In this episode of The Eat Your Greens Podcast, I talk to the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond.

Philip was the Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2016 to 2019, and, for 22 years, served as the Conservative MP for Runnymede and Weybridge.

In this episode, I ask the former Chancellor if the years of austerity had an impact on the country’s ability to respond to COVID-19, what economic indicators entrepreneurs and business leaders should look out for when making decisions on how best to respond to the pandemic, and, if, and when, he thinks taxes will rise in order to pay down the debt amassed as a result of the virus?

Philip also answers my questions on what needs to be done to make society fairer, if the rich should pay more tax, and, what he thinks the Government will need to do to accelerate the engagement of business, so that it plays its part in delivering a cleaner, greener, carbon-neutral country.

For a full summary of the questions asked and topics discussed, see the show notes below.

Show notes:

02:21 – 05:10 – Philip addresses the question as to what impact austerity has had on the UK's ability to respond to COVID-19?

05:11 – 10:57 – The former Chancellor shares his thoughts on whether the UK economy’s reliance on the service sector is too great, and, whether any rebalancing will be required.

10:58 – 13:39 – Philip answers the question: If you’re a business leader, and you’re trying to make a judgement as to how to adapt to the ‘post COVID-19’ new-normal, what are the key economic indicators you would encourage those business leaders to look out for and what should they be particularly alert to?

13:40 – 15:32 – I ask Philip when he would anticipate unemployment being at its highest as a result of COVID-19.

15: 39 – 16:06 – Philip summarises his thoughts on what the UK economy’s recovery might look like.

16:07 – 17:39 – I ask Philip if he thinks taxes will rise as a result of COVID-19.

17:40 – 21:22 – Philip addresses what changes he thinks will be needed to address the imbalances in society.

21:23 – 26:15 ­– I ask Philip: If we’re going to rebalance society so that those that earn rather than those that own have a higher proportion of wealth shared with them, do you think there’s a need for business to carry a higher level of taxation in order to facilitate that?

26:16 – 33:39 – Philip shares his views on whether those earning the highest salaries should pay more tax.

33:34 – 36:11 – I ask Philip what measures he thinks Government might introduce to accelerate the engagement of business in delivering a carbon-neutral country to encourage businesses, large and small to play their part?

36:12 – 39:09 – I ask Philip: How can the challenges that the country, and the world face, be overcome with so much division around the globe?

Ali Rogers creates inspiring video content that doesn’t just sell brands, it inspires souls.

Using dramatic visuals and compelling stories, she helps the businesses and personal brands that she works with invigorate their communities. She's worked with brands like 3M, Cliff Bar and Redbull and is currently working with endurance athlete Colin O’Brady and podcast royalty Rich Roll.

Ali’s work has this beautiful combination of vulnerability and fluidity that’s inspired by her own Prana (skip to 02:25 mins in to hear Ali talk about that) and a level of raw authenticity that not only makes her work unique, but hugely engaging.

In this episode, Ali and I attempt to define what creativity is, and who is and isn’t creative. Spoiler. We’re all creative – even if we don’t recognise it in ourselves. Ali will explain why.

Ali and I also talk about how the content business and personal brands produce might need to evolve in the coming weeks, months and years, the creative process that she goes through every time she creates a piece of work and who and what is inspiring her at the moment.

If you're a content creator, aspiring content creator, in the marketing business or simply looking to up your storytelling game, this podcast is especially for you.

To connect with Ali, you’ll find her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/pranalens/

Her website is https://www.pranalens.com and you’ll find her favourite piece of work, Superior Surf, which we talk about in the podcast here: https://www.pranalens.com/work) .

Show notes:

03:11 – 03:46 – Ali talks about her work, how it has evolved and how she seeks out inspiring collaborations.

06:47 – 10:35 – Ali and I attempt to define what creativity is and its many different forms.

10:36 – 12:14 – Ali shares her thoughts on how branded content may evolve in a post-COVID-19 world.

12:15 – 15:56 – Ali talks about the creative process she follows when creating a piece of work

15:57 – 17:55 – I ask Ali what is more important in the creative process, the filming, or the editing.

