Laura Jane Clark has designed hundreds of homes, presented for Channel 4, BBC2 and Netflix, and competed in MMA. In this episode, she sits down to talk about all of it, including the parts that didn't make the final edit. She starts with the fighting — competing in MMA and K1 with a 3-to-1 record, training with the guy who went on to play Darth Vader, and why she walked away when the money wasn't equal. From there, she traces the path through architecture school in Glasgow, working as a labourer on building sites during uni holidays, and the obsession that defined her career — finding derelict underground toilets in Crystal Palace and spending seven years convincing the council she wasn't mad.The toilet renovation led to Amazing Spaces with George Clark, then Shed of the Year, Ugly House to Lovely House, and eventually BBC2 and Netflix. But TV has a dark side. She talks candidly about being edited out of her own show, burning bridges with a strongly worded email, and why she almost never went back. She also drops a story about a builder on her current project who faked his entire portfolio, CGI renders passed off as real work, fabricated references, and the classic line, "it's pre-vibrated in the truck."

Jamie always wanted to work with his hands. But after 18 years in roofing, he learned the hardest lesson in trades: if you can't step away from the job, you don't own a business, you own yourself. It took 15 years to build a team that could run without him. He's not shy about what that cost. Robbie is his 19-year-old apprentice and this year's Apprentice of the Year. Two years ago, he was scanning medical samples in a warehouse, wondering what his life would look like. Then he found roofing, and everything changed.In this episode, Alex sits down with both of them to hear the full story. Jamie talks through coming off the tools, building a management team, why he reads every business book he can get his hands on, and what he wishes someone had told him at 16. Robbie talks about what it actually feels like to find something that grabs you — and why winning Apprentice of the Year wasn't even on his radar until Jamie pushed him. Between them, they cover the education system, the skills shortage, social media, mentorship, pensions, and why the best investment any tradesperson can make is in themselves. "Train people well enough so they can leave — but treat them well enough that they'll stay."

Chris has been a carpenter for nearly 40 years. Gavin was his apprentice 20 years ago. They fell out over a job in Nottingham, didn't speak for a year, and have been close ever since. Now Gavin is teaching Chris things, and Chris is finding out that learning the new way is harder than it looks. In this episode, the roles are reversed. The master and apprentice sit down together to talk through 40 years of change in carpentry, from Yankee screwdrivers and hand-sharpened saws to palm routers and cordless everything. Chris began his apprenticeship in 1987, when tradespeople spent Friday afternoons sharpening their own saw teeth. Gavin walked in 15 years later and learned a completely different trade.

Both of them are now navigating the same industry, just from opposite ends. Chris also ran his carpentry business while working as an on-call and then full-time firefighter for years, balancing jobs, apprenticeships and callouts at the same time. They get into how that worked, why he finally went limited, and what it looked like managing a team from the fire station. They also cover tool theft, why sign-written vans might actually be safer than blank ones, Smart Water DNA marking, and why Chris has only just taken out tool insurance for the first time after nearly four decades in the trade. Plus, the story of a customer who rang Chris, threatening to call the police because 37,000 people had been "through her house" on YouTube.

HOW TO GET INTO PLUMBING & becoming my own APPRENTICELike most young people, Dave @boilerstobathrooms6267 had no idea what he wanted to do as a Career or hat to be an apprentice in. Luckily for him, his mother was prepared for such a situation - "Plumbing David, it pays well!"...so a plumbing apprentiship it was.It wasn't, however, as simple as that, plumbing it was. Dave struggled to find a plumbing Apprenticeship in the local area; something that he would require in order to become a fully qualified Plumber and Gas Engineer in the construction trade."Well..." David thought, "Perhaps I could become my own Apprentice."Now, that might sound like something thought up during a drunken stupor, however it was exactly what Dave would go on do. He set up his own plumbing company, and employed himself to be his own plumbing Apprentice. Once he had his portfolio signed off, he would go on to complete his studies and become a fully qualified Plumber and Gas Engineer in the plumbing trade.But this was just the start of an eventful journey for Dave. Over the next few years, he would experience the horrors of Social Housing, the challenges of on-call work, angry and aggressive customers, and the importance of managing your finances.Yet somehow, with all this going on around him, Dave was able to create a piece of plumbing literature which would revolutionise the lives of so many Tradespeople from plumbers to electricians."What piece of Literature?" I hear you ask.The aptly named... 'Breakdown Bible.' A Must for plumbers!If you want a copy for yourself:https://boilers-to-bathrooms.sumupstore.com/Guest this week: Dave @boilerstobathrooms6267 Hosts:Mark @MJTiffPlumbing ⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/

In this week's episode of Trade Legends, @MJTiffPlumbing sits down with tiling expert Jack - someone who didn't initially see a future in the trades but, through perseverance and hard work, was able to setup his own successful tiling business, whilst making a name for himself across social media. From overcoming challenges on new build sites to creating bespoke tiled furniture, Jack will reveal what it takes to become a respected craftsmen and influencer.Learn about his experiences with social media, including the highs of viral content, but also the lows of dealing with fake accounts. Jack opens up about the pressures of content creation, maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and offers an important perspective on the realities of being a tradesperson in 2024.Guest this week: Jack the Tiler @jackthetileruk (Insta)Hosts:Mark @MJTiffPlumbing ⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/#construction #tiling #podcast

