Unlocking Human Potential with Andy Hosgood

What if unlocking human potential didn’t start in a boardroom… but in a salon chair?In this deeply human and refreshingly honest episode of Unlocking Human Potential, Andy Hosgood is joined by David Thomas — award-winning salon founder, educator, mentor, and a man who has spent over 55 years mastering the psychology of people, not just the craft of hairdressing.David’s journey began in 1976, not with a grand vision of leadership, but with curiosity, creativity, and a refusal to settle for “how things have always been done.” Over four decades of building salons, developing teams, training thousands of professionals, and standing on stages around the world, David has learned one simple truth:Performance is emotional before it is technical.In this conversation, David shares:·       Why skills beat talent every time·       How confidence is built through safety, not pressure·       The hidden cost of growth when leaders lose presence·       Why customer experience is 80% how you deliver, not what you deliver·       And the leadership lesson most people learn far too late: your team comes first — alwaysFrom international stages and global academies to quiet coffees in the salon, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, humility, humour, and heart.If you care about culture, leadership, emotional intelligence, and creating environments where people genuinely thrive — this conversation will stay with you long after the scissors stop cutting.About David David proves that unlocking human potential doesn’t always start in a boardroom sometimes it starts in a salon chair, with a great conversation and a pair of scissors.David Thomas is the founder of David Thomas Hairdressing, an award-winning salon brand built on far more than technical excellence. Yes, the hair is exceptional, but what really sets David apart is his belief that people are the real craft.David is a salon owner, leader, mentor, and educator who has spent years building a culture where creativity, confidence, and human connection come first. He understands that performance whether in business, leadership, or life is deeply psychological and emotional, not just technical.Through his work, David has helped teams grow not only in skill, but in self-belief, ownership, and pride in what they do. He leads with warmth, clarity, and high standards proving that you don’t have to choose between being kind and being commercially successful.What I love about David is this: he gets that leadership isn’t about titles or ego. It’s about how you make people feel, how safe they feel to grow, and how well you help them become more of who they already are.Today we’ll explore how David optimises himself, how he unlocks potential in others, and the practical lessons he’s learned from leading humans in a high-pressure, high-performance industry.If you care about culture, emotional intelligence, and leading like a human you’re going to love this conversation.Let’s get into it.Fundraising Link: https://ig.me/35cGFl6pUMilIN5@davidthomashairhttps://davidthomashair.comSupport the show

Simon Beesley, founder of Growth Consulting and former NHS leader focused on humane, high-performing workplaces. He reframes leadership as daily behaviour, explores identity, visualisation and resilience, and shares practical actions like two-minute check-ins, building psychological contracts, and co-creating team purpose. Short, actionable ideas to help you show up more intentionally for others.

In this eye-opening episode of Unlocking Human Potential, Andy Hosgood is joined by Andrew Stirrup an executive coach, leadership consultant, and unapologetic truth-teller for a conversation that doesn’t shy away from the messy, human side of leadership.From emotional intelligence to behavioural psychology and the raw truth about self-sabotage, Andrew offers practical tools and soul-stirring wisdom. Together, they explore:Why self-awareness without honesty is uselessThe psychology behind "moving toward vs. moving away from" goalsThe GAPS principle: Goals, Actions, Persistence, and Self-reflectionHow to spot the lies you tell yourself — and what to do nextWhat it really means to dare to be curious as a leaderWhether you lead teams, a business, or simply want to lead yourself more effectively, this episode will challenge your thinking — and give you grounded strategies to grow.Andrew’s challenge to every listener:"Stand in the mirror, look yourself in the eyes, and tell the truth."This one will stick with you long after the episode ends.🎧 Listen now  and unlock the leader within.#UnlockingHumanPotentialAbout Andrew Andrew Stirrup is a leadership consultant, behavioural specialist, and one of those rare humans who can talk psychology, emotional intelligence, and performance without making it sound like a TED Talk gone wrong.Andrew is the founder of AJ Stirrup, his own practice focused on helping leaders build self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and behavioural clarity because it turns out leading humans is easier when you understand how humans work. Andrew works with leaders and organisations who want more than surface-level engagement they want cultures where people actually think, feel, and perform better. He calls it The Culture Factor, it’s about developing the right behaviours, mindsets and values for your business to succeed.Andrew is a certified practitioner and trainer in DISC Flow, using behavioural insight not to label people, but to help them communicate better and lead smarter., He doesn’t just work with leadership teams, boards and business owners to help them shape their workplace cultures to drive performance – he also works with other coaches and consultants to help them grow their businesses.What I love about Andrew is this: he’s practical, grounded, and deeply human. No buzzwords for the sake of it. No leadership theatre. Just smart thinking, real experience, and a genuine curiosity about what helps people thrive  at work and beyond.Today we’ll explore how Andrew optimises himself, how he unlocks potential in others, and the advice he believes every leader needs right now.If you care about emotional intelligence as much as strategy and leading like a human, not a job title this one’s for you.Let’s dive inWebsite: https://www.ajstirrup.comSupport the show