17:56 – 21:15 – Ali talks about how those techniques used by social media documenters and influencers she incorporates into her work.

21:16 – 22:34 – Ali shares who and what are inspiring her at the moment.

22:35 – 26:24 – Ali tells me which piece of work she’s most proud of and why.

26:24 – 28:26 – I ask Ali what she has planned in terms of future projects.

28:26 – 28:47 – Ali shares how you can connect with her.

On the face of it, it might appear as if this podcast is about running. It isn’t. It is far more than that. Ultimately, this podcast is about an appreciation for the wonderment of life and making the most out of every opportunity.

Nick Butter is the only human being on the planet to have run a marathon in every country in the world. That's 196 marathons. It took him just 23 months.

The ‘Running the World 196’ project, the name of the world-wide expedition Nick successfully completed in November 2019, was inspired by Kevin Webber.

Kevin and Nick met in the Sahara Desert whilst competing in the gruelling multi-day ultra-marathon race, the Marathon De Sables. It was whilst in the desert, that Nick learnt that Kevin has incurable prostate cancer and where Kevin gave Nick a piece of advice that changed his life forever. “Don’t wait for a rubbish diagnosis to realise you only have one life. Go and do it now”, Kevin told Nick.

Kevin has completed the Marathon De Sables 4 times since he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. This year he did the entire race in his back garden, raising over 10K for Prostate Cancer UK. Between them, they have raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Prostate Cancer UK and inspired countless others to participate in fundraising events all over the world.

At the end of the podcast I talk to Andy Sallnow, Head of Events at Prostate Cancer UK. He tells me what men need to know about prostate cancer, how Prostate Cancer UK helps men diagnosed with prostate cancer, and how you and I can support their vital work.

2 remarkable people. 1 fantastic charity. This podcast tells the story of Nick Butter’s Running the World 196 expedition, and his, and Kevin Webbers, mission to inspire the world.

To find out more about Prostate Cancer UK visit them here.

To connect with Nick, he’s Nick Butter on Facebook, and @nickbutterrun on Instagram and Twitter.

To connect with Kev, search Kevin Webber on Facebook or read his column in the Sunday Mirror each week.

Find out more about Eat Your Greens here.

Show notes:

01:28 – 02:34 – Meet Kevin.

02:37 – 05:23 – Kevin explains why when he went for a run the day after chemotherapy. He wasn’t conforming to the norm.

05:36 – 08:00 – Kevin explains his ‘making the most of it’ mission. 

09:08 – 10:26 – Kevin shares what he said to Nick in the Sahara Desert.

11:06 – 12:29 – Meet Nick.

13:32 – 16:28 – Nick talks about the extensive planning involved in preparing for the Running the World 196 expedition.

16:28 ­– 18:27 – I ask Nick what is his favourite country in the world?

18:28 – 20:20 – Nick shares some of his experiences, including travelling to some of the world’s poorest countries.

20:21 – 21:32 – Nick talks about living a smaller, stripped back life, having returned from his Running the World 196 expedition.

22:44 – 23:42 – Nick shares his plans for a theatre tour and his next epic adventure.

23:43 – 26:08 – I ask Nick if there is one particular conversation he had, somewhere in the world, that he vividly remembers.

26:09 ­– 32:54 – Nick explains when he was his most scared during the expedition.

32:55 – 34:39 – Nick shares which was his favourite marathon of the 196 he ran.

34:40 – 36:52 – I ask Nick if his appreciation for his achievement has changed and evolved.

36:53 – 37:58 – Nick explains how the Running the World 196 expedition has changed him.

37:59 – 39:27 – Nick shares his message and learnings from the expedition.

39:28 – 42:26 –­ Kevin shares his message, how he’s witnessed Nick change and his plan for the future when it comes to spreading his message and inspiring others to make the most of life.

42:49 – 49:30 – I speak to Andy Sallnow, Head of Events at Prostate Cancer UK, he explains what men need to know about prostate cancer, how Prostate Cancer UK helps men diagnosed with prostate cancer and how you and I can support their vital work.

