Wake Up with Chris Donnelly

No one teaches you how to embrace failure, but what if that’s the only way to truly succeed? Today, I’m sitting down with Elizabeth Day, bestselling author, journalist, and host of the How To Fail Podcast, the hit podcast that’s changed how millions of people think about setbacks. Elizabeth opens up about the moments that shaped her: growing up in Northern Ireland, feeling like an outsider at school, the pursuit of confidence, and how repeated rejection eventually became her greatest superpower. She also shares the deeply personal stories behind her success, from boarding school struggles to navigating miscarriage, online hate, and public life, and why your ability to fail well might be the most important skill you’ll ever learn. If you’ve ever felt like you're behind, broken, or not enough, this one’s for you. Sign up to Revolut Business at https://www.revolut.com/rb/wakeup and add money to your account before August 31st, 2025, to receive a £200 / $200 welcome bonus. Subscription fees and T&Cs apply. Available for new Business customers in the UK and US. US Customers: Revolut is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. The Revolut USA Prepaid Visa and Prepaid Mastercard are issued by Lead Bank pursuant to licensing by Visa(c) U.S.A. Inc. and Mastercard International for Mastercard cards. Your funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000 through Lead Bank, Member FDIC. See https://www.revolut.com/en-US/ for more details. 0:00 Introduction 1:40 Elizabeth & Chris’ experiences with IVF struggles 7:00 Self doubt in your 20s  9:55 Elizabeth’s early years 15:40 “Confidence in a muscle you can flex” 16:55 Elizabeth’s first job at 12  20:30 Gossip columnist 23:20 “Just do the hard thing over and over again” 24:50 Introverted Vs Extrovert 31:00 Understanding failure 35:20 If you're feeling lost watch this   39:15 Thoughts on Ozempic  41:15 How to balance it all 49:30 Elizabeth's IVF story 59:40 Sally Phillips opens up about failure 1:03:30 Kate Winslet opens up about failures 1:05:30 Psychic readings  1:13:30 Failing in your 20s  1:16:00 5 year plans 1:21:00 The importance of friendship 1:23:00 Work addiction 1:26:50 Conflict avoidant 1:29:20 Stop being a people pleaser 1:32:00 How to set boundaries 1:35:00 How to deal with negative opinions 1:40:20 Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively court case  1:44:50 Elizabeth being a CEO & Founder Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/  Follow Elizabeth: https://www.instagram.com/elizabday/ Pre sale link: https://lnk.to/OneOfUsElizabethDay

You don’t need more motivation. You need mastery. In this episode, I sat down with ‪Master Shi Heng Yi  one of the world’s most respected voices on self-discipline, inner strength, and mental clarity. He’s not here to give you life hacks. He’s here to teach you how to face the uncomfortable truth: that most of us are running from ourselves. We unpack what it really means to live with presence, power, and purpose and how to stop letting your emotions, distractions, and past pain run the show. From overcoming addiction to comfort to understanding why we are the cause of our suffering, this conversation is a blueprint for those ready to step out of autopilot and take their mind back. If you’ve ever felt anxious, undisciplined, or like something’s missing, this is your wake-up call. Chapters:  0:00 Introduction 1:10 Early Years 3:20 Rebelling 6:40 How to Deal with Comparison & Competitiveness 10:00 How to Figure Out the Purpose of Life 12:12 Epidemic of Addiction & Greed 17:00 What to Do When Times Get Hard 20:00 Pain & Failure Can Sometimes Be Good 25:05 Demon Hand, Buddha Heart 28:00 Is This the Life You Want to Live? 30:00 How Can People Motivate Themselves? 33:00 Why Discipline Is Needed 34:00 How to Confront Your Demons 35:30 Have You Got a Dead Corpse in the Basement? 40:30 Your Thoughts Become Who You Are 42:50 5 Hindrances to Sensory Growth 45:50 R.A.I.N. Method 48:00 How to Stop Getting Triggered 50:00 You Can’t Grow When Comfortable 54:20 How to Grow Your Heart 56:10 Consistency Is More Powerful Than Intensity 1:00:08 Failure vs. Success 1:02:15 How to Focus on Goals 1:05:00 How to Let Things Go 1:06:00 How to Bring the Shaolin Spirit into Your Life Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en  Follow Master Shi Heng Yi: https://www.instagram.com/shihengyi.online/?hl=en  Master Shi Heng Yi's Book: https://linktr.ee/shihengyi.online

