For the first time on the Freedom Kickstarter Podcast, we dive into a reaction episode, and we’re going big.

We're unpacking the explosive Diary of a CEO debate between entrepreneur Daniel Priestley and former trader Gary Stevenson.

But this isn’t a surface-level opinion piece. With me today is someone who’s spent over a decade managing hundreds of millions in assets and operating at the heart of the financial world, my partner, Victoria.

She brings insider clarity to the economic claims, emotional rhetoric, and financial myths presented in the original debate.

From generational wealth and home ownership to taxation, policy, and the ethics of wealth redistribution, we take apart the loudest claims and dig into what’s actually true and what’s dangerously misleading.

Key Topics Covered

- Why the housing “traffic jam” is real, and what’s missing from Gary’s take

- Misconceptions around equity, credit, and homeownership

- The truth about wealth taxes, the millionaire exodus, and UK fiscal policy

- How emotional storytelling replaces economic substance — and why that’s a problem

- Victoria's take on why financial literacy is the real key to change

- The myth of “no opportunity” for younger generations

- Why preaching defeatism is more harmful than helpful

- Gary's monetisation strategy vs. his messaging, is it all a grift?

This isn’t just a takedown. It’s a passionate call for critical thinking, open debate, and real financial education.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by economic doom narratives, this episode might just give you the tools

and perspective to fight back with logic, not just feelings.

Connect With Victoria

📸 Instagram: @everywherevictoriagoes

Resources Mentioned

Diary of a CEO: Daniel Priestly vs. Gary Stevenson Episode

Spread the Word

If this episode challenged your thinking, made you laugh, or even made you mad, share it.

💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments

🔗 Share it with a Gary fan or a critic

In this episode, I’m joined by martial arts school owner turned business coach Sam Trickett.

We dive into what it really looks like to build a business that supports your life, not consumes it especially when you’ve got

a young family and zero interest in working 60+ hour weeks.

From his early side hustles and failed flyer runs to creating a thriving local business and a growing coaching offer, Sam breaks

down the key mindset and marketing shifts that made the difference.

Expect real talk on growth, fatherhood, fitness, boundaries, and building a life you don’t need to escape from.

In This Episode, We discuss:

How Sam used becoming a dad at 20 as fuel—not fear—for business growth

Why downscaling his business actually gave him more freedom and income

The truth about flyers, leaflets, and why most local marketing fails

Sam’s value-first outreach strategy using Loom videos and personal audits

How to build an in-person community that people never want to leave

The shift from martial arts instructor to business mentor (and how he’s landing clients organically)

The real reason Sam’s not chasing a 7-figure empire—and what he’s focusing on instead

Memorable Quotes

“You don’t need more leads, you just need to start conversations with the ones already watching you.”

“I told myself, if I’m earning enough to cover my priorities and I’ve got time for my family, then I’m good.”

“Just because you could do something, doesn’t mean you should.”

“Every interaction leaves an impression. If people leave your business, leave the door open and the relationship strong.”

Connect with Sam Trickett

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_samtrickett/

Final Five

1. If you could gift one book to your past self?

The One Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib

2. What’s your go-to coffee order?

Espresso with hot water and half a teaspoon of brown sugar

3. Three dream dinner guests (dead or alive)?

Muhammad Ali, Eminem, Bob Marley

4. One platform you’d delete if you could?

Twitter/X

5. One piece of advice for someone trying to grow a family-first business like yours?

Prioritise your time, protect your energy, invest in your health, and build skills that compound.

Enjoyed this episode?

If you found this conversation valuable, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. It helps us bring more incredible guests like Sam

and share actionable insights with you!

📩 Got questions? Drop them in the comments or message us on social media.

See you in the next episode! 🎧

In this episode, we get into the numbers, and not in a boring way.

Chartered accountant and business strategist Laura Powner joins Mike to unpack how entrepreneurs can use financial data as a launchpad for sustainable growth and eventual exit.

If you've ever felt like you're winging it with your pricing, don't know what your data's really saying, or are overwhelmed by the idea of building a business that could actually be sold… this one's for you.

Laura blends finance, strategy, and systems thinking to help six-figure founders grow and scale businesses that don’t just generate revenue, they build wealth.

What We Cover:

Why most founders are chasing leads when they should be mining assets they already have

The real reason people avoid looking at their numbers (and what to do about it)

Common gaps that kill profitability—and how to plug them

How to build a business that someone else actually wants to buy

What your accountant should be doing for you (but probably isn’t)

Why launching a course as your first product is often a huge mistake

How to think about pricing from an ROI perspective (not insecurity or guessing)

What due diligence in a sale really looks like (spoiler: it’s intense)

The mindset shift that helps you act like a business owner, not just a service provider

💥 Laura’s Top Quotes:

“Most people attach their self-worth to their numbers, which makes them scared to look.”

“Everyone has a vision, but no one can tell me where they’re actually at today.”

“You need to build a business that someone else can run the day after you sell it.”

“People give up too soon, they post once, get no clients, and think it didn’t work.”

Connect with Laura:

Discover the hidden leaks draining your revenue with Laura Powner's free Profit Leaks Detector quiz.

Laurapowner.com – access all her businesses here

The Final Five

1. If you could gift one business/marketing/mindset book to someone, what would it be and why?

📚 Traction by Gino Wickman – Even if you’re a one-person business, read it. It’ll show you how to run like a real company.

2. We’re going for a coffee and I’m buying. What’s your order?

☕ Ginger tea (no caffeine allowed!).

3. You’re hosting a dinner party for 3 people (living or dead). Who’s coming and why?

Louise Hay – for shaping her mindset during a pivotal career moment

Jason Manford – to keep the laughs coming

Gino D’Acampo – someone’s gotta cook!

4. You can delete one social platform forever. Which one?

🗑️ TikTok – no hesitation.

5. What’s your best piece of advice for someone starting out who wants to be where you are?

"Do the hard yards. Get involved. Talk to people. Ask what their problems are. You can’t build something meaningful if you skip the messy middle."

🎧 Like this episode?

Tag us on socials, leave a review, and don’t forget to hit follow/subscribe for more no-fluff business convos. Got questions or guest requests?

Drop them in the comments or DM Mike directly.

In this episode of the Freedom Kickstarter Podcast, we sit down with Emerald Fisk; Emerald is a property investor, speaker, and financial services professional.

Over the past 7–8 years, she’s built a portfolio of properties using creative financing strategies, while also helping other

Investors secure funding for their deals.

She's trained as a speaker, mentors new investors, and is currently completing her financial advisor qualifications.

From personal training to public speaking, Emerald’s career path has been anything but linearand in this episode, she shares the lessons she’s learned from spinning multiple plates (and smashing through ceilings along the way).

In This Episode, we discuss:

How Emerald transitioned from personal trainer to full-time property investor

The mindset shift from financial freedom to freedom of choice

Why she believes her chaotic first year was essential and why she wouldn’t recommend it to anyone

The structure of her go-to property strategy: Buy > Refurb > Refinance

How she bought a £250k property with just £50k upfront using deferred payment terms

The power of unpaid mentors, high-quality conversations, and just being in the room

How she became a confident speaker by leaning into discomfort (and practice)

Tips for managing multiple businesses — and still staying sane

What most people get wrong about delegation, taxes, and growing wealth

Quote to Remember:

“Most people don’t want to be financially free and sit on a beach. They want the choice to do what they want each day.”

Resources & Mentions:

Book: Living With a SEAL by Jesse Itzler

Book: Taxtopia – the driest but most fascinating tax book she’s ever read

Property Strategy: Buy, refurbish, refinance (B.R.R.)

Speaking Tip: Practice every day — and rehearse in your car if you have to

Life Principle: Delegate early, and accept that people might actually be better than you

Final Five

Book recommendation? Living With a SEAL – hilarious and inspiring

Coffee order? Oat latte

Dinner party guests? Elon Musk, David Goggins, Jade Holland Cooper

Delete a social platform? Twitter (sorry Elon)

One piece of advice? Meet more people. Give more than you take. Enjoy it along the way.

Enjoyed this episode?

If you found this conversation valuable, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. It helps us bring more incredible guests like Emerald and share actionable insights with you!

📩 Got questions? Drop them in the comments or message Mike on social media.

See you in the next episode!

From humble beginnings running a uni kickboxing club to building a business that helps fighters land head kicks around the world, Luke Thomas (aka The Head Kick Specialist) shares his story.

