Unscripted with Spencer Lodge

This week’s guest is Ryan Hopkins, a best-selling author, workplace wellbeing expert and global keynote speaker. His book, 52 Weeks of Wellbeing, has become an international success translated into Korean, Turkish, German, Dutch, and Arabic. Ryan’s mission is to revolutionise workplace wellbeing through a no-nonsense, practical approach, positively impacting over 1.25 million people across the world. Ryan’s career spans leadership roles at Deloitte, Bupa, and now as Chief Impact Officer at JAAQ – recently awarded UK Startup of the Year 2024 and Wellbeing Platform of the Year 2025. His public speaking portfolio includes TEDx talks, keynote speeches to over 110,000 people, and collaborations with major brands like JP Morgan, SAP, Coca Cola, Amazon, NHS, and more. Open about his personal struggles with depression, bulimia, suicidal ideation, and late- diagnosed autism, Ryan offers a refreshingly honest take on wellbeing. His story, from writing his bestselling book in a Wetherspoons pub to setting off on a Middle East tour, embodies resilience, humour and grit.   Please welcome to the show, best-selling author & workplace wellbeing expert – Ryan Hopkins.   7:21 – How to treat wellbeing as Data 10:52 – Difference between wellness and wellbeing 18:45 – He who has a why can deal with any how 21:00 – Deal of Dual Accountability 31:40 – Issues with remote working and finding the balance 35:05 – Microsoft study and how we are distracted every 2 minutes 40:30 – Mental Health taking over Cancer for Medical Insurance claims 54:50 – What can we start to think about implementing as Leaders     Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp    Socials:   Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Ryan Hopkins on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/theryanhopkins1?igsh=a3dvMXZyNXBycnlu https://www.linkedin.com/in/theryanhopkins/

This week’s guest is only 32 years old and what he’s accomplished in that time is nothing short of remarkable. As part of a new generation of high-performance entrepreneurs, he has broken into the UAE real estate scene over the past four years and built one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the region. His approach to business is relentless. His ability to connect with people, demystify the real estate market, and inspire others to succeed is second to none. In this episode, we explore what it truly takes to thrive in real estate, from the qualities he looks for when hiring to why mindset is the cornerstone of long-term success. His journey has been full throttle from day one. He’s made the mistakes, faced the setbacks, overcome the doubts, and used every challenge as fuel to grow stronger, smarter, and more focused. The founder of White & Co and our guest on the show today is the incredibly humble, honest, and driven Callum White.   10:08 – The unshakable belief you’re going to make it 11:48 – If you could go back- what would you do differently? 15:34 – The 20/60/20 sales rule explained 20:03 – What makes the perfect real estate broker? 30:00 – What’s truly difficult to teach in sales? 45:05 – How long before you start making money? (Year to Survive, Year to Thrive) 46:55 – The reality of the Dubai market 52:50 – Building a fulfilling life, not just a career 53:00 – Callum’s other ventures beyond White & Co     Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp    Socials:   Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Calum White on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/calumwhiteceo https://www.linkedin.com/in/calumwhitedxb/  

This week’s guest is Dr. Matteo Vigo, a leading plastic surgeon based in the UAE. With a wealth of experience, Dr. Vigo has performed over 1,500 procedures, including more than 1,000 breast augmentations making him a true expert in the field of cosmetic surgery. In this episode, we explore the history and evolution of cosmetic surgery, from its early beginnings to its rise in popularity. We unpack the key drivers behind this growth, including cultural influences and psychological factors. Dr. Vigo also shares insights into the male perspective; why more men are opting for surgery and the unique concerns they face. We discuss the path to becoming a plastic surgeon, the impact of beauty standards, and the role of technology and innovation in shaping the future of the industry.   3:40  - The Origins of Plastic Surgery: When and How Did It Start 6:45  - When did cosmetic surgery become popular? 8:04  - Drivers for rise in plastic surgery 11:30  - Case Study: Body Dysmorphia 16:45 - The male perspective   20:50 - Men's drivers for plastic surgery 28:15 - How to become a plastic surgeon 31:46 - Understanding Men's Anxieties Around Plastic Surgery 35:00- The golden ratio 39:30 –Talking business - making money 51:00 - Innovations in Technology   Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp    Socials:   Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Dr Matteo Vigo on Social Media instagram.com/drmatteovigo https://www.youtube.com/@drmatteovigo.official/featured  

