Transforming Business Networking Through Fitness with Lorraine Fitzpatrick | FMU

CEO Secrets: How to Make High-Stakes Decisions Without Emotion | Jamil Akhundov | FMU

In this episode of Founders Mindset Unfiltered, we sit down with Jamil Akhundov, the Managing Partner of Plutos Associates and Plutos Capital. With over 16 years of experience in finance and debt advisory, Jamil shares his journey from starting a business in a bedroom to managing a specialist firm with 14 staff members. We dive deep into the high-stakes world of investment banking, where Jamil once clocked 100-hour weeks, and explore the "white knight" strategies his team used to save real estate clients during the pandemic. Whether you're curious about the mechanics of bridging loans, the ethics of modern finance, or why entrepreneurs should choose "concentration over diversification," this episode is a masterclass in resilience and strategic decision-making. Jamil also reveals his unique approach to hiring valuing "fire in the eyes" over Ivy League degrees and shares an incredible, century-spanning story of perseverance from his home country of Azerbaijan. Follow Jamil Akhundov on Socials: Email: j.akhundov@ploutas.co.uk Website:www.jamil-akhundov.com/ [http://www.jamil-akhundov.com/] www.ploutas-capital.co. [http://www.ploutas-capital.co.za/]uk LinkedIn Jamil Akhundov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamil-akhundov-86525214 Ploutos Associates | Ploutas Capital: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ploutos-associates-ploutas-capital/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ploutos.associates/ https://www.instagram.com/akhundovjamil/ Facebook @ploutosassociates.ploutascapital @jamil.akhundov Follow us on Socials: Instagram: / foundersmindsetunfiltered Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jaATPG... TikTok: / foundermindsetpodcast Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:31 - Managing Stress and the 16-Year Journey 00:04:08 - Building a High-Performance Team 00:05:31 - The Hidden Costs of Outsourcing 00:08:50 - Why Motivation Beats Qualifications: A Success Story 00:13:24 - Scientific Decision-Making in Finance 00:15:05 - Learning from Failure: The 2020 Hotel Venture 00:17:16 - Concentration vs. Diversification 00:18:40 - The "White Knight" of Real Estate Finance 00:21:19 - Inside the Brutality of Investment Banking 00:26:08 - Plutos Associates vs. Plutos Capital 00:28:40 - Advice for Founders Raising Capital 00:31:40 - The Legendary 4.5-Year Dig: A Story of Perseverance 00:36:01 - Don’t Take Blind Risks: The Importance of a Cushion 00:36:56 - Why Private Lending is Faster Than Traditional Banks 00:39:12 - Understanding Bridging Loans and Property Refurbs 00:43:39 - Lending Against Crypto and Liquid Assets 00:44:53 - Using Language and Culture as a Competitive Edge 00:47:43 - Final Advice for Getting into Finance 00:51:47 - Jamil’s Current Business Pain Points 00:53:10 - Conclusion and Where to Connect

From Award-Winning Entrepreneur to Battling Cancer Twice: The Moonoon Jawadin Story | FMU Podcast

Welcome to Founders Mindset Unfiltered, the podcast that dives deep into the raw, unedited journeys of successful entrepreneurs. In this powerful episode, we sit down with Moonoon Jawadin, an award-winning entrepreneur who built a multi-million pound catering empire and established a thriving real estate business in Dubai, only to be handed a "deadline for his life" at the age of 27. Moonii shares his harrowing yet inspiring journey of being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML)—not once, but twice. Hear the unfiltered truth about what happens when your body fails just as your business is peaking, the agonising decision to sell off a legacy while in a hospital bed, and the incredible bond with his sister that ultimately saved his life. Now in recovery, Moonii is rebuilding with a new perspective: "Life is a blessing". Whether you are a business owner facing setbacks or someone looking for the ultimate lesson in resilience, this episode is a masterclass in perspective, purpose, and the true meaning of "Founders Mindset." Follow Mooni on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moneymoonii?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moonoon-jawadin-92891b130/ Follow us on Socials: Instagram: / foundersmindsetunfiltered Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jaATPG... TikTok: / foundermindsetpodcast Chapters00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:21 - The Shock Diagnosis: 48 Hours to Live 00:04:14 - Managing an Empire from a Hospital Bed 00:06:12 - Misdiagnosed? From Food Poisoning to Organ Failure 00:09:15 - Winning Entrepreneur of the Year While Battling Cancer 00:11:49 - The Mental Battle: Signing My Own Chemotherapy Papers 00:13:30 - Understanding AML: The Rare Fight 00:16:38 - Advice for Dreamers Facing Setbacks 00:19:33 - The Relapse: Beating Cancer Twice 00:21:50 - The Unsung Hero: How My Sister’s Blood Saved Me 00:26:21 - Humble Beginnings: Working from Age 11 00:28:20 - The Chip Shop Conversation That Birthed a Catering Empire 00:31:09 - Undercutting the Competition with Quality 00:34:31 - Dubai Real Estate: Expanding Globally 00:36:50 - Selling at a Loss to Save My Sanity 00:40:56 - Adapting My Management Style for Recovery 00:42:12 - Football on Trent: Turning Hobbies into Community 00:45:30 - The Mission: Becoming a Charity Ambassador 00:48:21 - Was It All Worth It? 00:54:15 - Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations

The Secret Interview Formula That I Use to Get High Paying Role And Why You Should Carry an EMPTY Notebook to Your Next Interview | Darren Sebastian | FMU

Land your Band 6, 7 or 8 role. https://nhs-pharma-path.base44.app/ Master the art of the interview with Darren Sebastian, a lead surgical pharmacist and the visionary founder of PharmPrep. In this episode of Founders Mindset Unfiltered, we dive deep into the gap between academic clinical knowledge and the real-world communication skills needed to land competitive roles in the NHS and private healthcare sectors. Darren shares his unfiltered journey from failing A-levels and university exams to accelerating his career into a lead pharmacist position in record time. Whether you are a pharmacy student, an overseas professional transitioning to the UK, or looking to move from community to hospital pharmacy, this episode provides actionable strategies to build confidence and "break out of your shell". Learn How To: - Structure your answers using professional frameworks to avoid rambling. - Navigate high-pressure interviews by utilizing the power of the "pause" and carrying a notebook. - Leverage failure as a stepping stone to rapid career advancement. - Research hospital ethics and values to stand out from other candidates. Follow Darren on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pharmprep_app?igsh=YWdyMmlxNXZsOGhn&utm_source=qr LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-sebastian-34772331b/ Follow us on Socials: Instagram: / foundersmindsetunfiltered Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jaATPG... TikTok: / foundermindsetpodcast Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:44 - Why Clinically Smart Students Fail Interviews 00:04:26 - What NHS Interviewers Are REALLY Looking For 00:05:41 - Darren’s Journey: Failing A-Levels to Lead Pharmacist 00:09:53 - How to Accelerate Your Career Through Failure 00:12:50 - The Sacrifice: Losing Friendships for Success 00:14:34 - Why PharmPrep Was Started 00:17:11 - Building a Business While Working 8-6 00:20:52 - How PharmPrep Mentors Aspiring Pharmacists 00:23:28 - The Secret Power of the Interview "Pause" 00:26:22 - Does Honesty Help You Pass Interviews? 00:29:41 - Common Interview Mistakes: Structure & Research 00:33:09 - Advice for University Students: Start Failing Now 00:37:04 - The Hardest Part of Starting PharmPrep 00:40:02 - Time Management for Busy Entrepreneurs 00:42:25 - Future Dreams: Post-Surgical Pain Clinics 00:45:09 - LIVE 1-Minute Mock Interview & Feedback 00:49:41 - Top 3 Overall Tips for Your Next Interview 00:53:14 - Pain Points: Growing a Pharmacy Brand on Social Media 00:54:50 - How to Reach Darren and PharmPrep

Why 10x More People Open Up to Bots Instead of Real Therapists, Fighting Anxiety And Building An AI App To Help With Mental Health

