The Rogue Monkey Podcast

From mowing lawns to running a successful independent business in West Yorkshire - Gareth “Gaz” Heaton’s journey is a brilliant example of what can happen when a side hustle becomes something much bigger.In this episode of the Rogue Monkey Podcast, Gaz talks openly about the story behind Community Cutlery, the business he runs with his partner George. What started as a home-based knife sharpening service has grown into a shop specialising in Japanese kitchen knives, sharpening, kitchenware, education and a bestselling book.But this conversation is about much more than knives.We talk about where the original idea came from, taking the leap from side hustle to full-time business, surviving those early years on a ridiculously low wage, building a reputation around quality rather than competing on price, and learning to grow at a pace that actually works for the business.Gaz also shares what he has learned about social media, including how handing over the reins helped Community Cutlery build a huge online audience, the importance of consistency, and why their simple approach to content has connected with people around the world.We also get into his trips to Japan, the incredible attention to detail he experienced there, writing his own book on knife sharpening, some unexpected celebrity customers, and the question of what success actually looks like when you build a business around the life you want to live.And perhaps the biggest lesson of all: you don't always have to chase bigger, faster or more.Sometimes, building something slowly, doing it really well and creating a life you genuinely enjoy is the real win.And check out Community Cutlery for more on Gaz, George, their knives, sharpening service, book and everything else they’re building.https://www.instagram.com/communitycutlery/https://www.communitycutlery.co.uk/

If you enjoyed the episode, make sure you subscribe to the channel, leave a comment and share the episode with someone who might enjoy Gaz’s story.#RogueMonkeyPodcast #CommunityCutlery #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #SideHustle #BusinessJourney #Entrepreneur #KnifeSharpening #JapaneseKnives #SmallBusinessUK #BusinessStory

In this episode, Steve 'Moby' Leitch shares his incredible journey from competitive swimming and overcoming addiction to completing some of the world's most challenging ocean swims. Discover how resilience, community, faith, and a mindset of continuous growth can transform life's obstacles into opportunities for greatness. Steve's life has taken an incredible arc, both geographically and personally, and it was a pleasure to share time with him understanding how swimming has impacted on his life for so many years.

Connect with Steve on Instagram and Facebook below:

https://www.instagram.com/stevemobyleitch/

https://www.facebook.com/SteveMobyLeitch

His website and his epic book can be found here:

https://steve-moby-leitch.com/

In this conversation, we are joined by Frankie Durbin, who shares her journey from a young athlete to a competitive triathlete representing Great Britain. She discusses her early years in sports, the challenges of transitioning into triathlon, and the injuries that shaped her understanding of health and recovery. Frankie emphasizes the importance of balance between work and sport, the role of mindset in overcoming adversity, and the influence of social media on athletes' perceptions of performance. 

She also highlights the significance of strength training and the lessons learned during her recovery process. We explore her inspiring journey in completing the London Marathon in 2026. She reflects on the emotional and physical challenges she faced, including health issues related to a pituitary tumour. Frankie discusses the significance of the marathon as a personal victory and the support she received from the Brain Tumour charity. She also expresses her ambition to tackle an Ironman in the future, emphasising the lessons learned through her experiences in sports and life.

You can connect with Frankie via her instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/frankiedurbin/

You can connect with our host here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpickard88/

In this episode, we are joined by Jack Roberts, the national swimmer from the City of Liverpool who has been on an incredible journey to become a cardiac physiologist. Our conversation joins Jack on the start of his latest visit to Kenya where he is part of a team offering life changing heart surgery for young people.

We discover how his passion for swimming and desire to make a difference led to a daring challenge of swimming the length of Kenya to fundraise and create sustainable healthcare solutions. On top of this Jack takes us through the challenges he has faced along the way and how lessons from sport have allowed him to succeed in his new purpose in life after sport.

Connect with Jack on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackfroberts

Jacks fundraising link is: https://givestar.io/gs/swimming-the-length-of-kenya-1070km?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Track the distance link:https://project-kenya-gamma.vercel.app/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio

Charity links: Healing Little Hearts:  https://healinglittlehearts.org/

My Moyo: https://www.mymoyo.org/

In this inspiring interview, Rebecca shares her journey through running, education, and personal growth. Discover how she balances multiple passions, overcomes challenges, and stays present in her pursuits.