In this episode, we sit down with Naoum Barakat, a transformative leader in HR strategy and talent development across the UAE and beyond. With decades of experience shaping people and culture in some of the region’s most influential organisations, Naoum brings deep insight into what truly makes a great leader. From the boardroom to the locker room, we unpack leadership through surprising lenses whether it’s Roy Keane’s intensity, Steve Jobs’ paradox of honesty and empathy, or the misunderstood difference between coaching and mentoring. Naoum doesn’t shy away from hard truths: he challenges outdated promotion tactics, questions the rise of “wellbeing theatre,” and reminds us all that you own your growth, not your boss, not your company. If you're leading a team, building a culture, or navigating your own development journey, this conversation will reshape how you think about leadership, empathy and performance in today’s workplace.   3:08 – Why do companies want to promote but not train? 5:00 – What some companies miss out on when promoting Leaders 9:15 – What Questions should you be asking to ensure your promotion is set up for success 11:39 – Leadership is NOT a one size fits all 15:16 – Empathy without honesty is just sugar-coating 20:50 – How do we teach desire as leaders 24:50 – What is the difference between mentoring and coaching 33:18 – How can you bond and lead teams from different cultures 38:00 – Where does health and wellness fit into a business 44:44 – What you can do to have a company thriving culture and workplace wellbeing 53:40 – What impact does a pay rise have on increasing performance 1:04:30 – Project Naoum was most proud of with Mars   Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp    Socials:   Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Naoum Barakat on Social Media https://www.linkedin.com/in/naoum-barakat-a1038122/

This week’s guest is a trailblazer in the legal world and a content creator who’s rewriting the rulebook on how lawyers show up online. Arash Zad is a UAE based lawyer who took a bold step into unfamiliar territory, TikTok - Somewhere most only knew from the funny dancing. While most of his peers stuck to traditional methods, Arash turned the camera on, shared his legal insights with clarity and charisma and the internet took notice. Millions of views later he’s become the first lawyer in the region to go viral on the platform, building a loyal following of roughly 300,000 people. What makes Arash stand out isn’t just his ability to simplify complex legal topics, it’s his fearless approach to innovation in a profession known for playing it safe. In this episode, we dive into the story of how he became the UAE’s first TikTok lawyer and answer questions from viewers and listeners around the world about UAE law. Please welcome to the show, the viral lawyer changing the face of legal content in the Middle East—Arash Zad.   10:10 - The Story of Becoming a Social Media Lawyer 22:15 - New Laws on Financial Advisors (Finfluencers) 28:00 - Cold Calling Changes 29:00 - Scams & Hacks 34:10 - Being Blindsided by Real Estate Deals 41:30 - Biggest Myth Westeners believe about UAE Legal System 45:05 - Key Questions investing in Off Plan Property 55:50 - Biggest mistake setting up a business 57:05 - What is the biggest thing people miss about the law     Show Sponsors:   AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences. https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers     Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp    Socials:   Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Media https://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en  https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge  https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/  https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV  https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/    Follow Arash Zad on Social Media https://www.tiktok.com/@arashzad?_t=ZN-8xoGs3ztaUA&_r=1 https://www.instagram.com/arashzad?igsh=MW84aGVzMHkxYms5

How far would you go to break through fear? For Benoit Demeulemeester, it starts with breathwork, ice baths, and walking barefoot across burning coals.   A former high-stakes banker turned transformational coach, Benoit has spent the last 14 years pushing people past their mental limits. Through Endorphins Management, he’s taken everyone from CEOs to entire teams into fire rituals and freezing water to teach them one thing: your mind is stronger than you think.   This episode is about rewiring fear, building grit, and finding freedom in discomfort. If you’ve ever felt the urge to test your limits, you won’t want to miss this.   02:44 Why resilience is so hard 04:57 The truth about shortcuts  08:31 About Benoit’s journey 15:29 The benefits of an ice bath 25:29 What clients can experience 29:55 Walking on fire 34:03 Men’s mental health 38:45 Client transformations 40:40 Have people lost their tolerance for pain? 44:07 Building better leaders 50:00 The role of breathwork 53:36 Benoit’s 7-day water fast 58:51 Experiences Benoit offers Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers   Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/  Follow Benoit Demeulemeester on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/benoit_dubai_1964?igsh=ejVnb2Z4bjhlM3V2 https://www.linkedin.com/in/benoit-demeulemeester-162388/

