How It Is

Ever wonder how to actually stand out as a personal trainer when the fitness industry feels completely oversaturated? It’s not about flashy marketing or copy-and-paste meal plans it’s about changing the entire way you do business. In this episode of How It Is, we break down exactly how to break through the noise, build real client authority, and scale a premium fitness business. Our guest shares his raw, unfiltered journey from Being massively humbled by basic selection for the paras to successfully doubling his gym income, going solo, and building a fully booked coaching roster. If you're tired of the standard, hands-off "once-a-week check-in" culture, this conversation is a massive eye-opener. We dive deep into the exact strategies used to command higher prices, get ultimate client buy-in, and use a strict vetting process to filter for high-value, committed people. 🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:The Blueprint for Going Solo: The terrifying reality of leaving a secure gym salary behind and the exact financial safety net you need before backing yourself. How to Stand Out as a PT: Why rejecting corporate fitness stereotypes and shifting to high-contact, daily accountability builds bulletproof client relationships. The Power of Charging More: The pricing paradox why raising your coaching rates actually makes clients listen to you and get better results. Training Around Injuries: A layman's guide to programming workouts for clients with severe physical limitations, from torn cartilage and bad backs to sudden autoimmune diagnoses like celiac disease. The Psychology of Elites: A fascinating look into the obsessive mindset of ultra-runners and why top business leaders and sports icons like Michael Jordan possess uniquely ruthless traits. Whether you’re a fitness professional looking to scale your business, an entrepreneur preparing to make a massive career leap, or just someone trying to manage your health without burning out, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and human psychology.

In this episode of How It Is, Ross Chambers reveals his subprime finance secrets for making car finance more accessible and shares his incredible journey into the business of UK lending. We dive into the raw reality of the "Pits of Hell" sales floor, the strategic moves behind major banking mergers, and how Ross is now leading the charge for financial inclusion with Finnhclusion. Why watch:A masterclass in career strategy and business resilience. You’ll learn how Ross went from a bank teller who couldn't balance a till to a Chief Commercial Officer revolutionizing accessible car finance . Ross breaks down the "Art of Lending," the reality of managing your peers, and the strategic timing required to rise to the top of the UK lending business.Find more from Ross Chambers:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rvchambers/Finnhclusion: https://www.finclusion.co.uk/🎧 Listen & Subscribe:👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19W?si=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-isWhat you’ll learn:His Journey into Lending: From "The Pits of Hell" to the Santander boardrooms .Making Finance Accessible: Challenging the "White Van Man" banking bias for self-employed workers .Subprime Finance Secrets: Why lending is easy, but "The Art" is found in the collection .Leadership Strategy: Navigating mergers and managing friendships after a promotion .The "Last Chance" Mission: How Finnhclusion is helping people change their lives through mobility.Subprime Finance Secrets, Accessible Car Finance, UK Lending Business, Ross Chambers, How It Is Podcast, Finnhclusion, Business Journey, Non-standard lending, Santander Merger Strategy, Motor Finance UK, Sales War Stories, The Pits of Hell, Justify Your Existence, Art of Lending, Debt Collection Strategy, Financial Inclusion, Professional Growth, Strategic Career Timing, UK Finance Leaders, Entrepreneurship Finance, Car Finance Business.

In this episode of How It Is, Ross Chambers (Founder of Finclusion and Neuro Neds) pulls back the curtain on the raw reality of living and leading with ADHD and OCD. We unpack why the current education system is broken for neurodiverse children and what can be done to help us excel. Ross shares the backstory to his diagnosis and of his career from the fear of being "caught out" to discovering the Harvard-backed stat that neurodiverse teams outperform others by 130%. You’ll learn how to master your inner voice , why "superpower" myths can be damaging , and the exact Eisenhower Matrix framework Ross used to revolutionize his productivity and save his organizationWhy watch: A masterclass for parents, leaders, and anyone who has ever felt "weird" or "different." Discover the survival frameworks and leadership tools required to turn a perceived weakness into your greatest professional asset.Find more from Ross Chambers:LinkedIn: [Link to Ross Chambers]Neuro Neds: [Link to Neuro Neds]Finclusion: [Link to Finclusion]🎧 Listen & Subscribe:👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19W?si=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-isWhat you’ll learn:The 130% Rule: Why neurodiverse teams are the future of high-performance business.The Masking Struggle: The mental toll of "faking it till you make it" for 20 years.Broken Education: Why specialist provision saved Ross’s daughter when mainstream school failed.The Productivity Hack: How to use the Eisenhower Matrix to defeat ADHD procrastination.The Superpower Myth: Moving past "Rain Man" stereotypes to see the individual.

