The Olympic Mindset Podcast

Is financial freedom really as simple as spending less, investing wisely, and shifting your mindset?

Alan and Katie Donegan proved it is. By 40, they’d retired from the 9–5, become millionaires, and built a life of freedom, travel, and passion projects.

In this episode, we unpick the exact steps and mindset that made it possible. Alan and Katie are the founders of the Rebel Finance School, a free global programme that’s helped over 22,000 people learn to invest and take control of their money. Their story shows why financial literacy matters—not just for wealth, but for choice, independence, and the freedom to live life on your terms.

They explain:

⬛ How to create a gap between what you earn and what you spend

⬛ Why investing in simple global index funds beats most strategies

⬛ The practical steps to reach financial independence

⬛ Why financial freedom is about time not just money

⬛ How tracking your spending can transform your wealth mindset

⬛ The discipline shift athletes (and all of us) need to master our finances

00:00 Introduction to Financial Freedom

03:04 The Importance of Financial Literacy

05:52 The Journey of an Athlete’s Finances

08:40 Understanding Investments and Retirement

11:35 The Power of Self-Development

14:35 Building a Partnership in Financial Goals

17:39 The Concept of Financial Independence

20:34 The Role of Discipline in Financial Success

23:49 Investing in Global Index Funds

26:27 The Risks and Rewards of Investing

29:35 Practical Steps to Start Investing

32:34 The Importance of Tracking Spending

35:47 Overcoming Financial Barriers

38:37 The Mindset Shift Towards Wealth

41:32 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

💬 “You can only spend it once.”

💬 “It’s about saving, then spending.”

💬 “You are buying back your time.”

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In this conversation, Francesca Gino discusses the concept of 'rebels' in the context of leadership and innovation, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, perspective, and authenticity. She addresses common challenges such as imposter syndrome and decision-making fatigue, while also highlighting the value of constructive debate and learning from both successes and failures. The discussion draws on her experiences at Harvard Business School and offers practical advice for leaders navigating change and striving for personal growth.

Takeaways

Rebels are individuals who take in different perspectives.

Imposter syndrome is a common experience and can be normalized.

Disagreements can be productive if approached correctly.

Curiosity is a key trait of constructive rebels.

Authenticity in leadership is crucial for effectiveness.

Learning from each other's perspectives enhances growth.

Decision-making fatigue can impact the quality of decisions.

It's important to reflect on successes as well as failures.

Constructive debate can lead to better outcomes in disagreements.

Finding your values helps maintain focus and direction.

Sound Bites

"The focus on progress is a valuable lesson."

"Choose the hills that you want to die on."

"Reframe negative feedback into opportunities."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Rebels and Imposter Syndrome

02:30 Navigating Change and Staying Centered

09:14 The Fine Line Between Rebellion and Sabotage

15:31 Characteristics of Constructive Rebels

21:18 The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership

27:58 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

31:33 Learning from Perspectives at Harvard

34:12 The Power of Constructive Debate

38:59 Decision-Making Fatigue and Learning from Success

Keywords

rebels, imposter syndrome, leadership, authenticity, constructive debate, decision-making, curiosity, education, change management, Harvard Business School

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In this episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic Broad sits down with David Harkin, CEO of 8billionideas, to talk about what it really means to be brilliantly busy. David opens up about his leadership philosophy, how marginal gains can transform performance, and why being world-class starts with how you manage your time.

He shares stories from his early working life that shaped his entrepreneurial drive, the lessons he’s learned scaling a global education company, and why vulnerability and self-improvement should be part of every leader’s toolkit. From parenting and personal growth to purpose and productivity—this is a must-listen for anyone seeking high performance with heart.

Keywords: leadership, marginal gains, self-improvement, education, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, parenting, world-class mentality, time management, personal development

Takeaways:

• "Brilliantly busy" means doing what I love with purpose.
• Marginal gains are foundational to leadership success.
• Self-improvement is ongoing, not optional.
• Early work experiences can forge lifelong values.
• Parents play a key role in shaping future leaders.
• A world-class mindset applies to every part of life.
• Passion and clarity drive better time management.
• Value minutes—not just hours.
• If you love what you do, every day matters.
• Being selfish with time allows us to serve others better.

