The Olympic Mindset Podcast

In this episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic Broad sits down with David Harkin, CEO of 8billionideas, to talk about what it really means to be brilliantly busy. David opens up about his leadership philosophy, how marginal gains can transform performance, and why being world-class starts with how you manage your time.He shares stories from his early working life that shaped his entrepreneurial drive, the lessons he’s learned scaling a global education company, and why vulnerability and self-improvement should be part of every leader’s toolkit. From parenting and personal growth to purpose and productivity—this is a must-listen for anyone seeking high performance with heart.Keywords: leadership, marginal gains, self-improvement, education, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, parenting, world-class mentality, time management, personal developmentTakeaways:"Brilliantly busy" means doing what I love with purpose.Marginal gains are foundational to leadership success.Self-improvement is ongoing, not optional.Early work experiences can forge lifelong values.Parents play a key role in shaping future leaders.A world-class mindset applies to every part of life.Passion and clarity drive better time management.Value minutes—not just hours.If you love what you do, every day matters.Being selfish with time allows us to serve others better.Sound Bites: "I am brilliantly busy." "Pressure is a privilege." "Marginal gains matter."Chapters: 00:00 – Brilliantly Busy: The Art of Balancing Life03:07 – The Power of Marginal Gains in Leadership06:13 – The Importance of Self-Improvement and Perspective09:05 – Lessons from Early Work Experiences12:04 – The Role of Parents in Education15:00 – Creating a World-Class Mentality18:01 – Marginal Gains: Applying Sports Principles to Life20:44 – The Ripple Effect: Making Your Mark23:53 – The Importance of Passion in Time Management26:46 – Finding Balance: Being Selfish to Be Selfless#OlympicMindsetPodcast #DavidHarkin #8BillionIdeas #BrilliantlyBusy #MarginalGains #Leadership #WorldClassMindset #EducationLeadership #TimeManagement #HighPerformance

What happens when you combine relentless energy, lived experience with ADHD, and a passion for educational equity? You get Daniel Hagstedt—a rising voice in global EdTech and UK Director of Magma Maths.In this bold and refreshingly honest episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Daniel shares his story: from growing up in a high-performance family in Sweden to scaling a startup that now supports millions of learners across the globe. He opens up about mental health, moving countries, failing forward, and why discomfort is the greatest teacher.Daniel breaks down how Magma Maths secured $40 million in funding, won recognition from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and is leading a quiet revolution in maths education—one that’s powered by inclusion, AI, and real-world impact.This episode is for you if:You want to turn personal challenges like ADHD into professional strengthsYou're scaling a startup with purpose and want to avoid the hypeYou care about building fair, inclusive education systemsYou lead in education, tech, or policy—and want to do betterTopics Covered:00:00 Who is Daniel Hagstedt?01:06 Competitive upbringing & self-efficacy03:58 ADHD as a mindset advantage06:39 Starting over in the UK08:30 Mental health, autumn fatigue & simple rituals11:08 Magma Maths – the mission and the moment14:51 How they raised $40M and scaled with values18:50 Education policy: Sweden vs UK23:27 The danger of putting profits before pupils25:14 SEN, equity, and what the UK gets right29:57 Rethinking ADHD in the classroom31:18 Gates Foundation validation34:46 The future of education: data, AI, human-first38:00 Final takeaways on leadership & impact40:48 Closing thoughtsPower Quotes: "Whatever you do, do something you care about." "You're not here to find problems—you're here to find solutions." "If you're not failing, you're not growing." "Put teachers first—and students always." "Build a team that challenges your thinking."

How do you balance elite performance with parenting, pressure with vulnerability, and toughness with emotional intelligence?In this powerful episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic Broad sits down with rugby league legend Jamie Peacock MBE to explore the deep, personal lessons learned from a life in sport—and beyond. This is more than a conversation about rugby; it's about resilience, transformation, and living life with purpose.Jamie opens up about the evolution of leadership, the role of feedback, and how becoming a father has reshaped his approach to masculinity, strength, and self-discipline. With reflections on the profound impact of Rob Burrow’s journey, Jamie also shares practical advice on creating resilient children, navigating life after professional sport, and saying yes to growth.Listen if you want to:Redefine what masculinity means in the 21st centuryLearn leadership lessons from elite sportUnderstand the mental health challenges of life after performanceBecome a more emotionally intelligent parent, leader or teammateTimestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Structure03:07 Balancing Family and Career05:47 Rugby Career Highlights and Hall of Fame Induction09:05 Leadership and Team Dynamics11:49 The Importance of Feedback14:56 Early Life Lessons and Values20:01 Creating Challenges for Children23:09 Masculinity and Vulnerability in Modern Society35:09 Transformation of Masculinity in Leadership38:17 The Impact of Rob Burrow's Journey42:09 Adapting Leadership Styles Across Teams47:38 Navigating Life After Professional Sports51:00 Resilience and Learning from Failure56:08 Embracing Challenges for Growth01:01:09 Parenting Wisdom and Life Balance01:04:06 Living Life to the FullestSound Bites: "Spending time with my children is really important." "Masculinity is about being mentally tough." "I think it's important to be vulnerable." "Context is king, isn’t it?" "Resilience is one of my skills in life." "Life’s for living, so say yes to something."#JamiePeacock #OlympicMindsetPodcast #Rugby #Leadership #Masculinity #Parenting #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #RobBurrow #Sports #MentalHealth #HighPerformance