Kenton Cool was the first person in history to complete the ‘Everest Triple Crown’, reaching the summit of Mount Everest, Nupste and Lhotse in one continuous push from base camp. He’s stood on the roof of the world, Mount Everest, 14 times. This is more than any other Briton and fulfilled ‘The Olympic Games Pledge’ in 2012; a century-old promise, made by Great Britain to Baron Pierre de Coubertin, to place a 1924 Olympic Gold Medal on the Everest summit, was completed four weeks before the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

He is one of the world’s leading alpine and high altitude climbers and has led his clients to the top of some of the world’s most spectacular mountains. In this episode of the Eat Your Greens podcast, Kenton Cool and I discuss:

• How he got into climbing.
• What inspired him to return to the mountains after a potentially life changing accident.
• The realities of climbing Mount Everest and what it feels like to stand on top of the world.

Kenton also talks about the learnings he’s amassed from the years he’s spent in the mountains and that he now shares with CEOs and business leaders all over the world. Kenton explains how he builds strong relationships with his clients, creates ‘we’ not ‘me’ high performing teams and the importance and power of culture, and where all too many business leaders get it wrong.

Find Kenton on Instagram here.

Find out more about Eat Your Greens here.

Show notes:

03:10 – 04:40 - Kenton explains how he got into climbing.

05:00 – 06:54 - Kenton talks about the climbing accident he had at the age of 19, which resulted in him spending a month in hospital, and what inspired him to return to climbing.

06:59 – 08:27 - I ask Kenton about summiting Mount Everest 14 times. He explains that the number isn’t as important to him as you might think. For him, it’s about the joy it brings.

08:28 – 10:51 - I ask Kenton what it’s like to stand on the roof of the world?

10:56 – 14:22 - Kenton explains what the biggest misconceptions are about climbing Mount Everest.

14:44 – 16:39 - Kenton explains the process his clients go through in the lead up to a summit attempt of Mount Everest.

17:04 – 19:07 - Kenton shares what are the most difficult aspects for him, and his clients, with respect to climbing Mount Everest.

19:28 – 24:58 - Kenton explains what some of the most common reasons are for someone not reaching the summit of Mount Everest.

25:18 – 28:24 - What is the over-arching feeling Kenton’s clients have when they return to basecamp having summited? Kenton shares his thoughts.

29:18 – 31:41 - Kenton explains what lessons he’s learned from ‘basecamp isolation’ and how he applies them to the current lockdown situation.

32:03 – 35:24 - Kenton talks about the advice he gives CEOs and business leaders with regards to the learnings from the mountains that are transferable to business.

36:23 – 39:56 - Kenton explains that, generally, we’re very good at over complicating things and that often, when dealing with a crisis, the answer is simpler than we think.

40:28 – 47:43 - When it comes to building strong, high-performing, teams, Kenton argues that it’s all about creating the right culture.

47:38 – 50:53 - Kenton shares a story from an expedition he went on when he was 19, and the learnings he took from that.

51:26 – 54:43 - I ask Kenton if he could invite three people (dead or alive) to join him on a summit attempt of Mount Everest, who would he choose.

54:53 – 55:54 - Kenton explains which mountain he thinks is the best to climb in the UK.

55:55 – 56:59 - I ask Kenton what accomplishment he’s most proud of.

57:00 – 58:16 - I ask Kenton if he has anything left on his bucket list.

58:32 – end - Kenton tells me that he has launched his own podcast, Cool Conversations. Kenton also shares his contact info, and where best to connect with him.

Jess Robson is the Founder of Run Talk Run, a mental health support group and running club that she set up after struggling with her own mental health.

In this episode, Jess shares her story, and how after discovering that running was the perfect catalyst to spark conversation, she decided to set up Run Talk Run.

Not only does Jess share her own story, and how she has grown the Run Talk Run movement, she also shares practical advice on how to start a social good movement, from the do’s and don’ts to identifying your core values and how to set measurable goals to chart your success.

To find out more about Run Talk Run, how to become a group leader, or participate, you’ll find the website here and the group's Instagram here. You can find Jess on Instagram here.

