Campbell McLaren is the Creator and Co-Founder of the UFC, Current CEO and Founder of Hispanic MMA Franchise Combate Global and TV Executive.

All the way from the US, McLaren joins me in Glasgow, Scotland to share insider stories about the birth of the UFC, the evolution of MMA, the creation of the Octogon and his strategies for reaching untapped audiences in the sport.

He shares why the UFC became the BIGGEST threat to the U.S in the 90s, his story of hiring Joe Rogan as the UFC’s commentator and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s key involvement in the creation of the sport.

He also opens with his struggles that include being forced out of the UFC, the takeover by Dana White and Zuffa and his battles with health - including being granted 4% chance to live.

With his unique perspective and wealth of experience, McLaren offers invaluable insights into the business of combat sports and building superstars.

Follow Campbell: instagram.com/campbellcombate

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SPONSOR:

NewLifeMMA Glasgow: https://www.newlifeglasgow.com/

David Robson is an award-winning British science writer and author who specializes in exploring the extremes of the human brain, body, and behavior.

He has written extensively for publications like the BBC and The Guardian, covering topics in medicine, psychology, and neuroscience. Robson is the author of the books "The Intelligence Trap" and "The Expectation Effect," the latter of which won a British Psychological Society Book Award and was a Financial Times Best Book of 2022. With a background in mathematics from the University of Cambridge, Robson brings an analytical and in-depth approach to his writing on the human mind and behavior.

"Social connection is more important than obesity, smoking, and exercise combined!"

Are you tired of feeling lonely and disconnected? Discover the shocking truth about how being social can boost your health, creativity, and even finances!

And reveals the #1 most important law of connection that can transform your life.

Follow Me: https://www.instagram.com/developmentbydavid/

Will Storr is a Journalist and Award-Winning Author of The Status Game, Selfie, The Heretics and the Science of Story Telling.

If you are low-status, you are more 4x more likely to die early. Status is proven to be more important than diet or exercise for health outcomes..

Status is not just a modern phenomenon; it's a fundamental part of the human experience, existing long before our current society. As writer Will Storr explains, the need for status and respect from others is not merely a luxury—it's an essential psychological and biological requirement for humans to thrive. He calls it the original currency.

Throughout history, status hierarchies have existed in animal societies, serving as a means to organise social life and prevent constant conflict. From our tribal ancestors to modern civilization, the desire for status has deeply shaped human behavior and social structures.

But despite its importance, the topic of status often makes people feel uneasy. While discussions about connection and belonging are more comfortable, status remains a somewhat taboo subject. It's this discomfort that has perhaps led to fewer books being written about this universal human drive.

However, Storr's work aims to shed light on this fundamental aspect of the human condition, unraveling its complexities and unveiling its significance in our lives.

Also, join us to hear about the psychology of cults, why architechts are the most illusive modern day cult, Will’s experience from going undercover following Neo-Nazi’s to understand the madness of groupthink and his experiences of David Irving the infamous holocaust denier.

Will’s books:

https://amzn.to/41R6rsL

Selfie: How the West Became Self-Obsessed

https://amzn.to/41cJ2BL

The Science of Storytelling: Why Stories Make Us Human, and How to Tell Them Better

https://amzn.to/3ohtxKo

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SPONSORS:

Vybey (code DBYD for 15%) - https://vybey.co.uk/?shpxid=fd5d5aab-fd5f-48d9-bf37-b58aa4317f25West Coast Motors - https://www.wcmotors.co.uk/

Ruari Fairbairns is co-founder of One Year No Beer, a subscription-based platform promoting an alcohol-free lifestyle with over 100,000 global members.

Tracy Garrad is CEO of Aviva Canada and has held CEO positions at HSBC, First Direct and AXA Health. She is a board member of Progress Together.

Tracy Garrad joins us to share her remarkable journey from a working-class upbringing in Blackpool to becoming a successful leader in the financial services industry. Tracy reflects on the lessons learned from caring for her siblings, the challenges she faced as a female leader, and the importance of diversity and inclusion in leadership.

She discusses the difference between leadership and management, her experiences with education, and the evolving landscape of the C-suite.

Tracy also delves into the role of transparent storytelling in leadership, the importance of mentorship, and the ongoing quest for work-life balance.