Chris Billam-Smith was preparing for the biggest fight of his career when serious illness threatened to end his world title dream. Barely able to eat, with his trainer considering pulling him out, Chris refused to give up.

In this Founder Classic episode of Screw It Just DO It, I sit down with Chris to discuss the determination that carried him through 36 minutes in the ring to an emotional world title victory at Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium.

We explore his journey from missing out on the GB boxing squad to earning an opportunity with trainer Shane McGuigan, the sacrifices he made along the way and why the fear of regret kept him pushing forward.

From discipline and recovery to resilience, consistency and overcoming setbacks, Chris shares what it really takes to pursue a childhood dream when everything seems to be against you.

Key Takeaways:

◼️ Determination can carry you through extraordinary challenges. Despite serious illness before his world title fight, Chris refused to abandon his childhood dream.

◼️ Rejection doesn't have to define your future. Missing out on the GB boxing squad didn't stop Chris from pursuing a professional career.

◼️ The right people can change your trajectory. Chris credits trainer Shane McGuigan with playing a pivotal role in his boxing journey.

◼️ The fear of regret can be a powerful motivator. Chris was determined to give everything rather than look back wondering what might have happened.

◼️ Success requires personal sacrifices. Giving up alcohol and committing fully to training were part of his pursuit of a world title.

Subscribe to Screw It Just DO It for more conversations with founders and entrepreneurs who stopped waiting and took action.

🎟️ Ready to take your next big step? Join us at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on 2027. Connect with ambitious founders, learn from successful entrepreneurs and discover new opportunities to grow your business.

👉 Find out more: ⁠https://www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk/⁠

Lottie Whyte and her husband Joe went on Dragons' Den, received an investment offer and decided to turn it down.

In this episode of Screw It Just DO It, I sit down with Lottie, co-founder of MyoMaster, to discuss leaving her successful career at M&C Saatchi, building a recovery and wellness brand from a side hustle and risking personal savings to make it work.

Lottie reveals why they walked away from the Dragons' Den investment, how Google's Black Founders Fund helped restore her confidence when she was close to giving up, and how MyoMaster went on to achieve over £1 million in annual revenue.

We also explore the realities of entrepreneurship, balancing motherhood with ambition, the pressures of scaling and why she's considering bringing in an experienced CEO.

An honest conversation about taking risks, overcoming setbacks and knowing when to ask for help.

Key Takeaways:

◼️ Not every investment offer is the right opportunity. Lottie and Joe received an offer on Dragons' Den but ultimately chose not to proceed, while still benefiting from the exposure.

◼️ You don't have to quit your job to start a business. They spent three years building MyoMaster alongside their careers before committing full-time.

◼️ Entrepreneurship requires personal sacrifice. Lottie discusses risking savings, managing cash flow and balancing business ambitions with family life.

◼️ Sometimes external belief changes everything. When Lottie was considering giving up, Google's Black Founders Fund gave her renewed confidence in MyoMaster.

◼️ Growth rarely happens in a straight line. After generating approximately £200,000 halfway through the year against a £1 million target, MyoMaster finished with over £1 million in revenue.

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🎟️ Ready to take your next big step? Join us at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on 2027. Connect with ambitious founders, learn from successful entrepreneurs and discover new opportunities to grow your business.

👉 Find out more: ⁠https://www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk/⁠

For eight years, four-time Winter Olympian Chemmy Alcott deliberately competed at 80% of her potential. Not because she lacked talent, but because she feared giving everything and discovering her best wasn't good enough.

In this Founder Classic episode of Screw It Just DO It, I sit down with Chemmy to explore how fear of failure and perfectionism held her back until an unexpected second chance at a World Cup race changed everything.

We discuss the breakthrough performance that came when she stopped playing safe, the lessons she learned from serious injuries, and how she rebuilt her identity beyond professional skiing.

From overcoming setbacks and embracing failure to challenging your limits and finding the courage to start again, Chemmy shares why sometimes the biggest obstacle to success is our own fear of trying.

Key takeaways:

◼️ Fear of failure can hold back even the most talented people. Chemmy admits she deliberately competed at 80% for eight years because she feared discovering her best wasn't enough.

◼️ Perfectionism can prevent progress. Her breakthrough came when she stopped trying to control every aspect of her performance.

◼️ Second chances can change everything. After finishing 31st in a World Cup race, another competitor's disqualification gave Chemmy an unexpected opportunity to race again.

◼️ Your best performance doesn't have to be perfect. Chemmy describes her historic run as perfect precisely because it was imperfect.

◼️ Setbacks can teach lessons that success cannot. Serious injuries challenged Chemmy physically and mentally, shaping her approach to resilience.

◼️ Let others see you fail. Chemmy learned to skateboard at 40 so her children could see her struggle, practise and improve.

◼️ Your identity can evolve. Leaving professional skiing meant redefining herself and discovering new goals beyond elite sport.

Subscribe to Screw It Just DO It for more conversations with founders and entrepreneurs who stopped waiting and took action.

🎟️ Ready to take your next big step? Join us at the Festival of Entrepreneurs on 2027. Connect with ambitious founders, learn from successful entrepreneurs and discover new opportunities to grow your business.

👉 Find out more: ⁠https://www.festivalofentrepreneurs.co.uk/⁠