We get into scrappy gym launches, COVID curveballs, the dark side of business partnerships, what it really takes to build a micro-niche empire, and how mastering your mindset around money can transform everything.
Whether you're in fitness, coaching, or just building something online this is the kind of honest, no-filter episode that brings the realness.
What We Talk About:

Why most fighters can’t kick above the waist (and how Luke fixes it)
How running a university club turned into a gym and later a full online business
The gym dream: £15k loans, dodgy leases, break-ins… and breakthrough moments
Pivoting online when COVID shut everything down
Creating his first product by accident and donating the profits to charity
Why micro-niches print money (if you listen to your market)
The first £1,000 client and what really shifted to get that sale
Luke’s money mindset journey: from scarcity to premium pricing
The danger of partnerships and how a close friendship ended in legal fallout
Creating perceived authority (even when you’re early)
Why flexibility isn’t just about stretching—it’s science
Being lazy, impatient, and still building something great
How to actually kick someone in the head
Final Five:
1. One book you'd gift to every entrepreneur?
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel "A game-changer for understanding how money actually works, not just how to make it."
2. Go-to coffee order (and are you treating)?
"If you're buying, I'm getting a pastry too and probably offering to grab one for the guy behind us. Generosity all the way."
3. Dinner party guests – any 3, living or dead?
Muhammad Ali
One of the Stoic philosophers
Joe Rogan – "Need someone to lift the mood and pass the vape."
4. If you could delete one social media platform forever?
"Facebook. Get it gone. Apart from the Dull Men’s Club and the spoons challenges it’s a mess."
5. One piece of advice for anyone who wants to build a business like yours?
“Take risks. Train yourself to stop caring what people think. Martial arts changed my life not just physically, but mentally. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Learn to fight. It’ll teach you everything about business too.”
🔥 Luke’s Big Takeaways:
“Perception in the market matters more than people want to admit. I don’t just teach flexibility I kick better than anyone else. That’s why people pay attention.”
“You can have all the knowledge in the world, but if you’ve got a poor money mindset, you’ll always sabotage yourself.”
“Environment is everything. Want to be better? Get around better people.”
Mentioned in the Episode:
The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
The Advertising Solution
Mindset – Carol Dweck
Atomic Habits – James Clear
Dan Kennedy’s teachings
Dan Meredith (mentor)
Connect with Luke:
🔗 Instagram
Like the episode? Leave a comment, hit subscribe, and tell someone who needs to hear it

In this episode of the Freedom Kickstarter Podcast, I sit down with Keith Commins, a seasoned sales funnel designer with a deep understanding of direct response marketing and conversion-focused web design.

Keith shares his journey from working in corporate IT to becoming a self-taught expert in sales funnels and digital marketing.
We dive into his early experiences hacking games and computers, his transition into entrepreneurship, and how he discovered direct response marketing out of necessity.

Keith also talks about his experience working with top marketers like Ben Settle and John McCulloch, and how he positioned himself as the go-to web designer for copywriters and direct response professionals.
Beyond business, we discuss Keith’s views on personal sovereignty, digital nomadism, and his strong libertarian ethos.

He shares insights on the importance of choosing who you work with, avoiding bureaucracy, and how his desire for independence has shaped both his business and lifestyle.
If you want to learn how to build sales funnels that convert, take control of your business, and live on your own terms, this episode is for you.
What We Talk About in This Episode:
✅ How Keith transitioned from corporate IT to becoming a sales funnel expert
✅ The biggest mistakes he made when starting his business and how he turned things around
✅ Why direct response marketing is the key to business success (and how he mastered it)
✅ The power of positioning how Keith became the top choice for high-level marketers
✅ His take on personal sovereignty, libertarianism, and digital nomadism
✅ The best and worst places for digital nomads to live and work
✅ Why Spain and Mexico are his top choices for long-term living
Resources & Mentions:
📖 Book Recommendation: Grow Your Business Fast by John McCulloch
Keith’s Instagram
Final Five Questions:
1️⃣ If you could gift one business, marketing, or mindset book to someone, what would it be? → Grow Your Business Fast by John McCulloch
2️⃣ What’s your go-to coffee order? → Flat White
3️⃣ If you could delete one social media platform, which one would it be? → TikTok (“TikTok brain is real.”)
4️⃣ Three people (living or dead) you’d invite to a dinner party? → JFK, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mick Jagger
5️⃣ Best advice for someone who wants to do what you do? → Learn direct response marketing first, master copywriting and sales psychology, then develop the tech skills to execute high-converting funnels.
Enjoyed This Episode?
If you found value in today’s conversation, subscribe to the podcast and leave a review! Got a question for Keith or me?
Drop it in the comments or connect with Keith at the links above.
🎙️ Like, share, and subscribe for more real conversations on business, marketing, and freedom.

In this episode of the Freedom Kickstarter Podcast, we sit down with Paul Standell, an experienced personal trainer turned online fitness coach and educator.