For more information on the host, Dave Coull, he’s @dave.coull or visit eatyourgreensgroup.com

Executive Producer @davealsybury

Show notes:

03:07 – 04:34 - Jess explains how she experienced seeing a therapist compared to running.

04:34 – 07:23 - I ask Jess how she practically went about setting up Run Talk Run. Jess explains and shares some of her learnings from setting up the movement.

08:24 – 11:09 - Jess tells me how Run Talk Run pulled her out of a dark place and why the movement has helped her as much as it has helped its members.

12:01 – 14:11 - Jess and I discuss when is the right time to start your own movement.

14:34 – 16:20 - Jess explains that the early days of Run Talk Run weren’t easy, but she persevered because she saw the benefit it was having on her and those people who turned up.

16:56 – 18:48 - Jess explains that identifying your values, “what is it that drives you?”, will both help you in identifying the core of your movement, but also what targets and goals you should set to measure its success.

19:07 – 20:47 - When starting out, and setting up your own movement, knowing who you are helping, what you are helping and how you are helping is essential says Jess, she also recommends creating a simple, easy to understand, mission statement.

21:17 – 23:15 - Setting small, daily goals that add up to achieving a big goal is something Jess does every day and has done since she set up Run Talk Run.

23:28 – 24:31 - EXCLUSIVE! Jess says that Run Talk Run is planning its first Ultra running event.

24:54 – 28:10 - Jess shares her ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ when it comes to setting up a social good movement.

28:12 – 29:33 - I ask Jess what questions you should ask a friend, family member or loved one if you’re worried about their mental health. Jess shares her thoughts.

29:45 – 30:21 - Jess shares her vision for Run Talk Run moving forward.

It is hard to think of an industry that hasn’t been impacted by COVID-19 - none more so than the events industry.

Hailey Mason is MD and Co-Founder of The Shift, an events company based in Sydney. She’s also the former Australian Amateur Super Bantam Weight Boxing Champion. In this episode, Hailey shares the learnings from boxing that can be transferred to business, the importance of living a life with purpose, both personally and professionally, business culture generally and how the events industry might look in a post-COVID-19 world. 

If you’re anything like me, Hailey’s can do, anything is possible, attitude, is going to inspire you.

For more information on the host, Dave Coull, he’s @dave.coull or visit eatyourgreensgroup.com

Executive Producer @davealsybury

02:04 – 05:40 - Hailey explains how she got into amateur boxing, and, ultimately ended up competing to be Australian Amateur Super Bantam Weight Boxing Champion.

05:49 – 06:25 - Hailey says she has always found it fascinating how an athlete’s brain works and that it inspired her to fully commit to training.   

06:27 – 09:17 - I ask Hailey what it is that a professional athlete possesses in order to achieve what others can’t. Hailey explains.

09:17 – 10:34 - Hailey describes what it was like the first time she got hit in the face.   

10:50 – 11:28 - Boxing is misunderstood, it’s actually a very calm sport, Hailey claims. 

11:29 – 15:53 - Hailey shares what happened on the day of the boxing championships.

16:24 – 20:30 - I ask Hailey about The Shift – the events company she founded. We also discuss the brands that she and her colleagues work with.

20:57 – 22:02 - Hailey explains that sometimes companies don’t align because they have a different purpose, or different set of values. If that’s the case, the best thing to do, is not work together.

22:11 – 27:13 - Hailey shares how The Shift is evolving, the work the team is doing on developing its core values, business culture and the training they have planned. We discuss how business leaders are responding to COVID-19 and reflect on the impact the events industry has on the communities and local economies it operates within.

27:14 – 31:16 - Hailey says she believes the events industry is the backbone of the community and explains why. We discuss how some charities are thinking innovatively about hosting their events later in the year.

31:39 – 35:30 - Hailey shares what she thinks the events industry will look like in 12-months’ time and how the event industry might and should evolve. 

35:32 – 36:41 - I ask Hailey if any of the digital events that have arisen as a result of COVID-19 might transfer into ‘traditional’ events when social distancing rules are relaxed. Hailey explains what she thinks. 

36:42 – 38:16 - Hailey says, “people love connection”, and that it will be those events with a purpose that aligns with those attending the events that will prosper the most in the future.

38:44 – 40:42 - Hailey and I discuss our shared love of the brand Patagonia and its purpose, and how events (and indeed all brands) could learn a lot from them.  

40:54 – 43:03 - Hailey explains what we can all do to help support the events industry.

Can anything you read, watch or listen to, be trusted? And, if it can, how can you sort the truth from, everything else?

In this episode of The Eat Your Greens Podcast, I speak to Tristan Hunkin, qualified journalist and former Group Head of News at UKRD Group, a commercial radio group based in the UK and, for which, Tristan was responsible for leading the company’s news teams throughout the country. 

Tristan and I discuss:

• How the reporting and consumption of news has changed in the last decade, and, why.
• Will news organisations and journalists continue to embrace and reflect the nation as it unites in its fight against COVID-19, and then, build bridges, not walls in society, when the pandemic is over.
• The tips and tricks to deploy if you’re concerned about whether what you’re reading, watching or listening to, is fact, or fiction.

For more information on the host, Dave Coull, he’s @dave.coull or visit eatyourgreensgroup.com

Executive Producer @davealsybury

Show notes:

02:18 – 08:56 - Tristan and I talk about why the consumption of news has changed in the last decade, the monetisation of the ‘long tail’ and how that’s changed the way news is reported.

09:01 – 09:43 - Tristan explains some of the techniques that content creators and news organisations deploy to build audiences. 

10:26 – 13:09 - I ask Tristan, has the ’24-hour news cycle’ impacted on how news is reported and consumed?

15:10 – 16:36 - Do events, such as Brexit impact how news is reported? Tristan says “not as much as you might first think,” and explains why.

16:53 – 19:29 - Tristan and I ask if the press will rise to the challenge and continue to embrace the uniting of the nation in its fight against COVID-19, or, revert to type when things return to normal?

20:01 – 22:59 - Tristan says there is possibly a difference between what we trust, and what we should trust.

24:23 – 26:25 - Tristan says that if you find yourself agreeing with everything your news organisation of choice shares, that might be a warning light, and, therefore, why it’s good that news organisations challenge our thinking.

27:16 – 32:27 - The tips and tricks to do deploy if you’re concerned about whether what you’re reading, watching or listening to, is fact, or, fiction.

32:50 – 36:28 - Tristan shares his view on the future of news reporting, news organisations and why should we care.

The free document containing tips and tricks to help you identify fake news can be downloaded here.

Develop that idea,

Learn that language,

Record that podcast,

Start that blog,

Write that book…

Has there ever been a better time to do that?

Notwithstanding the pain and suffering it has and will continue to cause, Covid-19 is starting to facilitate the creation of new opportunities and ideas for us all.

By our own design – or not – many of us currently have more time on our hands than usual. So, maybe it’s time to develop that idea, start that side hustle, or as my guest Max Willcocks did, follow your true passion when the opportunity is forced upon you.

Today, Max is a successful athlete, consultant and content creator. He’s worked with brands like Adidas, Fitbit, JayBird, Lulu Lemon, Redbull, Strava and the North Face, to mention just a few.

In this episode of The Eat You Greens Podcast, Max and I discuss how he got started, the chance encounter that resulted in him breaking a world-record, practical advice on nurturing relationships with clients, getting and retaining business, and the power of creativity.

Sports fan or not, this is an episode for anybody who wants a snapshot of what it is like to start again and build a business and lifestyle that’s authentically them.

Max's website:

https://www.maxwillcocks.com/

Follow Max on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/maxwilko/

For more information on the host, Dave Coull, he’s @dave.coull or visit https://eatyourgreensgroup.com/

Executive Producer @davealsybury 

Show notes:

03:18 – 04:34 - Max on how he first got started, initially in modelling and then writing for running magazines

04:51 – 09:15 - Max explains when he first realised that he could create a business out of creating content for running brands

09:23 – 13:28 - How Max moved into shooting media as a career and the power of having an authentic conversation with brands

14:18 – 19:18 - Max talks about working with LuLuLemon and breaking a world record in their King’s Road shop window!

19:52 – 23:03 - Max on the brands that are producing great content at the moment

23:54 – 26:15 - Max explains how he’s always pivoting to work with brands and remain relevant

26:28 – 29:15 - Creativity first, Max says he always approaches a brand with a creative idea and gives practical examples of doing this 

29:36 – 30:18 - Max on his original aim when he first started

30:20 – 31:38 - Max says the consumption of media has changed and explains how the best brands are embracing that change

31:39 – 38:50 - I ask Max about the free photography and videography beginners guides he’s produced. Max explains why he created them, where you can download them and why whatever you shoot, the story only has to resonate with you.

Everybody knows that a healthy, nutritional diet is important, right? But, what, exactly, does a healthy, nutritional diet actually include? And, is it OK to have a cheat meal, or, even, a cheat day?

Becky Graham is a registered Nutritionist and owner of the Healthy Hedonist as well as Nutrition and Communications Manager for Get More Vitamins.

In this episode, we talk all things food. From the foods that are good for your mental health, and the bedtime snacks that can help you get a good night’s sleep, to the importance of good gut-health and the vitamin supplements we should be complementing our diets with, particularly whilst we’re in self-isolation, as well as when things return to normal. In this episode of the Eat Your Greens podcast, we’ve got that, and so much more, covered.

To find out more about Becky, head to: http://www.healthyhedonist.co.uk/

For more information on the host, Dave Coull, he’s @dave.coull on Instagram or visit https://eatyourgreensgroup.com/

Executive Producer @dave.alsybury

Show notes:

01:50 – 02:51 - Becky explains why a healthy, nutritional diet is important.

04:13 – 05:23 - Becky says 80% of your diet should be based on whole foods.

05:56 – 06:55 - Fad diets have a place, but, they aren’t for the long-term, explains Becky.

07:14 – 08:15 - I ask Becky if there is one specific diet that is better than the others.

08:26 – 08:55 - How do you know if you’ve got your diet right? Becky explains.

09:03 – 10:50 - Becky expands on the impact a poor diet can have on your mental and physical health and well-being. 

11:39 – 13:44 - What foods can you eat that could help to reduce anxiety? Becky explains.

14:46 – 17:20 - Becky suggests ways to reduce the amount of processed sugar in your diet.

17:39 – 18:22 - Becky’s tips for eating healthily in self-isolation.

18:43 – 21:50 - Becky says complementing our diet with the right supplements can be good for you.

22:01 – 22:53 - Lifestyle and exercise. Becky suggests that both can have a massive impact on your mental health.

23:07 – 24:48 - Becky says, if you can, try to maximise the amount of sleep you get and then recommends which foods might help you sleep better.

25:01 – 25:36 - Becky explains that alcohol is OK in moderation.

25:57 – 31:32 - Becky talks about the importance of good gut health and re-caps on the areas she believes you should focus on, in order to live a healthier life.

31:32 – 31:47 - I ask Becky where you can find out more information about her and her company, the Healthy Hedonist.

We’re living through an unprecedented period of time – the Coronavirus, Covid-19, has completely up-ended the way we live our lives. From worrying about friends, family and loved ones, to growing concerns for our businesses, our staff or our jobs, our concerns are real, and for the time being at least, we’re going to struggle to find the answers to all the questions we have.

Simon Walker is a Mindset Coach and Founder of Firecracker Coaching. His mission is simple. He wants to help you and I take our thinking to the next level. In this episode of the Eat Your Greens podcast, Simon shares the practical things you and I can do if we’re feeling stressed and anxious.

Our article on meditation:

https://eatyourgreensgroup.com/why-now-might-be-the-ideal-time-to-start-meditating/

Link to Simon’s relaxation session on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ignitemysuccess

For more information on the host, Dave Coull, he’s @dave.coull on Instagram or visit https://eatyourgreensgroup.com/

Executive Producer @davealsybury