You don’t need to shout to be heard. You don’t need to win every argument to be respected. And you don’t need to fear difficult conversations, if you know how to lead them. In this episode, trial lawyer and #1 speaking coach Jefferson Fisher shares the communication frameworks that have made him one of the most trusted voices online for navigating conflict, setting boundaries, and speaking with confidence. We explore why less is more when you speak, how to stay calm under pressure, and the one mindset shift that instantly makes you more magnetic in any room. From boardrooms to relationships, Jefferson’s practical tools will help you argue less, say more, and lead without raising your voice. If you’ve ever struggled with people pleasing, being heard, or standing your ground, this one’s for you. Chapters: 0:00 Intro: Why Words Matter More Than Ever  1:30 Jefferson’s Backstory  4:50 Jefferson Powerful Online Voice  7:10 “What You Say Is Who You Are”  9:50 How to Spot a Liar  12:55 Nervous Before a Hard Conversation? Try This  15:20 Declutter Your Sentences, STOP Saying Um  17:45 Power of Speed & Tone in Speech  21:00 Why You Might Sound Like You're Lying  24:00 "Don’t Be a Waterfall, Be a Well"  27:00 How to Argue Less and Say More  30:00 How to Spot “Knots” in a Conversation  33:25 How to Lean Into Conflict  36:40 Feel an Argument Coming? Do This First  41:30 People Mirror Your Frequency, Use It Wisely  43:30 How to STOP Reacting to Insults  46:30 The Power of Letting Go  50:00 Stop Forcing Your Opinion, Try This Instead  56:00 The 3-Step Framework for Difficult Conversations  1:01:30 How to Argue Like a Lawyer  1:04:40 How to Say “NO” With Confidence  1:07:00 How to Clearly Set Boundaries  1:11:00 How to STOP People Pleasing  1:14:35 How to Stay Calm When Insulted  1:21:00 How to Apologise Properly  1:22:45 What to Say After a Bad Apology  1:25:30 How to Deal With a Narcissist  1:29:00 How to STOP Getting Defensive  1:30:30 Handling Insults at Work  1:33:00 How to Have Tough Conversations at Work  1:34:00 How Jefferson Leads His Business Link to Book: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/book Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en Follow Jefferson: https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher/?hl=en

This episode might change the way you think about mindset forever. At just 17, Maya Raichoora was diagnosed with a chronic illness that left her unable to walk, eat, or even attend school. Doctors told her she’d never recover fully. But what changed everything wasn’t just treatment — it was visualisation. Maya shares the exact moment her healing journey began, how she used mental imagery to rewire her brain, and the powerful mindset tools she now teaches in her new book “Visualise.” If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, or like you’re living in survival mode This conversation is a blueprint for getting back to yourself. Chapter: 00:00 – Introduction 02:31 – Introducing Maya 03:24 – Maya’s Early Life as a High Performer 04:09 – Diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 05:19 – The Mental and Physical Struggle 06:39 – Isolation and Shame 08:39 – Searching for a Cure Worldwide 09:39 – The Question That Changed Everything 10:39 – Visualising a New Future 12:09 – The Obsession with the Mind-Body Connection 13:09 – Turning Pain into Purpose 14:09 – How to Start Visualising 15:09 – Building Your Future Self Through Reps 16:39 – The Power of Slowing Down 19:09 – Mind Like a Lake: A Visualisation for Calm 20:39 – The Energy Diet No One Talks About 22:39 – Recognising Your Seasons 26:09 – Hibernation Mode for High Performers 28:09 – Spring, Summer, and Harvest Cycles 30:39 – Following Your Own Race 33:39 – Building a Character-Driven Identity 36:09 – Taking Radical Responsibility 39:39 – The Real Role of Social Media 42:09 – Internal vs External Validation 45:39 – When You're Overwhelmed by Feedback 48:39 – Building Mental Fitness Habits 51:39 – Celebrating the Present Moment 54:39 – Letting Go of the Hustle Guilt 57:39 – Learning to Delete, Not Just Add 01:00:39 – Visualising Nike-Level Mindset 01:03:39 – Book Writing, Reading, and Rewriting Beliefs 01:06:39 – Building Accessible Tools for Young People 01:09:39 – Future Plans for Mental Fitness Education 01:12:39 – Why We Avoid Hard Conversations 01:15:39 – 6 Vulnerable Questions That Build Deep Connection 01:18:39 – Managing Stress Through Language and Awareness Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en  Follow Maya: https://www.instagram.com/maya.mental.fitness/?hl=en  Link to book: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/465180/visualise-by-raichoora-maya/9781846048524

