North Star Conversations | Unlock Your Potential, Performance & Purpose

Will Polston | Business Strategist & Performance Coach
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

Join Will Polston, Business Strategist & Performance Coach, on North Star Conversations the go-to podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to unlock their potential, elevate their performance, and align their business and life with true purpose. Hosted by Will Polston bestselling author, entrepreneur, award winning business strategist and performance coach this weekly show blends solo episodes and in-depth conversations with world-class thinkers, founders, and change-makers from around the globe. Whether you're scaling a business, shifting your mindset, or seeking more clarity and fulfilment, each episode delivers actionable insights. Rooted in Will's North Star mission to help you move from excuses to results and live a life you love, this podcast is designed to help you create lasting impact not just for yourself, but for your family, your team, your community, and the world. Tune in and discover what's possible when you align with your North Star.

  1. 1d ago

    Second Time Round: Why He Walked Away From a Thriving Coaching Business, The Danger of Chasing What the Market Wants, & Rebuilding a Life Around Courage Over Confidence - Matt Essam | EP278

    Episode Notes In this episode, I welcome back Matt Essam, a business strategist who works with award-winning creative studios, for his second appearance on the show. We talk about the last 16 months since his first episode - including the moment he realized he'd built a product chasing what the market wanted rather than what actually energized him, the "energy of obligation" that told him something had to change, and the sabbatical that followed. Matt shares what he's learned about courage versus confidence, why he believes business is the ultimate spiritual endeavor, and the radical (and surprisingly effective) advice he gives stressed-out clients: take a holiday. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: welcome back 00:22 - Where they've recorded across the world 01:16 - What's changed in the last 16 months 01:43 - The tension between coaching energy and market demand 02:40 - The "energy of obligation" and realizing something had to change 03:19 - Zooming out and realizing it's bigger than a client issue 04:09 - Why he pursued the lead gen challenge despite knowing better 05:32 - Blue ocean vs. red ocean, and defining his "creative" niche 06:47 - Realizing the strategy didn't scale to a mass market 09:03 - The lesson: riches are in the niches 09:44 - What the experience did for his identity 11:10 - The mountain moment: sitting on a snowboard and feeling the incongruence 12:33 - A friend's sudden death and the Steve Jobs mirror question 14:09 - The two-doors analogy: letting go of the old identity 15:18 - Significant emotional events as a loss of identity 15:45 - Creating, not finding, your North Star 16:16 - Letting go of "good" to pursue "excellent" 17:28 - The difference between a sabbatical and procrastination 18:10 - Listening to the body before burnout hits 18:35 - Where the concept of "courage over confidence" was born 19:29 - Why confidence can't exist without courage 20:34 - Setting - or not setting - an end date for the sabbatical 21:15 - Designing his ideal next chapter: five clients, two days a week 22:32 - What he's done differently on sabbatical 23:13 - Rediscovering connection to people and nature 24:16 - The value of unstructured time and a "clear horizon" 24:54 - The default diary lesson from years ago 26:05 - Will's own story about a summer with no responsibilities 28:05 - Slowing down: the difference between rushing and strolling through London 28:44 - Planning in campaigns instead of multi-year plans 29:48 - Staying laser-focused on one goal at a time 31:06 - Setting goals in stone, methods in sand 32:18 - Defining his life mission: helping people live up to their potential 34:17 - How unlocking business potential unlocks life potential 34:47 - "You are the business" - why the person changes everything 35:52 - Why business tests every area of life 36:39 - What ultra-successful people actually want once they've "made it" 37:07 - Leaving things and people better than you found them 37:59 - Advice for people who can't afford to take a sabbatical 38:37 - The client who took a holiday during a crisis - and it worked 39:45 - Giving your best vs. giving your all 40:48 - Distinguishing intentional change from self-sabotage 41:39 - The gym experience that wrecked his nervous system 44:35 - Head, heart, and gut alignment 45:49 - The three things to start being more courageous 46:13 - Forward-projecting three, five, ten years ahead 47:14 - Realizing he didn't want the life of the people ahead of him 48:51 - Tim Ferriss's fear-setting exercise, explained 51:03 - Using micro actions to build courage: the talking-to-strangers experiment 52:31 - The "talk forever drill" for building conversational confidence 55:19 - Breaking fear down into the smallest possible next step 59:24 - How to connect with Matt 1:00:53 - Being the "b******t man" of LinkedIn 1:01:02 - Final reflection: the question he wishes people asked him 1:01:55 - Closing remarks \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: search "Matt Essam" (please confirm exact spelling and handle) About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!

    Second Time Round: Why He Walked Away From a Thriving Coaching Business, The Danger of Chasing What the Market Wants, & Rebuilding a Life Around Courage Over Confidence - Matt Essam | EP278

  2. 4d ago ·  Bonus

    What Makes Boxing Such a Powerful Tool for Personal Growth - Billy Long

    Originally aired: March 2025 Episode Number: 228 Boxing can build far more than physical strength. It can teach discipline, confidence, respect, and the character to face challenges head-on. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, former professional boxer, boxing coach, and founder of the Box2Burn gym Billy Long shares how boxing became a powerful vehicle for personal growth, family values, and community impact. Discover how one passion evolved into a mission to help young people develop confidence and discipline, while creating an environment where camaraderie, resilience, and self-respect can shape lives both inside and outside the ring. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/billylong

    What Makes Boxing Such a Powerful Tool for Personal Growth - Billy Long

  3. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    How to Build a Business That Gives You Freedom - Toby Burns

    Originally aired: March 2025 Episode Number: 227 Sometimes the biggest wake-up call is realising that your income depends entirely on you. True freedom comes from building something that can grow without you being there every step of the way. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, children's entertainer turned business mogul Toby Burns dives into the moment a broken wrist forced him to rethink his career, his relationship with money, and what he really wanted from life. Discover how moving beyond trading time for income, investing wisely, and creating more flexibility can help you build a business that supports not just financial success, but freedom, family, and meaningful experiences. Listen to the full episode here: https://kite.link/tobyburns

    How to Build a Business That Gives You Freedom - Toby Burns

  4. Sep 10

    Ditching the Retirement Cliff: Why "Financial Independence" Isn't the Finish Line, The Model Airplane Text That Changed His Career, & The Kindness Project That Raised £62,000 for Charity - Chris Daems | EP277

    Episode Notes In this episode, I sit down with Chris Daems, a chartered financial planner and author of "What Happens Next: Ditching the Retirement Cliff for a Life Well Lived." We talk about the client story that changed how he views retirement forever - a man who quit his job the moment he learned he had "enough," only to text two days later asking if he needed to get a life. Chris shares his framework for figuring out what a life well lived actually looks like, practical advice on savings, pensions, and business owner tax strategies, and the origin of his Kindness Project - a podcast he started with his teenage daughter that grew into a bestselling book and raised £62,000 for charity. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:28 - Comparing his book to Will's, and their shared philosophy 01:20 - The story of Mike: "you need to tell me I've got enough" 02:47 - Mike quits immediately after hearing the good news 03:29 - The model airplane text: "Do I need to get a life?" 04:33 - Realizing financial independence is only one part of a life well lived 05:27 - How Chris got into financial planning by accident 07:13 - What comes first: goals or money? 07:58 - The mistake most people make: picking an arbitrary number 09:14 - The Vonnegut and Heller story: "I know how much is enough" 10:00 - Defining financial independence 11:38 - The most common mistake: not thinking with your heart 13:12 - The Greek philosophers on wellbeing 14:19 - Why "retire" should mean "re-energize" 18:11 - The client who spent 30 years "climbing the wrong ladder" 19:20 - The concept of a North Star 19:57 - The question: "What would you do if you had all the money?" 20:36 - Watching his dad's relationship with money growing up 22:20 - The one piece of advice: just save 10% 23:03 - Making money young, and the "why save when I can earn more" trap 24:21 - Paying your future self first 24:46 - The accelerating savings technique 25:47 - The Automatic Millionaire and building habits that stick 28:21 - Saving for the kids without removing their motivation 29:39 - Using pensions to legitimately mitigate tax as a business owner 32:01 - Getting clear on "enough" as a second key habit 33:16 - Calculating your personal net worth 34:17 - Why your business, not your house, is probably your biggest asset 35:07 - Money as a tool, not a goal 36:16 - The difference between a financial planner and a financial advisor 37:55 - Direction over speed 38:27 - Design Your Life and the "wild card" question 39:37 - Incremental change and experimenting your way forward 40:06 - The ultimate success formula, and Chris's NEXT framework 41:10 - "Everybody's got a plan until they get hit in the face" 41:56 - His podcast "What Happens Next" and its growth 42:17 - What does kindness mean to him? 42:45 - The homeless man encounter that started it all 44:00 - Starting a podcast with his daughter Charlotte 44:56 - The blind app developer who built "Be My Eyes" 47:06 - Hitting rock bottom in 2019 and turning to a cathedral 48:32 - Finding a homeless man outside and getting him help 50:04 - Being resourceful with kindness, even without money 50:28 - The Kindness Calendar 51:03 - Bernadette Russell's marathon day acts of kindness 52:20 - Small, compounding acts of kindness 52:48 - Writing The Kindness Project book 53:16 - Starting with just 6 listeners a week 53:47 - Growing to a top 10 UK habits podcast on Spotify 54:37 - Why he chose to stop the podcast at its peak 55:24 - Donating £62,000 in book profits to charity 55:46 - Running the Brentwood Half Marathon and a charity boxing match 56:29 - How to connect with Chris 57:16 - Final reflection: the most important question to answer 58:09 - What you really want vs. what you think you can get 58:34 - The Five Whys technique explained 59:07 - Closing thoughts \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Check out Chris's website: https://www.whathappensnext.life Chris's financial planning website: https://www.cervellofp.co.uk/ About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!

