Get the free End of Year Review worksheet: awakenoutofcontext.com/review

If you're an entrepreneur, creative, or high achiever looking to close out the year with clarity and set yourself up for a breakthrough 2026 - this episode will give you the exact framework to do it.

In this solo episode, I'm walking you through my complete 30-question end-of-year review process - the same one that kicked off my best year yet. I share my personal answers, the mistakes I made, and how this simple practice created massive momentum heading into 2025.

In this episode, you'll learn:

- How to identify your highest-leverage activities from the past year - including the ones you've forgotten

- A simple reframe that turns goal-setting from overwhelming to energizing (hint: think "chapters," not resolutions)

- The one daily habit that guarantees progress on what actually matters - focusing on your scariest task first

- Why reviewing your relationships, money decisions, and energy drainers reveals patterns you can't see in the moment

- How to uncover the "elephant in the room" that's silently sabotaging your progress

- A framework for identifying which tools, systems, and habits to keep versus cut heading into the new year

This episode includes real examples from my own review - from dating app experiments to AI tool stacks to lessons learned from ending a relationship.

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00:00 Intro & Free End-of-Year Review Download

00:03:36 Valuable vs Wasted Time, Challenges & Coping (Q1-4)

00:11:27 Goals Achieved & Missed, What Helped & Why (Q5-8)

00:16:20 Opportunities Seized/Missed & What To Do Differently (Q9-11)

00:20:33 Important People, Energy Drainers, Tools, Money & Year Success (Q12-17)

00:30:12 One Habit for Success, Proud Moments & Self-Surprises (Q18-20)

00:35:30 Creative Work, Unstarted Hobby, Elephant In Your Head & More Time With (Q21-24)

00:40:08 Dropped Strategies, Joy, Random Hack & Best Systems (Q25-28)

00:47:30 How You’ve Changed, 2026 Direction & Values Exercise (Q29-30)

00:56:32 Outro, Links

***LINKS***

Episode I’m most proud of In 2025:

https://youtu.be/TCrWKfJ7dPA

Get the free end of year worksheet:

awakenoutofcontext.com/review

Create a Dream Life Vision & Set Goals Using Core Values (June 2025)

https://youtu.be/_TxSoBabTFM

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MY STUFF:

awakenoutofcontext.com

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

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https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

If you're a podcaster feeling the pressure to land bigger guests, a content creator questioning whether growth is worth the grind, or someone wondering why your passion project stopped feeling fun - this conversation will help you reconnect with why you started in the first place.

Taylor James is the creator of the hit podcast The Waffle Shop and Managing Director of Twenty Two Productions. After building his show for five years and interviewing increasingly high-profile guests, Taylor made the surprising decision to step away from hosting entirely. Now on the production side, he helps other creators build sustainable shows without burning out - and he's rediscovered the joy that made him fall in love with podcasting.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why chasing bigger guests can actually damage your show's authenticity - and the hidden costs no one talks about

The real reason Taylor walked away from a successful podcast after five years of consistent growth

How to recognize when external pressure is overriding your creative instincts - including the guest expectations trap

Practical ways to balance quality and quantity without sacrificing your mental health or your message

The surprising benefits of live shows for building genuine audience connection

How to navigate the competitive podcasting landscape while staying true to your original purpose

What changes when you shift from host to producer - and how it reignited Taylor's passion for the medium

This conversation includes honest reflections on paid guest appearances, the pressure of personal branding, and real talk about what sustainable content creation actually looks like.

#podcasters #podcasting

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If you liked this episode, we may enjoy our first recording from June 2024:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrOI9KPa9E8

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00:00 Taylor James: Cold/Soft Opens vs Trailers & Intro Approach

00:05:24 Authenticity, Over-Professionalising & The Comparison Trap

00:11:29 Growth Landscape, Consistency & Quality vs Quantity

00:17:54 Solo Episodes, Burnout & Rediscovering Purpose

00:29:57 Future Plans: From The Waffle to Half a World Away

00:40:34 Storytelling, Big Guests, Status & Promo Etiquette

00:59:10 Live Shows, Music Angle & Wrap-Up

***LINKS***

Taylor’s Instagram

https://bit.ly/3X5PTxL

https://twentytwo.productions/

Join the indiip beta:

indiip.com/beta

15% Off Bare Bar (CODE: JASE):

https://bit.ly/barejase

MY STUFF:

awakenoutofcontext.com

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

Last week I had an absolute disaster at HYROX London. It was my first Pro race in almost two years. I figured that, since I was going to have this conversation with my coach, Paddy Maher, it might be interesting for you guys to listen in on the sorts of things we chat about when looking to improve HYROX times.

We took a deep dive into the different stations, weaknesses, strengths, and stats from the day. We looked at what exactly went wrong, whether my approach to pacing with heart rate was optimal, and whether it was a good idea or not to go to the cinema beforehand. We also talked about whether I’m simply fighting genetics with HYROX Pro and if I should even continue in this weight class.

We explored why, despite feeling the strongest I’ve ever felt going into a competition, I struggled so much on the sled pull, and what we’ll do differently next time. Plus, we discussed some of the strategies we’re going to put in place to improve for my next HYROX Pro race.

I’m hoping that, if you’re in a similar position to me and looking to improve your HYROX time, you’ll take some insights from this chat and hopefully feel a bit less alone if you’ve been struggling with similar things.

Please enjoy this conversation with Paddy Maher.

#hyrox #coaching #hyroxlondon

Sign up to indiip for free at indiip.com/podcast

If you liked this episode, I’ve curated a list of episodes similar here:

https://studio.youtube.com/playlist/PLMebuClQRf0-w8w31XGwd4r2JIkuq-Vw9/videos

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00:00 Intro & Pre-Race Expectations

00:00:45 Race Plan, Warm-Up & Heart-Rate Strategy

00:06:22 Splits Review & Pacing Across Stations

00:10:30 Lunges Hamstring Tweak & Wall Balls Struggle

00:15:36 Priority Fixes: Sled Pull, Lunges, Wall Balls & Burpees

00:19:51 Pro vs Open: Motivation & Goals

00:26:10 Training–Life Balance, Recovery & Late Race Timing

00:33:21 Season Timing, Redemption & Heart-Rate Strategy

00:45:59 Aerobic Base: Bike & Building Volume

00:50:03 Run Volume, Social Runs & Weekly Structure (Stockholm Plans)

00:53:13 Closing & Coach Links

***LINKS***

Paddy’s Website

https://bit.ly/4g55IvP

Paddy’s Instagram

https://bit.ly/4g9AXGc

https://www.instagram.com/industry13sf/?hl=en

Join the indiip beta:

indiip.com/beta

15% Off Bare Bar (CODE: JASE):

https://bit.ly/barejase

MY STUFF:

awakenoutofcontext.com

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj