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If you’ve ever felt lonely in a packed city or overwhelmed by “community” that never leaves the screen, this conversation will reset your compass. Jason Iliffe, co‑founder of CLIQ, joins us to unpack how a simple idea help community founders manage, market, and monetise in one place grew into a fast moving IRL platform spanning London, the US, Australia, Bali, and Dubai. We dig into the quiet mechanics that make groups thrive: brand signals people actually say out loud, clear rituals that bring strangers back next week, and the counterintuitive choice to solve builders’ problems first so users show up for the right reasons.

We get practical about strategy why ideas aren’t unique, why patience beats panic, and how 1% daily gains create “overnight wins.” Jason maps the “third space” crisis, with offices empty, pubs closing, and our feeds filled with brands instead of friends. That’s where CLIQ leans in: run clubs as new dating, DJ in the sauna nights, sober socials, swim clubs, intimate dinners, and cultural groups claiming space on their own terms. He shares the leadership habits that hold it all together: doing the boring jobs, setting standards by example, building resilience through rejection, and treating rest as a strategic input after a health scare forced a reset.

We also talk about building with your partner how complementary skills, honest read outs in investor rooms, and a dual lens on safety create real advantages. Looking ahead, Jason outlines US expansion, a major funding round, and a long term vision for community hubs in global cities: physical homes where connection compounds. If you care about community building, product strategy, or simply finding your people offline, this one’s for you.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s building something, and leave a quick review, your feedback helps us bring more thoughtful conversations your way.

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What does it really take to build a successful creative career? Photographer Darrel Hunter pulls back the curtain on his journey from East London sports enthusiast to sought after fashion photographer shooting Tracy Ellis Ross for the Met Gala.

The conversation explores how early sports participation instilled valuable discipline that translated directly to creative pursuits. Hunter reveals the surprising truth about finding purpose: "There's no deadline. It could have been 10 years ago, could be 3 years ago, could be today when you wake up and figure out 'this is my purpose.'" This refreshing perspective challenges our cultural obsession with early success and predetermined timelines.

Behind the glamorous Instagram posts of fashion weeks and celebrity photoshoots lies an exhausting reality rarely discussed. Hunter describes the grueling schedule of 3am bedtimes followed by 6:30am wake-ups, constant travel between locations, and the challenge of maintaining creativity while managing the business side of photography. These candid insights demolish the "just push a button" misconception about professional photography.

Perhaps most valuable is Hunter's emphasis on community building. "Nearly every job I've had has been from someone advocating for me," he shares, highlighting how genuine relationships—built without expectation of return—create the foundation for sustainable creative careers. His approach challenges the stereotype of the competitive creative industry, instead promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Whether you're an established creative, aspiring photographer, or someone seeking their purpose, this conversation offers valuable guidance: build authentic relationships, embrace the unglamorous work behind success, and remember that purpose can reveal itself at any moment. What are you silently building today that will speak for itself tomorrow?

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What does it really take to build something that lasts? After my fascinating conversation with Maximilian Cooper, founder of Gumball 3000, I felt compelled to share the powerful insights that resonated most with me about consistency, community-building, and turning passion into global impact.

Twenty-six years of unwavering dedication has transformed Gumball 3000 from a car rally into one of the world's most recognizable lifestyle brands. Max's journey – from fashion student to model to race car driver to visionary entrepreneur – demonstrates the power of staying true to your vision through challenges. Despite the glamorous appearance, Gumball didn't generate profits for its first three years, yet Max persisted. This mirrors my own experience with Basketball Nation, where consistency through difficulties has been crucial to our growth.

What makes Gumball truly special isn't just luxury vehicles but its ability to unite people across traditional boundaries. The events bring together hedge fund managers, skateboarders, world leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives in a shared space of passion. This concept of community as "future building" is transformative – when people rally around shared values, they create structures that can ultimately reshape nations. Through Basketball Nation and our expanding network of sports media initiatives, we're similarly committed to connecting people across continents through the universal language of sports.

The conversation with Max has expanded my vision for what's possible when you persistently nurture community and refuse to quit at the first obstacle. If you haven't already, I encourage you to watch the full interview with Maximilian Cooper and explore our other episodes as we continue building a global platform that connects, inspires, and creates lasting impact. Subscribe, comment, and join us on this journey!

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Instagram Links:
Beyond The Athlete - https://instagram.com/beyondtheathletepod?utm_source=qr
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Coach David - https://instagram.com/coachdavidbbn?utm_source=qr