Sound Bites: "I am brilliantly busy." "Pressure is a privilege." "Marginal gains matter."

Chapters: 00:00 – Brilliantly Busy: The Art of Balancing Life

03:07 – The Power of Marginal Gains in Leadership

06:13 – The Importance of Self-Improvement and Perspective

09:05 – Lessons from Early Work Experiences

12:04 – The Role of Parents in Education

15:00 – Creating a World-Class Mentality

18:01 – Marginal Gains: Applying Sports Principles to Life

20:44 – The Ripple Effect: Making Your Mark

23:53 – The Importance of Passion in Time Management

26:46 – Finding Balance: Being Selfish to Be Selfless

#OlympicMindsetPodcast #DavidHarkin #8BillionIdeas #BrilliantlyBusy #MarginalGains #Leadership #WorldClassMindset #EducationLeadership #TimeManagement #HighPerformance

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What happens when you combine relentless energy, lived experience with ADHD, and a passion for educational equity? You get Daniel Hagstedt—a rising voice in global EdTech and UK Director of Magma Maths.

In this bold and refreshingly honest episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Daniel shares his story: from growing up in a high-performance family in Sweden to scaling a startup that now supports millions of learners across the globe. He opens up about mental health, moving countries, failing forward, and why discomfort is the greatest teacher.

Daniel breaks down how Magma Maths secured $40 million in funding, won recognition from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and is leading a quiet revolution in maths education—one that’s powered by inclusion, AI, and real-world impact.

This episode is for you if:

• You want to turn personal challenges like ADHD into professional strengths
• You're scaling a startup with purpose and want to avoid the hype
• You care about building fair, inclusive education systems
• You lead in education, tech, or policy—and want to do better

Topics Covered:

00:00 Who is Daniel Hagstedt?

01:06 Competitive upbringing & self-efficacy

03:58 ADHD as a mindset advantage

06:39 Starting over in the UK

08:30 Mental health, autumn fatigue & simple rituals

11:08 Magma Maths – the mission and the moment

14:51 How they raised $40M and scaled with values

18:50 Education policy: Sweden vs UK

23:27 The danger of putting profits before pupils

25:14 SEN, equity, and what the UK gets right

29:57 Rethinking ADHD in the classroom

31:18 Gates Foundation validation

34:46 The future of education: data, AI, human-first

38:00 Final takeaways on leadership & impact

40:48 Closing thoughts

Power Quotes: "Whatever you do, do something you care about." "You're not here to find problems—you're here to find solutions." "If you're not failing, you're not growing." "Put teachers first—and students always." "Build a team that challenges your thinking."

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How do you balance elite performance with parenting, pressure with vulnerability, and toughness with emotional intelligence?

In this powerful episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic Broad sits down with rugby league legend Jamie Peacock MBE to explore the deep, personal lessons learned from a life in sport—and beyond. This is more than a conversation about rugby; it's about resilience, transformation, and living life with purpose.

Jamie opens up about the evolution of leadership, the role of feedback, and how becoming a father has reshaped his approach to masculinity, strength, and self-discipline. With reflections on the profound impact of Rob Burrow’s journey, Jamie also shares practical advice on creating resilient children, navigating life after professional sport, and saying yes to growth.

Listen if you want to:

• Redefine what masculinity means in the 21st century
• Learn leadership lessons from elite sport
• Understand the mental health challenges of life after performance
• Become a more emotionally intelligent parent, leader or teammate

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Structure

03:07 Balancing Family and Career

05:47 Rugby Career Highlights and Hall of Fame Induction

09:05 Leadership and Team Dynamics

11:49 The Importance of Feedback

14:56 Early Life Lessons and Values

20:01 Creating Challenges for Children

23:09 Masculinity and Vulnerability in Modern Society

35:09 Transformation of Masculinity in Leadership

38:17 The Impact of Rob Burrow's Journey

42:09 Adapting Leadership Styles Across Teams

47:38 Navigating Life After Professional Sports

51:00 Resilience and Learning from Failure

56:08 Embracing Challenges for Growth

01:01:09 Parenting Wisdom and Life Balance

01:04:06 Living Life to the Fullest

Sound Bites: "Spending time with my children is really important." "Masculinity is about being mentally tough." "I think it's important to be vulnerable." "Context is king, isn’t it?" "Resilience is one of my skills in life." "Life’s for living, so say yes to something."

