Kids: Dad why do you have a Nandos tattoo on your arm?
Me: that's not Nandos, that's a Portuguese Cockrel
Kids: Exactly, the Nandos chicken!!!
Me: Errrrrr....I like it though
41 around the ☀️.
Appreciative of more time with my best friend and wife, my incredible kids, my family and those who keep me laughing, those who motivate, inspire me and love me despite my flaws.
Ageing like a fine wine👀🍾🍷
There's levels to this. I know the value I represent and have a crystal clear understanding of who I need to surround myself with, the projects I can elevate and most importantly, where my passion & talent are best utilised. It's a beautiful stage to be in.
Onwards.
📷@shotbyidrees (he's a young king 👑 doing BITS)
It is a fundamental truth we often overlook: excellence is a byproduct of friction.
Whether in our careers, our fitness, relationships or our personal character, the "graft" isn't just a requirement—it’s the architect of our growth. While the sentiment of "participation for all" is well-intentioned, we risk doing a disservice to the next generation by insulating them from the reality of falling short. True resilience isn’t found in a trophy we didn't earn; it’s forged in the moments we are told "not yet" or "not good enough."
We don't evolve by being coddled; we evolve by being challenged. Let’s stop fearing failure and start respecting it as the essential data we need to actually get better. We're doing ourselves no favours by denying them truth.
Been wondering whether to write this or not but fuck it..
I LOVE my industry, #radio gave me the opportunity to build a career rooted in my passion & although we do much more than that now it will always be one of my favourite places to be.
HOWEVER...being on the talent development and representation side of it has shown me a really disappointing culture & ugly side of it. I REGULARLY hear from presenters who are strung along and then completely GHOSTED and frankly it isnt good enough, it DISGUSTS me.
You are dealing with people's passion, dreams, ambitions and that's a really fragile thing that comes with a huge responsibility. Granted, you're 'busy' and you get 10s of demos per week but either come up with a system to properly communicate with the talent or be honest with them upfront.
Have the bollocks to say no, don't play them, don't string them along, dangling a carrot and then ignore messages.
There of course are some INCREDIBLE PDs and producers going above and beyond for talent, encouraging them, offering feedback and establishing meaningful connections...
BUT there's also those who are forgetting themselves and where they came from. SOMEBODY gave every one of us the first opportunity. Rejection is part of the game but surely we have to be better at looking after the talent that aspires to be in the industry, you're making people lose their love of it.
NONE of us are too big, busy or successful to reply to an email and be honest.
It's a beautiful thing knowing that NOBODY can take credit for what we are building, nobody can claim ownership of anything WE & I have built. Everything we are doing has been hard earned based on meritocracy, perseverance & resilience.
But I can't do it on my own, being able to hand pick those I work alongside has been the most significant factor in any success that has come our way. It brings out the best in me, challenges me to demand more of myself and allows me to provide an environment that they are excited to be part of.
We are creating a culture that elevates purpose driven and passion fuelled individuals, provides opportunity, ownership and progression. They are getting in on ground level and we are going all the way to the penthouse together.
📷 @idrees.lakee
Stepping out of 2025 with a sense of peace, content and in the knowledge that despite the challenges I'm a better man today than I was yesterday.
Despite the madness that life served up it's been my favourite year so far both personally and professionally. A HUGE thank you to the incredible brands and people I've been blessed to work alongside, you have my word that I'll continue to work even harder to help you reach your goals, push boundaries and create an impact in this industry. @patrickielty@footwork.media@bbc5live@sammyjames92@backinthedayzpod@stevothemadman@billybattenberg@thegacademy@mcsaatchisocial@insanity@nelshylton@rellikthadon@acast@jaw_fab@honeymarku5 and the incredible producers, presenters and creators we get to work alongside, develop and manage every week, thank you.
On a personal note it's been a year of real growth, which is never easy to do but incredibly rewarding. Looking in the mirror, being honest about the things you admire in yourself but more importantly, understanding how you can improve, mature and evolve can offer a huge breakthrough. We've been able to see so much of the world, create breathtaking and unforgettable moments together whilst showing our kids what is possible through hard work, integrity and passion. Thank you @jaynechibsy for being the best co-pilot a man could wish for, I'm so proud of you and what we've built. Your love, patience, honesty, encouragement and support mean more than you'll ever know. Keep flying, it's such a blessing to see you soar.
What's exciting is that this year is the platform for the next success and next lessons to be learnt. Wishing you all a huge 2026, dream bigger than you are currently allowing yourself to. If not you then who? @thatsdisruptive is ready whenever you want to hit play.
Life has a way of taking you to your absolute limit before the win materialises, I've seen it way too often to call it a day, the call ALWAYS comes at the 11th hour.
You don't give up at mile 25 of the marathon and you don't throw in the towel in the last round so why give up when you're on the brink of success.
It seems like you've got nothing left in the tank, tapping out is the easier thing to do but doing that MAKES NO SENSE. You don't know what's around the next corner unless you keep moving forward.
It isn't just talent that leads to breakthroughs, it's perseverance, resilience & unwaivering self-belief.
📷 By the mad talented @idrees.lakee
Ain't nobody gonna do it for you, but I've learnt to shut up and listen to those who have gone before me, who have walked the path already.
Absorb their experience, ask loads of questions but most importantly LISTEN....then when your opportunity arises you'll be ready.
Driving is where most of my real mental work is done. Plotting the takeover from behind the wheel.
Risk is different than recklessness.
Got asked the other day if having a plan b is a good idea, obviously having multiple streams of income is the goal but if you don't back yourself 💯 then I personally don't believe it will ever be as influential, impactful and lucrative as it could be.
Takes being all in to find out how much you want it.
📷 @idrees.lakee 🔥🔥🔥
GRAFT until it happens....and then when it happens make sure you take a moment to appreciate how far you've come.
Still a lot more to do but I know what makes me happy, who I need to spend my time with, the environments that aren't conducive to me being who I want to be.
Same spot 3 years apart but all being well I'll be able to post the year 4 version of this picture but for now I'm enjoying being able to work with so many talented people despite being thousands of miles away from London in my second home of Lusaka. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged, criticized and invested in me and the business, couldn't have been here without you.
