Screw It Just DO It with Alex Chisnall

This was the very first podcast interview for Steven Bartlett. You'll know him as host of The Diary of a CEO podcast, as the youngest investor on BBC TV's Dragons Den 2024, and as a successful entrepreneur. It was also the very first interview I recorded as host of this podcast some seven years ago. You'll hear from a 23-year-old Steven who talks about starting his first business at 12 by selling cigarettes at school, not receiving Christmas or Birthday presents from his parents, and dropping out of University after just one lecture. He also offers his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and tells us the number one skill all entrepreneurs need to master. We recorded our conversation via audio only back in 2017, so we have added video to this podcast and tried to enhance the audio - he's speaking to me on his phone! At the time Steven was CEO at Social Chain and had yet to start his podcast, yet to chat about 'my first million', but instead talks about his reading vlog and influencer marketing. The happy sexy millionaire Steven Bartlett's dragon's den journey had yet to begin. You can now of course hear him helping young entrepreneurs on a dragons den full episode. I hope you enjoy this episode as we celebrate seven years since I started Screw It Just DO It. If you've only just discovered my show on YouTube, there are 539 episodes over on Apple and Spotify (links below). Whether you've been listening since 2017 or just discovering my show now, I thank you for your support. This show means the world to me, and I love bringing interesting people to inspire and educate and ultimately help you get from where you are, to where you want to be. If you're able to subscribe to my show it makes a huge difference, and if you're able to tell just one other person about it, it will help me in my mission to impact more people. Let me know what you thought of Steven's (and my) first interviews in the comments below.

Mark Ormrod who dared to chase his dreams, entered the Royal Marines in 2011, determined to make a difference. Little did he know that his life would take a harrowing turn on Christmas Eve 2007 while serving in Afghanistan with 40 Commando Royal Marines. Mark faced the unimaginable - a devastating improvised explosive device explosion that resulted in the traumatic amputation of both legs and his right arm. Astonishingly, he was twice pronounced dead. Mark defied all expectations, emerging as the first triple amputee to survive on the battlefield. A mere 14 weeks after being told he would never walk again, he astounded everyone by marching onto a parade on his new prosthetic limbs to receive the Operational Service Medal from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Despite his horrific injuries, he remains genuinely humble, refusing to let his disability define him. Living life with the mantra 'no limits,' Mark has inspired thousands of Royal Marines and tens of thousands more to embrace their full potential.

Tom Evans served in the army for eight years, achieving the remarkable feat of becoming the youngest captain in the British Army. But everything changed for him when, in 2016 he accepted a pub bet to compete in the iconic Marathon des Sables, one of the toughest footraces on earth. 7 months later Tom found himself on the start line in the Sahara Desert for 2017's edition of the event, massively inexperienced but eager to make an impact. Tom's military training had seemingly instilled a do-or-die attitude and threshold for pain that few could match. Later that year he was ready to leave the Army and leap into becoming a full-time ultrarunner. Today, Tom has left an indelible mark on the sport, establishing himself as a prominent figure and earning sponsorship from major brands.

Their mission is clear —to help people live without limits and grow a community built on teamwork. Spartan Race and Tough Mudder have gained popularity for their ability to provide a unique and challenging experience for participants, promoting physical fitness, mental toughness, and teamwork. Matt Brooke holds a special role as the Senior Vice President at Spartan Race and Tough Mudder. For Matt, this isn't just a position, it's a personal commitment to growth and pushing boundaries. His passion for challenging himself resonates through his fiver-year journey within the organisation, where every day is an opportunity to redefine what's possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL OFFER! Tough Mudder: Podcast listeners can save 30% with the code TOUGHMUD30 Any 2024 Tough Mudder UK Event, both distances (3-5 Miles, 10+ Miles) Discount starts February 1st & expires 29 February at 11:59 pm Head to toughmudder.co.uk/events and enter the code at checkout This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount and excludes any of the endurance races or Lidl Mudder. Spartan: Podcast listeners can save 30% with the code TOUGHMUD30 Any 2024 Spartan UK Event (Sprint, Super & Beast) Discount starts February 1st & expires 29 February at 11:59 pm Head to https://uk.spartan.com/en and enter the code at checkout This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount and excludes any of the other endurance race series.

During a night raid in November 2009, Tobias Gutteridge was taking part in a mission in a compound when a bullet from an AK-47 shattered his vertebrae, he slumped on his knees, fell forward while the fighting continued around him... and was paralysed instantly. Despite being young for Special Forces selection, Gutteridge passed on his first attempt and shortly thereafter found himself facing the Taliban in Afghanistan during his second tour. On his first tour, Gutteridge had the option to return home, but he chose to stay with the squadron—which led to the abrupt end of his career and his life changing injuries. Having experienced numerous close calls with death and even contemplated assisted suicide, he defied the odds and realised it wasn't his time to die. Acknowledging that he would be reliant on a machine for the rest of his life, he pondered how he could continue his mission to do good. Today, Toby runs Bravery, an extreme sports brand that seeks to support and empower individuals who have delved deep within themselves to overcome personal adversities. The brand embodies courage, strength, and resilience, helping individuals bounce back stronger than ever.

How does a former Special Forces Soldier transition to the uncharted territory of civilian life?   Anthony ‘Staz’ Stazicker was a former Special Forces operator and Chief Sniper Instructor and has a remarkable 13-year military career. He is decorated with honours such as the Afghanistan campaign medal and the Conspicuous Gallantry Cross.   In his pursuit to be the master of his own destiny, Staz faced the struggles many encountered when leaving the military. The uncertainty, financial pressures, and the need to support a family added to his journey.   However, his ability to navigate the complexities of civilian life that he acquired in the military helped towards build a successful business.   Acknowledging the risk associated with entrepreneurship, Staz embraced the challenge, co-founding ThruDark, a multimillion-pound clothing company.   Discover the parallels between military battle prep and business planning, as he reveals the secrets to breaking down colossal challenges into manageable steps.

How did a 22-year-old woman from Wokingham who had previously only climbed trees become the youngest British woman to climb Everest at 29,000 feet?   Bonita Norris attended University where the speaker talked about climbing Everest 11 times and mentioned they reached the summit and saw the curvature of the Earth. Bonita knew she had to see that with her own eyes.   During the six months leading up to her Everest expedition, she faced the daunting task of securing £50,000 for the climb. Cold calling for sponsorships proved challenging.   Bonita describes the struggles, rejections, and the toll it took on her. She faced scepticism from friends and family, who deemed her goal unrealistic.   Visualisation became a powerful tool for Bonita during this challenging period. Each night before sleep, she visualised reaching the summit of Everest with her team, seeing the curvature of the Earth.   This mental image served as a source of motivation, preventing her from giving up on her dream. Her determination, resilience, and creativity that she applied to overcome financial hurdles and secure the sponsorship required her Everest expedition.

Having launched the business from his brother's spare room in a converted garage for 14 months with just £500 and transformed it into a thriving £100 million business empire.   Simon Gardiner initially planned to earn money for a couple of years to launch an online retail business in men's clothing. However, he ended up in a recruitment role, which despite being challenging, turned out to be financially rewarding.   However, Simon went through a significant setback during the recession, which posed financial challenges for his business. His family, friends and external observers were sceptical about the viability of the venture.   Simon's experience during the recession becomes a pivotal point in his entrepreneurial journey, demonstrating resilience and determination in the face of adversity.   This period of struggle likely played a crucial role in shaping Simon's mindset and approach to business, emphasising the importance of perseverance and strategic decision-making.

Charles Black has been a space enthusiast since childhood and it's been his dream to build a space television network that films in space.   Charles envisioned a space-centric platform back in the 1990s when the world wasn't quite ready for such a revolutionary concept—no internet, no social media.   Despite the technological constraints, Charles, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit cultivated since age 16, navigated a diverse career path. Throughout this journey, he held steadfast to his cosmic dream.   Charles' intriguing encounter with a four-leaf clover, was a serendipitous sign that solidified his commitment and purpose in pursuing his dream.   Fast forward to today, Charles has launched his life-long dream of space TV by streaming real-time videos from space for the benefit of all humanity.   As he extends his reach to the Moon and beyond, Charles envisions an independent media for humanity, shaping our collective understanding of the cosmos and its profound impact on our lives.

Growing up, the idea of being an entrepreneur wasn't the norm, especially with an Asian background. The path often paved involved choosing prestigious banks, renowned accountancy and consultancy firms-a well-trodden route for Raj Thiruchelvarajah's family.   Raj kicked off his career in a big accountancy firm before venturing into banking management consultancy, accumulating about 15 years of experience.   However, Raj reached a point where he questioned the trajectory of his life. As he looked at his role and pondered whether was it about money or power.   This pivotal moment led him to take a year-long sabbatical, a period of self-reflection that clarified his desire to break free and create something of his own.   Under his leadership in Hytro in creating the first widely available BFR products but has also secured partnerships with top rugby and football teams, as well as well-known sportsmen like Cam Noorie and Sam Warburton.   Raj desired to chart his course, run his own business, and make a meaningful impact.