In this episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, host Dominic Broad speaks with Oliver Lundgren, founder and CEO of Skolon—an EdTech company reshaping how students and educators engage with digital learning.Oliver shares the lessons behind his entrepreneurial journey, including how past failures shaped his leadership style and how problem-solving became his driving force. With honesty and clarity, he reflects on the influence of his parents, the challenges of balancing family life and business, and what it really takes to lead a purpose-driven tech company in the education space.Together, they discuss:Why trust is non-negotiable in EdTechThe value of early adopters and real-world feedbackSimplicity as the cornerstone of great technologyHow data is transforming educational outcomesWhy solving problems—not making money—should drive entrepreneursThe long game of legacy and meaningful impactListen if you want to:Understand how to lead an EdTech business with integrityLearn what it takes to build trust in the education sectorHear the reality of balancing entrepreneurship with fatherhoodFind out how data and simplicity are shaping the future of learningTimestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Oliver Lundgren and Skolon02:06 The Journey of Entrepreneurship04:03 Key Ingredients for Success07:05 The Spark Behind Skolon09:19 Parental Influence on Entrepreneurial Spirit11:59 Balancing Work and Family Life14:40 Building Trust in EdTech17:18 The Importance of Simplicity20:12 Leveraging Data for Improvement22:53 Instilling Purpose in Teams25:51 Legacy and Lasting Impact28:40 Advice to Young EntrepreneursSound Bites: "Building something good takes time." "Simplicity is key in technology." "Data can drive educational outcomes."#OlympicMindsetPodcast #OliverLundgren #Skolon #EdTech #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #WorkLifeBalance #SimplicityInTech #EducationInnovation #DigitalLearning #StartupMindset

What if standing differently could change your life?Dr. Amy Cuddy is a world-renowned social psychologist, bestselling author of Presence, and the mind behind one of the most-watched TED Talks of all time. Her research on body language, personal power, and self-efficacy has transformed how people show up in high-stakes moments—from job interviews to leadership roles.In this raw and insightful conversation with Dominic Broad, Amy reveals how nonverbal behaviour can shape how we think, feel, and connect with others.She discusses:Why confidence is about presence, not pretendingThe power of self-affirmation to reduce stress and improve performanceThe dangerous collapse in confidence many girls experience in adolescenceHow we can help kids—and ourselves—take up more spaceWhy kindness and trust matter more than strength in leadershipHer journey through bullying, Harvard, and parentingTimestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Personal Insights03:04 The Power of Body Language05:56 Stereotypes and Gender Dynamics08:48 Encouraging Empowerment in Children11:58 Self-Efficacy vs. Self-Confidence15:02 The Role of Body Language in Relationships17:52 The Impact of Power Poses20:53 Cultural Perceptions of Power24:11 The Importance of Personal Networks26:55 Psychology in Everyday Life29:59 Leadership and Personal Power33:00 Navigating Relationships and Kindness36:01 Reflections on Bullying and Support38:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts45:24 Teaching Excellence at HBS47:35 Building Trust as a Leader52:02 Understanding Trust Cues57:03 Embracing Opportunities and Risks01:01:40 The Journey of Leadership01:06:08 Overcoming Procrastination01:11:39 Finding Purpose and Passion01:14:23 Advice for Young Leaders01:17:00 Nurturing Children's AgencySound Bites: "You're not a noun, you're a verb." "Girls start to collapse." "Trust before strength." "Personal power activates the approach system." "You can't please everyone."dyLanguage #Confidence #SelfEfficacy #Presence #Leadership #Trust #PowerPoses #Kindness #Mindset #Empowerment

Bonus Episode:In this episode of the Olympic Mindset Podcast, Daniel Dawkins, managing director of Aspire People, shares his insights on leadership challenges, particularly focusing on imposter syndrome, the recruitment crisis in education, and the importance of creating a supportive culture for teachers. He discusses the shift in perception of teaching from a vocation to a profession, the significance of mental health and wellbeing, and the need for schools to prepare supply teachers effectively. Daniel emphasizes the noble nature of teaching and the importance of self-care for educators.TakeawaysImposter syndrome is a common challenge for leaders.Hard work and self-belief are crucial for overcoming doubts.The recruitment crisis in education is a pressing issue.Reducing barriers to teacher training is essential.Teaching should be viewed as a vocation, not just a job.Inclusive school cultures lead to better outcomes for students and teachers.Mental health and wellbeing are vital for educators.Teachers need support and preparation when entering new environments.A good diet and exercise contribute to mental health.Education recruitment should prioritize the wellbeing of teachers.Sound Bites"Hard work beats talent every time.""Behaviour is communication.""We love teachers."Chapters00:00 Navigating Leadership Challenges03:06 The Recruitment Crisis in Education06:09 The Shift in Teaching as a Vocation08:57 Creating a Positive School Culture12:05 The Entrepreneurial Spirit in Education14:53 Managing Mental Health and Wellbeing18:03 The Future of Teaching and Recruitment

