In this episode of the Leading Boldly podcast, Matt Clutterham and Jenny Jarvis welcome Neil Smith, founder and CEO of Mettle, the groundbreaking mental fitness app specifically designed for men. Join us as Neil shares his remarkable journey from a thriving career in TV production, where he helmed top UK shows like The Apprentice and Grand Designs, to tackling one of society's most pressing issues: male mental health. With a deep commitment to making mental health support more accessible and relatable for men, Neil brings a fresh, unapologetically male-focused approach to mental fitness, crafted with tools like meditation, breathwork, and self-hypnosis.

Neil opens up about his experiences growing up with ADHD, his early entrepreneurial spirit selling mixtapes, and how these influences, combined with a passion for meditation, fuelled his transition from media mogul to mental health advocate. We delve into the founding of Mettle in 2022, a venture inspired by Neil’s personal journey and developed alongside notable co-founder Bear Grylls and mental health experts like Paul McKenna and Dr Alex George. Despite launching in a challenging funding climate, Mettle has already raised £2.5 million in pre-seed funding, attracting around 50,000 users within just eight months.

Highlights of the episode include:

• Neil’s Transition from TV to Tech
• From producing award-winning TV shows to creating a men’s mental health app, Neil reflects on his career shift and the insights he’s carried over from media to mental health tech.
• The Development and Unique Approach of Mettle
• We explore how Mettle is crafted to address specific needs for men through brief, daily content – from calming breathwork and meditation “boosts” to one-minute motivational “mind fuel” clips – designed to fit seamlessly into a man’s day.
• Strategies for Business Success
• Neil discusses the importance of building a strong, diverse team and the value of "finding the others" – making key connections in the industry. His approach to balancing social impact with commercial growth has been vital in Mettle’s early success and user growth.
• Tackling the Male Mental Health Crisis
• With suicide as a leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK, Mettle is part of a broader mission to bring mental fitness alongside physical fitness into everyday life. Neil shares his vision for how normalising mental health practices among men can lead to positive societal changes.

Tune in to hear Neil’s insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and the transformative power of mental fitness tailored for men. Mettle is not only a business; it’s a mission-driven effort to reshape the conversation around men’s mental health.

#Leadership #MentalFitness #bemettle

SHOW LINKS:

CONNECT WITH NEIL ON LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-smith-2a5ab64/

DOWNLOAD THE METTLE APP

https://bemettle.com/

FIND NEIL’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION ON AMAZON

Greenlights by Matthew McConoughey

GREEN LIGHTS BOOK:

https://amzn.to/3Yyo2Wf

GREENLIGHTS AUDIBLE:

https://amzn.to/48xFyi3

FREE PDF Download Version of 'BeingBOLD Book'

In this episode of Leading BOLDLY, we dive into the world of "accidental managers" with Marion Parrish, HR expert and author of The Accidental Manager’s Guide to Leading a Team. Marion shares her invaluable insights on how many managers—often promoted for their technical skills—are unprepared for leadership roles.

Drawing from her extensive career in HR with top companies like BT and AIG, Marion discusses the importance of understanding individual team members' motivations and how effective delegation is more than just offloading tasks. She also emphasises the critical need for organisations to invest in management development, given that 82% of new managers lack formal training.

Listen in as Marion covers practical tips on:

• Shifting from "doer" to leader
• Planning for successful delegation
• Creating a positive work environment
• Handling difficult conversations with confidence
• Balancing performance and employee wellbeing

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a new business owner, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you lead your team with clarity and confidence.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how to move from accidental manager to intentional leader!

Resources

For more on Marion Parrish, check out her book The Accidental Manager’s Guide to Leading a Team. If you’re interested in HR coaching or management development.

#LeadershipDevelopment #EffectiveDelegation #TeamManagementTips

SHOW LINKS:

CONNECT WITH MARION ON LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/marion-parrish/

VISIT MARION’S WEBSITE

https://www.marionparrish.com/

FIND MARION’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION ON AMAZON

How to win Friends and Influence People. https://amzn.to/3YtiQEd

FIND MARION’S BOOK ON AMAZON

Step Up: The Accidental Manager's Guide to Leading a Team https://amzn.to/3zWO8Km

FREE PDF Download Version of 'BeingBOLD Book'

https://www.qbranch.consulting/being-bold-free-brand-and-leadership-book-download

ABOUT LEADING BOLDLY PODCAST:

Ready to take your business to the next level? Dive deep into the minds of successful SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs who have blazed trails and built thriving brands.

Join hosts Jenny Jarvis, a seasoned NLP practitioner and Certified Personal Performance and Relationship coach, and Matt Clutterham, a brand and transformation strategist with a knack for elevating businesses of all sizes.

Join Jenny on Linkedin Here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-jarvis-26892622/

Join Matt on Linkedin Here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattclutterham/

In this dynamic podcast, we unpack the stories, strategies, and mindset hacks that fuel success in today's competitive landscape. Whether you're

Join hosts Matt Clutterham and Jenny Jarvis for an insightful episode of The Leading BOLDLY Podcast™ featuring Chief Inspector Stewart Codling of Thames Valley Police.

In this episode, Stewart shares his unique journey into policing, shaped by personal experiences and an unexpected path that led him to become a leader in law enforcement.

Stewart opens up about his upbringing and the pivotal moments that defined his character, from navigating his parents' divorce to his transformative travels in India. He emphasizes the critical importance of police leaders maintaining operational experience to ensure they stay connected with their teams and make informed decisions.

As the conversation unfolds, Stewart reveals how he prepares himself and his team for high-pressure situations, utilizing a structured decision-making framework that promotes clarity and purpose.

He passionately discusses various mental health initiatives he has championed, such as the Curtis Palmer program, which offers outdoor challenges and breath work training to support officers in managing stress and trauma.

Drawing parallels between policing and business leadership, Stewart shares invaluable advice on building trust and empathy within teams. He highlights the need for leaders to be hands-on, demonstrating honesty and integrity to foster a supportive environment.

As they explore the future of policing, Stewart discusses the rising challenges posed by cybercrime and the critical importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world. He stresses the need to attract and retain individuals who understand the complexities of the job.

Don’t miss this compelling episode filled with practical insights on leadership, mental fitness, and the power of human connection.

Tune in to learn how these lessons can transform not only policing but any organisation striving for excellence!

#Leadership #MentalFitness #PolicingInsights

SHOW LINKS:

CONNECT WITH STEWART ON LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-codling-756923157/

VISIT AND GET INVOLVED WITH MENS MENTAL HEALTH CHARITY ‘TOUGH TO TALK’

https://www.toughtotalk.com/

VISIT THE THAMES VALLEY POLICE WEBSITE

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/

FIND STEWARTS BOOK RECOMMENDATION ON AMAZON

“I Am David” by Anne Holm

https://amzn.to/3BfNXtM

FREE PDF Download Version of 'BeingBOLD Book'

https://www.qbranch.consulting/being-bold-free-brand-and-leadership-book-download

ABOUT LEADING BOLDLY PODCAST:

Ready to take your business to the next level? Dive deep into the minds of successful SME leaders, founders, and entrepreneurs who have blazed trails and built thriving brands.

Join hosts Jenny Jarvis, a seasoned NLP practitioner and Certified Personal Performance and Relationship coach, and Matt Clutterham, a brand and transformation strategist with a knack for elevating businesses of all sizes.

Join Jenny on Linkedin Here: