Smash The Box

In the poor and tough streets of Odessa, Ukraine, with nothing much for entertainment, street fighting is just “what you did” as a young male. After getting repeatedly picked on and beaten up by his older cousin, Artur, aged 12, joined the local gym and trained every day for 3 years. Once a day soon became twice a day and has been ever since. Today Artur is the World Welterweight Kick Boxing Champion and nobody picks on him anymore. His fight record at the time of recording is an impressive 92 fights and 87 wins. He has only lost 3 competitive fights since 2010. Brought up alone by his mother, Artur won his first championship gold medal at 16. More fights, more wins, more knock outs (KO's) followed and then one famous night in Japan in 2006, Artur fought (and won!) three fights in one night. This incredible K1 Max victory in front of 20,000 screaming fans really launched him onto the international Kick Boxing and Muy Thai scene. Artur's initial motivations to survive became financial as he longed for a better quality of life for himself and his family. With an eye firmly on the future, Artur, now aged 33, has settled in Barcelona, after a brief stint in the Netherlands, and has his own gym by the beach to the north of the city where he trains his own young team. It’s a team which has already produced one world champion. Although still fighting, it’s more about legacy now. “It’s my business, my hobby, my life”, he says proudly. We talk KO’s, mindset, discipline and determination in this knock out podcast.

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

Sophia Bhaumick is a girl in a man’s world. At the tender age of 24, she is already managing boxers and other sports professionals through her own sports agency, Bear Management. “Boxing is my soul”, she says, as she opens up on a lonely childhood which saw her left literally 'home alone’ for months at a time aged 12-16. She survived by shadowing boxing. “It provided something to touch”, says Sophia. Where some might have fallen by the wayside or made different choices, Sophia, mature beyond her years, decided to use her experience to help others less fortunate than herself. Moved by the Phillipinnes typhoon tragedy in 2013, Sophia bought a plane ticket and went on a humanitarian mission to help build houses, schools and water tanks. After going to help others and fix things for the better, cruelly, Sophia was beset by her own life-changing tragedy and came back broken and in need of her own help. A survivor and a fighter, Sophia found herself fighting this time for own sanity. "Boxing saved me”, she says. She started Bear Management and started supporting and developing young boxers, not just on their boxing journey, but on their life journey. “You can tell your whole story in a boxing ring” she states. Time to go the distance with this amazing lady.

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

James Hacon has said yes a lot. A relentless seeker of amazing experiences, James said yes to visiting 30 countries before age 30. Now aged 32, he’s since said yes to visiting 100 countries before age 40 (he’s on 52). “To qualify, we must have stayed the night, eaten local food and met a local”, reveals James with a smile. From Norfolk to London, via Cornwall, James is now CEO of successful consultancy and thought leadership group Think Hospitality. Always driven by a strong word ethic and sense of achievement, James was running his parent’s restaurant at 15, had already sold 3 businesses by 18 and was running music venues at age 19. Behind the success though lie battles with mental health, something James works hard on as he opens up on a history of family child abuse and his escape from it. The coping mechanisms he uses are the yin to the over-achieving yang that has delivered him so much success. In this revealing podcast, James talks passionately about the unhelpful stereotype of the ’24/7 hustle’ culture that has become associated with entrepreneurship , the importance of taking breaks and how he writes poetry to help deal with anxiety. We talk about owning your past, coming back stronger, purpose and straight talking. James speaks with an honesty rarely seen amongst business leaders as he reveals a side to himself that many are afraid to show. James has always said yes to life and its opportunities, as he makes an exclusive reveal in this very episode. Time to say yes to this enlightening podcast...

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

After working in a call centre earning £1500 a month, aged 29, Andy Harrington had had enough. He borrowed £10,000 from the bank (he told them he was buying a car!) and started his own business. That business, with Andy at its helm, has generated more than £50m in revenue to date. Under the banner of Jet Set Speaker, Andy has created a set of products that help people break out of limiting beliefs and realise their potential. Power To Achieve is arguably the UK’s leading breakthrough event, Professional Speakers Academy is certainly the leading academy for those who want to learn to speak to sell in public or those with a message to share with the world. Andy’s book, Passion Into Profit is a Sunday Times Best Seller and his passion is for improving people’s quality of life. He is a master at it. Inspired initially by Tony Robbins, Andy talks about the moment he looked into Robbins’ eyes, cried and made a decision against all the odds that he was going to do for others what Tony Robbins did for him. With his feet firmly on the ground, Andy dispels some of the myths of his increasing celebrity and explains how legacy drives him more now than simply making money. We cover grief and the circle of life. “I’ve always wanted taboo subjects to be discussed,” says Andy, as he reflects proudly on the achievements and stories of some of his academy members. He also talks about his 4 year fitness journey which has him looking in the best shape of his life aged 50. Feel like you have a message inside you? Time to speak up!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

