Bulletproof Leadership: Thalia Burt on Fitness, Mindset & Resilience for Success
Drop the Act
Bulletproof Leadership with Thalia Burt explores fitness, mindset, and resilience strategies to help leaders, performers, and business professionals sustain peak performance and mental clarity. In Episode 10 of Drop the Act, host Christopher Key sits down with Thalia Burt, founder of The Bulletproof Dancer and former international performer, to explore how fitness, mindset, and resilience can transform leadership performance — whether on stage, in business, or at the highest levels of sport. Thalia shares her journey from Cape Town to the West End, her transition from performer to...
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FA Coach Guy Whittingham on Leadership, Mindset & Career Transitions
Drop the Act
FA Coach Guy Whittingham on Leadership, Mindset & Career Transitions In this episode, FA Pro Licence course leader Guy Whittingham shares how he went from Army PTI to Premier League striker to elite coach—exploring resilience, leadership, and communication in high-performance settings. You’ll hear how military mindset, emotional intelligence, and adaptability shaped Guy’s coaching philosophy — and how business leaders can apply the same tools to lead under pressure. Episode Highlights: The mindset shift from soldier to striker to coach Adapting from team-first to individual...
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Master Your Mindset: Breath Control, Fear & High Performance (Best Of)
Drop the Act
In this episode we re-visit our best bits from Season 1 & 2. Breath control, elite team rituals, performance mindset, breath control, overcoming fear and high performance take centre stage in this curated “best‑of” episode. Featuring Annesley Park, Lucy Key, Richard Wallace, and Dan Lowe—these highlights dive into practical techniques and powerful stories guaranteed to elevate your communication and leadership game. 💡 Key Highlights Complacency Creeps in Quietly The moment you feel comfortable, you’re already losing edge. Staying alert and self-aware is what keeps high...
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Christopher Key: Real Leaders Know This Storytelling Secret
Drop the Act
Words matter—but how you show up matters more. 🎭 Special Feature Episode – Chris on the How to Strive Podcast 🎙️ This week, we're switching things up on Drop the Act. Instead of hosting, Chris steps into the guest seat for a powerful conversation with Nick Adkins on the How to Strive podcast. From directing Les Misérables across continents to helping business leaders find their voice, Chris dives deep into the art of non-verbal communication, feedback that lands, and how to truly perform under pressure—whether you're on a stage, in a boardroom, or leading a tough conversation....
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Annasley Park: Alone on the Ocean, Stronger Than Ever
Drop the Act
In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key talks with Annasley Park — former professional cyclist, yoga instructor, somatic coach, and one of only nine women in history to complete a solo, unsupported 3,000-mile row across the Atlantic Ocean. On Friday 28th March, Annasley made history at The Alnwick Garden by finishing this grueling journey from Gran Canaria to Barbados in nearly 55 days. Battling extreme weather, dangerous animals, sleep deprivation, and a capsize, she turned this epic challenge into a powerful metaphor for life’s ups and downs. Annasley shares her inspiring story...
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Benedict Sherwood and Sophia Cashman - What Surgery Taught Me About Leadership
Drop the Act
In this powerful episode, Chris is joined by Dr. Sophia Cashman and Mr. Benedict Sherwood—two exceptional surgeons at the forefront of NHS leadership and patient care. Together, they take us inside the operating theatre to explore the life-or-death communication, real-time decision-making, and emotional intelligence required to lead under pressure. What unfolds is an unflinching, honest, and surprisingly human look at leadership, teamwork, and trust—offering vital insights for any business leader seeking to build resilient, high-performing teams. 🎧 What You’ll Learn: How...
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Daniel Lowes Part 2: Debrief: The Boardroom’s Missing Ritual
Drop the Act
Welcome back to Drop the Act, the podcast brought to you by Performing Perfectly, where we explore the power of communication, presence, and performance in leadership. Hosted by Christopher Key, this show draws from the worlds of theatre, aviation, sport, and business to reveal what it really takes to perform when it matters most. In Part 2 of this episode, Chris is joined by Daniel Lowes, former Red Arrows pilot and RAF Qualified Weapons Instructor. Strap in for an intense, inspiring conversation about leadership in high-stakes environments, the role of trust and communication in...