In this powerful episode of Unlocking Human Potential, Andy Hosgood sits down with Sarah Davies integrative psychotherapist, trauma specialist, and founder of The Rosemay Practice for a deeply human and refreshingly honest conversation about leadership, healing, and how we show up in the world.Sarah shares how trauma shows up in our everyday communication, why curiosity trumps assumption, and how leaders can create more trust not with grand gestures, but with simple presence.Together, they explore:Why being present and noticing is a radical act in today’s fast worldThe importance of boundaries, not burnout, especially in service of othersHow unresolved trauma can shape our teams, our parenting, and our partnershipsThe critical shift from fitting in to truly belongingWhy the best leaders start by leading themselvesThis episode is full of practical tools and gentle but firm truths including Sarah’s 3 powerful tips for better self-leadership and her final challenge that every listener should try this week.If you’re tired of surface-level leadership advice and ready to go deeper this conversation is for you.About SarahSarah Davies integrative psychotherapist, trauma specialist, and founder of The Rose May Practice in Bristol.Sarah’s path into this work began in paediatric nursing, where she saw how deeply emotional experiences shape physical health and human performance. That insight led her into psychotherapy, specialising in EMDR and Internal Family Systems, helping people heal from trauma, anxiety, burnout, and the unseen pressures that hold capable humans back.Her belief is beautifully simple: every person already carries the resources to change. The role of therapy and leadership is to create the conditions where those resources can emerge.Sarah works with adults, adolescents, and high performers who want more than to cope they want to feel alive, grounded, and connected. She’s passionate about how trauma, attachment, and self-awareness influence the way we show up at work, in relationships, and in life.In this conversation we’ll explore how she optimises herself, how she helps others unlock resilience and confidence, and the practical lessons leaders can use to build psychologically safe, human-first cultures.If you care about emotional intelligence as much as strategy, you’re going to love this episode.http://therosemaypractice.comIG: @therosemaypracticeSupport the show

What does it really take to lead at the highest levels and still stay grounded, human, and honest?In this reflective, candid and deeply insightful episode, Andy Hosgood sits down with Ian Penrose, former CEO of Sportech and seasoned executive leader, for a rare look behind the curtain of corporate leadership.From navigating global pressure and big boardrooms to confronting personal identity, legacy, and what truly matters, Ian shares stories and lessons from a lifetime at the sharp end of business.Expect real talk about:The unseen emotional toll of top leadershipHow to transition powerfully out of a major role or identityWhy legacy isn’t what you leave behind  it’s how you lead nowThe tension between achievement and contentmentReclaiming your next chapter with clarity and purposeWhether you’re stepping into leadership, sitting in the thick of it, or wondering what comes after it  this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.🎧 Tune in now this one’s honest, inspiring, and refreshingly human.About Ian Ian is a lifelong football fan who climbed the ladder to lead international companies. He is a seasoned executive in the sports, technology, and gaming industries, and a proud Preston North End supporter who recently achieved the ultimate fan dream by becoming his beloved club’s Chairman.Over two decades at the helm of two London-listed companies – Arena Leisure PLC and Sportech PLC – he turned challenges into triumphs. Ian even helped rescue Sportech from the brink of collapse (over £100 million in debt) and transformed it into a thriving business that returned the debt and an extra £200 million to shareholders – talk about unlocking performance! Along the way, he’s worn many hats: he’s a board director at Playtech, one of the world’s largest gaming technology companies, and serves as Vice-Chairman of Weatherbys (providing tech services to the horseracing industry). He even helped preserve football’s heritage as Chairman of the National Football Museum.Ian is proof that you can aim high in business without losing your down-to-earth passion. He brings a unique blend of serious know-how and a playful spirit – exactly the kind of balance we love on this podcast. With his track record of leadership and a lifelong enthusiasm for sport, Ian embodies the spirit of unlocking human performance. Get ready for an inspiring, engaging (and humorous) conversation with Ian Penrose!Support the show

In this thought-provoking episode of Unlocking Human Potential, Andy Hosgood is joined by leadership storyteller and culture shaper Jeroen (JP) Peters a man who isn’t just watching the future of leadership unfold, but helping shape it.This conversation is a breath of fresh air in a world that often rewards speed, noise, and ego. Together, they explore:Why leadership is more about connection than controlHow to move from “what we do” to “who we are” as leadersThe hidden costs of performing instead of showing up with honestyWhy clarity is the antidote to overwhelm — and how to find itHow modern leadership must evolve to meet real human needsWhether you're building a team, coaching leaders, or reflecting on your own path, this episode will inspire you to pause, reflect, and recommit to showing up with presence, purpose and care.🎧 Tune in now and start leading from the inside out.About JP Jeroen Peters or JP a high-performance leader with nearly two decades in elite sport, including stints with top clubs like Ajax and Club Brugge. He knows the grind of elite culture and the cost that comes with it.But JP will be the first to tell you: “Smooth sailing isn’t where the good stories come from.” He’s failed forward, learned hard lessons, and now helps others do the same getting 1% better every day.His obsession? The human side of performance. Culture over chaos. Trust over tactics. He champions conscious leadership encouraging us to pause, reflect, and lead ourselves first.Jeroen believes real growth comes from genuine connection and the right environment. As he puts it: “Get the environment right, and people don’t just perform they enjoy the journey.”He’s seen the dark side of 24/7 performance culture and now builds systems where people and purpose come first. These days, he coaches, speaks, mentors, and most of all asks better questions.He’s relentlessly curious, a bridge-builder between worlds, and loves being around people who are pushing boundaries just like this podcast.Get ready for a high-energy, human conversation on leadership, trust, and unlocking that extra 1% with the brilliant Jeroen Peters.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeroen-peters-60381746/Support the show

What if the way we treat pain is actually making it worse?In this moving, mind-shifting episode of Unlocking Human Potential, Andy Hosgood sits down with Richmond Stace a physiotherapist, educator, author, and founder of Pain Coaching for a conversation that flips the traditional pain narrative on its head.Richmond shares his radical and compassionate approach to chronic and persistent pain: one rooted in understanding, partnership, and hope. Together, they explore:Why pain isn’t just a physical sensation, but a whole human experienceHow the stories we tell ourselves can either reinforce suffering or unlock healingWhat it means to be seen and believed  especially when living with invisible painWhy compassion and curiosity are more powerful than any fix or quick solutionWhether you're a clinician, coach, patient, or simply someone who wants to live and lead more fully, this episode will leave you with fresh insight, deep inspiration, and a renewed belief in what’s possible for yourself and for others.🎧 Listen now and start reimagining the story of pain, potential, and personal transformation About Richmond StanceRichmond helps people ease and transform chronic and persistent pain and suffering, so they can live with greater freedom, confidence, and possibility.He founded Pain Coaching over 20 years ago as both an approach and a way of being. It integrates compassion, contemporary pain science, rehabilitation, movement, and coaching to support genuine, lasting change.Pain Coaching is not about chasing fixes or fighting the body. It is about understanding pain and suffering, meeting what is present with care and clarity, and creating a practical strategy for change. I work alongside people to help them harness their strengths, build essential skills, and take meaningful action so what matters to them becomes possible again.At its heart, Pain Coaching is about transformation: easing suffering, restoring trust in the body, and supporting people to live themselves better. Pain Talking, mySubstack newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/richmondstaceHis book, Understand and Overcome your Chronic Pain: https://amzn.eu/d/hJm0hdG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paincoach Website: https://www.richmondstace.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richmondstace Support the show

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Andy Hosgood sits down with mental performance coach Joe Bradley to explore what it really takes to unlock potential in life, leadership, and teams.This isn’t a conversation about doing more.It’s about becoming more.Together, they dive into the messy, emotional, inspiring truth about performance:Why growth starts with self-awareness, not strategyHow real leadership is built on curiosity over judgmentThe crucial role of psychological safety in high-performing teamsAnd why the most powerful thing a leader can do… is be kindJoe shares real-life stories from elite sport, coaching and leadership all pointing to one truth:Human performance is built on human understanding.Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, supporting others, or navigating change this episode will challenge how you see others… and yourself.Because unlocking potential starts with the courage to look inward.🎧 Listen now and start building the kind of leader, teammate and human you want to be.#UnlockingHumanPotentialAbout Joe Bradley Joe Bradley is the founder of Frontal Coaching and a mental performance coach working with elite athletes, leaders, and teams including Wigan Warriors Rugby League. With a background in both professional sport and academia, Joe blends science with storytelling to unlock what’s going on in the brain and the body when pressure hits. His mission? To help people respond, not react to perform with purpose, not panic. Whether it’s on the field or in leadership, Joe believes real strength comes from self-awareness, clarity, and conscious decision-making. Expect honesty, humour, and powerful insights that sticks. Instagram: @frontalperformance Website: www.frontalcoaching.com Support the show