We're obsessed with instant results and quick fixes. But what if the real transformation happens when we stop chasing the next shiny object and start trusting our own process? What if the key to sustainable success isn't balance, but intentional imbalance? Ivor Stratford quit alcohol, ran marathons, and built a thriving company—all while questioning everything we're told about work-life balance.

👉 Find the full playlist of episodes HERE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLO6l9CNQoSFdYrSofAAHBcTdsnpYk8iYg ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ivor Stratford is the Co-Founder and Director of Morpheus Group, a specialist talent partner focusing on high-growth and venture-backed companies across the US and Europe. With over a decade of experience in talent acquisition and executive search, he helps founders build world-class teams in competitive markets.

Beyond business, Ivor has maintained over 1,000 days alcohol-free, is a marathon and ultra-marathon runner, and a scratch golfer. This dedication to health and discipline informs his approach to sustainable high performance in both life and business.

Today, expect to learn

- Why quitting alcohol gave Ivor 252 hours of his life back each year and transformed his mental clarity.

- How consistency beats intensity when building lasting habits and why most people give up too early.

- Why the traditional work-life balance model might be incompatible with ambitious goals and what to do instead.

- How to find fulfillment in the process rather than chasing end goals like exits or revenue milestones.

- Why trusting your own path is more important than following conventional wisdom about success.

- How to maintain intense work demands without burning out by aligning ambition with personal values.

- What it means to stop feeling "lost and searching" and finally feel content with your progress.

- Why small, cumulative wins are more powerful than expecting quick transformations.

- How to build a company culture that balances speed with teamwork and clear communication.

W H A T T O D O N E X T :

GUEST LINKS ~

WEBSITE: https://www.morpheus-group.com

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivor-stratford

HOST LINKS ~

WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sevenjacobs.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SUBSTACK: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sevenjacobs.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠

SOCIALS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sevenjacobs.com/links

SHOW LINKS ~

WEBSITE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sevenjacobs.com/lost-and-searching

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@lostandsearchingpodcast

ALL EPISODES (Spotify): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/lostandsearching

ALL EPISODES (Apple): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-and-searching/id1771369908⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

JARGON BUSTER:

● Alcohol Abstinence Benefits: Medical research showing improved cognitive function, sleep quality, and sustained energy levels

● Habit Formation: The 2-3 month timeline for behavioural change to become automatic

● Work-Life Balance vs. Integration: The difference between traditional balance and intentional life design

● Presenteeism: Being physically present at work but mentally impaired due to factors like hangovers