Paul shares his journey from working on gym floors to coaching PTs on how to build sustainable fitness
businesses.
With over 15 years in the industry, he dives into the misconceptions of online coaching, the importance of developing real skills, and why personal trainers need more than just a certification to thrive.
Expect candid insights, industry rants, and practical advice for fitness professionals looking to scale their business and impact.
What We Cover in This Episode:
Paul’s Background & Elevator Pitch – How he transitioned from drama school to fitness coaching.

Early Days in PT – The reality of building a client base and why personal training qualifications fall short.

How to Stand Out as a PT – The importance of building trust, marketing yourself, and approaching clients with confidence.

The Transition to Online Coaching – The myths, struggles, and realities of shifting from in-person PT to online coaching.

Content Creation & Business Growth – How Paul found his voice through engaging ‘fitness rant’ videos and why storytelling matters in marketing.

Biomechanics & PT Education – Why Paul got deep into biomechanics and how it transformed his coaching.

Common Mistakes PTs Make – The dangers of blindly following fitness trends and business mentors.

Marketing & Content Strategy – How Paul balances different business offers and effectively markets his services.

The Power of Mentorship – Why hiring mentors and learning from experts can accelerate your success.
Final Five – Quickfire Questions:

Book Recommendation: Alchemy by Rory Sutherland – Great marketing insights, even if it’s tricky to apply directly to fitness.

Go-To Coffee Order: White Americano (or a cold brew if the mood is right).

Social Media Platform to Eliminate: TikTok – No personal use, so wouldn’t miss it.

Three Dream Dinner Guests: Julius Caesar, Historian Will Durant, and Stephen Fry.

Best Advice for Aspiring Coaches: Get a mentor sooner rather than later and learn from people who are where you want to be.
Resources & Links:
📌 Follow Paul on Instagram: @PaulStandell
📌 Check Out The PT Project
Connect with Us:
📩 Join the Newsletter
📱 Follow Mike on Socials: Coffee Shopy Copywriter
----------------------------------------------------------------
Enjoyed this episode?
If you found this conversation valuable, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. It helps us bring more incredible guests like Paul and share actionable insights with you!
See you in the next episode! 🎧

In this episode of the Freedom Kickstarter Podcast, we’re joined by Dom Hodgson, also known as the Pet Biz Whiz.
Dom is a pet business coach and consultant who helps pet service providers make more money, free up their time, and create a bigger impact in their canine communities.
Dom shares how he transitioned from a career in sales to building a successful dog adventure business and later, a coaching empire in the pet industry.
We discuss the power of niching down, premium positioning, content marketing, and taking strategic risks to create a standout business.
Plus, Dom opens up about his recent expansion into the US market, why print media still works, and the secret sauce behind his success in the pet care industry.
If you're looking to position yourself as the go-to expert in your field, charge premium prices, and scale with confidence, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Dom built and scaled his dog adventure business into a coaching empire
✅ Why niching down and premium positioning is the key to long-term success
✅ The strategy that took him from a local UK coach to an in-demand speaker in the US
✅ How to create authority in your industry with books, print newsletters, and long-form content
✅ The biggest sales and marketing differences between UK and US businesses
✅ Why business is an adventure, and how to embrace the fear of standing out
Connect with Dom Hodgson
📖 Website
📩 Socials: @PetBizMarketing on most platforms
Resources & Mentions:
📚 Books Mentioned:
- Selling the Invisible – Harry Beckwith
- 10X Is Easier Than 2X – Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
- Any Dan Kennedy Book (Dom’s words!)
Final Five Questions:
1️⃣ Book Recommendation: 10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan
2️⃣ Coffee Order: Americano (or Mocha with whipped cream if he’s tired!)
3️⃣ Social Media to Delete: TikTok
4️⃣ Dream Dinner Guests: Dan Kennedy, Michael Scott (The Office), and Mike Killen
5️⃣ 1 Business Tip: Be Premium – because someone in your industry will be, and it should be you!
Enjoying the Podcast?
If you loved this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast! Your support helps us bring more incredible guests and value-packed conversations to you.
Like, Share & Subscribe!

In this episode of the Freedom Kickstarter Podcast, we sit down with Mike Waywell, founder of Steel Habitat and GymOwner, to discuss his journey from gym owner to business consultant for fitness entrepreneurs.

Mike shares insights on scaling a gym business, transitioning to a consulting model, and the systems he uses to help gym owners break past revenue ceilings.

We also dig into the mindset shifts required for gym owners to remove themselves from the day-to-day operations while still growing their businesses.