Download Talk To Breezi https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/talk-to-breezi-ai-therapy/id6742734367 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.talktobreezi.app&hl=en_GB https://www.talktobreezi.com/ In this episode of Founders Mindset Unfiltered, we dive deep into the often-overlooked emotional toll of entrepreneurship. Join us as we welcome Becky Weatherley, the visionary founder of Breezi, an innovative AI-driven mental health platform. Becky shares her personal journey of battling anxiety since her university days and how her struggles with traditional therapy led her to build a solution that bridges the gap between technology and human support. We explore the reality of anxiety for founders, described by Becky as a constant "devil on your shoulder" and discuss how AI can provide a judgment-free space for emotional expression. From her early "bootstrapping" days and challenging experiences with festival investors to the rapid growth of Breezi, Becky offers raw insights into the resilience required to build a tech startup in the mental health space. Whether you are a founder facing burnout, curious about the future of AI therapy, or looking for actionable mental health advice, this episode provides a "slap in the face" of honesty and inspiration. Follow Becky on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/breezitherapy/ https://www.instagram.com/beckybreezi/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-weatherley-43103687/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/talk-to-breezi/ Follow us on Socials: Instagram: / foundersmindsetunfiltered Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jaATPG... TikTok: / foundermindsetpodcast Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:10 - Becky’s Story: Hidden Anxiety at University 00:04:14 - The Backstory: From Bad Jobs to Panic Attacks 00:06:07 - What Anxiety Feels Like: The Devil on Your Shoulder 00:08:23 - The Problem with Traditional NHS Therapy 00:09:25 - Explaining CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) 00:10:47 - Finding the Right Therapist: The "Slap in the Face" Method 00:13:09 - Pushing Through Fear: Presentations and Milestones 00:15:13 - Reframing Anxiety into Passion 00:17:08 - How AI Connects with Us Emotionally 00:19:46 - Breezi vs. ChatGPT: Avoiding the "Yes Man" Loop 00:21:46 - Why People Trust Bots More Than Humans 00:24:27 - The Development of Breezi: Building the Team 00:29:45 - Investor Nightmares: "You’re Just Young Idiots" 00:33:00 - Death Threats and Ghosting in the Music Industry 00:35:21 - User Feedback: Why Breezi is Going Deeper 00:36:52 - Are Therapists Threatened by AI? 00:38:12 - The Research: AI as a Supplement to Human Therapy 00:41:54 - Managing OCD and Addictive Loops in Tech 00:44:15 - The Numbers: Helping 1,000+ Regular Users 00:46:48 - Messing Up: The Only Way to Learn 00:50:06 - Advice for Struggling Entrepreneurs

Transforming Business Networking Through Fitness with Lorraine Fitzpatrick | FMU

Check out the next Power Circle Club event at Everlast Gym, Trafford https://www.eventbrite.com/e/networking-for-professionals-who-like-fitness-tickets-1985257987081?aff=ebdsshcopyurl&utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=&utm-share-source=mobile-search-results Does traditional networking feel forced or awkward? Join us for an inspiring conversation with Lorraine Fitzpatrick, founder of The Power Circle Club, who is revolutionizing how entrepreneurs connect. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of fitness-based networking and why building genuine relationships is the key to business success. Lorraine shares her journey from being a mortgage advisor in Liverpool to becoming a fractional sales director and event founder. We discuss: - The "Marmite" of Networking: Why some people love it, some hate it, and how your mindset changes everything. - Overcoming Nerves: Practical advice for walking into a room full of strangers and making meaningful connections. - The Power Circle Club: How combining a workout with business can break down barriers and lead to £8,000 deals. - The "Go Big or Go Home" Mindset: Transitioning to self-employment and the reality of balancing business with being a full-time parent. - High-Stakes Fitness: Lorraine’s experience with Hyrox and how physical challenges fuel professional growth. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, this episode is packed with insights on building a support network that fuels both your net worth and your personal growth. Follow Lorraine on Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powercircleclub/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-fitzpatrick-42850432/Follow us on Socials:Instagram: / foundersmindsetunfiltered Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2jaATPG...TikTok: / foundermindsetpodcast Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Lorraine Fitzpatrick 00:01:44 - The Reality of Traditional Networking 00:08:31 - Advice for Nervous Networkers 00:13:32 - Why Traditional Networking Needs to Change 00:15:09 - The Birth of the Power Circle Club 00:27:04 - Transitioning to Self-Employment 00:39:46 - Your Network is Your Support System 00:44:40 - The Mental Game of Hyrox & Fitness 00:49:50 - Hard Lessons in Business Growth 00:54:14 - Long-Term Vision & Helping the Next Generation 00:56:41 - Next Events & Closing Remarks