In this episode of How It Is, Leigh Rowland, Director of FEAR Financial and Property Hotspot Sales, delivers a high-stakes business masterclass on scaling through economic chaos. We unpack the strategic mechanics of navigating a "mortgage meltdown" , the shifting borrowing mentality of Gen Z , and why viewing compliance as a "protective barrier" rather than a "deal killer" is the ultimate competitive advantage. Leigh shares the unfiltered truth about why the biggest threat to your business isn't the FCA, but the looming "house of cards" created by Claims Management Companies. You’ll learn how to master sales psychology using the "four quadrants of the brain" , the discipline of "running your own race" , and why the most successful leaders focus entirely on their own standards rather than the competition. If you’ve ever felt the weight of skyrocketing interest rates or regulatory pressure, this is your blueprint for sustainable growth.What you’ll learn:The Compliance Shift: Why understanding the "why" behind regulation allows you to be freer in business.Managing the CMC Threat: Why Claims Management Companies are the real risk to your deal longevity.Sales Psychology: How to use DISC/Prism thinking to adapt your terminology for different personality types.The Gen Z Reality: Navigating high house prices, 100% deposits, and the "PCP" borrowing culture.Operational Scaling: The transition from limited to full FCA permissions and the reality of 82-question data audits.The Guardiola Mindset: Why ignoring your competitors and focusing on your own race is the only path to market dominance.Find more from Leigh Rowland:https://www.fearfinancial.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-rowland-b553385b?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BIZg8HdMjREuq8s9wF6gaOQ%3D%3D🎧 Listen & Subscribe:👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19W?si=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-is

In this episode step inside the mind of an international official in this exclusive refereeing masterclass with professional WRU referee Ben Whitehouse. This episode provides a technical and psychological blueprint for officiating at the highest level while exploring how the rugby world can improve referee recruitment, retention, and the management of high stakes pressure.What you will learn:- The PACE FrameworkBen breaks down his proprietary system for professional success which stands for Preparation, Attitude, Communication, and Evaluation.-Gain tactical insights into handling the egos of elite athletes and understand why the best players in the world purposely push the law to the line.- Discover why a referee must act as the captain of the ship and take full accountability for the game regardless of external input.- Master the technique of controlling the controllable by letting factors like crowd noise or personal stress slide away to focus on your own performance.- A candid look at the cultural differences between rugby and football and what must be done to protect the future of officiating.Find more from Ben Whitehouse:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_whitehouse_/https://wrl.wales/referee🎧 Listen & Subscribe:👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19W?si=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-is

In this episode of How It Is, business disruptor Leigh Rowland pulls back the curtain on the "Zero Point" of entrepreneurship, sharing the raw reality of building a property empire from a £20 Amazon cardboard desk in his daughter's bedroom. We unpack his high-stakes transition from a decade in the voluntary sector to the cutthroat world of finance, revealing how he survived a frozen lockdown market with zero clients and zero income. You’ll learn how Leigh humanized a "stuffy" industry by vowing to take the mystery out of mortgages, turning industry jargon into his greatest enemy and personal relatability into his strongest marketing weapon. Find more from Leigh Rowland:https://www.fearfinancial.co.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-rowland-b553385b?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BIZg8HdMjREuq8s9wF6gaOQ%3D%3D🎧 Listen & Subscribe:👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19W?si=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-is

In this episode of How It Is, international rugby referee Ben Whitehouse shares the raw, unfiltered truth of life behind the whistle, blending resilience, high-stakes policing, and a battle for survival. We unpack the "car crash" games that led to death threats, the reality of working 12-hour police shifts in Newport, and the harrowing moment Ben developed sepsis and was told a day longer would have been "game over." You’ll learn how to survive the poison of social media, the humility found in refereeing a local kids' game, and the physical toll of Crohn’s disease. We cover the surgery that left a scar from chest to waistband, the mental toughness required to handle elite pressure, and how refining your inner circle is the only way to stay sane in business and sport. If you’ve ever felt the weight of public criticism or faced a life-changing setback, this is your field manual for resilience.

Why watch: A masterclass in resilience from a leader who’s lived through the extreme mental health tools, survival frameworks, and the gritty reality of what it takes to perform when the world is watching.

Find more from Ben Whitehouse:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_whitehouse_/

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19W?si=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566

🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-is

What you’ll learn:

- How Ben Whitehouse went from a police officer to referee

- How Bens career in the police prepared him as a ref

- Surviving Sepsis: The surgery that opened him from chest to waistband

- Managing Crohn’s Disease: The moment his shift turned life-threatening

- How Rugby rules differ between kids and adults

- The "Fire Your Audience" rule: Surviving social media poison

What does it really take to build an online coaching business you love while living with ADHD, imposter syndrome and limiting beliefs? In this episode of How It Is, Nick and Jon sit down with online Coach Danni to unpack the mindset, sacrifices and consistency it takes to create a life you love as a coach and entrepreneur.Danni shares how she built her online coaching business from scratch, why authenticity beats over-edited content, and how she uses failure as daily feedback – not a reason to quit. We dig into ADHD, emotional regulation, sober living, self-development, and why consistency in training, content and business is the real “secret” to success as an online fitness coach.If you’re starting or scaling an online coaching business, struggling with imposter syndrome, or trying to stay consistent with your goals, this episode will show you how to create a life you love on your own terms.Find more from Coach Danni:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_danni/🎧 Listen & Subscribe:👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19W?si=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-isChapters:00:00 – Creating Authentic Content00:33 – The Reality of Online Coaching01:04 – Learning from Failure01:30 – Dealing with Critics and Staying Authentic02:06 – The Power of Simplicity & Off-the-Cuff Content02:41 – Balancing Business and Growth03:11 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome03:54 – Mindset, Confidence & Self-Belief04:46 – Mental Resilience & Risk in Business05:13 – Final Advice: Create a Life You Love🚀 For more from The Compliance Guys & compliance insights:🔗 https://linktr.ee/TheComplianceGuys

In this episode of How It Is, ex-military Coach Danni shares a battle-tested blueprint for sustainable fat loss for women, blending mindset, moderation and simple systems that stick. We unpack why women’s fitness mindset beats motivation, how to escape all-or-nothing thinking, and the real psychology behind food, dopamine and cravings. You’ll learn how to make progress with injuries, build strength without breaking yourself, and keep chocolate (yes, biscuits!) in a balanced plan.

We cover ADHD-friendly routines, identity shifts after big life changes, and how accountability drives consistency. If you’re tired of yo-yo dieting, this is your field manual for results that last.

Why watch: Practical, empathetic guidance from a coach who’s lived it—mindset tools, nutrition basics, and habit frameworks you can use today.

Find more from Coach Danni-

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_danni/

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19Wsi=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA

🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA

🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566

🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-is

What you’ll learn

- How to make sustainable fat loss for women realistic (no food bans)

- A women’s fitness mindset to beat all-or-nothing thinking

- Psychology of cravings, dopamine & reward loops

- Injury-aware training: strength, zone

-2 and pain-smart progress

- ADHD-friendly routines and accountability frameworks

- Moderation tactics (yes to biscuits) and protein-first meals

- Identity shifts: from “I’ll start Monday” to consistent athlete

- How hybrid online/1:1 coaching keeps results going post-goal

Olympian turned charity leader Rachel Clift joins How It Is to unpack how BEN the automotive industry’s House of Wellbeing tackles mental health and workplace wellbeing across the automotive industry. Drawing on her elite hockey career, Rachel Clift explains the Olympian mindset, practical resilience habits, and how BEN supports people facing anxiety, bereavement, and the ongoing post-Covid pressures in the motor trade. We dig into BEN’s strategy shift, a major £40m divestment, and why awareness is the single biggest challenge. If you work in the automotive industry, lead a dealership, or care about mental health at work, this Rachel Clift conversation is a must-watch. Learn how the BEN charity partners with employers, why process beats outcomes, and how gratitude, balance, and recovery drive sustainable performance.What you'll learn:- How Rachel Clift applies an Olympian mindset to leadership and charity work- What BEN’s House of Wellbeing does for the automotive industry- Post-Covid realities: rising demand, anxiety, and financial strain in the motor trade- Practical mental health habits: recovery, gratitude, prioritisation, balance- Why process goals beat outcome chasing for resilience at workYou can support Ben or contact them for support below:https://ben.org.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BenSupport4Auto Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ben-automotive-industry-charity/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BenSupport4Auto/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCg3SnIRc1zohZTcUm2xIZwChapters:00:00 – From Olympian to Charity Leader00:57 – Welcome Back: Rachel Clift’s Story01:11 – Rachel’s Olympic Achievements02:00 – “Cobi Walker” and Early Career Highlights03:12 – Balancing Physiotherapy and Sport04:18 – Transitioning into the Automotive Industry05:14 – Joining Ben Automotive Charity05:36 – The Impact of COVID on the Motor Trade06:20 – Post-COVID Mental Health Challenges07:16 – From Athlete to CEO: Career Growth Mindset08:53 – Lessons from Elite Sport10:12 – How Hockey Began for Rachel11:15 – Mentorship and the Power of Education11:57 – Mental Resilience and Mindset13:04 – Managing the Highs and Lows of Sport13:56 – Life After Sport and Purpose14:07 – The Future Vision for Ben Charity15:30 – Women in a Male-Dominated Industry16:03 – Coping with Loss and Emotional Impact16:24 – Managing High-Pressure Leadership17:34 – Staying Grounded: Gratitude and Balance18:00 – The Power of Gratitude and Resilience19:13 – Finding Balance in Life19:33 – Closing Thoughts: Raising Awareness for BenStreaming on all platforms:🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/14YEU0UkAOGpdWbazdZ19W?si=QFJhoDO2Q7CrcYDHiMaMEA🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6rha39hiiHtbGoHVFnTGA🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-it-is/id1783785566🎞 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/e12b1c97-e5d0-4d11-8fcd-ca31a0ea12a1/how-it-is