The Starting Line with Rich Leigh Rich Leigh

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Today's episode is with 19 year old British racing driver Zak O'Sullivan, from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
Zak currently races in the 2024 FIA Formula 2 Championship with ART Grand Prix, and has his sights set firmly on racing in Formula 1.
With only 20 seats available each season, you have more chance of becoming an astronaut than you do making it to the F1 grid.
Zak won the GB3 Championship in 2021 and was the 2023 Formula 3 runner-up. He was the winner of the prestigious 2021 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award, and is a member of the Williams Driver Academy.
We spoke about everything from his upbringing, his mindset, his journey to date, Netflix's Drive to Survive, the eye-watering financial costs to even compete at each level of a driver's ascent towards F1 and more.
Follow Zak on Instagram @zak.osullivan
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108
Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl
Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month
Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com
Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com
*About The Starting Line Podcast*
The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.
Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.
In series one Leigh spoke to three OBEs, one MBE, world champions, world record holders, Olympic medal winners, and multi-millionaires, alongside people giving back and supporting communities in unique and incredible ways.
Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.
*About me, Rich Leigh*
From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.
At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.
By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.
Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.
Listen every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.
Follow The Starting Line on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow
Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! --
Nearly 40% of teenage girls in the UK who spend over 5 hours on social media per day score as clinically depressed.
Anxiety diagnoses among 18–25-year-olds have increased by 92%.
Self-harm and suicide rates continue to increase around the world, beginning to spike in line with the rise of phone-based childhoods, as opposed to play-based childhoods.
And we need to do something about it. First, it means recognising why this might be - and this conversation, and many others like it, couldn't be more important.
Zach Rausch is an Associate Research Scientist at NYU Stern School of Business in the Business and Society Program.
He is the Chief Researcher for Jonathan Haidt and the #1 New York Times Bestseller "The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness".
In this episode we speak about why The Anxious Generation needed to be written - and how we, as a society, can turn this around.
Research link: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/research
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl
Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month
Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com
Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com
*About The Starting Line Podcast*
The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.
Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, we talk about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.
Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.
*About me, Rich Leigh*
From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.
At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.
By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.
Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.
Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.
Listen every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.
Follow The Starting Line on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow
Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! --
*Please note, we talk about depression and the big S word for a short period of time. Also, Wynne does say the C word once - so probably avoid watching/listening with kids.*
Wynne Evans was an opera star for 18 years before he was cast in 2009 in the GoCompare ads, one of the most famous ads in the UK, ever.
Wynne became one of the most hated men in the UK as a result of being cast as Gio Compario.
In this episode, we talk about Wynne's opera career. We talk about his two classical music chart topping albums. We talk about his Celebrity MasterChef win - but we don't just talk about the things he's achieved.
We talk about who he is and why he is who he is, the struggles that he's come through and the joy and the happiness that those things have brought him.
This conversation is raw. Wynne is honest, open, hilarious, humble, and has a few heartbreaking things to say, too.
Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/uk/podcast/the-starting-line-with-rich-leigh/id1701825108
Listen and subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46IufelOtcvvBzdidS4oUl
Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month
Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com
Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com
*About The Starting Line Podcast*
The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.
Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.
Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.
*About me, Rich Leigh*
From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.
At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.
By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.
Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.
Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.
Listen every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.
Follow The Starting Line on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow
Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

-- Subscribe for new episodes, released every Monday! --
Ellie Simmonds was awarded an MBE at the age of 13 - and still holds the record for being the youngest ever recipient.
She now has an OBE, five Paralympic gold medals, eight World Championship gold medals and 10 European Championship golds under her belt.
In this interview with swimming star, author, TV presenter and just all-round lovely human being Ellie we discuss everything from her career, dwarfism and drugs, the importance of role models both in society and on the screen, her upbringing, adoption, drive, travel, what she’s been up to since retiring, favourite TV shows and more.
Follow Ellie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliesimmonds
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bszsyL4WHE0
Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at: https://www.patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month
Website: https://www.startinglinepod.com
Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com
About The Starting Line Podcast
The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.
Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.
In series one Leigh spoke to three OBEs, one MBE, world champions, world record holders, Olympic medal winners, and multi-millionaires, alongside people giving back and supporting communities in unique and incredible ways.
Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.
About me, Rich Leigh
From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.
At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.
By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.
Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.
Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.
Listen every Monday as we discuss life's challenges with positivity, perseverance and a touch of silliness.
Follow The Starting Line on social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startinglineshow
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/startinglinesho
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/startinglineshow
Facebook: https://facebook.com/startinglineshow
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/startinglineshow

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Undefeated professional boxer Nina Hughes, born in Essex, UK, became bantamweight world champion at the age of 39 - having come back into the sport and only gone pro after having two children.
Nina spoke about everything from Ebanie Bridges and Shannon Courtenay ducking her, US Boxing's decision to allow trans women to box biological women - calling it 'dangerous', pointing to deaths in boxing and asking why women would take the risk, female boxers and OnlyFans, the Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight, how much female boxers are paid, her upbringing, her time with Team GB, how she found boxing and more.
Nina defends her title again this weekend, Sunday 12th May, against Cherneka Johnson at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, and, all being well, believes she can become undisputed world champion within three fights.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month
Website: startinglinepod.com
Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com
About The Starting Line Podcast
The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.
Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.
Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.
About me, Rich Leigh
From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.
At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.
By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.
Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.
Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.
Watch or listen every Monday.
Follow The Starting Line on:
Instagram
Twitter
TikTok
Facebook
LinkedIn


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The second series of interview podcast The Starting Line kicks off with an exclusive conversation with star of screen, stage and film, two-time Olivier Award winner Brian Cox.
Recorded in his north London home around new year, Cox spoke about everything from religion, politics, cannabis, the actor he’d most like to act alongside, whether he'll reprise his role as William Stryker in Deadpool 3 and much, much more.
The Succession star opined about Trump, Israel and Gaza, the state of British politics, how the Bible is the ‘worst’ book ever written and his thoughts about billionaires, having played one of the best known billionaires in TV history, among many other topics.
Watch this episode on YouTube
Patreon: Support the show by becoming a patron at patreon.com/startinglinepod for just £5 a month
Website: startinglinepod.com
Contact: If you have guest suggestions or would like to talk about sponsorship opportunities, please email hello@startinglinepod.com
About The Starting Line Podcast
The Starting Line Podcast, hosted by award-winning serial entrepreneur, PR expert, and best-selling author Rich Leigh, is all about drive, ambition and curiosity.
Speaking to entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers, guests open up about positivity, success, resilience, perseverance, mistakes and more.
Go back and enjoy series one guests including Levi Roots, James Cracknell OBE and Apprentice winner Marnie Swindells.
About me, Rich Leigh
From a turbulent childhood marred by domestic violence, addiction and crime to being named the #1 most influential PR person, my journey has been anything but conventional.
At 17, I dropped out of school. At 18, I became a father for the first time, and left the chaos of my family council house, determined to rewrite my story and break the cycle so many understandably struggle to.
By 30, I was a successful agency owner with a #1 best-selling book. We were working with some of the UK’s leading brands, entrepreneurs and celebrities, building, shaping and protecting reputations, using my influence to raise more than a million pounds for sick children.
Hosted by me, Rich Leigh, The Starting Line Podcast is your weekly dose of inspiration, featuring powerful interviews with entrepreneurs, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and thinkers.
Together, we explore the themes of curiosity, resilience, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success, proving that your starting line doesn't define or limit your potential.
Watch or listen every Monday.
Follow The Starting Line on:
Instagram
Twitter
TikTok
Facebook
LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.