    Ditching the Retirement Cliff: Why "Financial Independence" Isn't the Finish Line, The Model Airplane Text That Changed His Career, & The Kindness Project That Raised £62,000 for Charity - Chris Daems | EP277

  5. Sep 7 ·  Bonus

    Why Your Relationship Feels Stuck And How to Reignite the Spark - Kelly Clements

    Originally aired: March 2025 Episode Number: 226 Great relationships don't happen by accident. They need intention, play, and consistent effort to keep the connection alive. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, marriage-centric business and relationship coach Kelly Clements shares the importance of play, appreciation, and intentional connection in creating a lasting partnership. Learn how shared experiences, positive reinforcement, healthy boundaries, and protecting time away from work can strengthen your relationship, maintain intimacy, and help both partners continue to grow together. Listen to the full episode here:  http://kite.link/kellyclements

    Why Your Relationship Feels Stuck And How to Reignite the Spark - Kelly Clements

  6. Sep 5 ·  Bonus

    How Addiction Hijacks Your Brain & The Way Out - Tiernan Dixon

    Originally aired: March 2025 Episode Number: 225 The path to becoming who you want to be rarely follows a straight line. Sometimes, the experiences that challenge us most can become the catalyst for deeper self-awareness, personal growth, and a completely different way of living. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, Founder of Superbeam Tiernan Dixon opens up about his journey through addiction, recovery, and discovering a deeper sense of spirituality. Explore how surrender, self-awareness, service, and reciprocity can transform the way you relate to yourself and others, and why shifting from a life centred around having more to one focused on being, giving, and connecting can create profound personal change. Listen to the full episode here:  https://kite.link/tiernandixon

    How Addiction Hijacks Your Brain & The Way Out - Tiernan Dixon

  7. Sep 3

    Snowboard Brand Owner to Elite Coach: Why High Performers Don't Know Who They Are Without the Title! Trapped in the Transition, Losing Your Edge, Defined by What You've Done? Break the Identity Trap & Build Your Next Version - Perry Gladstone | EP276

