Evolve to Succeed

On this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson sits down with James Croker, Commercial Director at Bournemouth Rugby Club. Many know James as the energetic, passionate force behind the club's growth in recent years, but few know the full story that shaped him.

James takes us from his early sporting childhood, through a 15-year career in the Royal Air Force, to the devastating series of heart attacks in his early thirties that abruptly ended both his military career and his playing days. He speaks openly about the mental health battle that followed, the loss, the darkness and ultimately the community that helped pull him back up.

We explore how rugby's core values have shaped James's leadership philosophy, the commercial transformation at Bournemouth Rugby and his mission to build a true sense of belonging in the local business community.

This conversation is a blend of raw honesty, practical wisdom and heartfelt passion for sport and people.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more listeners discover the show.

• How sport shaped James's early life

• Why he joined the Royal Air Force

• The sudden heart condition that ended his military career

• How he battled depression and rebuilt his life

• Transitioning into coaching and returning to Bournemouth Rugby

• Building commercial sustainability and community connection

• Creating belonging and meaningful values in organisations

• Why role modelling matters in sport and business

• The importance of resilience and support networks

• James's ambitions for Bournemouth Rugby Club

"Sport always gave me purpose, even when nothing else made sense." "You learn from great leaders, but you learn even more from the bad ones." "Community saved me. Without it, I don't know where I'd be." "The military took my structure away overnight. That's when life really hit me." "Good rugby players aren't always good people. We want good people first." "You can't just put your values on a wall. You have to live them." "If you want to build community, create a sense of belonging and safety first." "Make your bed. Do one thing. One step leads to the next."

Chapters

00:00 – Intro

01:00 – James' early years

03:20 – Military career

10:30 – Heart attacks

17:40 – Navigating depression and rebuilding life

21:45 – Bournemouth Rugby

25:30 – Building community through sport

36:00 – Rugby values

49:10 – Future of Bournemouth Rugby

55:20 – Final reflections

What does it really take to build a startup from scratch?

In this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson speaks with Josh Williams, co-founder of Town, a new community platform on a mission to help people rediscover and support their local independent businesses. Founded less than a year ago, Town is already building momentum by rewarding shoppers for buying local and connecting communities through tech.

Josh opens up about his journey from a series of side hustles to launching a tech startup with purpose. He talks candidly about the challenges of bootstrapping, managing self-doubt, balancing ambition with reality and why perseverance matters more than ever in the early stages.

This is a must-listen for anyone thinking about launching their own business or curious about what happens behind the scenes during a startup.

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more people discover the Evolve to Succeed Podcast!

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

• How Town is helping revive independent retail

• The inspiration behind the idea (and how Amazon played a role)

• Lessons from a year of building a startup

• Why Josh believes constraint fuels creativity

• The highs and lows of early entrepreneurship

• The importance of co-founders and complementary skills

• Balancing purpose with profit and scalability

• Why AI won't replace human connection

• Overcoming doubt, fear of failure, and burnout

• Josh's advice for anyone thinking of starting their own business

00:00 – Intro

01:10 – What is Town and why it exists

03:15 – The mission to revive independent business

06:20 – How the idea for Town began

08:55 – Early startup challenges and first customers

11:20 – The highs and lows of year one

13:40 – Lean building and bootstrapping lessons

17:00 – Self-funding vs raising capital

19:40 – Why focus and persistence matter

23:20 – Planning Town's growth and data insights

28:50 – Facing failure and overcoming doubt

31:40 – The importance of co-founders

36:30 – AI and the future of human connection

40:35 – Lessons from the Evolve Accelerator experience

47:20 – Josh's top advice for aspiring founders

50:00 – Closing reflections

What makes a truly high-performing team, and why do so many fail to reach that level?

In this episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren Munson sits down with Nick Fewings, founder of Ngagement Works and author of Team Lead Succeed. Known as a "Teamologist," Nick shares insights from over three decades of experience helping leaders and teams reach their potential.

From his early leadership struggles at Barclays to coaching global organisations, Nick explores the psychology of teamwork, covering trust, purpose, accountability and the fine balance between empathy and strategy.

He also reveals why only 10% of teams are truly high-performing and how leaders can cultivate consistency, communication and psychological safety within their organisations. Packed with practical advice and relatable stories, this episode is a masterclass in leading people, fostering collaboration and creating teams that thrive together.

If you enjoy the conversation, please subscribe, share and leave a review! It really helps more people discover the show.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

+ How failure led Nick to study team dynamics + Why most teams are only "average" performers + The difference between leadership and management + Building psychological safety and trust + Balancing empathy with strategic leadership + Aligning personal and organisational purpose + Handling misaligned team members + Encouraging open, candid communication + Embedding accountability across a team

Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Intro 01:00 – How failure sparked a passion for teamwork 04:45 – What makes a team dysfunctional? 06:50 – Leadership vs. Management 09:10 – Building trust and psychological safety 13:50 – Managing stress and self-awareness as leaders 15:40 – The art of strategic empathy 17:15 – Purpose, alignment and shared values 22:30 – Communication, honesty and feedback 32:10 – Accountability within teams 39:00 – The myth of KPIs 43:20 – Advice to your younger leadership self 46:00 – Outro and Reflections

If you enjoy the conversation, please subscribe, share and leave a review! It really helps more people discover the show.

What if you could completely transform your health, energy, and outlook in just a few years?

This week on the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Warren is joined by Rachel Williams, founder of Zest Lifestyle, wellbeing coach, and passionate advocate for preventative health. Rachel's story is remarkable - 25 years ago she was overweight, smoking 40 cigarettes a day, drinking heavily, and burnt out from her high-pressure corporate career. Then one morning in a Barcelona hotel, she had her "OMG moment" and decided to change everything.

Since then, Rachel has not only rebuilt her own life but has dedicated the last two decades to helping others do the same. In this conversation, she shares the five pillars of wellness -sleep, eat, move, think, and pause - and explains how small, consistent changes can have a profound impact on your health and longevity. We also dive into the dangers of ultra-processed food, the rise of burnout, and how businesses can create cultures of wellbeing that benefit both people and performance.

Rachel's mission is clear: extend healthspan, not just lifespan. Her insights will inspire you to rethink your daily habits and take control of your wellbeing.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe, share it with your network, and leave us a review - it really helps others discover the show.

• 00:00 – Intro & Rachel's Transformation Story

• 03:00 – The OMG Moment in Barcelona

• 07:30 – From Corporate Life to Wellness Coach

• 10:30 – The Five Pillars of Wellness

• 18:00 – Small Habits, Big Health Gains

• 26:30 – Weight Loss Drugs, Risks & Realities

• 29:30 – Mental Health, Stress & Ultra-Processed Food

• 40:00 – Building a Culture of Wellbeing at Work

• 44:00 – Zest Nation & The Blue Zone Inspiration

• 54:00 – Rachel's Definition of Success: Balance

AI is no longer a distant concept. It's here. But what does it mean for business, creativity and society as a whole?

In this thought-provoking episode of The Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson is joined by two experts at the forefront of the AI revolution. Nick Carlile, founder of Olivia AI, and Dan Smith, CEO of Fireworx. Together, they explore the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence. From democratising knowledge and levelling the playing field for small businesses, to the existential risks around ethics, regulation and human identity.

Expect candid insights on how AI is transforming work, displacing jobs while creating new ones and forcing business leaders to rethink strategies. The conversation also tackles creativity. Can AI truly innovate, or is it simply remixing human ideas?

Whether you're excited about AI or concerned about its implications, this episode offers valuable perspectives on where we are now and where we might be heading.

If you enjoy the show, don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave us a review to help more listeners discover these conversations.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

+ Why AI represents one of the biggest opportunities in business history. + The impact of AI on jobs, skills and human identity. + How AI is reshaping creativity, branding and marketing. + The challenges of bias, ethics and regulation in AI. + Dystopian vs. utopian futures. Where might AI take us? + Practical advice for business leaders on adopting AI strategically.

00:00 - Introduction 01:14 - Excitement Around AI 04:46 - Impact on Jobs & Skill 10:19 - Human Connection vs. Automation 18:58 - Ethics, Trust & Regulation 28:02 - Bias in AI 32:53 - AI and Creativity 42:27 - Practical Uses & Business Strategy 53:01 - Entrepreneurship, Risk & Business Models 56:46 - Utopia or Dystopia?

Are you a business owner or leader looking to navigate change with confidence? At Evolve, we help ambitious businesses like yours unlock growth, embrace innovation, and build strategies fit for the future.

👉 Get in touch with our team today to explore how we can support you and your business journey: www.evolveadvisory.co.uk

What happens when the life you dreamed of doesn't bring you happiness?

This week on the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, we're joined by Katherine Baldwin. Former Reuters political and foreign correspondent who once travelled the world alongside Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, and David Cameron. From covering wars, natural disasters, and global crises, Katherine lived a life of adrenaline, success, and status. Yet behind the scenes, she was battling burnout, binge eating, alcohol dependence, and an overwhelming sense of emptiness.

In this deeply honest and inspiring conversation, Katherine shares how she transitioned from chasing external validation to finding inner peace and purpose. We discuss the dangers of overachievement, the role of addiction and denial in high-pressure careers, and the courage it takes to step away from an identity built on success. Katherine also reveals the practices and mindset shifts that helped her recover, embrace self-love, and build meaningful relationships.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business leader, or professional striving for balance, this episode will give you tools to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters.

👉 If you find value in this episode, please subscribe, share it with others, and leave us a review. It really helps the podcast grow.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Success Doesn't Guarantee Fulfilment: Katherine shares how her dream career reporting from Downing Street and the White House left her feeling empty and unfulfilled despite the outward success.

Adrenaline Can Be an Addiction: Katherine describes how her life was fuelled by adrenaline, excessive work, binge eating and drinking, unaware she was using these to avoid unresolved pain.

Numbing Isn't Coping: She explains how we often use work, alcohol, exercise or even relationships to numb discomfort, but the feelings always catch up with us.

Burnout Is a Wake-Up Call: A personal crisis and grief forced Katherine to face years of denial, leading her to finally seek help and reassess her life's direction.

Tell Yourself the Truth First: Recovery starts with self-honesty. Katherine encourages listeners to ask hard questions: What am I avoiding? What's this behaviour really about?

Healthy Relationships Start With Self-Love: Katherine talks about how early trauma creates patterns in love, and how self-worth and boundaries are the foundation for meaningful connection.

Presence Over Productivity: From sea swims to journaling, Katherine shares the small daily rituals that keep her grounded and help her avoid falling back into old habits.

Redefine Success as Inner Peace: Her definition of success has shifted from status and prestige to something simpler and more profound: peace, fulfilment, and joy.

"I was in Downing Street, the White House, rubbing shoulders with world leaders—and I still felt dead inside."

"Externally, it looked like I had it all. Internally, I was crumbling."

"I was using food, alcohol, adrenaline, and achievement to numb the pain inside me."

"Tell the truth. Start by telling yourself the truth."

"If you're numbing out—through alcohol, overwork, relationships, social media—what are you trying to escape?"

"Our bodies will keep the score. Burnout, illness, even disease—these are the costs we pay when we don't pause."

"We think hustling is the answer. But at what cost? To our peace, our health, our families?"

"We care for ourselves not just for us—but so we can care for the business, the team, the people we love."

"Presence is a superpower. It's not weakness. It's everything."

• 00:00 – Intro & Katherine's Background

• 04:30 – Success on the Outside, Struggles Within

• 10:15 – Burnout, Breakdown & Denial

• 17:00 – Leaving Reuters & Facing Identity Loss

• 23:30 – First Steps Toward Healing

• 30:00 – Daily Practices for Self-Care & Presence

• 41:00 – Boundaries, Balance & Saying "Enough"

• 47:00 – Building Healthy Relationships & Her Book

• 55:00 – Quickfire Round & Defining Success

• 56:30 – Closing Reflections & Where to Find Katherine

Summary

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Declan O'Toole shares his remarkable journey from marine biology to building a successful catering business, Forerunner Catering.

He discusses the challenges of transitioning from Meals on Wheels to providing school meals, the importance of cash flow management, and the lessons learned from navigating public sector contracts.

Declan reflects on the decision to exit the business, the sale process, and life after exit, emphasising the need for resilience and the fulfillment found in the entrepreneurial journey.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Define "Enough" Early: Declan covers what "enough" was in his life. He applied the 4% rule to plan his exit and financial future.

Public Sector Contracts Can Be Goldmines: Declan talks about public sector contracts and how they can be stable and profitable when executed well.

Systems and Process Create True Business Ownership: A business that can run without the owner is a real business. Declan emphasises how important it was for his catering company to be people-independent and systems-led.

Cashflow is Everything: Declan emphasises that cashflow forecasting is a non-negotiable practice.

Exit Requires Strategy, Not Spontaneity: Declan discusses his exit from the business by tightening operations, ensuring clean books, and building scalability before stepping away.

Legacy Over Maximum Payout: Declan talks about choosing the right buyer, by assessing their values and ability to take care of his team and legacy.

Soundbites

"The bit that's really good about generating wealth is not having the wealth. It's the journey from not having it to getting there."

"You only own a business if it can run without you for three to six months."

"Cashflow, cashflow, cashflow. There's nothing else. That's priority one."

"Once you get public sector contracts, just don't f* up."

"You've got to have grit. Everyone I know who's made it has been through some deep, deep s*."

"I'm great at building systems. I'm absolutely crap at doing them."

"Success is waking up looking forward to the day and being happy with what you've achieved so far."

"I'd be a corporate muppet if I hadn't read Rich Dad Poor Dad."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Declan O'Toole

01:20 From Marine Biology to Catering Business

05:00 Transitioning from Meals on Wheels to School Meals

10:00 Challenges of Rapid Growth and Cash Flow Management

15:00 Navigating Public Sector Contracts

20:48 The Importance of Relationships in Business

27:47 Lessons Learned from the Public Sector

32:54 Deciding to Exit the Business

38:28 The Sale Process and Finding the Right Buyer

47:38 Life After Exit

Dave and Alicia Store, co-founders of DSNM, join the Evolve to Succeed podcast to trace their 25-year journey from a one-man, paper-based chart-correction service to an award-winning super-yacht-navigation technology company with 27 employees and 620 vessels under subscription. Dave candidly recounts the scrappy early years - dot-matrix printers, Pritt Stick, and fax machines - while Alicia explains how joining the firm (initially to cover maternity leave) professionalised its finances, people processes and long-term vision.

The couple unpack the pivotal moments that reshaped the business: realising captains would pay for a fully managed service; raising prices to signal quality; surviving the 2008 crash, COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine shock; and, most dramatically, self-funding and launching their proprietary software, Compass. Their complementary personalities - Dave the risk-taking visionary, Alicia the detail-driven operator - emerge as the engine behind DSNM's culture of obsessive customer service and constant product iteration.

They also share the realities of running a high-pressure, family-run company in a glamorous, yet unforgiving industry. Topics range from work-life integration with their young son Louis, to tight recruitment standards, to the pride (and responsibility) of winning two Queen's Awards and employing a close-knit team.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

• Find a pain-killer, not a vitamin. Early success came from doing the tedious chart-correction work crews hated.

• Price can signal value. Raising rates—rather than undercutting incumbents—attracted more super-yacht clients.

• Service DNA first, tech layer next. DSNM's core white-glove support never changed; software (Compass) scaled it.

• Complementary co-founders matter. Visionary risk (Dave) + operational diligence (Alicia) created balanced growth.

• Crisis = clarity. COVID and the Ukraine conflict forced the team to reassess purpose, costs and future bets.

• Culture of "no passengers." Every hire must be a self-starting problem-solver; weak links show instantly in a small team.

• Bootstrapping builds resilience. Funding software internally preserved speed and ownership—crucial in a niche market.

• Work-life "blend" beats balance. Shared purpose, clear role boundaries, and intentional family time keep burnout at bay.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to DSNM and Its Founders

06:50 The Evolution of Services and Software Development

12:04 Navigating Business Challenges and Financial Lessons

20:39 Balancing Growth with Company Culture

30:04 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business Strategy

38:18 Reflections on Success and Personal Growth

42:50 Family Dynamics and Work-Life Balance

48:53 Quickfire Questions and Final Thoughts

In this captivating episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, host Warren Munson reconnects with returning guests Julie and Sally, fresh from their epic adventure of rowing 3,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

After 59 grueling days at sea, the team successfully completed their journey from La Gomera to Antigua aboard the Ebb & Flow. Julie and Sally share vivid tales of their extreme challenge, from breathtaking wildlife encounters to the relentless mental and physical tests they faced.

This episode is a moving testament to courage, camaraderie, and the power of human determination. Tune in and be inspired!

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Triumphant Arrival: The powerful emotions of crossing the finish line to a cheering crowd and reuniting with loved ones.

Surprises & Challenges: Navigating unexpected battery issues, hand steering for hours, and battling huge storms.

Life at Sea: Their daily routines, sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and how they coped with the isolation and vastness of the ocean.

Wildlife Wonders: Magical moments with whales, playful dolphins, and even a curious marlin!

Team Dynamics: Insights into working as a team of three, including how they supported one another during tough times.

Mind Over Matter: The mental strength and resilience it took to row day after day, and how they now see challenges in everyday life differently.

Personal Growth: Reflections on how this experience changed their perspectives and their lives.

Chapters

00:00 - The Journey Begins: Crossing the Atlantic

06:02 - Surprises and Challenges at Sea

10:13 - Daily Life on the Ocean

14:39 - Overcoming Fears and Isolation

20:02 - Mental Resilience and Personal Growth

28:31 - Highlights and Pinnacle Moments

29:07 - Surfing the Waves of Adventure

30:08 - Wild Encounters: Whales and Wildlife

31:13 - The Thrill of the Ocean: Sounds and Sights

32:10 - Team Dynamics: Bonding Through Challenges

33:42 - Resilience and Problem Solving at Sea

39:00 - Physical Challenges and Recovery

43:14 - Adjusting to Life After the Ocean

46:35 - Future Adventures: What's Next?

On this episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast, Emma Burke, co-founder of Laceeze, shares her entrepreneurial journey from the inception of her innovative shoelace solution, to her recent experience on Dragon's Den.

Emma discusses the challenges and successes of developing her product, transitioning to a full-time commitment, and the importance of marketing strategies and brand ambassadors in driving growth.

Emma shares her journey on Dragon's Den, the challenges and opportunities that arose from her appearance, and how it impacted her brand. She discusses the intense experience of pitching, the immediate spike in brand awareness following the show, and the subsequent growth and challenges in her business.

This episode of the Evolve to Succeed Podcast covers…

Transitioning from a side project to a full-time business.

Product development.

Brand ambassador programs.

Utilising platforms like Amazon.

Emma's Dragon's Den experience.

Understanding your audience.

Building a brand community.

Utilising freelancers.

New marketing platforms like TikTok.

Balancing personal life with business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laceeze

03:13 From Concept to Product

05:46 Transitioning to Full-Time

08:48 Product Development and Expansion

12:05 Marketing Strategies and Brand Growth

15:10 Funding and Financial Growth

17:47 The Dragon's Den Experience

21:07 Preparing for the Pitch

27:56 The Intensity of Pitching on Dragon's Den

30:58 The Impact of Dragon's Den on Brand Awareness

34:45 Post-Show Opportunities and Challenges

39:34 Embracing New Marketing Trends

41:02 Personal Reflections

46:28 Balancing Business with Personal Life

48:27 Defining Personal Success