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Daniel Lowes - Precision Under Pressure with a Former Red Arrows Pilot
Drop the Act
Welcome back to Drop the Act, the podcast brought to you by Performing Perfectly, where we explore the power of communication, presence, and performance in leadership. Hosted by Christopher Key, this show draws from the worlds of theatre, aviation, sport, and business to reveal what it really takes to perform when it matters most. In this episode, Chris is joined by Daniel Lowes, former Red Arrows pilot and RAF Qualified Weapons Instructor. Strap in for an intense, inspiring conversation about leadership in high-stakes environments, the role of trust and communication in elite...
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Richard Wallace: Imposter Syndrome? You're Not Alone
Drop the Act
In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Richard Wallace, co-founder of Liverpool Media Academy (LMA)—a leading creative institution in media, music, and performing arts. Since launching LMA in 2009 with his brother Simon, Richard has grown the academy into a multi-campus success story, with major backing from Sir Terry Leahy, Bill Currie, and global superstar Robbie Williams. Richard shares his journey from launching a bold new educational model to becoming a voice for change in how we develop talent across the creative industries. He opens up about the reality of...
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Leon Lloyd: The Leadership Skill You Can’t Ignore
Drop the Act
In this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Leon Lloyd, a former England international rugby player, high-performance strategist, and leadership expert. With 11 major trophies, including English and European titles with Leicester Tigers, Leon has competed at the highest level against some of the world’s best athletes. Leon shares his unique journey from professional sport to becoming an influential speaker and advisor for top organisations, including Microsoft, AMEX, the Premier League, and the UK Special Forces. He discusses how the skills and lessons learned on the field...
info_outlineIn this episode of Drop the Act, host Chris Key sits down with Claire Colvin, co-founder of Simple Scaling and a transformative business leader, to explore the mindset, strategy, and leadership skills needed to scale a business with confidence and sustainability.
With over 23 years of experience in business transformation, Claire shares her expertise in building high-performing teams, creating people-centred systems, and overcoming the challenges of scaling. She discusses why authenticity is the #1 leadership trait, how to crush self-doubt for good, and the key business lesson every leader needs to hear.
Claire also dives into why many business leaders fall out of love with their work, the common leadership habits that drive—or hinder—growth, and why most leaders are terrible listeners. She breaks down the #1 leadership mistake that leads to failure and explores the role of love in leadership—can it actually make you a better leader?
Key Highlights:
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Authentic Leadership in Scaling – Why vulnerability, trust, and leading with heart are essential for business growth.
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Overcoming Self-Doubt – How taking action, even in uncertainty, builds confidence and resilience.
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The Power of Relationships in Business – Why successful partnerships focus on mutual success, not just transactions.
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Scaling Beyond Strategy – The crucial role of energy management, mindset, and delegation in sustainable scaling.
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Fear vs. Trust in Leadership – How leaders who operate from trust foster innovation, while fear-based decisions create roadblocks.
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Building People-Centred Systems – How the right structures and culture drive long-term success.
Takeaways for Business Leaders:
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Lead with Authenticity – The best leaders don’t have all the answers, but they build trust and empower their teams.
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Trust Over Fear – A leadership style rooted in trust creates stronger teams and better results.
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Success Is a Team Effort – Scaling isn’t just about strategy; it’s about creating the right culture and systems.
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Invest in Relationships – Business growth is built on strong, mutually beneficial partnerships.
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Energy Management Matters – Sustainable scaling requires leaders to manage their energy, not just their time.
About Claire Colvin:
Claire Colvin is the co-founder of Simple Scaling and a transformative business leader dedicated to helping companies achieve scalable, sustainable growth. With over 23 years of experience in high-growth SMEs, global organisations, and major UK PLCs, Claire specialises in building people-centred systems that empower businesses to scale effectively. As a CIPD-qualified expert with a Master’s in HRM, she has a deep understanding of leadership, organisational development, and team performance. At Simple Scaling, Claire works alongside Brendan McGurgan to equip entrepreneurs and business leaders with the strategies, mindset, and tools needed to scale with confidence. Passionate about fostering trust, self-awareness, and high-performing teams, Claire is committed to helping businesses unlock their full potential.
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