    Episode Notes In this episode, I sit down with Perry Gladstone, a serial entrepreneur who built one of Canada's largest snowboard brands, became friends with Tony Hawk through skateboarding, launched a television network in Israel, competed as a national-record-holding free diver, and now coaches elite performers and business leaders through identity transitions. We talk about the belief that's carried him through every reinvention - "I will figure it out when I get there" - and what happens when that belief meets its limits: a paragliding accident that nearly killed him in front of his pregnant wife, a free diving blackout that ended his competitive career, and the collapse of his identity when a scandal ended his skateboarding business overnight. Perry shares his framework for navigating the "transition trap," why every major decision ultimately comes down to identity, and the powerful question he wishes more people asked themselves. Don't miss the opportunity to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life. Book your complimentary clarity call today and discover how Will Polston can help you achieve the success you deserve. 💡 https://willpolston.com/book-a-call/ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Video Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 00:05 - Where in the world: Toronto 01:17 - Curiosity from a young age, and the school play story 03:22 - Being a "quick start," not a planner 04:07 - His foundational belief: "I will figure it out when I get there" 04:56 - The origin story: his parents' three different versions of the same event 07:50 - When has "I'll figure it out" not worked? 08:16 - The paragliding accident that nearly killed him 09:43 - Failing big, more than once 10:29 - Every decision eventually comes down to identity 13:13 - Building the muscle of survival through failure 13:52 - Teenage obsessions: skateboards and the surf culture ideal 16:23 - Becoming friends with Tony Hawk through hardware sales 18:51 - Waking up surrounded by skateboarding legends 19:43 - The transition into snowboarding 21:13 - Sneaking onto mountains before snowboarding was allowed 21:24 - Stacy Peralta's mentorship and life-changing advice 25:00 - Starting Limited Snowboards from nothing 25:51 - Selling the business, losing his marriage, and identity collapse 26:32 - The pro rider scandal that ended his skateboard career 28:45 - "So I guess you're out of the industry" - the comment that cut deep 30:42 - Does he believe in luck? 32:00 - Who are you when the thing that defines you is gone? 33:15 - Disruption and leveraging existing infrastructure 34:15 - Will's "mastery spiral" concept 36:32 - The trap of everyone around you still expecting the old identity 37:11 - The shift into music, guitar, and a record deal 38:02 - Making skateboard videos and shaping "reality" through editing 39:30 - Selling the snowboard company and starting a film company 41:21 - The Israel Global Television Network story 44:22 - An "embarrassment of riches" - doors opening everywhere 45:43 - North Star thinking and the value of the journey 46:24 - Wanting to know what's possible, and how far he can take something 47:01 - What is free diving? 47:54 - Competing in depth, time, and distance 48:15 - His national record: 6 minutes, 1 second 48:41 - The training accident that ended his free diving career 51:18 - Chasing flow state through extreme sports 53:20 - Where he finds flow state now, as a father 55:23 - The identity work he does with elite performers and leaders 58:35 - The real question leaders need to ask themselves 1:00:08 - The "transition trap" explained 1:02:47 - What comes first: knowing the next chapter, or knowing who you are? 1:03:17 - His book: Fast and Hot 1:03:49 - How to connect with Perry 1:04:17 - Who are you now? 1:05:09 - Now working with people who can change history 1:05:49 - Knowing when a risk has gone too far 1:08:00 - Who is he becoming over the next 3-5 years? 1:09:31 - Final reflection: the one question he wishes people asked 1:11:04 - Closing remarks \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / / / \ \ \ / Relevant Links For the Viewer and Citations Website - https://www.willpolston.com Instagram - https://instagram.com/willpolston Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/willpolstonmih LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/willpolston/ Twitter / X - https://x.com/willpolston TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@willpolston Check out Perry's website: https://perrygladstone.com Get Perry's book, "Fast and Hot: How to Open Hearts, Win Minds, and Create a Better Business and a Better Life" About Me: I am dedicated to helping individuals and businesses unlock their true potential through expert coaching and training programs. I'm passionate about empowering others to achieve their dreams and live a life they love. Subscribe for more insights and tips on personal development, productivity, and achieving your goals. Let's embark on this journey together!

    Snowboard Brand Owner to Elite Coach: Why High Performers Don't Know Who They Are Without the Title! Trapped in the Transition, Losing Your Edge, Defined by What You've Done? Break the Identity Trap & Build Your Next Version - Perry Gladstone | EP276

  8. Aug 31 ·  Bonus

    How to Turn Setbacks Into Business Growth - John Holliday

    Originally aired: February 2025 Episode Number: 224 Success doesn't always begin with a clear passion or a perfect plan. Sometimes it comes from being willing to learn, take opportunities, solve problems, and keep moving forward when the path becomes difficult. In this episode highlight of North Star Conversations with Will Polston, award‑winning accountant‑entrepreneur and owner of the Pocknells Group John Holliday shares the unconventional journey that took him from wanting to become a professional footballer to building and leading a successful accountancy practice. Discover how embracing risk, developing a problem-solving mindset, and learning through difficult experiences can turn unexpected opportunities into lasting growth, and why continually challenging yourself may be the key to building a career and business that keeps evolving. Listen to the full episode here: https://kite.link/johnholliday

    How to Turn Setbacks Into Business Growth - John Holliday
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2 Ratings

About

Join Will Polston, Business Strategist & Performance Coach, on North Star Conversations the go-to podcast for ambitious entrepreneurs looking to unlock their potential, elevate their performance, and align their business and life with true purpose. Hosted by Will Polston bestselling author, entrepreneur, award winning business strategist and performance coach this weekly show blends solo episodes and in-depth conversations with world-class thinkers, founders, and change-makers from around the globe. Whether you're scaling a business, shifting your mindset, or seeking more clarity and fulfilment, each episode delivers actionable insights. Rooted in Will's North Star mission to help you move from excuses to results and live a life you love, this podcast is designed to help you create lasting impact not just for yourself, but for your family, your team, your community, and the world. Tune in and discover what's possible when you align with your North Star.

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