If you're a gym owner or entrepreneur looking to build a scalable and sustainable business, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Key Topics Discussed:

- Mike’s elevator pitch: Running Steel Habitat and transitioning into consulting

- A day in the life: Balancing fatherhood and business

- From gym owner to mentor: Navigating the shift without the “guru” stigma

- Why consulting is a scalable and sustainable business model

- The value of mentorship and why online courses aren’t scams

- The importance of income diversification for entrepreneurs

- Identifying the ideal client for GymOwner’s consulting services

- Common bottlenecks for gyms stuck at the 5k-10k revenue mark

- Maximizing operational capacity and gym profitability

- Helping gym owners let go of control and delegate effectively

- The role of programming in gym profitability and scaling

- Mike’s entrepreneurial roots: Magic tricks and novelty banknotes

- The challenge of having a ‘proper’ job and valuing flexibility

- The shift away from unnecessary meetings and Zoom fatigue in business

- Why consistency in business is a superpower

- Choosing the right marketing approach and sticking to it

- The importance of choosing the right business model for your personality

- What’s next for Mike and GymOwner?

Final Five Questions:

1. Book Recommendation: Traction by Gino Wickman, Wine Bar Theory, The Road Less Stupid by Keith Cunningham, and Dan Kennedy’s No BS series

2. Go-To Coffee Order: Double espresso, sparkling water, or flat white

3. Social Media Platform to Delete: TikTok

4. Dream Dinner Guests: Lance Armstrong, Derren Brown, Johnny Wilkinson

5. Advice for Beginners: Take action, stay consistent, seek mentorship, and commit to learning

Where to Find Mike:

- GymOwner Instagram: [@GymOwner](https://www.instagram.com/gymowner) (without the ‘E’)

- Personal Instagram & Facebook: @MikeWaywell

Resources & Links:

- GymOwner Consulting: [GymOwner.com](https://www.gymowner.com)

- Follow the Freedom Kickstarter Podcast for more insights into business growth and personal freedom.

Like This Episode?

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who would find it valuable.

Stay tuned for the next episode!

In this episode of the Freedom Kickstarter Podcast, I sit down with Mark Council, co-owner of Platform Personal Training Gym and co-founder of Relentless Business Mentoring.

We dive deep into his journey from working construction jobs to launching a thriving gym and business mentoring company.

Mark shares the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way, including the pivotal moments that shaped his career.

This episode is a must-listen if you're looking for insights into entrepreneurship, marketing, and building a resilient business.

What We Covered:

Mark’s Journey & Business Evolution

- How Mark and his business partner started a gym in a derelict building with no money.

- The unconventional (and risky) path they took to launching Platform PT Gym.

- The early struggles of running a gym while working a full-time job.

- How Mark balanced his master’s degree, a full-time job, and renovating a gym.

- Mark’s decision to take the leap and go all-in on his business.

- The mindset shift that helped him push through doubts and challenges.

- Why he believes being self-employed can be less risky than working a corporate job.

- The role of copywriting and storytelling in marketing a gym.

- How Mark leveraged organic marketing to scale his business before using paid ads.

- The power of email marketing and why he sends four emails per week to his audience.

- The importance of understanding customer psychology and buying behavior.

- How Platform PT Gym grew from a part-time side hustle to a full-time business.

- The pivotal moment when Mark and his business partner expanded the gym.

- How hiring and team management transformed their business.

- The transition from organic marketing to paid advertising to maintain growth.

- How Mark unintentionally built a business mentoring service.

- The biggest challenges small business owners face and how Relentless helps solve them.

- The real reason most businesses struggle (hint: it’s not just a lack of leads).

- Why retention and operations are more important than constantly chasing new sales.

Final Five Questions:

1. Book Recommendation: Influence by Robert Cialdini – Understanding persuasion and influence is key to growing a business.

2. Coffee Order: Cappuccino (with a cheeky hazelnut shot if feeling fancy).

3. Social Media Platform to Delete: Facebook (despite its marketing power, it needs significant changes).

4. Dinner Party Guests: Muhammad Ali, Isaac Newton, and Ricky Gervais – a mix of inspiration, intellect, and humor.

5. Best Business Advice: You can fail doing the safe thing, so you might as well fail chasing your dream.

Where to Find Mark:

- Personal Instagram: [@mark_platform](https://www.instagram.com/mark_platform)

- Relentless Business Mentoring: [@relentlessbusinessmentoring](https://www.instagram.com/relentlessbusinessmentoring)

Like this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend!

Got questions for Mark or me? Drop them in the comments or send us a DM.