Turning Setbacks Into Success with Jody Hayes

After being made redundant from Hilton Hotels during the pandemic with a new mortgage and young child, Jody Hayes transformed the crisis into an opportunity by launching his own business managing operational logistics for professional sports teams. When later facing another setback, Jody pivoted again by creating the Elite Sports Hotel Academy. In this episode, Jody and Kat discuss habit building, resilience, embracing change and how to find opportunities in life's challenging moments.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Jody's redundancy from Hilton Hotels during the pandemic became the catalyst for starting his own business.
• When faced with uncertainty, Jody used a wall covered with 50 sheets of A4 paper as a makeshift whiteboard to brainstorm and visualise his business plans. He used the energy behind his anxiety to create a plan.
• After losing his biggest client, Jody had to adapt by pivoting to create an innovative online platform. The Elite Sports Hotel Academy was created, a digital solution that helps hotels better serve sports teams while creating a new revenue stream for Jody.
• Jody initially resisted the idea of digital transformation because it wasn't his original concept. Even though he was already an experienced entrepreneur, he still struggled with change.
• We can all gain time and avoid procrastination by putting boundaries in place with our phones. 
• Scheduling in time blocks for set tasks has helped Jody be more productive and avoid time wasting often caused by switching tasks.
• Jody has built and sustains his resilience with small positive habits including mindful tech use, exercise, a better diet and quality family time.

BEST MOMENTS

"I think when we look at loneliness becoming one of the biggest challenges facing our society, you are actually massively contributing more than I think you realise." 

"When I reflect back, whilst I wasn't as calm as I could be, I still needed to provide for my family... after the initial shock, it was like let's calm down about this and let's start planning." 

"If you have an idea or knowledge or expertise that you want to share, but you're too afraid to share it, you're doing a disservice to all of these different groups of people who will benefit." 

"I have turned off all of my notifications on my phone. I control my phone, my phone doesn't control me and that's been so helpful for me." 

ABOUT THE GUEST

Jody Hayes is the founder and driving force behind Haythorn Sports & Events, one of the UK leading providers of professional sports team logistics. With a extensive background in the worlds of Sport and Hotels, Jody has built a reputation for excellence in planning, logistics and execution. 

After graduating from the University of Chichester with a Sports degree, Jodys near 25 year career journey has seen him work for the Goodwood Estate, Southampton FC and Hilton Worldwide amongst others. 

His knowledge, drive and passion led him to founding Haythorn Sports & Events during the early stages of the pandemic and the business now in it's 5th year, has continued to grow and thrive ever since.

Haythorn Sports

LinkedIn

ABOUT THE HOST

Kat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed. The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship and career. She suffered a severe breakdown and lost everything. In the middle of this she got headhunted for her first CEO role. She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit, and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself. 

She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe. 

LinkedIn

Instagram