Koroush Valiseh is the manager of the Everyone Active gym in Ladbroke Grove, London, and leader of the Westway Barbell club.

In this episode, Coach Koroush reveals the ugly truth of Olympic weightlifting and shares some insights on peak performance. He then walks us through how his early experiences in Iran have shaped the culture he is building in his gym. We hear why he sees the smile as the code of humanity, and we touch on mentoring, parenting and religion.

Koroush then has a go at our Last Question…

TIMESTAMPS:

03:50 - Intros

06:20 - Westway Barbell Club

13:26 - Doping in Olympic weightlifting

22:32 - Managing people

33:39 - Upbringing and outlook on life

41:11 - Western vs Middle Eastern culture

45:57 - Advice for someone struggling with their environment

48:36 - Mentoring and parenting

01:00:26 - Iran

01:04:16 - Religion

01:07:57 - Iranians recognising Iranians

01:12:39 - Koroush tells of my bad mobility

01:14:17 - THE LAST QUESTION

01:29:14 - We perceive our own heaven and hell

My old colleague and friend Joanne Metcalf takes the reins of Season 2 and welcomes us into the world of pharma.

Joanne started out as a Medical Sales Representative in the 80s, before going agency side later in life. We discuss her experiences and stories over the years, and hear some helpful advice for those starting out in their careers.

Joanne then has a go at our last question...

In the opening episode of Season 2, I talk with my friend Fergus Downey, owner of Alveston Fine Arts and Vanbrugh West Antiques. Back in the day when I lived in London I would regularly pop into his gallery, and we finally hit record on one of our conversations.

Fergus brings us back to a life buying and selling antiques on Portobello Road in the 90s, and we hear some of the artists and famous faces that walk through the door of his art gallery today. He gives his verdict on my first piece of art, and shares some advice for anyone looking to get started in the art world.

Fergus then tries our Last Question, but takes matters into his own hands...

In the fifth and final episode of Season 1, I talk with my ol' pal Livvy McDonnell.

Livvy runs us through Mojo & Liv, the movie set coffee truck business she founded in 2022. After we hear some of the famous faces she's met along the way, we learn about the day to day of running a business in your 20s, and how we all have a role to play in empowering women in business.

Livvy then has a go at our final question...

In Episode four, I talk with my two friends, Jack Segal and Rishi Kalra.

Jack and Rish talk us through life as a musician, from creating music in their bedroom to playing at Glastonbury. After we stroke our beards on fame vs. authenticity, Jack showcases how he created the beat for The Everyday Interludes podcast, and gives some tips on how you can make your own music at home.

Jack and Rish then have a go at our Last Question…

In Episode three, I talk with my landlord, Howard Porter, and his son, Dex.

Fresh off the plane from Australia, Howard takes us back to Portobello Road in the 1990s. He shares his fond memories of Notting Hill Carnival, and we hear his horror stories as a landlord. Dex introduces us to the miniature tabletop game of Warhammer and tells me why he thinks I would make the perfect Space Wolf.

Howard then has a go at our Last Question...

In Episode two, I talk with my old friend Gabriel Bird.

Gabriel gives us a look into life as a powerlifter, and offers a helping hand on overcoming gym anxiety. He shares how you can cut through the noise of social media fitness influencers, and we discuss the feasibility of a 'Doping Olympics'.

In this opening episode of the Everyday Interludes Podcast, I talk with my good friend Tomaso Cetto.

We learn how growing up in four countries has shaped his outlook on life, how we can move towards a vegan society, and why hip hop has overcome its struggles to now lead with love. All with a few Ancient Greece tangents sprinkled in.

Tomaso then has a go at our Last Question...