The Room Where It Happened

Before it became a worldwide holiday staple, The Elf on the Shelf was simply a Pitts family tradition, one that Christa Pitts helped turn into a cultural phenomenon through grit, creativity, and unshakeable belief.In this episode, Christa looks back on the early days of being rejected by every publisher, the decision to self-publish with her family’s savings on the line, and the scrappy marketing tactics that brought their little elf to life in homes across America.She reveals the unexpected celebrity moment that sent the brand soaring, the battles to protect their idea from copycats, and the hard lessons learned while scaling a fast-growing company. Christa also opens up about leading through personal loss, staying true to the brand’s values, and building a culture that embraces experimentation, heart, and the occasional failure.It’s a conversation about family, courage, and the magic that happens when you bet on your own story, no matter how many times you hear “no.”---JOIN OUR COMMUNITY👔 LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-room-where-it-happened/?viewAsMember=true📸 Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/room.where.it.happened/🗞️ Newsletter 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-room-where-it-happened-7315326937923485696/PARTNERSIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/RWIH-IFS-yt#JakeHumphrey #business #highperformance

From Top Gear to The Grand Tour and Clarkson’s Farm, Andy Wilman has spent decades redefining what car television can be, and learning a few hard lessons along the way.In this episode, Andy opens up about the high-stakes Amazon deal that launched The Grand Tour, the legal and creative gymnastics of building something “like Top Gear, but not Top Gear,” and the spontaneous tent idea that became the show’s trademark. He reflects on the behind-the-scenes chaos, the unexpected magic of Clarkson’s Farm, and the times they got it wrong, and what those moments taught him about humility, persistence, and trusting your instincts.It’s a candid look at creativity under pressure, the fine line between chaos and genius, and how taking risks (and a few punches) can lead to something unforgettable.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at:https://highpfrmc.com/RWIH-IFS-auAndy’s book ‘Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure’ is out now and available to purchase - https://hppod.co/mr-wilmans-motoring-adventure-clarkson 

From delivering coffees at 14 to becoming CEO of Matchroom Boxing, Frank Smith has lived every side of the fight game.In this episode, Frank reflects on the defining moments that shaped his career, from his first “final warning” as a teenager to leading global events watched by millions. He shares the unexpected twists behind major fights like Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul, the lessons learned from high-stakes negotiations, and why ego is the enemy of progress. Frank also offers an inside look at the business risks behind boxing’s biggest nights and how staying grounded, adaptable, and relentlessly positive helped him rise through the ranks.It’s a story about graft, growth, and learning to fight smart, both in and outside the ring.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/RWIH-IFS-yt

In this week's notebook I discuss the importance of not just finding your why, but acting on it.I share the unexpected panic I felt travelling back from my interview with Robert Lewandowski because of the thought I might miss my flight home. That rising fear revealed something important: when your purpose shifts, your reactions shift too. For me, family has become my why, and anything that pulls me away from it hits hard.If you’ve been feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or out of alignment, this episode is a reminder that purpose isn’t a luxury — it’s your anchor. When you know your why, the world settles.

Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou joins us from Monaco to revisit the moment easyJet was created, beginning with the 1994 launch, where he persuaded his father to back his idea for a new kind of airline. He reflects on the early years of bold marketing stunts, legal battles with British Airways, and a fierce rivalry with Ryanair that pushed him to keep costs low, move fast and build a brand the public instantly recognised.Stelios speaks openly about the pressure of running a young airline, the mistakes that almost derailed it, and the key decisions that shaped its future, including adopting the internet early and expanding the "easy" name into hundreds of businesses. He also shares how this success now fuels his philanthropic mission.IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/RWIH-IFS-au  Heights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your energy, with Vitals. Get 20% off with code Room20: https://highpfrmc.com/heights-vitals-au

In this week's notebook, I talk about the fear I felt going into an interview with footballing superstar Robert Lewandowski, why we should enjoy our struggles, celebrate ourselves, and actively seek fear, not run from it. If you're currently feeling paralysed by fear or dissatisfied with everyday life, this episode's here to remind you that life's not meant to be perfect.Be proud of yourself and celebrate your successes, no matter how small, because everything above zero compounds.

How does someone go from tinkering with computers in a small Manchester bedroom to leading Microsoft UK’s AI revolution? For Darren Hardman, it began with curiosity, hard work, and a lesson that changed his outlook forever: success isn’t about working more hours, it’s about working with purpose.In this episode, Darren shares the defining moments that shaped his leadership journey, from early sacrifices and personal turning points to the bold initiatives driving Microsoft’s role in making the UK an AI superpower. He offers a candid look behind the scenes at what it takes to lead through rapid technological change, empower teams, and build a culture of learning and innovation.It’s a story about balance, belief, and how embracing change can transform both a career and an entire industry.---PARTNERSIFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software 👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/RWIH-IFS-ytHeights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your energy, with Vitals. Get 20% off with code Room20: https://highpfrmc.com/room-yt-vitals---JOIN OUR COMMUNITY👔 LinkedIn 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-room-where-it-happened/?viewAsMember=true📸 Instagram 👉 https://www.instagram.com/room.where.it.happened/ 🗞️ Newsletter 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-room-where-it-happened-7315326937923485696

In this week's notebook, I talk about the invisible force that quietly decides the quality of every relationship, the surprising link between doing the hard things you’d rather avoid and living a longer, calmer life, and the truth about time — how we use it, and how it completely changed my view on discipline and what’s truly important.If any part of you feels stuck, stretched, or short on motivation, this episode will give you something real to work with. Press play and discover the three lessons that have already changed mine.Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January. https://hppod.co/472Og7qBook Recommendation: Unlearning Masculinity by Cassandra Andrews https://amzn.eu/d/dqPXW2l

As founder of Nails Inc., Thea Green built one of the UK’s most successful beauty brands by combining creativity with integrity, and knowing when to pivot.In this episode, Thea shares the defining moment she decided to close the last nail bar and shift fully to retail, the lessons learned from turning down early acquisition offers, and the challenge of letting go after selling the business to find new purpose. She also reflects on the power of honesty and apologising in leadership, the importance of timing, and why adaptability and empathy are the true foundations of lasting success.It’s a story about courage, evolution, and staying true to your values while navigating change at every stage of business.Partners:IFS - award-winning Asset & Service Management software👉 Reimagine your operations at: https://highpfrmc.com/ifs-auHeights 👉 Join Jake in maintaining your energy, with Vitals. Get 20% off with code Room20: https://highpfrmc.com/heights-vitals-au