E196 | What Every Founder Must Learn About Risk, Identity, and AI with Steven Pettigrew

In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk sits down with Sebastian Bates, founder of Warrior Academy and an advocate for building confident and resilient young people, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing children and parents today: confidence, resilience, and bullying. Seb shares insights from years of working with children, families, and schools, explaining why bullies often target certain individuals and what parents can do to help their children develop the confidence and presence that discourages bullying in the first place. The conversation explores how body language, communication, and self-belief shape the way children are perceived by others — and why confident kids are far less likely to become targets. This episode offers practical guidance for parents who want to raise stronger, more resilient children in an increasingly challenging social environment. In this episode, Kirk and Seb discuss: Why bullies often target children who display vulnerability The body language and behaviours that can make kids appear like easy targets How parents can help children develop confidence and presence The importance of eye contact, posture, and communication skills Practical tools children can use to handle difficult situations How resilience and self-belief reduce the likelihood of bullying The role parents play in shaping their children's confidence For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.

In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk sits down with stress specialist Charlotte Stebbing-Mills to explore a reality many high performers face but rarely talk about — becoming addicted to stress. For entrepreneurs, leaders, and ambitious professionals, operating at high intensity often becomes the norm. But when stress becomes your baseline, it can quietly drive burnout, poor decisions, and long-term health consequences. Charlotte shares her personal journey through burnout and the lessons that shaped her work helping high performers understand their stress patterns, regulate their nervous system, and build a life that supports both performance and recovery. This conversation reframes stress, not as something to eliminate completely, but as something to understand, manage, and channel in a healthier way. In this episode, Kirk and Charlotte discuss: Why many high performers become addicted to stress and urgency The hidden cost of operating in constant "go mode" How early life experiences shape your stress patterns and behaviours Why awareness and reflection are the first steps to change The importance of learning to pause and listen to your body Practical strategies for managing stress and improving recovery How boundaries, environment, and lifestyle choices impact wellbeing Why managing stress isn't about slowing down — it's about sustaining performance This episode is for business leaders and ambitious individuals who want to maintain high performance without sacrificing their health, energy, and long-term resilience. For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.

In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk sits down with sales coach and Cambro Conversations host Colin Campbell for a practical conversation on what it really takes to build a high-performing sales function in today's business environment. From mindset and identity to modern outreach and personal brand, this episode breaks down the systems, behaviours, and principles that help founders and leaders generate consistent revenue without relying on luck, motivation, or outdated tactics. Colin shares his journey into sales, the lessons he's learned working with business owners and teams, and why the future of sales is human, structured, and driven by conviction. In this episode, Kirk and Colin discuss: Why sales is a critical skill for every founder and business owner The mindset and identity required to perform consistently in sales Why mass, impersonal outreach no longer works How to use personalised, multi-channel outreach to stand out The role of AI in sales — and why transparency matters How to build a consistent pipeline and avoid revenue plateaus Why rejection is part of the process, not a problem The importance of personal brand in building trust before the sale How health, energy, and environment impact sales performance This episode is for entrepreneurs and leaders who want to build a sales system that drives consistent growth while developing the confidence and structure to perform at a higher level. For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.

If your health habits keep slipping, the problem isn't a lack of motivation, it's a lack of structure. In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk explains why willpower, hope, and short bursts of motivation aren't enough to create lasting results. Instead, sustainable progress comes from building simple systems that work even when life and business get busy. Kirk shares three practical principles to help entrepreneurs stay consistent with their health year-round, without extreme routines or unrealistic expectations. In this episode, Kirk covers: Why most people struggle because their system is broken, not their discipline How to use the minimum effective dose to stay on track during busy periods The key non-negotiables for training, steps, hydration, and nutrition Why planning your health the day before improves consistency How to move from reactive decisions to proactive control Why aiming for 80% consistency beats chasing perfection The mindset of "less but better" for long-term results This episode is a reminder that sustainable health isn't built on motivation — it's built on structure, planning, and consistent execution. For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.    

In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk Miller is joined by investor and business advisor Steven Pettigrew for a conversation about risk, identity, self-worth, and the impact AI is having on the future of business. Steven shares lessons from growing up in a family business, the shock of watching it collapse, and how that experience shaped his approach to building companies, managing risk, and helping founders scale and exit well. They also break down why many entrepreneurs struggle when their identity is tied too closely to their business, how mentorship changes the game, and why AI is no longer optional if you want to stay competitive. In this episode, Kirk and Steven discuss: The real reason founders plateau, burn out, or lose direction Lessons from growing up in a family business (and what it teaches you early) What business collapse teaches you about risk, resilience, and diversification Why identity and self-worth impact decision-making more than most people realise The value of mentors who've already walked the path you're on How to think about AI as a tool for results, not noise or distraction Why founders must become specialists to stay relevant in an AI-driven world How to build a business that supports legacy, lifestyle, and a strong exit About Steven Pettigrew Steven Pettigrew is an investor and business advisor who helps founders build, scale, and exit successful businesses. With experience in growth strategy and mergers & acquisitions, Steven focuses on helping entrepreneurs make better decisions, reduce risk, and create lasting impact. For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.

Even high performers hit plateaus. Not because they lack discipline or ambition, but because small acts of self-sabotage quietly creep in and consistency slips. In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk breaks down why results stall, especially in health, and shares three simple, non-negotiable habits that help entrepreneurs regain momentum and stay consistent long after motivation fades. In this episode, Kirk covers: Why high performers still plateau despite working hard The three non-negotiable daily habits that rebuild momentum Why increasing activity is key to long-term fat loss How hydration impacts hunger, energy, and consistency Why sleep is a performance multiplier for entrepreneurs How your environment can quietly sabotage progress Why progress beats perfection every time The importance of decisive action over overthinking This episode is a reminder that success isn't about doing more — it's about doing the right things consistently, even when life and business are demanding. For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.

Many high performers feel busy but unfulfilled, not because they lack discipline or ambition, but because their daily actions are out of alignment with their values. In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk breaks down a simple values audit to help you identify what truly matters, assess where your time and energy are going, and make better decisions that create more fulfilment, clarity, and momentum. Kirk explains why misaligned values lead to burnout, frustration, and emotional fatigue, even when life looks successful on the surface, and how small changes in your calendar and priorities can dramatically improve how you feel and perform. In this episode, Kirk covers: Why values drive fulfilment, energy, and long-term success How to identify your true core values (not the ones you think you should have) How to audit your calendar to reveal misalignment Why living out of alignment leads to burnout and dissatisfaction How to make practical changes that buy back time and clarity For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.

In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk Miller sits down with entrepreneur and TEDx speaker Louie Blake for a conversation about purpose, wellbeing, and what it really means to design a better way to live. Louie shares his unconventional journey through business, self-discovery, and personal loss, and how those experiences shaped his latest venture, Long Lane, a wellness-focused hotel and private members club built around community, health, and meaningful connection. Rather than chasing success for its own sake, this conversation explores how entrepreneurs can build lives, businesses, and environments that support long-term wellbeing, clarity, and fulfilment. In this episode, Kirk and Louie discuss: Louie Blake's journey into entrepreneurship and personal development How early life experiences and loss shaped Louie's perspective on purpose The vision behind Long Lane and why wellness-led spaces matter Designing environments that support better habits and healthier decisions Why modern social culture often works against wellbeing Building community through shared values rather than status Navigating financial pressure and uncertainty as an entrepreneur The importance of systems, principles, and self-awareness Redefining success beyond money, titles, and external validation About Louie Blake Louie Blake is an entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and founder of Long Lane, a wellness-focused hospitality and community project set on a 55-acre country estate. His work centres on creating environments that encourage healthier living, deeper connection, and a stronger sense of purpose. For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.

High performers don't drift into great years, they create them through clarity, standards, and better decisions. In this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk breaks down the power of asking better questions and why the quality of your questions often determines the quality of your results. Rather than setting more goals or chasing motivation, this episode focuses on the internal frameworks that guide daily decisions across health, business, relationships, and personal standards. Kirk shares 10 questions he regularly uses with high-performing clients to sharpen focus, eliminate distraction, and stay aligned with the person they are committed to becoming. In this episode, you'll learn: Why asking better questions leads to better decisions How to align daily actions with your future identity How to avoid drifting, complacency, and reactive decision-making How to use simple questions to raise standards in health, business, and life Why clarity beats motivation every time   For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.

On this episode of The Kirk Miller Podcast, Kirk breaks down why the classic "12-week transformation" model often creates impressive short-term change… and then collapses the moment real life kicks back in. If you've ever got in great shape for a holiday, wedding, or photos — only to end up back where you started weeks later — this is for you. In this episode, Kirk covers: The quick-fix illusion — why short deadlines can create results, but rarely create lasting change The real goal — not "getting in shape fast," but learning how to stay in shape year-round Why most people rebound after a 12-week plan ends (and why it's not a willpower problem) The missing skill: managing food, training, and lifestyle across different seasons of life Why habits can start quickly… but rarely become automatic inside 12 weeks The social reality — restaurants, travel, holidays, stress, late nights, and how these derail most "plans" The identity gap — when your body changes faster than your mindset, old habits pull you back Motivation vs discipline — why motivation gets the results, but discipline keeps them Environment and support — why your surroundings and peer group decide your standards more than your plan does You can make huge progress in 12 weeks. But if the underlying behaviours and identity that created the problem haven't been addressed, you're just renting results — not earning change. For more information on what was discussed in this episode head to https://kirkmiller.co.uk/programme/ The Kirk Miller Podcast is the show for business leaders and peak performers to get into the best physical and mental shape of their lives and unleash from within confidence they never thought possible.