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What happens when life throws you a £160,000 curveball in a single day? For Jamal, it became the catalyst that transformed his e-commerce business and ultimately led to a seven-figure exit.

In this riveting conversation, Jamal takes us through his remarkable journey from a stammering student who couldn't afford books to a successful entrepreneur who now coaches others. With disarming honesty, he reveals the seasons of extreme imbalance that entrepreneurship demanded—moments when he was physically present with family but mentally absent, consumed by open loops that wouldn't let him rest until progress was made.

The heart of our discussion explores what true success looks like beyond material achievements. Growing up in an immigrant household where discipline was paramount, Jamal developed an unshakable resilience that would serve him well. He shares how his early insecurities and stutter pushed him toward personal development, spending hours in bookstores absorbing knowledge he couldn't afford to purchase.

Perhaps most fascinating is Jamal's perspective on building businesses while maintaining your humanity. He warns against the dangers of tying your identity too closely to professional achievements—something he still struggles with despite his success. "Keep the world in your hands, not in your heart," he says, reflecting on how money's power over him was revealed during his biggest business crisis.

For anyone navigating the entrepreneurial path, Jamal offers practical wisdom on leadership, marketing, and the uncomfortable truth that building anything meaningful requires periods of serious imbalance. His story reminds us that the greatest success comes not from avoiding failure but from how we respond when it inevitably finds us.

Have you ever considered what you'd detach yourself from to find greater fulfillment? Listen now and join the conversation about building success that matters beyond the bottom line.

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What happens when a lifelong passion collides with entrepreneurial drive? Faris, founder of the world's first swimming app for Apple Watch, takes us on his remarkable journey from childhood pool sessions to building a seven-figure business centered around his love for swimming.

Born to Syrian immigrants in America, Faris found freedom and control in the water from an early age. "I love the feeling of being weightless in the water and completely separated from the world," he explains. "You can't take your phone with you, no one can bother you, and you're just alone." This sanctuary became the foundation for both his athletic pursuits and eventual business venture.

The entrepreneurial path wasn't without significant challenges. Faris candidly shares his biggest regret—waiting a full year before implementing a subscription model: "We went a full year not making any money." This hard-learned lesson shaped his advice for aspiring founders: focus on profitability from day one. The COVID pandemic dealt another devastating blow when pools worldwide closed, threatening his swimming-centered business with extinction. Through perseverance and adaptation, he maintained his team despite burning through substantial resources, proving that "startups only die when founders give up."

Beyond business strategy, Faris offers profound insights on avoiding burnout, maintaining authenticity while building a personal brand, and the power of complementary partnerships. Despite struggling with reading as a child, he's published multiple successful books on swimming, including his latest, "How Not to Drown"—addressing the shocking reality that one in two people worldwide cannot swim. His story reminds us that our greatest challenges often reveal our most meaningful opportunities for impact.

Ready to dive deeper into your own passion? Subscribe to hear more conversations with entrepreneurs who've transformed their unique skills into thriving businesses while staying true to themselves.

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Mark Coles takes us on a riveting journey from his early struggles to becoming a fitness industry titan in this deeply personal conversation. After abandoning a seemingly secure path in his father's property business, Mark followed his passion for fitness despite uncertainty about his future. "I said I don't know, but I need to be happy first... whatever I do that I'm happy, I'll know I'll be successful," he reveals, highlighting the courage required to pursue authentic fulfillment.

The transformation wasn't simple. Mark candidly discusses his battle with substance abuse and the pivotal moment that changed everything: "I sat on the end of my bed after doing coke... and I went 'you're done.' Never done it since." This raw honesty unveils the power of decisive self-leadership that has defined his approach to life. What followed was a five-year period of intense isolation where Mark rebuilt himself completely—his body, his business, and his mindset—describing it as "probably the loneliest five years I've ever had." This deliberate retreat from social life formed the foundation for his future success.


Whether you're struggling with personal transformation, building an online coaching business, or seeking to optimize your physical and mental performance, Mark's hard-won wisdom provides a blueprint for authentic success. His journey demonstrates how our greatest challenges, when met with courage and determination, can become the foundation for extraordinary achievement.

Check Mark out on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/markcolesm10?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

I would love to hear your thoughts on this episode, Dm on : https://www.instagram.com/sophiadelavari/

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