No one teaches you how to walk into Soviet negotiations on a tourist visa and walk out with one of the biggest gaming deals in history. Today, I’m sitting down with Henk Rogers, the entrepreneur who brought Tetris to the world and outplayed billion-dollar corporations to secure the rights. His journey is a masterclass in risk-taking, negotiation, and reinvention. We dive into: - How Henk convinced Nintendo to bet on Tetris - The truth behind the movie vs. reality: what really happened in Moscow - The Game Boy deal that changed gaming forever - How a near-death experience turned him into a climate change activist - His new book, The Perfect Game: Tetris: From Russia with Love, where he reveals the untold story behind the Tetris battle and what Hollywood didn’t show Now, he’s on a mission to make the world 100 percent renewable by 2045, and he’s already led Hawaii to become the first state to commit. This is about big risks, big wins, and using success to change the world. Let’s get into it. Chapters:  0:00 The Origin Story Begins 1:23 Henk's Humble Beginnings 3:19 Following Love All the Way to Japan 6:00 Bringing Western Games to the East 10:00 Betting the Farm Literally 11:00 The Moment Henk Found Tetris 20:00 Tetris Meets Game Boy 23:00 Entering the Soviet Union… on a Tourist Visa 24:00 The KGB Is Now Involved 31:00 Negotiating Behind the Iron Curtain 39:00 When It All Nearly Fell Apart 40:00 Why the Tetris Launch Initially Flopped 48:00 Henk & Alexey Pajitnov Friendship 53:00 Fact vs Fiction Does the Movie Get It Right 57:00 How Writing His Book Came to Be 59:00 Henk's Near Death Experience 1:01:00 Henk’s Mission to Ditch Carbon Fuels for Good 1:02:00 How Much Henk Sold His Company For 1:03:00 How to Actually Make Renewables Profitable 1:09:00 Henk's New App to Help Climate Change 1:11:00 Advice for the Next Generation of Dreamers 1:12:00 The Real Story Behind Henk’s Book Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en  Follow Henk: https://www.instagram.com/henkrogers/?hl=en  Link to Henk's Book: https://www.diangelopublications.com/shop/p/the-perfect-game

Social media is hijacking your brain. Dopamine overload is killing your focus. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are wrecking your body. The modern world is designed to keep you addicted, distracted, and exhausted. So how do you take back control? In this episode, neuroscientist TJ Power explains the science behind dopamine, addiction, and productivity. The author of DOSE: The Brain Chemistry That Drives Happiness & How to Optimize It, TJ has trained over 80,000 people in brain chemistry optimisation, helping them rewire their habits, overcome distractions, and regain control of their minds. We also dive into dopamine fasting, the ideal morning routine for peak productivity, and why your phone might be the biggest obstacle to deep focus. If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed, this conversation will give you strategies for resetting your brain and reclaiming your focus. Chapters:  0:00 Introduction 2:00 TJ’s Upbringing 5:00 Family Friendship with Jay Shetty 6:00 Growing Up with OCD 8:40 TJ’s Party Phase 11:00 Hitting Rock Bottom 14:00 TJ’s Teachings Begin 15:30 The DOSE Framework Explained 23:00 The Power of Slowing Down in Nature 24:30 Chris Sells His Company 29:00 A Smarter Way to Set Goals 32:00 Why Entrepreneurs Often Struggle with Addiction 39:00 What Alcohol Really Does to Your Dopamine 43:00 TJ’s Dad Quits Drinking 48:00 Understanding Serotonin 51:00 Why Mental Health Issues Are on the Rise 53:00 Boosting Motivation by 48% (Yes, Really) 58:00 The Surprising Benefits of Watching More TV 1:03:30 Is Cold Water Therapy Actually Effective? 1:06:00 How to Enter a Flow State 1:12:30 How Your Diet Impacts Brain Function 1:18:00 How to Boost Melatonin and Sleep Better 1:22:30 Does WHOOP Accurately Track Sleep & Fitness? 1:24:00 What Is Oxytocin (and Why It Matters) 1:27:00 Single vs. Relationship Oxytocin – What’s the Difference? 1:31:00 How Oxytocin Relates to Sex and Intimacy 1:35:00 The Science of Stopping Overthinking Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en Follow TJ Power: https://www.instagram.com/tjpower/?hl=en Link to Book: https://thedoseeffect.co.uk/

