As we hit the heart of summer, things slow down… or at least, they’re meant to. But if you’re anything like me, you might find yourself trying to cram in a family holiday, some intense workouts, and a few learning opportunities – all before September sneaks up on us. So, the question becomes: can you slow down and still move forward?
Business of Endurance Podcast
What does it take to be the fastest in the world – not once, but time and time again? And what can business leaders learn from world-record-breaking athletes?
This week, we sit down with Richard Oakes, a world champion, national record-holder, and co-founder of Team Ohten Aveas, the world’s fastest masters cycling team. But Richard isn’t just dominating the track – he’s also reshaping how high-performance thinking applies in the business world, coaching elite firms to work smarter, perform under pressure, and embrace marginal gains for success.
In this episode, we uncover the secrets of elite endurance – from pushing past plateaus to balancing ambition with longevity. Richard shares how data, resilience, and the mindset of a champion can transform not just your performance, but your career and health. If you want world-class strategies to go faster, think sharper, and achieve more, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. Listen to it here.
What I’ve Been Reading
A riot of punk rock chaos, vulnerability, and unexpected inspiration – Adrian Edmondson’s autobiography, Berserker, is just the kind of reading we need over the holidays. Ade, known for his iconic roles in The Young Ones and Bottom, manages to blend humour with humanity as he reflects on a life of anarchy, creativity, and personal growth.
He captures the tension between persona and person, performance and truth, in a way that’s both wildly entertaining and disarmingly raw. It’s easy to forget how much wisdom lives beneath the laughs – until you find yourself thinking about your own journey through identity, ambition, and impact. One to pack in your holiday bag.
TED Talk I’ve Found Interesting
What does it really take to start something meaningful? According to Derek Sivers, it’s not just about leadership – it’s about followers, momentum, and a touch of dancing on a hilltop. In just three minutes, How To Start A Movement delivers more insight than many hour-long lectures, reminding us that movements often begin not with a genius idea, but with the courage to follow someone else’s lead. Whether you’re building a business, creating content, or trying to start a new morning routine, it’s a clever and energising reminder that influence starts with action – and a little vulnerability.
What I’ve Been Watching
I’ve never watched the Tour de France from start to finish before, but this year – with Bronwyn hooked on cycling – we’ve made it a family habit to catch the daily highlights. And I’m hooked. There’s something awe-inspiring about watching these athletes push through punishing terrain with grit and grace.
It’s a masterclass in consistency, strategy, and endurance – qualities that matter just as much in business as they do on a bike. And the daily rhythm of watching with Bron has reminded me that inspiration often arrives when you’re just spending time with people you love.
Quote Of The Week
“True networking happens when there’s a mutual desire to lift each other up, not just get ahead.” – Unknown
Tech I’ve Found Useful
If you’re drowning in feedback forms, survey results or CRM data, MonkeyLearn is like a life raft made of AI. It helps you turn messy data into clean insights and identify patterns that might otherwise go unseen. Whether you’re trying to understand your audience better or track shifts in client sentiment, it’s a simple way to make smarter decisions faster. Ideal for those who love insight but hate spreadsheets.
The Trusted Team
It’s no coincidence that watching a peloton of cyclists has made me think about business networking. Each rider has a role. Each benefit from the momentum of others. Each understands the power of staying in the right pack. That’s exactly the ethos behind our Niche to Network Workshop.
Taking place in London on 10th September, this ½ day workshop is designed to show you how to stop chasing clients and start building the strategic relationships that bring them to you. You’ll learn how to refine your niche, build mutually beneficial alliances, and walk away with real, valuable connections – not just LinkedIn requests.
If you want to work smarter, reduce the marketing hamster-wheel, and build something sustainable with the right people, drop the team an email to register. Space is limited, so don’t sit on this one.
Summer’s a funny thing – it invites us to slow down, but it also gives us the clarity to speed up in the right direction. Hope this edition gives you the inspiration, tools and nudges to keep momentum where it matters most.
Until next time.