Who would play you in a Hollywood movie about your life? Darren Cox is one of few living people to have his life and achievements taken to the silver screen.In Season 4, Episode 33 of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic sits down with motorsport visionary Darren Cox—the driving force behind the ground-breaking Gran Turismo Academy and the real-life inspiration for the Gran Turismo film starring Orlando Bloom Darren shares:How he turned a PlayStation game into a global racing phenomenonWhy rule-breaking can breed innovation, whether in sport, business, or life.Lessons learned from navigating high-pressure environments, building performance cultures and scaling real-world businesses from virtual ideas.The mindset shifts behind his next moves, including setting the stage for future endeavours beyond motorsport.🔍 Listen If You Want To:Discover how to turn unconventional ideas into mainstream success.Learn why disruption and creativity beat traditional routes.Get inspired by someone who’s brought a Hollywood moment to real life.Understand how to lead with vision—and leave a legacy.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Rule‑breaking and racing dreams02:00 – Turning a game into a global motorsport movement06:00 – The mindset behind playing by no rules11:00 – Crafting the GT Academy success story18:00 – Orlando Bloom, the film—and real impact22:00 – Leading high‑pressure teams and innovation30:00 – What’s next? Racing, media and beyond💬 Sound Bites:“Rip up the rule book—that’s where the innovation lives.”“I created a real racing path out of a PlayStation.”“Pressure isn’t the enemy—it’s your fuel.”

What if your greatest challenges were actually your edge?This week on The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic sits down with Kavitta Ghai, co-founder and CEO of Nectir, to talk about what it really means to lead with difference. Diagnosed with autism and ADHD later in life, Kavitta opens up about turning her deepest struggles into superpowers—and building one of the most exciting edtech companies in the US.Kavitta shares how being neurodivergent shaped her creativity, her pitch deck, and her purpose—and what it actually takes to raise $6.3 million as a young female founder in a VC world that still doesn’t get it.From mindset shifts to boardroom truths, this is one of our most powerful episodes yet.This episode is for you if:You’ve ever felt like you didn’t fit in—but knew you had something to offerYou want to build something meaningful but don’t know where to startYou’re curious what it really takes to raise millions in VC fundingYou lead, teach, or parent someone who is neurodivergentTopics Covered: 00:00 – Intro: Meet Kavitta 01:12 – Autism, ADHD & finding out late 04:45 – School systems & the myth of fitting in 08:20 – Turning difference into direction 11:00 – The Nectir story: how it started 15:55 – Raising millions in a system not made for her 20:20 – Breaking VC stereotypes 24:00 – Neurodiversity as a superpower 28:00 – What founders get wrong about mindset 38:10 – The future of edtech: trust, access, inclusion 46:40 – Advice for anyone feeling ‘too different’ 50:00 – Closing reflections

Fatima Whitbread – Nature vs. Nurture: Overcoming Trauma to Become a Champion In this unforgettable episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic is joined by legendary Olympian Fatima Whitbread—World Champion, Olympic medalist, and a true symbol of resilience.Raised in care and subjected to unthinkable trauma as a child, Fatima’s journey to the top of world athletics is nothing short of extraordinary. This is not just a conversation about sport—this is about survival, self-belief, and the unstoppable force of the human spirit.Fatima opens up about:How she channelled her pain into performanceThe critical difference between nature and nurtureThe role of love, trust, and belonging in her successWhy mindset is everything—even when the world tells you you're not enoughThis powerful, raw, and deeply human conversation will leave you thinking differently about what it means to be strong.This episode is for you if:You’ve faced adversity and want to find strength on the other sideYou’re fascinated by the power of mindset and personal transformationYou want to understand how trauma can be reshaped into purposeYou’re looking for hope, resilience, or your next spark of motivationTopics Covered:00:00 Meet Fatima – the athlete, the survivor, the human03:20 Growing up in care: trauma, survival, and grit 08:15 Discovering javelin and finding purpose 13:40 The nature vs. nurture debate 18:05 How mentors and belonging changed her life 25:10 Building resilience through sport 31:50 Competing at the highest level 38:00 Lessons from the Olympic stage 45:20 Mental strength, identity, and healing 55:30 Life after elite sport 1:06:00 Giving back, advocacy and her mission today 1:15:40 Final reflections: the power of love and beliefPower Quotes: "I wasn’t just fighting for medals. I was fighting for my place in the world." "Your past does not define your potential." "You don’t get to choose your beginnings—but you do get to shape the rest." "Sport saved me, but mindset transformed me."