Podcast Description:

In this episode, Gordon sits down with Brian Drisdell, mindset coach and owner of Kapal Mara (Gaelic for "seahorse"), to unpack what it really takes to survive—and thrive—as a business owner. Brian shares how his background coaching elite swimmers shaped his approach to mental toughness, and why entrepreneurs must train their minds the same way they train their bodies: start small, build reps, and prepare for pressure. They dive into the shift from "owner-operator" to true CEO, why most business owners hit a capacity ceiling, and how Brian uses a flexible 16-step framework to help clients build clarity, resilience, and leadership. Plus: the 3 Fs—Faith, Family, Fitness—and why health is non-negotiable for high-performance entrepreneurship.

Chapters / timestamps

• 0:00 Intro + meet Brian Drisdell (Kapal Mara)

• 2:50 What "Kapal Mara" means (Gaelic for seahorse) + the legacy behind it

• 4:05 Brian's journey: elite swim coaching + 19 years as a business owner

• 5:14 The COVID reflection: "Why am I doing what I'm doing?"

• 6:28 Why mindset is the real survival skill in entrepreneurship

• 7:53 The bottleneck problem: doing more vs. becoming the strategist/CEO

• 9:42 Training the mind like the body (start with "2 lbs" before "50 lbs")

• 11:04 The 16-step framework: outline, not a script

• 13:09 Starting a business for the wrong reasons + the "honeymoon period" ending

• 15:16 Skilled technicians (dentists, doctors, trades) who never learned business leadership

• 16:11 "Change your behavior" or nothing changes

• 16:44 Health & fitness as a business advantage

• 17:14 The "3 Fs": Faith, Family, Fitness (no set order)

• 20:32 Faith as the foundation when everything feels like it's crumbling

• 22:36 What "family" really means (blood vs. your real circle)

• 26:10 How Brian's coaching works: weekly cadence + real-time support

• 27:40 Crisis moments + vulnerability: removing the noise so you can think clearly

Most memorable quotes (great for clips)

• "Mere mortals would not survive… entrepreneurship is mentally taxing."

• "The only way to grow is to evolve out of the operator mindset."

• "In order to be more successful, you think you need to do more—until you hit capacity."

• "Train your brain like the gym: start with the two pounds, then build up."

• "You shouldn't expect to handle the biggest trauma if you've never trained for adversity."

• "There's an outline, but there's not a script."

• "You should enjoy showing up to your business."

• "All of my clients are my boss. I have hundreds of bosses now."

• "If you're not sleeping, eating right, and exercising… you won't handle business stress."

• "Family is the people you'd drop everything for."

BIO: Brian Drysdale helps burned-out and frustrated franchise owners reignite the passion that led them to business ownership in the first place. Many franchisees invest heavily for freedom and autonomy, only to find themselves trapped in the day-to-day grind of running their business. Brian works with owners who know it's essential to work ON their business—not just IN it, but struggle to step out of constant operations. His coaching focuses on big-picture strategy, leadership, and mindset, helping owners address root causes instead of chasing quick fixes. Through his 16-week coaching program, Brian helps franchise owners simplify decision-making, build high-performing teams, and create a business that reflects who they are. His mission is simple: help owners enjoy their business again while building sustainable, long-term success. WHAT NOW? Book your initial call and let's see if you're ready for me to help you reignite your passion! BOOK CALL: https://calendly.com/brian-capall-mara/15min WEBSITE LINK: https://www.capall-mara.com