What does it take to survive chaos, lead under fire, and rebuild your life from rock bottom? Ollie Ollerton doesn’t just teach it – he’s lived every brutal moment.   A former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces operative, Ollie rose to public attention on ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’. But long before the cameras, he was battling trauma, addiction, and identity loss after leaving the military.   Today, as the CEO of BreakPoint, he helps businesses and individuals unlock elite performance through the same principles that kept him alive. 13:00 – The sense of belonging 18:47 – The power of helping other people 28:04 – The idea of success 32:27 – Early childhood trauma 40:23 – Being battle ready 46:48 – The start of ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’ 59:37 – Letting go of the past to move forward 1:08:09 – The value of a Mission Statement Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers   Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/  Follow Ollie Ollerton on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/ollie.ollerton/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/ollie.ollerton/ https://x.com/ollie_ollerton?lang=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/double-o/

Jas Mathur made his first million before he turned 20. But his biggest success? Reinventing himself. From tech prodigy and media mogul to health entrepreneur and investor, Jas’s story is one of relentless drive, reinvention, and personal transformation. He’s built businesses worth hundreds of millions and lost over 100kg in a complete health reset. This episode goes far deeper than money and metrics. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, athlete, or simply someone chasing a better version of yourself, this is the mindset masterclass you didn’t know you needed. 03:22 – The dark side of success  10:54 – Managing stress like a CEO  17:42 – Chasing purpose, not validation  26:00 – From sports to celebrity circles  33:08 – Jas’ 100kg transformation 46:25 – Betting on yourself 56:45 – The birth of limitless 1:14:33 – Who inspires Jas Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers   Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/ Follow Jas Mathur on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/limitless/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/limitlessx https://x.com/limitless?lang=en https://www.tiktok.com/@limitless  

Most people struggle to run even one marathon. Paris Norriss ran seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days.   Adventurer and endurance athlete, Paris Norriss, shares what it takes to push the body and mind to the absolute limit.   Alongside his friend James Elliott-Square, Paris completed the World Marathon Challenge, running a full marathon every 24 hours across Antarctica, Africa, Australia, Asia, Europe, South America, and North America. But this conversation goes far beyond the running.   We dive into the psychology of resilience, the mental battles most people never see, and the emotional toll of pushing through pain when your body is screaming to stop.   Tune in to hear what really drives someone to do the impossible. 02:54 – More about The Mad Adventure 09:08 – Training for 7 marathons, on 7 continents, in 7 days 11:41 – Running the Arctic 20:11 – Mindset matters more than muscle 33:24 – The role of support 39:20 – How running compares to other extreme adventures 45:00 – Grit: Born with, or can you build it? 53:13 – How childhood shapes us 1:07:26 – What’s next for Paris? Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers   Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp.https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/  Follow Paris Norriss on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/parisnorriss/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/c/guyindubai https://www.facebook.com/ParisNorriss/

What does it take to go from survival mode to a $370 million exit – all without breaking?   Maaz Sheikh, co-founder and CEO of Starz Play, has lived the answer.    In this episode, Maaz opens up about the high-stakes journey of building one of the Middle East’s leading streaming platforms, from battling burnout and chasing investment, to navigating a buyout and preparing for what’s next.   This is the untold story behind one of the region’s biggest media growth plays, and a powerful conversation about resilience, vision, and the relationships that hold it all together.   01:48 – Where Starz Play fits in the global streaming race 05:52 – COVID’s impact: 6 years of growth in 6 weeks 13:41 – How audiences are shifting, fast 16:55 – Hitting content home runs  21:37 – The power of the right investors 30:00 – Inside the buyout 40:46 – Resilience under pressure 42:23 – Gym time, support, and real relationships 52:27 – The $370 million milestone and what’s next 01:04:32 – Why in-person connection still matters Show Sponsors: AYS Developers: A design-focused company dedicated to crafting exceptional homes, vibrant communities, and inspiring lifestyle experiences.https://bit.ly/AYS-Developers   Allsopp & Allsopp: Redefining real estate, through cutting-edge technology and setting new standards for seamless, elevated customer experience. Keep moving with Allsopp & Allsopp. https://bit.ly/Allsopp-and-Allsopp Socials: Follow Spencer Lodge on Social Mediahttps://www.instagram.com/spencer.lodge/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@spencer.lodge https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencerlodge/ https://www.youtube.com/c/SpencerLodgeTV https://www.facebook.com/spencerlodgeofficial/  Follow Maaz Sheikh on Social Mediahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/maazsheikh?originalSubdomain=ae https://x.com/maaz_starzplay?lang=en