In this episode of Becoming BOLD, I sit down with Andy Ayim MBE, speaker, facilitator, angel investor and one of the most wonderful humans I know. We talk about how growing up in Tottenham in an entrepreneurial Ghanaian family, taking the road less travelled has helped shape his path and allowed him to build a life of intention. Andy shares how a solo backpacking trip to Latin America shifted his mindset from “there must be more than this” to a deep belief that where you start should never define where you end up. We dig into confidence, limiting beliefs and how he built a global startup accelerator without any prior VC experience by backing his curiosity and his transferable skills.We explore his love and light framework, why your first manager can make or break your belief in yourself, the power of white space for thinking, and how to build a “win bank” so you have real evidence to fight your inner critic. We also share the story of our shared mentor, the late Francis Mainoo, and what legacy really looks like in everyday life.If you are the first or only person from your background in the rooms you are walking into, if you are rebuilding confidence after a setback, or you are just tired of sleepwalking through your life, this conversation will give you language, perspective and a nudge to choose the bolder path today.In this episode we cover:Growing up in Tottenham and finding courage in an entrepreneurial familyBackpacking, white space and learning to actually thinkCorporate access, bias and why the game often feels riggedThe love and light framework for purpose-led workConfidence, limiting beliefs and building your own evidence bankLegacy, mentorship and the quiet ways we shape other people’s lives

What does it take to make people feel something before they even press play?In this episode, I sit down with Anthony Smith, Director of Trailers at Flight Studio, the creative force behind some of the most powerful visual storytelling in media today, from Disney and Marvel to Sky, 007, and of course, The Diary of a CEO.Anthony takes us behind the scenes of how trailers are made, what it means to build emotion in under 60 seconds, and how he helped grow The Diary of a CEO from 300K to over 11 million YouTube subscribers.We talk about the creative process, storytelling psychology, and why caring 1% more each day is the real growth hack.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn attention into emotion - (and emotion into loyalty) this one’s for you.🎧 Tune in to hear:The anatomy of a great trailer (and what most brands get wrong)How to build creative teams that out-care their competitionWhy storytelling is still the most powerful form of marketingThis one’s a masterclass in emotional marketing.

If you want to up-level yourself as a speaker (and get paid), this one's for you!In this epic conversation, Alex Merry and I discuss the nuances of public speaking, from building connections on LinkedIn to getting paid for speaking engagements. We dive into the need for authenticity (especially today), the balance between messages for money and meaning, and tips for overcoming nerves and engaging your audience. We emphasise the value of practice, community, and the power of social media as a tool for honing your speaking skills.Ket Takeaways:Building relationships on LinkedIn can lead to valuable opportunities.Public speaking is about sharing ideas, not self-promotion.Having a dual message for money and meaning is crucial for success.Understanding the audience's needs is key to getting paid for speaking.Engaging the audience creates a memorable experience.Practice is essential for building confidence in public speaking.Social media can be a powerful tool for testing communication skills.Authenticity resonates more than perfection in speaking.Overcoming nerves can be achieved through various techniques.Creating a connection with the audience enhances the impact of the talk.Chapters:00:00 The Journey of Connection03:06 Public Speaking Insights and Challenges06:06 Building Resilience Through Experience09:09 The Importance of Purpose in Speaking11:45 Navigating the Speaking Industry15:11 Crafting Messages for Impact18:00 Getting Paid to Speak20:50 Evaluating Speaking Opportunities28:00 Understanding Event Importance and Budgeting31:03 The Reality of Speaking as a Profession34:01 Targeting the Right Audience for Speaking Engagements34:52 What Makes a Great Speaker?40:10 Embracing Authenticity in Public Speaking45:54 Managing Nerves and Anxiety Before Speaking53:02 Final Tips for Aspiring SpeakersIf you enjoy, like, subscribe and share with a friend!