I Used To Be Crap At Sales

MySalesCoach.com
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Even the most prominent voices in Sales were crap at Sales once. Join bestselling Author, Founder and Sales Coach Mark Ackers as he speaks with successful Sales professionals about their early Sales struggles, and how they overcame these challenges to become the people they are today.

  1. The Two Silent Killers Destroying Sales Careers (And How To Beat Them) | EP25 | Jessica Williams

    OCT 23

    The Two Silent Killers Destroying Sales Careers (And How To Beat Them) | EP25 | Jessica Williams

    Most salespeople don’t fail because they can’t sell — they fail because of mindset. In this episode, Jessica A. Williams, Founder of Just Williams, joins Mark Ackers to expose the two silent killers that quietly destroy sales careers: need for approval and impostor syndrome. From being kicked out of school to leading an award-winning B Corp, Jessica shares the raw truth about people-pleasing, burnout, and rebuilding confidence with boundaries, coaching, and self-awareness. 🔥 You’ll learn: • Why need for approval in sales kills performance • How impostor syndrome thrives even in top performers • The role of self-awareness and journaling in sustainable success • How to set boundaries and stop people-pleasing • Leadership lessons for building a values-led, resilient sales culture 🎧 Listen, reflect, and discover how to silence both killers before they derail your career. ⸻ 👍 Like this episode? Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sales coaching insights! ✅ Book a call to find out how we can support your sales team:https://www.mysalescoach.com/book-a-meeting ✅ Connect with Us on Linkedin:- Mark Ackers: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markackers/- MySalesCoach: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mysalescoach-com- Jessica Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justjessicawilliams/ ✅ SUBSCRIBE to the audio podcast — I Used To Be Crap At Sales:Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-used-to-be-crap-at-sales/id1734830248Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/0uhvimbYfGIfr456Az2MW4Amazon Podcasts → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b85042dd-4d6b-4fbe-9d9e-11dcdbddd20a/i-used-to-be-crap-at-sales #SalesPodcast #SalesMindset #NeedForApproval #ImpostorSyndrome #SalesCoaching #SalesLeadership #SalesTraining #SalesCareer #SalesSelfAwareness #SalesPerformance #SalesDevelopment #B2BSales

    1h 1m
  2. TOP 15% of Salespeople Do THIS to Stay on Top |EP24| Niraj Kapur

    SEP 24

    TOP 15% of Salespeople Do THIS to Stay on Top |EP24| Niraj Kapur

    Most salespeople stay stuck in the middle of the pack. Some even survive decades in sales without ever breaking through. But a small group — just 15% — consistently smash target, year after year. In this episode, our host Mark Ackers sits with sales influencer and coach Niraj Kapur shares how he went from “horrendous at sales” (his words) to becoming one of the most respected trainers in the industry. His story is brutally honest — from reading rejection scripts with no clue what to say, to being nominated for Salesman of the Year. You’ll discover: Why 80% of sellers fail to hit quota in 2025 (and why it’s not just about bad leads).The mindset shift that separates mediocre reps from top 15% performers.How detaching from outcomes can actually increase your close rate.Simple prospecting techniques that help you stand out in a sea of sameness.Why investing in yourself matters more than waiting for your boss to back you. If you’re tired of feeling average, this episode is your wake-up call. Niraj doesn’t sugarcoat it — he lays out the hard truths and the daily habits that build sales winners. 👉 Whether you’re an SDR fighting for pipeline or a sales leader trying to lift your team, this is an unmissable conversation. #Sales #SalesCoaching #SalesMindset #SalesLeadership #Prospecting #SalesTraining #B2BSales #LinkedInSales #SalesPodcast #SalesPerformance #SocialSelling

    59 min
  3. From The Sales Floor To BBC Traitors Final Four |EP23| Andrew Jenkins

    AUG 20

    From The Sales Floor To BBC Traitors Final Four |EP23| Andrew Jenkins

    What happens when a seasoned sales leader enters one of the most intense BBC reality shows on TV? Andrew Jenkins spent over 20 years in Sales — building trust, leading teams, and coaching people through high-pressure sales at Lloyds Bank. Then he brought those same skills — listening, emotional intelligence, and calm under pressure — into the castle on The Traitors. The result? He made it to the Final Four. In this conversation, Andrew unpacks how: • Relationship-building helped him avoid votes while others got banished • Sales coaching taught him to listen more, speak less — even in a roundtable showdown • Empathy, not ego, helped him build alliances and stay grounded • His experience leading teams under pressure was the perfect training for reality TV’s mind games Plus, we explore his life after trauma, leaving a high-performing career at its peak, and why he now speaks to companies about failure, resilience, and mental health. 👇 If you’ve ever wondered whether soft skills really matter in your sales career — watch this episode. #TheTraitorsBBC #SalesLeadership #salestips  #EmotionalIntelligence #salestraining  #salescoaching  #SalesMindset #TrustBasedSelling #ResilienceInSales #SalesLife #salespodcast  #AuthenticSelling