Sue Cook is a Neuro-Developmentalist and author of several books. Sue’s story starts with a life-changing moment aged 19, when a severe dose of glandular fever almost killed her. Sue’s frustration with what she saw as a general apathy towards her virus, led her to explore herbalism. After some early success treating her own IBS, Sue continued to explore further and qualified as a homeopath. Now in her 30’s and mother to a young dyslexic son, whom doctors had effectively written off, Sue applied her detective skills and energy to Neuro-Development. Learning and applying it purely to help her son, which she did successfully, her phone started ringing off the hook. Ten years on she’s since treated thousands of people and trained many others from all over the world. To what does she attribute her success? “It’s because I’m so bolshy,” she says unashamedly. Sue explains how an 82 year old German-Jewish lady helped her to change both her son’s life and her own. We cover everything from anti-ageing, wonder cures, eating for your brain and Harry Potter. "We have fun. I’m half mad-scientist and half children’s entertainer” she muses. Dyslexia, ADHD, Aspergers, Autism and Cerebral Palsy are all on the list on conditions that Sue treats. Driven by the pursuit of bringing happiness to children and families, Sue shares her knowledge to do exactly this. “There is always a way”, she asserts. Time to get brain buzzzed...

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

From primary school teacher to comedian, Jen Wakefield is funny, talented and uses some great words. “I have a love/hate relationship with the word ‘urban’”, she says as she slips easily into her comedy patter. There is a depth to Jen’s work and her humour is an excellent foil for challenging some deep seated societal stereotypes and issues. She is passionate about representation, something she mentions a lot. Her first character, 'Natasha G Stormflex’ - a grime artist on mission to bring grime to The Cheltenham Women’s Institute (can you imagine...) gained her some initial micro-celebrity. She has appeared at Edinburgh Fringe and on BBC Asian Network Showcase. Music is central to Jen’s work. Her 'WhatsApp Song’ a brilliantly hilarious 3 minute beatbox rap about a Hen Party WhatsApp Group highlights some of the home truths and behaviours that we will all recognise in others and ourselves. Initially inspired by sketch comedy and MTV, Jen describes herself as Anglo-Indian. She talks about her ‘brown side’ and her ‘white side’ and how she uses her experience of growing up with both to expose some uncomfortable truths that still permeate our society's attitude to race. She is also making a stand against what she sees as a lot of middle classness in the world of comedy. Her latest collaboration and event, Speakerbox is currently performing regularly in London. If laughter is the best medicine, then this episode opens the cabinet on comedy, music, representation, “othering”, coaching and empowerment. After it all, Jen reveals she is still a teacher at heart. As well as being really funny, Jen Wakefield also is real. I think you’ll like her!

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

Georgie Rowe started baking cakes when she was still nappies. Encouraged by her Nanny Pat, who remains a big influence and inspiration for her, Georgie, still aged only 23 is already 6 years into her business journey. That business is called Mrs Brown’s Bakery. Situated in the student heartland of Plymouth, this is a bakery that is baking more than just cakes. Through her benevolent work, Georgie runs baking workshops for school children - using baking to help through with anxiety issues that Georgie herself has long suffered from. It’s not all been plain sailing. Losing her brother at 13, being bullied at school for how she looks, “I’ve always been different”, she says, Georgie has turned adversity into strength in the most colourful and creative of ways. What she has created is a social movement that extends way beyond the queue at the door. Recent media attention has been overwhelming she admits. Georgie is determined though to use her own battle with anxiety to create a legacy and to serve young people in her community and beyond and offer a place where they can express themselves through baking, without fear, stress or judgement. Breakfast wraps, mental health and ‘a pint of cake’ are all on the menu in this deliciously inspiring podcast. “I love cake and Mrs Brown’s is my opportunity for cake!” Time to dig in…

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

“A place your heart knows and your soul craves” is how Carmen Rendell describes Soul Hub. From Cornish castles to London Parks and Portugese retreats, Integrative Therapist, Carmen and her collective of therapists, healers and coaches offer ‘soul walks’ and ‘soul retreats’ where people can come and get to know themselves in an environment of nature and tranquility. Always near water and part-inspired by a weekend with Oprah and Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Love Pray) , Soul Hub offers an escape to stressed out city workers, whether for an hour or a few days. Nature and environment are as important to Carmen as people and food in terms of stimulus and energy. A graduate from The School of Wizards, Carmen talks snakes, man-whispering and trusting The Dark Goddess in this magical and soulful podcast. Carmen irrepressible spirit of adventure shines through, as she talks bravely and openly about not having children after thinking she would, why it’s both a question with no answer and yet something that does not define her. Carmen reveals how a friend interpreted a dream she had about water, space, energy and nature into the living thing that is now Soul Hub. This is a magical story of how one girl’s dream enabled her to help others with theirs. One to sit back and gaze at the stars to...

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

"If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen,” goes the saying. Scott Macdonald is someone who can both stand the heat AND did get out of the kitchen. After starting his professional life in the early 90’s as a chef, under the stewardship of none other than Marco Pierre White, Scott's ambitions saw him swap the heat of the kitchen for the heat of the boardroom. He took on the challenge of leadership, holding positions with notably, Bill’s Restaurants - which he helped grow from 4 sites to over 70 before becoming Managing Director of Polpo Restaurants in 2017. Since this interview was recorded, Scott has moved on to assume the helm at Sourced Market, who have their flagship site at St Pancras station in London. A natural and people-focussed leader, Scott sees kindness as his superpower. From the kitchen porter to the chief executive, everyone gets the same treatment from Scott, who sees kindness as a strength and he is critical of those who say otherwise. “I’m very good at the people piece,” he says "it has always served me well”. Kindness is king in this wide ranging interview where we cover self-belief, having simple conversations, inclusivity, going with your gut feeling and why you don’t have to be good at everything in order to be a great leader. Plenty of leadership gems in here for anyone who has ambitions to make it and lead in business.

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/

Medical Herbalist Melinda McDougall is not content with helping people back to health. “I want to go one step further and get people into an optimised state of health. It’s all about being in balance,” she says. After leaving her native Brisbane and a first career in journalism and media, Melinda studied for 8 years to learn and practice her second career and real passion, Herbalism. She explains the amount of science behind it and how a fight for justice and the truth has always been a theme that has pervaded her work. In this fascinating and fact filled podcast, Melinda covers everything from the history of herbalism in England, the power of nettle tea, and how, after 70 years of the NHS, things are coming back full circle. Melinda also explains how her journalist skills still help her to listen, observe and create a ‘therapeutic relationship’ with her clients. Sometimes described as an ‘alternative GP’, a label she is comfortable with, Melinda explains the difference between homeopathy and herbalism and how she uses the whole of the plant to help with everything from multiple sclerosis and kidney failure to chest infections, period pain, menopause and recurring colds. The list is endless and the testimony impressive. Melinda is using nature to provide help for both men and women. She is particularly passionate though, about women’s health and believes that women have been badly served by the health profession. Until now…

Smash The Box is a personal development business. Everything I do is with the aim of inspiring you to find your purpose so you can make your mark on the world. One way I do this is by sharing people’s stories. Inspiring stories that the world needs to hear. Stories of breakthroughs, of adversity overcome, of achievements, successes, of setbacks and turnarounds, of realisations and lightbulb moments. This audio experience is a natural and perfect complement to the existing services of Life Coaching, Leadership Coaching, Breakthrough Workshops and Inspirational Talks - all of which forms something quite unique and special. If you are looking to find your purpose in life, in work, or both, then don’t just think outside the box. It’s time to Smash The Box!

Connect with us!

www.smashthebox.me

www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fEEvjX52qS928oyLGCtuQ

www.facebook.com/SmashTheBoxMarkPitcher/

www.instagram.com/markpitcher_smashthebox/