In this episode of The Phoenix Conversations, I’m talking to Kevin Mark-Watts, a business coach and author of The 10-Minute Rules. Kevin’s story begins with a childhood love of football, a knock to his confidence at school, and an unexpected discovery that he was very good with people, sales and human connection.

We talk about retail, redundancy, Crystal Palace Football Club, community sports education, imposter syndrome, mindset, and how all those different chapters eventually fed into the work Kevin does now.

His story is a brilliant reminder that the detours are not always mistakes. Sometimes they are quietly collecting the skills, perspective and resilience we need for the next version of our lives.

Highlights:

(02:38) - Kevin shares how football shaped his childhood and confidence

(05:42) - The early retail job that helped him discover his people skills

(09:04) - How imposter syndrome showed up when leadership moved beyond arm’s reach

(14:00) - The unexpected interview that led Kevin into Crystal Palace Football Club

(18:06) - Building a community sports business that supported children’s wellbeing

(25:03) - How setbacks, psychology and lived experience became The 10-Minute Rules

Kevin’s links:

Website: https://book.the10-10minuterules.com/home

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-mark-watts-13123822/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kevin.markwatts

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevin.markwatts1010minuterules/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@the10-10minuterules

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kevinthe1010minut?_r=1&_t=ZN-96BPXYutOxa

Connect with Lucy:

Website - https://bookmagic.ai

TikTok - @lucymccarra

Instagram/Threads - @lucymccarraher

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucymccarraher/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@lucymccarraherauthor

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LucyMcCarraher/