea, battle through doubt, and bet it all one last time.

🔔 Subscribe for more real stories from the people building bold things.

00:00 – The Reality Behind Success
01:39 – Josh’s Mission: Create & Never Work for Anyone
03:40 – First Business Failures (Velour T-Shirts & “Chris and Dips”)
05:36 – Resilience vs. Knowing When to Quit
11:34 – The Power of a Co-Founder
14:23 – Marketing Without Money: The Rise of Authentic Content
38:00 – The Truth About Cash Flow & Financial Literacy
43:36 – Balancing Passion, Pressure & Progress
45:57 – Final Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

https://youtu.be/TNuXTHqsZls

What happens when you build the career you always wanted — and still feel burnt out?

In this powerful episode, consultant and coach Alex Coward shares her journey from high-flying operations leader to helping founders and teams build healthier businesses and lives. We unpack why “working hard” isn’t the same as “working well,” and how most people are still chasing freedom by chaining themselves to their desk.

Expect real-world tools for:

• Setting boundaries without guilt

• Reframing hustle culture

• Understanding your DISC profile

• Becoming a better leader (without burning out)

• And the three questions you should ask before you work late again

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is it worth it?” — this one’s for you.

00:00 – 67% quit because of a bad boss
00:34 – Meet Alex: career journey & military upbringing
02:00 – The 7-million-pound office she never returned to
05:10 – Why perfect CVs don’t matter anymore
06:50 – “We’ve always done it this way” is not a strategy
07:41 – The post-2020 shift: identity, autonomy & balance
09:46 – Hybrid work, productivity & social connection
13:00 – Why founders are their own bottleneck
16:25 – Letting go: the first step to business growth
17:28 – The trust shift: motivation without micromanagement
19:15 – 82% of managers have had zero training
20:38 – The problem with managing from a script
23:36 – From conflict to collaboration: learning how people work
26:57 – What your DISC profile reveals about you
31:18 – Work should fund your life, not replace it
34:51 – When hustle meets heartbreak: the wake-up call
36:13 – Boundaries, selfishness & shutting your laptop
40:52 – The 3 questions to ask before working late
41:50 – A powerful tip to finish work on time
43:38 – Final thoughts & closing

https://youtu.be/GB-GE3oDrtg

In today’s episode of Balanced Ambition, therapist and coach Simon Bostock shares how his own career shift from corporate life to counselling helped him understand something deep and universal:
We are not built for the way we live now.

Simon unpacks:

• The crisis of loneliness among young men.

• Why modern convenience has quietly robbed us of resilience

• How our brains are wired for tribes, movement, and meaningful connection

• The simple, daily habits that reduce anxiety and help you thrive

He also shares real stories from his work with students, offering practical tools you can use — from sleep and breathwork to gratitude and human contact — to rebuild calm, purpose, and connection in a chaotic world.

https://youtu.be/MnG_dWJ_UoA

Are you stuck in the cycle of quick fixes and crash diets that never seem to stick? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Hall, a DNA-based fat loss coach, who left a corporate health company behind to take a stand against unsustainable weight loss methods. From engineering to epigenetics, Alex shares his inspiring journey and unpacks why personalised nutrition and habit-building beat fad diets every time.

🎮 A gamer at heart, food lover by nature, and transformation coach by choice — Alex brings both science and soul to the world of health coaching.

👉 Learn how DNA testing can inform your nutrition, why metabolism suffers under crash diets, and what actually works if you're ready for real, lasting change.

🔔 Subscribe and tap the bell to get more real conversations about health, mindset, and meaningful change.

https://youtu.be/M57S08vBXEw

Grief is something we all experience, yet society often struggles to talk about it. In this episode, Lou Hynes shares her deeply personal journey through loss, offering insights into the impact of grief, cultural differences, and the importance of open conversations.

From healthy coping mechanisms to supporting loved ones through their pain, this conversation is a must-watch for anyone navigating grief or wanting to help others.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on life, resilience, and human connection.

0:00 Grief and Cultural Norms – Why grief makes people uncomfortable
3:51 Impact of Ignoring Grief – How avoiding grief can resurface in harmful ways
5:17 Healthy Ways to Deal with Grief – Processing emotions and seeking support
10:19 The Role of Conversations and Planning – Preparing for the inevitable
12:00 Lou Hynes' Personal Journey – The sudden loss that changed everything
15:50 Children’s Grief and Coping – How kids process loss differently
17:17 The Importance of Open Conversations – Keeping memories alive
18:29 Supporting Grieving Individuals – What to say (and what not to)
45:15 Embracing Life and Human Connection – Living without regrets
45:49 Final Thoughts and Resources – Where to find support

Let’s start talking about grief the way we talk about life. Share this episode to help someone who might need it.

https://youtu.be/aZCj9_fpzvI

Undiagnosed ADHD can have serious risks, including substance abuse, depression, and even reduced lifespan. In this eye-opening interview, Aggie Zbieranska breaks down what ADHD really is, the challenges of late diagnosis, and why masking symptoms can be harmful.

We also explore ADHD’s connection to entrepreneurship, dopamine regulation, and the role of social media in awareness and misinformation. If you suspect you have ADHD or want to understand it better, this episode is for you!

🔔 Subscribe for more insightful conversations!

Aggie is an ADHD Coach & Business Psychologist (MSc & PhD Candidate) who helps neurodiverse professionals thrive at work and in life. She provides tailored coaching and resources to help individuals with ADHD reach their full potential.

🌍 Learn more about Aggie & her work: https://holisticadhd.co/

📢 Chapters & Timestamps:
0:00 - Understanding ADHD and Its Impact
1:44 - Late-Onset ADHD and Diagnostic Criteria
6:28 - Masking ADHD Symptoms & Coping Mechanisms
7:34 - Gender Differences in ADHD
10:08 - ADHD & Entrepreneurial Success
14:10 - Holistic Approaches to ADHD
20:50 - Dopamine, ADHD & Brain Chemistry
29:23 - Social Media's Impact on ADHD Awareness
32:57 - Challenges in ADHD Diagnosis & Treatment
40:35 - First Steps if You Suspect ADHD
42:39 - Personal Reflections & Final Thoughts

https://youtu.be/kldUWMePhlE

Most entrepreneurs start their business for freedom, but too many end up overworked, burnt out, and miserable. Mike Jones knows this first-hand. From serving in the Army to running a successful gym, he thought resilience would carry him through—until he realised he was trapped in a cycle of stress and exhaustion.

In this episode, Mike shares how he turned business failure into a fresh start, why he closed his gym just before COVID-19, and how he now helps business owners create success without sacrificing their health and happiness.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why burnout is the biggest risk for high-achieving entrepreneurs
• The hidden cost of people pleasing and working too hard
• Why success isn’t just about money—it’s about happiness and fulfilment
• The importance of pricing your business correctly from the start
• How to build a business that serves you, rather than drains you

If you’re an entrepreneur (or aspiring one) who wants to avoid the workaholic trap, this conversation is for you

https://youtu.be/jprpyAGLU70

Success doesn’t always equal happiness.

In this powerful episode, Adam Mayhew shares his journey from a seemingly perfect life—moving to Dubai, financial stability, and a debt-free lifestyle—to realising he was deeply unfulfilled. Now a life coach and nutritionist, Adam opens up about redefining success, overcoming burnout, and discovering what truly brings contentment.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• The hidden cost of people pleasing and how to set boundaries
• Why financial success doesn't always lead to happiness
• How quitting alcohol and making small changes transformed Adam’s life
• Simple, practical steps to improve well-being and create fulfilment

Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or questioning what truly makes you happy, Adam’s story will inspire you to take control and start living life on your terms.

https://youtu.be/SHbMWMURdk8

Burnout is more than just exhaustion—it can deeply affect your health, motivation, and quality of life. In this eye-opening conversation, Bex Spiller explains the science behind stress and burnout, shares real-life experiences, and offers practical strategies to prevent and manage burnout before it takes over.

From the impact of chronic stress to workplace burnout and the role of connection in recovery, this episode is packed with insights you can’t afford to miss!

🔔 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more inspiring conversations!

📌 Timestamps:

0:00 - Defining Burnout & Types of Stress
3:41 - Who’s Affected? The Growing Impact of Burnout
10:52 - Personal Stories & Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
14:05 - How to Prevent Burnout Before It’s Too Late
19:07 - The Role of Connection in Mental Well-being
23:41 - Recognising & Addressing Burnout at Work
29:31 - How Early Experiences Shape Burnout Tendencies
33:04 - Practical Tips for Managing Stress Daily
35:30 - The Power of Community & Social Support
38:41 - Final Thoughts & Encouragement

https://youtu.be/qBiZEdQBqgo

What if the way we think about fitness is completely wrong—especially for neurodivergent people?

At 30,Rhiannon Cooper was diagnosed withautism and ADHD, completely changing how they understood their body, mind, and relationship with health. In this episode, they share their powerful journey from struggling with exercise, mental health, and eating disorders to becoming apersonal trainer on a mission to make fitness more inclusive.

We dive into:
🔹 How sensory challenges & childhood trauma shaped their view on fitness
🔹 The truth aboutself-advocacy, burnout, and mental health
🔹 Breaking barriers forneurodivergent people in the gym
🔹 Whysmall adjustments at work and school can change lives

If you've ever felt like fitness wasn’t made for you—this episode might change your mind. 🎧💡

https://youtu.be/g6pDyTwD5XM