Taking on the incredible Cape Wrath challenge, Rebecca pushed her mind and body to the limits, ultimately finding peace on a journey that traverses the west coast of Scotland and is world-renowned for its beauty, brutality and challenge.

You can connect with Rebecca on Instagram and Linkedin below:

https://www.instagram.com/rebeccaj99/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-brennan-a1757a15/

You can also check out Rebecca’s incredible Do Lecture, which was how we first came across her inspiring story:

https://thedolectures.com/talks/looking-for-the-light-the-power-of-emotion-to-make-the-impossible-possible/

In this insightful interview, Mark shares his journey through sports, leadership, and life lessons learned from personal experiences and global adventures. Discover how resilience, community and purpose have shaped his approach to work, sport, and personal growth.

You can connect with Mark via the link below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-watson-0043b24

And his company TMS here: https://www.tmsw.com/

We mentioned both Josh Connolly and Jen Hayes in our conversation, both of whom you can connect with here:

https://www.joshconnolly.co.uk/

https://www.jennyhayescoaching.com

Connect with our host Kevin on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpickard88/

Support Kevin in his fundraising efforts for Coach Core here:

https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/kevin-pickard

E120 coincides nicely with National Apprenticeships Week. In this episode, Kevin interviews Gary Laybourne, co-founder and CEO of Coach Core, who shares his inspiring journey from a challenging upbringing to leading a charity that empowers marginalised young people through sports.

Gary discusses the foundational principles of Coach Core, the impact of sports on personal development, and the importance of mentorship. He reflects on the challenges and successes of the organisation, the value of apprenticeships, and the need for employers to adapt to a changing workforce.

The conversation emphasises the significance of community support, leadership lessons learned from sports, and the ongoing mission to create opportunities for young people.

You can find out more about Coach Core here: https://coachcore.org.uk/

Connect with Gary here:

linkedin.com/in/gary-laybourne-5307697a

Connect with our host Kevin on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpickard88/

Support Kevin in his fundraising efforts for Coach Core here:

https://2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/kevin-pickard

In this full circle conversation, more than five years on from their first interview, Kevin sits down with the incredible author, speaker and podcast that is Professor Damian Hughes. They reflect on the evolution of the podcasting space, the power of authentic conversations, and the memorable moments that have shaped their journeys. They discuss the insights gained from various guests, the inspiration behind Damian's new book 'Micro-Habits', which is available NOW: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/476360/micro-habits-by-hughes-jake-humphrey-and-damian/9781529976205

The discussion covers a broad range of areas, reflecting on the hundreds of guests that have featured on The High Performance Podcast over the last six years. One area in particular that was covered emphasises the significance of being present and embracing the journey rather than constantly chasing the next goal, something that can be a real challenge in today’s world. In the show they also explore the amazing Charity that Damian co-founded with his wife, The School Coat Charity, which you can find out more and donate to or apply for support here: https://theschoolcoatcharity.co.uk/

You can connect with Damian on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damian-hughes-a376121/

You can find out more about High Performance here: https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/

Connect with our host Kevin on Linkedin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinpickard88/

In this podcast episode, we are joined by the inspiring Will Godwin.

Will shares his incredible journey from a competitive childhood in sports to two life-altering incidents that changed his perspective on life and athletics. He discusses his early years, the discovery of triathlon, and the impact of sports on his direction and choices.

He reflects on the psychological impact of his experiences, the importance of resilience, and the lessons learned from adversity. He emphasises the value of pursuing passions and enjoying life, regardless of the obstacles faced along the way.

Connect with Will via Linked-in here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-godwin-91067819b/

And via Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/w_godwin/

Todays conversation is the epitome of why we started the show. We are joined today by Chris Hines MBE, the co-founder of Surfers against sewage, the former sustainability director for the Eden Project, a world-renowned campaigner, and a true inspiration for those looking to take up the fight for the many challenges our society faces.

In this conversation, Chris Hines shares his journey from a childhood spent in nature to becoming a prominent environmental activist. He discusses the evolution of activism, the importance of education, and the role of community in driving change. We explore the need for intelligent activism that utilises modern tools while fostering resilience and collective action.

Chris ultimately reflects on the significance of inspiring the next generation and the legacy we leave behind, advocating for a world where care, respect, and appreciate that sustainability needs to be at the forefront of everything we do.

You can connect with Chris and find out more via the links below:

www.agos.co

https://www.instagram.com/chrishinessurfs/