#JamiePeacock #OlympicMindsetPodcast #Rugby #Leadership #Masculinity #Parenting #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #RobBurrow #Sports #MentalHealth #HighPerformance

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In this episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, host Dominic Broad speaks with Oliver Lundgren, founder and CEO of Skolon—an EdTech company reshaping how students and educators engage with digital learning.

Oliver shares the lessons behind his entrepreneurial journey, including how past failures shaped his leadership style and how problem-solving became his driving force. With honesty and clarity, he reflects on the influence of his parents, the challenges of balancing family life and business, and what it really takes to lead a purpose-driven tech company in the education space.

Together, they discuss:

• Why trust is non-negotiable in EdTech
• The value of early adopters and real-world feedback
• Simplicity as the cornerstone of great technology
• How data is transforming educational outcomes
• Why solving problems—not making money—should drive entrepreneurs
• The long game of legacy and meaningful impact

Listen if you want to:

• Understand how to lead an EdTech business with integrity
• Learn what it takes to build trust in the education sector
• Hear the reality of balancing entrepreneurship with fatherhood
• Find out how data and simplicity are shaping the future of learning
• 
  

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Oliver Lundgren and Skolon

02:06 The Journey of Entrepreneurship

04:03 Key Ingredients for Success

07:05 The Spark Behind Skolon

09:19 Parental Influence on Entrepreneurial Spirit

11:59 Balancing Work and Family Life

14:40 Building Trust in EdTech

17:18 The Importance of Simplicity

20:12 Leveraging Data for Improvement

22:53 Instilling Purpose in Teams

25:51 Legacy and Lasting Impact

28:40 Advice to Young Entrepreneurs

Sound Bites: "Building something good takes time." "Simplicity is key in technology." "Data can drive educational outcomes."

#OlympicMindsetPodcast #OliverLundgren #Skolon #EdTech #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WorkLifeBalance #SimplicityInTech #EducationInnovation #DigitalLearning #StartupMindset

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What if standing differently could change your life?

Dr. Amy Cuddy is a world-renowned social psychologist, bestselling author of Presence, and the mind behind one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time. Her research on body language, personal power, and self-efficacy has transformed how people show up in high-stakes moments—from job interviews to leadership roles.

In this raw and insightful conversation with Dominic Broad, Amy reveals how nonverbal behaviour can shape how we think, feel, and connect with others.

She discusses:

• Why confidence is about presence, not pretending
• The power of self-affirmation to reduce stress and improve performance
• The dangerous collapse in confidence many girls experience in adolescence
• How we can help kids—and ourselves—take up more space
• Why kindness and trust matter more than strength in leadership
• Her journey through bullying, Harvard, and parenting
• 
  

Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Insights

03:04 The Power of Body Language

05:56 Stereotypes and Gender Dynamics

08:48 Encouraging Empowerment in Children

11:58 Self-Efficacy vs. Self-Confidence

15:02 The Role of Body Language in Relationships

17:52 The Impact of Power Poses

20:53 Cultural Perceptions of Power

24:11 The Importance of Personal Networks

26:55 Psychology in Everyday Life

29:59 Leadership and Personal Power

33:00 Navigating Relationships and Kindness

36:01 Reflections on Bullying and Support

38:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

45:24 Teaching Excellence at HBS

47:35 Building Trust as a Leader

52:02 Understanding Trust Cues

57:03 Embracing Opportunities and Risks

01:01:40 The Journey of Leadership

01:06:08 Overcoming Procrastination

01:11:39 Finding Purpose and Passion

01:14:23 Advice for Young Leaders

01:17:00 Nurturing Children's Agency

Sound Bites: "You're not a noun, you're a verb." "Girls start to collapse." "Trust before strength." "Personal power activates the approach system." "You can't please everyone."

dyLanguage #Confidence #SelfEfficacy #Presence #Leadership #Trust #PowerPoses #Kindness #Mindset #Empowerment

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Bonus Episode:

In this episode of the Olympic Mindset Podcast, Daniel Dawkins, managing director of Aspire People, shares his insights on leadership challenges, particularly focusing on imposter syndrome, the recruitment crisis in education, and the importance of creating a supportive culture for teachers. He discusses the shift in perception of teaching from a vocation to a profession, the significance of mental health and wellbeing, and the need for schools to prepare supply teachers effectively. Daniel emphasizes the noble nature of teaching and the importance of self-care for educators.