From struggling with alcohol addiction to building a successful screeding business, Joe's story demonstrates how it's never too late to make a change. In this week's episode of Trade Legends, we discuss the challenges of mental health in the construction industry, the importance of a conversation, and how one pivotal moment at a music festival changed everything.Joe shares his experiences of working in both the food business and sales, before eventually finding his way into the screeding trade. We learn about the intricacies of liquid screed, underfloor heating installations, and the challenges that come with growing a small business in a short amount of time. Joe's candid discussion about work-life balance and the pressures of entrepreneurship offers valuable insights for all tradespeople. The conversation takes a dramatic turn when Joe opens up about his battle with alcoholism and mental health struggles, which in turn has given him the opportunity and drive to help others in similar situations.Joe's journey proves that with determination and the right support, it's possible to overcome any obstacle and build a successful career in the trades.Guest this week: Joe Baker @screedpapi (Insta)Hosts:Alex @alexinsley Mark @MJTiffPlumbing ⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/#construction #screed #trades #mentalhealth

Foxy, the face behind the popular decorating content on social media, shares his story from chef to decorator, and how he built his decorating business from scratch. He tells us all about his innovative inventions, including the patented Fox's Pro Shield, and the difficulties of balancing his thriving career with family life, and his ADHD-driven pursuits.Foxy also discusses his partnership with On The Tools and offers candid advice on brand deals and content creation, as well as opening up about overcoming personal challenges, including a 2 year £100,000 lawsuit that threatened his business.Also, don't miss Foxy's final thoughts and advice on taking the plunge into social media and seizing every opportunity that comes your way in the ever-evolving landscape of the construction industry.For anyone looking to expand their business horizons, build a brand, or simply enjoy some funny stories, then this is the episode for you.Guest this week: Foxy Devos  @FoxyTheDecorator  Hosts:Alex  @alexinsley  Mark  @MJTiffPlumbing  ⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/#construction #decorating #trades #startyourownbusiness

In this week's episode of Trade Legends, we explore the world of carpentry with the one and only... Lewis Lai! Discover how he is able to juggle his flourishing business with a unique social media presence. From tackling cultural stereotypes to sharing insider tips on self-employment, Lewis offers his own take on the modern construction industry and what it takes to succeed within it.Lewis, a 27-year-old carpenter from Rugby, recounts his journey from apprenticeship to running his own successful business. With his distinctive personality, he's made a name for himself in both the physical and digital realms of carpentry. Learn how Lewis manages his ever-growing workload, engages with social media, and stays true to himself in a competitive field.He talks to us about the hurdles of self-employment, the value of continuous learning, and social media's impact on the trades as a whole. Lewis also candidly shares his relentless work schedule, as well as his method for handling online criticism. Guest this week: Lewis Lai @ll_carpentryandjoinery (Insta)Hosts:Mark  @MJTiffPlumbing  ⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/#construction #carpentry #trades #startyourownbusiness

Kelly Cartwright, founder of Core Recruiter, specialises in construction recruitment and is passionate about bringing both men and women into the industry. In this week's episode, we get a first-hand account of the shocking realities faced by many women in construction as Kelly shares her experiences. From combating stereotypes to receiving unsolicited explicit messages, Kelly's journey highlights the need for change within parts of the industry.This episode delves into the challenges of starting a business at 23, the importance of authenticity, and the unexpected viral success of Kelly's high-vis dress that took the world by storm.From myth-busting sessions in schools to advocating for better representation, Kelly is at the forefront of changing perceptions about construction careers. Her experiences shed light on the importance of mental health awareness in the industry and the need for more inclusive workplaces. Kelly's story is a testament to resilience and the potential for positive change in construction, inspiring both seasoned professionals and newcomers alike.Guest this week: Kelly Cartwright @corerecruiter (Insta)Hosts:Alex @bigaltradelegends (Insta)⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/#construction #womenintrades #trades #startyourownbusiness

Join us for Episode 75 as we dive into the world of carpentry, workwear, and business growth. We discuss the challenges of taking on apprentices, as well as the secrets of building a successful brand.Meet Ryan  @damson_carpentry  , a skilled carpenter who's navigated the ups and downs of self-employment and now manages a team of four. Learn about his experiences in the carpentry industry and how he's adapted to the changing landscape. Then, get to know Liam  @BrawnWorkwear  , an electrician who's made the bold move into the workwear industry with his brand, Brawn. Hear how he's bringing fashion and functionality together for tradespeople while building a supportive community.Our guests share their struggles, triumphs, and lessons learned in balancing work and family life. They discuss the importance of social media for modern tradespeople, the value of putting yourself out there, mental health in the trades, the impact of COVID-19 on business decisions, and the future of workwear. Guests this week: Ryan  @damson_carpentry  Liam  @BrawnWorkwear  Hosts:Alex @bigaltradelegends (Insta)⭐ Proudly Sponsored by CT1 | www.ct1.com | @ct1ltd ⭐ Supported by Tradify | https://tradifyhq.com/ | @TradifyHQ 🏷️ Save on over 50 Trade Brands | https://tradelegends.uk/discounts/#startyourownbusiness #carpentry #trades #construction