Sofa Stories

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Such a privilege to have, legend, comedian, actor, singer, padel tennis ambassador, all round Entertainer, man of wisdom and a true gentleman - Jason Manford on the sofa with us. Give this episode a listen, you won’t regret it. Let’s get into it. 

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In this episode, we  delved into some uncharted Territories thanks for some fantastic questions from our listeners. we were equally surprised by our answers as we were by the questions and some cases. We had a fun time. I hope you will join us. If anyone has any other questions, we will do part two.

Happy Halloween! 👻 

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This episode of The Sofa Stories Podcast is nicknamed “The Michael Jordan”,  not because we speak about the Chicago Bulls or the NBA, but because of its number.

We’re not talking about Oli’s only fans account as the the title may suggest.

This week’s topic is “Negativity on social media”..

Along with much more lyrical waxing, including NB’s Padel business trip to Milan with John Birtwistle (of Premier Padel), Oli’s GB News segment for national Chocolate week, dips in the high seas and a whole lot more.

Our favourite way to start the day, why not join us (NB and Choc) for a cheeky 5K debrief episode.

 Let’s get into it…

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The University Academy founded by The Class Of 92 under world class football manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

UA92 is an absolute credit to its founders - Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.

It was a total privilege to host a live Podcast at University Academy 92 (UA92) as part of their wellbeing festival this week.

Incredible energy from the start, we engaged with students in the studio audience during the live episode which made for a unique episode.

The students were full of enthusiasm, loaded with thought provoking questions, we left the auditorium feeling inspired and fired up.

“UNLOCK YOUR GREATNESS” a philosophy of UA92 inspired by The Class Of 92 and of course Sir Alex Ferguson, this really resonates with us.

Until next time, keep unlocking, doing the reps and going through your fears. 💯

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A fantastic privilege for us to sit down with Andy Reid MBE for Episode 21 of our Sofa Stories Podcast.🎙️

Army veteran, survivor, fundraiser, author and celebrity motivational speaker.
Andy’s story is so inspiring and moving.  

While serving in Helmand Province, Afghanistan with The Royal Yorkshire Regiment  Andy’s life changed forever on Tuesday 13 October 2009, when he was blown up by a Taliban improved explosive device (IED) losing both legs and his right arm.

Andy’s resilience, positive mindset, determination and courage has seen him raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for Armed Forces charities before setting up his own fantastic Standing Tall Foundation which promotes the mental and physical health of all community groups, through the provision of counselling, addiction support and physical activity initiatives.

Andy has climbed Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, done multiple skydives and even cycled from Land End to John O Groats all to raise awareness and inspire others in similar situations that hope can triumph over despair.

Andy is a proud Brand Ambassador for Morson Group after a chance meeting with Ged Mason, OBE, HonDBA in Sir Alex Ferguson’s office after a Man United vs Wigan game through his friend Warren  Joyce. Andy and Ged are now firm friends, and through Andy, Morson leads the way in recruiting ex servicemen for their company.

Andy also works with other brilliant leading companies such as  Princess Cruises 
Menzies Distribution 
Money and Me Solicitors  
TVS Supply Chain Solutions 
Health Med. Wellness + Performance   
inspiring their clients and their workforce. 

It’s a privilege for us to share Andy’s story. 
He truly is Inspirational, motivational and humble.. An incredible man and a fantastic episode. Give it a listen.

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A cheeky 5K debrief with NB and CHOC. 🎙️ 

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An absolute privilege to sit down with Derek Lilley for this weeks Sofa Stories episode. 

Derek and Edwina Lilley were regarded as visionaries in the hospitality industry after founding, operating and selling Est Est Est, Piccolino and the Bar & Grill’s.

Prior to the serious world of hospitality,  Derek has enjoyed one the most colourful of careers you can imagine, spanning many years in the dangerous industry of saturated deep-sea diving around the world (pic attached modelling his 1960’s diving helmet!) living in Singapore, Monaco, Nigeria and being air lifted off a sinking oil rig in the North Sea! 
Derek and his best friend, Alan Maxted, then opened a beach bar in Portugal called the Contented Sole and a water skiing school!

Derek and Edwina then went on to found the Restaurant Magazine  and subsequently the ‘Top 50’ restaurant awards, which was sold to William Reed publishing and is now globally recognised as the benchmark for the best places to dine (and stay) in Europe and beyond. 

Edwina having understood the lack of back office automation in their restaurant businesses began a journey of software development and with Derek's support and a chance meeting with Ben Hood in the Knutsford Wine Bar, the family moved into tech - That company, Fourth is now a billion $ business operated out of Austin, Texas! 

Today, the Family are totally committed to building The Edwina Lilley Charitable Trust  created as a lasting legacy and memory to Edwina. The Trust works in collaboration with charities to support & fundraise for initiatives which make a difference to children's lives globally.

So without further ado, let’s get into it. 

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A very cheeky debrief, slow 5K run or a 10k if you’re fast! 💨 
In this episode NB and Oli catch up and share some stories inspired by Nicks latest TV appearances 😜, a Padel trip to Portugal for Vaughany’s 50th, Oli’s take aways from El Burrito Monster in the last episode and a nice precursor to the next episode featuring Derek Lilley. So without further chit chat, let’s get into it. 

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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If this episode was a burrito 🌯 it would be delicious, juicy, and cram packed with tasty bites.

Oli aka “El Burrito Monster” entered unknown waters during lockdown and almost by accident stumbled upon something which would change the director of his life forever.

Oli shares his story of how content creation and his world of social media has not only provided him with a career in which he’s works with top brands such as Pepsi, Doritos, Harvester, MyProtein and more but he’s connected with the likes of Jamie Oliver and shared by Gordon Ramsay on TikTok.

Oli’s drive and ambition is inspiring and infectious, a great example of someone who is relentlessly following his own inspiration, in his creative flow and making it happen for himself, what you put in, you get out. No one else is going to do it for you. 

Social media for Oli is a positive force, he’s built an army of cheerleaders and fans who he’s accountable to bringing value and entertainment to on a regular basis. His focus on his A-game ensures he’s in the best shape mentally and physically and here he shares a tonne of value on his approach to life and content creation.

I’ll stop writing about it now, let’s bite into it. 

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻

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An absolute privilege to interview Sandy Lindsay MBE in our forthcoming episode on Sofa Stories Podcast 🎙️🛋️ .

Sandy has had a remarkable journey from growing up in one of the toughest council estates in the UK to becoming one of the most successful businesswomen in the communications and digital marketing arena.

Hear how she started Award winnning Social Media and creative agency Tangerine in 2002, and was the first agency in the country to start apprenticeships through the The Juice Academy which has created more than 600 digital marketing jobs for young people to leading firms nationwide including ourselves at AB’s.

She also put her business Tangerine into an employee-owned trust in 2017, which again was one of the first PR firms to do so, following the John Lewis model. Sandy sits proudly now as Chair to Tangerine.

A proud adopted Mancunian, she also sits as Vice Chair of Forever Manchester which is the only charity that raises money to fund and support community activity across Greater Manchester and she donated all the proceeds from the sale of Juice Academy to Forever Manchester.

Sandy was honoured in the Queen’s Honours list in 2015 with an MBE for services to Business and Young people. She also now sits on the Governing Board of Directors The Rugby Football League which she absolutely loves and admits is one of the best things she has ever done.

Entrepreneur, pioneer, philanthropist and most of all a fantastic person!. Thank you for a brilliant interview Sandy 🙌🏻

Follow @the_sofastories_podcast on Instagram. Send us a voice note with any questions and/ or thought provoking and inspiring statements which we can engage with on the show. We encourage our listeners to join the conversation. 🙏🏻