Takeaways

• Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for leaders.
• Hard work and self-belief are crucial for overcoming doubts.
• The recruitment crisis in education is a pressing issue.
• Reducing barriers to teacher training is essential.
• Teaching should be viewed as a vocation, not just a job.
• Inclusive school cultures lead to better outcomes for students and teachers.
• Mental health and wellbeing are vital for educators.
• Teachers need support and preparation when entering new environments.
• A good diet and exercise contribute to mental health.
• Education recruitment should prioritize the wellbeing of teachers.

Sound Bites

"Hard work beats talent every time."

"Behaviour is communication."

"We love teachers."

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Leadership Challenges

03:06 The Recruitment Crisis in Education

06:09 The Shift in Teaching as a Vocation

08:57 Creating a Positive School Culture

12:05 The Entrepreneurial Spirit in Education

14:53 Managing Mental Health and Wellbeing

18:03 The Future of Teaching and Recruitment

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Who would play you in a Hollywood movie about your life? Darren Cox is one of few living people to have his life and achievements taken to the silver screen.

In Season 4, Episode 33 of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic sits down with motorsport visionary Darren Cox—the driving force behind the ground-breaking Gran Turismo Academy and the real-life inspiration for the Gran Turismo film starring Orlando Bloom

Darren shares:

• How he turned a PlayStation game into a global racing phenomenon
• Why rule-breaking can breed innovation, whether in sport, business, or life.
• Lessons learned from navigating high-pressure environments, building performance cultures and scaling real-world businesses from virtual ideas.
• The mindset shifts behind his next moves, including setting the stage for future endeavours beyond motorsport.

• Discover how to turn unconventional ideas into mainstream success.
• Learn why disruption and creativity beat traditional routes.
• Get inspired by someone who’s brought a Hollywood moment to real life.
• Understand how to lead with vision—and leave a legacy.

• 00:00 – Intro: Rule‑breaking and racing dreams
• 02:00 – Turning a game into a global motorsport movement
• 06:00 – The mindset behind playing by no rules
• 11:00 – Crafting the GT Academy success story
• 18:00 – Orlando Bloom, the film—and real impact
• 22:00 – Leading high‑pressure teams and innovation
• 30:00 – What’s next? Racing, media and beyond

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What if your greatest challenges were actually your edge?

This week on The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic sits down with Kavitta Ghai, co-founder and CEO of Nectir, to talk about what it really means to lead with difference. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life, Kavitta opens up about turning her deepest struggles into superpowers—and building one of the most exciting edtech companies in the US.

Kavitta shares how being neurodivergent shaped her creativity, her pitch deck, and her purpose—and what it actually takes to raise $6.3 million as a young female founder in a VC world that still doesn’t get it.

From mindset shifts to boardroom truths, this is one of our most powerful episodes yet.

This episode is for you if:

• You’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit in—but knew you had something to offer
• You want to build something meaningful but don’t know where to start
• You’re curious what it really takes to raise millions in VC funding
• You lead, teach, or parent someone who is neurodivergent

Topics Covered:

00:00 – Intro: Meet Kavitta

01:12 – Autism, ADHD & finding out late

04:45 – School systems & the myth of fitting in

08:20 – Turning difference into direction

11:00 – The Nectir story: how it started

15:55 – Raising millions in a system not made for her

20:20 – Breaking VC stereotypes

24:00 – Neurodiversity as a superpower

28:00 – What founders get wrong about mindset

38:10 – The future of edtech: trust, access, inclusion

46:40 – Advice for anyone feeling ‘too different’

50:00 – Closing reflections

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