    1h 28m
  4. The Marketing vs Sales Blame Game Is Costing You Millions |EP22| Mark Walker

    JUL 23

    The Marketing vs Sales Blame Game Is Costing You Millions |EP22| Mark Walker

    If you’ve ever felt the tension between sales and marketing… you’re not alone. In this episode, Mark Walker (who's lived both lives) joins our host Mark Ackers to explore one of the most persistent pain points in B2B: sales and marketing alignment. From junk MQLs to misattributed pipeline, they pull no punches in exposing the outdated structures, broken metrics, and political infighting that derail revenue teams. You’ll learn how to rethink SDR reporting lines, why most account based marketing (ABM) campaigns fall flat, and what it really means to align around revenue. 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why confidence in your product is critical for sales success • How one viral video built instant buyer trust • The real reason MQLs break trust between sales and marketing • Why some marketers should earn commission—and some SDRs shouldn’t • A bold take on founder-led sales and roadmap discipline • What great ABM looks like (and how to fix it fast) Whether you’re a CRO, CMO, or sales leader tired of the blame game—this episode gives you the tools and mindset to build a unified revenue engine. ✅ Find out more about how MySalesCoach are supporting sales teams like yours: / https://www.mysalescoach.com/ ✅ Get a MySalesCoach Membership, for you or your team for only £20 per month per person (+vat)https://www.mysalescoach.com/pricing ✅ Connect with Us: Follow Mark Ackers on LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/markackers/Follow MySalesCoach on LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/company/mysalescoach-comFollow Mark Walker on LinkedIn: /  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jfdimark/ ✅ SUBSCRIBE to the audio Podcast I USED TO BE CRAP AT SALES: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-used-to-be-crap-at-sales/id1734830248 Subscribe and Review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0uhvimbYfGIfr456Az2MW4 Subscribe and Review on Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b85042dd-4d6b-4fbe-9d9e-11dcdbddd20a/i-used-to-be-crap-at-sales 👍 Like this episode?Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sales coaching insights! #SalesAndMarketingAlignment #ABM #B2BSales #SalesDevelopment #FounderLedSales #SDRLeadership #RevOps #GoToMarketStrategy #SalesEnablement #RevenueLeadership #SalesTraining #salescoaching

    1h 3m
  5. Why 94% of Salespeople Never Become Elite, And How To Fix |EP21| Will Aitken

    JUN 18

    Why 94% of Salespeople Never Become Elite, And How To Fix |EP21| Will Aitken

    🎤 In this must-listen episode of The "I Used to Be Crap at Sales" Podcast, host Mark Ackers interviews Will Aitken, one of the most recognised voices in sales content today.  Will is a former SaaS AE turned sales coach, keynote speaker, and viral content creator with over 140,000 LinkedIn followers and millions of views across TikTok and YouTube.He’s built a global audience by combining relatable sales insights with unforgettable humour—and today, he’s opening up like never before. 🔥 What You'll Learn:👉 Why “need for approval in sales” is the #1 mindset trap holding reps back👉 How Will went from underperforming rep to sales leader and content icon👉 How becoming coachable changed everything in Will's career and life👉 The truth about ego, self-worth, and seeking validation through work This is more than a sales conversation—it’s a roadmap for anyone who’s ever doubted themselves, felt stuck in their role, or wanted to take control of their growth.  Whether you're a sales rep, leader, or creator, Will's story will leave you inspired and equipped. 👍 Like this episode?Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sales coaching insights! ✅ Find out more about MySalesCoachhttps://www.mysalescoach.com/ ✅ Seriously level up yours/ your team’s sales skills with a MySalesCoach Membership for only £20 per month (+vat)https://www.mysalescoach.com/pricing ✅ Connect with Us:Follow Mark Ackers on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markackers/Follow MySalesCoach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mysalescoach-comFollow Will Aitken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justwillaitken/

    1h 9m
  6. Leading a Global SDR Team at Cognism | EP20 | Catherine Olivier, Cognism

    MAY 14

    Leading a Global SDR Team at Cognism | EP20 | Catherine Olivier, Cognism

    Leading a global SDR team? Just promoted to SDR manager? This episode is packed with real-world advice from Catherine Olivier, VP of Global Sales Development at Cognism, on how to build and lead high-performing sales development teams—without burning out or losing your team’s trust. Catherine shares hard-earned lessons from her experience leading SDR teams across the US, UK, Germany, and France. She unpacks what most first-time SDR managers get wrong, how to avoid managing like your old boss, and the biggest mistakes leaders make in a hybrid, high-pressure sales environment. Learn how to:✅ Structure and scale global SDR teams✅ Manage former peers without favouritism✅ Coach new SDR managers for long-term success✅ Avoid common leadership traps and burnout✅ Build culture in remote sales teams✅ Deal with imposter syndrome in sales leadership 👍 Like this episode?Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sales coaching insights! ✅ Find out more about MySalesCoach / https://www.mysalescoach.com/ ✅ Seriously level up yours/ your teams sales skills with a MySalesCoach Membership for only £20 per month (+vat)https://www.mysalescoach.com/pricing ✅ Connect with Us: Follow Mark Ackers on LinkedIn:   / https://www.linkedin.com/in/markackers/Follow MySalesCoach on LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/company/mysalescoach-comFollow Catherine Olivier on LinkedIn: /  https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-olivier/

    56 min
  7. Ditch The Pitch, Josh Braun Says Poke The Bear! | EP19

    APR 9

    Ditch The Pitch, Josh Braun Says Poke The Bear! | EP19

    In this unmissable episode of The I Used To Be Crap At Sales Podcast, legendary sales trainer Josh Braun, joins our host Mark Ackers for a deep, unfiltered dive into what really drives consistent sales performance. If you’re a sales rep chasing targets, a team leader trying to motivate your reps, or a founder building a sales motion—this episode is your blueprint for rewiring your sales mindset. Josh breaks down why most sellers fail—not from lack of skill, but from clinging too tightly to outcomes and things they can't control. Learn how to detach from the outcome, build trust through radical honesty, and shift your energy from desperate to magnetic. You’ll discover why storytelling beats pitching every time, and how to start collecting your own to paint a picture. You'll learn how to provoke prospects and poke the bear without being pushy, and how mindfulness and meditation make you a sharper communicator. He shares many captivating, real life stories in this episode—from shopping for sneakers to his Grandma's toaster—that turn abstract concepts into, memorable and practical sales coaching gold. Whether you’re hitting the phones or scaling your team, this episode gives you the tools to sell with integrity, curiosity, and calm control. This isn’t just sales advice—it’s a mindset rewiring that could transform your entire approach to selling.

    55 min
  8. Sales Leadership Is Stuck in the Past - And It’s Costing You | EP18 | Phil Putnam

    MAR 12

    Sales Leadership Is Stuck in the Past - And It’s Costing You | EP18 | Phil Putnam

    How do you truly motivate a sales team? Most sales leaders struggle to keep their teams engaged and performing at their best - especially with 53% of the workforce being made up of Millennials and Gen Z. In this episode, our host Mark Ackers sits down with Phil Putnam, the author of Desire-Based Leadership, to uncover the secrets behind scaling high-performing sales teams and retaining top talent. Phil shares a game-changing leadership framework that shifts the focus from company goals to what employees truly want - because when salespeople believe their job helps them achieve their life goals, performance skyrockets.  We dive into real-world leadership mistakes, how to avoid costly attrition, and why traditional motivational tactics no longer work.   You’ll hear powerful insights on:  Why most leaders fail to motivate their teams (and how to fix it)How to retain top-performing sales reps and stop bleeding money on replacementsThe harsh reality of ignoring the wants and needs of Millennial and Gen Z salespeopleA simple discovery model for understanding what drives your team, which you can utilise to drive top performance  You'll learn: Why do most sales leaders struggle to keep Millennials and Gen Z salespeople engaged—and what actually works?What’s the #1 mistake leaders make that causes top performers to leave, and how can you stop it?How can you predict whether a salesperson will stay or leave - and what can you do to keep them longer?What’s the real cost of replacing a salesperson, and how can you avoid wasting millions on unnecessary turnover?What’s the simplest way to uncover what truly motivates your sales team (beyond just “money”)?If you’re serious about scaling your sales team, retaining your top talent, and mastering modern sales leadership, this episode is a must-listen.

    1h 13m
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About

Even the most prominent voices in Sales were crap at Sales once. Join bestselling Author, Founder and Sales Coach Mark Ackers as he speaks with successful Sales professionals about their early Sales struggles, and how they overcame these challenges to become the people they are today.

Information

  • Creator
    MySalesCoach.com
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    ©2024 MySalesCoach.com
  • Show Website
    I Used To Be Crap At Sales

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