No one teaches you how to build a £50 million business from your university bedroom, but getting it right can change everything. Today, I’m sitting down with Sara Davies, entrepreneur, investor, and former Dragons' Den star. Sara started as a young founder, juggling imposter syndrome, tough decisions, and relentless pressure. Now she’s built an empire, invested in countless businesses, and even danced her way through Strictly Come Dancing. But for the first time, she’s revealing why she’s stepping away from Dragons’ Den and what’s next. She also shares amazing insight into her new book, "The Six Minute Entrepreneur: 52 Lessons for Long-Term Success," where she breaks down the small, daily actions that lead to big results in business and life.  Chapters:  0:00 Introduction 1:30 Why Sara is leaving Dragon Den 5:30 How Sara became an entrepreneur  9:00 Start of Sara’s crafting journey  19:00 Sara’s husband supporting her  21:00 Working with family  26:00 Jugerling Parenting & Business 32:00 Sara’s Legacy  34:00 Relationship with Risk  39:00 Imposter syndrome  44:20 Strictly come dancing  57:00 Should you build a business to sell?   1:00:00 How to win over Sara's investment 1:08:00 Sara’s first day on Dragons Den  1:15:00 Sara couching the guest dragons  1:19:00 Sara’s New Book  1:24:00 How to stay focused Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en  Follow Sara: https://www.instagram.com/saradaviescc/?hl=en  Link to Sara's Book: https://amzn.eu/d/a3F1uHA

No one teaches you how to be a great leader, but getting it wrong can make or break your career. Today, I’m sitting down with Heather Elkington, the Gen Z leadership coach who’s helped thousands step up with confidence. Heather started as a young manager at Harrods, struggling with imposter syndrome, tough feedback, and impossible workloads. Now she’s trained leaders at American Express, Abercrombie & Fitch, and FTSE100 companies and she’s here to share what actually works. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or unsure as a leader, this episode is for you. Chapters:  0:00 Introduction  3:00 The worst type of leader  5:00 How to give bad feedback 8:30 Why you need to stop being nice 15:00 Heather's love for work 17:00 working at Harrods 22:00 Building Her Business  44:00 Why you need core values  51:00 What does a great manager actually do  58:00 Heather First Business inspiration  1:03:00 Dark side of entrepreneurship  1:07:00 How to conduct a 1-to-1s  1:10:00 How to set boundaries  1:12:00 What is the biggest mistake managers make  1:22:00 What is the mission of the business 1:30:00 What's next for Heather  Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en Follow Heather: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipheather/?hl=en

Manifestation isn’t just wishful thinking, it’s a science-backed process that can completely transform your life. But most people are doing it all wrong.  In this episode, Roxie Nafousi, bestselling author and the leading voice in modern manifestation, reveals the 7-step formula that has helped thousands turn their dreams into reality. Plus, she gives us an exclusive deep dive into her brand-new book, Confidence: 8 Steps to Knowing Your Worth  Roxie doesn’t just talk about thinking positively, she shares the practical strategies that high achievers use to shape their reality.  Chapters:  0:00 Introduction  1:50 Roxie journey  3:30 Rat experiment  5:10 Roxie’s First Journey with Manifestation 6:50 Is manifestation real?  12:20 How to manifest a relationship   17:00 8 steps to confidence   21:00 How did your friends react  23:00 How to find out who are your true friends  27:30 What is the science behind manifestation  31:30 How to pick yourself up when you’re feeling low ( Gratitude Journal)  35:00 Don't miss the good old days  41:30 How to create a vision board  43:20 How can people remove the barrier of fear  43:20 How to find your purpose  47:00 How to turn envy into inspiration 52:00 How can you negatively manifest  53:00 Roxie’s first manifestation event  1:03:00 How Roxie learnt about branding  1:06:00 Roxie starting her business  1:11:00 Roxie’s Imposture Syndrom 1:15:00 Investing Journey    Confidence: 8 Steps to Knowing Your Worth here: https://bio.to/Confidence. Available from March 27th.   Follow Chris: https://www.instagram.com/chrisdonnellyofficial/?hl=en-gb  Follow Roxie: https://www.instagram.com/roxienafousi/?hl=en-gb

This week on Wake Up, we’re doing things a little differently. I’m giving you an unfiltered look into a day in my life as a busy founder and CEO. No fake hustle, no highlight reels, just the real grind of juggling multiple businesses, coaching, and live shows while making time for deep work, a workout, and a beer at the end. And it’s a packed one. The day starts with a deep-dive consultant session with Eric Partaker, followed by work, community calls, and hosting a live podcast for Sahil Bloom’s book launch event in front of 1,000 people. If you’ve ever wondered how I actually get things done without losing my mind, this is for you. Chapters:  0:00 Morning Routine 4:20 First Meeting 6:50 Consultant Day with Eric Partaker 8:45 Lunch & Work 10:00 Cohort Call 11:20 Heading to South Kensington 12:40 Backstage at Sahil Bloom Live Event 15:15 Sahil Bloom Live Event 17:40 Wrapping Up the Day 18:35 Outtakes Drop a comment and let me know, what part of your day you struggle to manage the most. Subscribe for more real talk on entrepreneurship, productivity, and making it all work.