Leaders Unlocked – Details, episodes & analysis

In the very first episode of Leaders Unlocked, we’re joined by Mark Beaumont, world-record breaking endurance cyclist, adventurer, and high-performance leader. Mark is known for pushing the limits of human performance, most famously cycling around the world in just 78 days.

In this conversation, Mark shares the mindset, discipline, and support systems required to achieve world-class performance and sustain excellence under extreme pressure.

We explore:

• The journey to becoming an outlier and record breaker
• The mindset behind resilience and sustained high performance
• Athletes transitioning from sport into the business world
• Building the systems and high-performance teams behind extraordinary achievements
• The importance of strong support networks and purpose

This episode is a powerful conversation on leadership, performance, and what it truly takes to push beyond perceived limits.

Mark’s book recommendation: Moral Courage by Rushworth M Kidder

Weekly interviews where Lewis Ledingham unlocks insights from Leaders & Top Performers from Business, Sport and beyond 💡🎙️

This week’s guest is Malcolm Robertson, Founder & CEO of Charlotte Street Partners, and former Director of Communications at BAA.

Malcolm has spent decades operating at the intersection of leadership, reputation, and high-stakes decision making. Leading Charlotte Street Partners, he now advises organisations and leaders through moments where scrutiny is intense, and the stakes are incredibly high.

In this conversation we explore:

• Growing up- what life was like as the son of Lord Robertson, and how an opportunity in the Scouts became a life-changing milestone
• Leading and shaping culture under intense public scrutiny
• Managing the response to the Glasgow Airport terrorist attack
• Crisis communication when everything is on the line- how leaders stay composed, make clear decisions, and protect trust
• Taking the leap from senior corporate leadership to founding Charlotte Street Partners
• Remembering the Dunblane tragedy 30 years on, and how it changed Britain forever.

Malcolm's book recommendation: Leading: Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United (2015), Sir Alex Ferguson co-authored with Sir Michael Moritz

Weekly interviews where Lewis Ledingham unlocks insights from Leaders & Top Performers from Business, Sport and beyond 💡🎙️

On this week’s episode of Leaders Unlocked, Lewis is joined by Stuart McInally- former Scotland Rugby Captain and soon-to-be commercial airline pilot.

From schoolboy rugby to leading his country on the international stage, Stuart’s journey is one of progression, pressure, and precision.

In this conversation, we explore:

🔵 The path from school rugby to the very top of the game
🔵 The moment he became Scotland captain- and the realities of leading your country
🔵 A Calcutta Cup dream realised
🔵 Why great leadership means taking people with you and delegating effectively
🔵 Transitioning from elite sport into his dream career in the cockpit

Stuart's book recommendation: Start With Why, Simon Sinek

Weekly interviews where Lewis Ledingham unlocks insights from Leaders & Top Performers from Business, Sport and beyond 💡🎙️

A raw, honest and powerful conversation with Jack Scott- One of the World’s best ultra-endurance athletes.

From rock bottom with a gambling addiction to the top of the running world- Jack’s story is inspirational. 

In their conversation, Lewis & Jack explore:

🔵 Gambling addiction to elite ultra-runner — and the reality behind that shift

🔵 The epiphany on a run that changed the direction of his life forever

🔵 How running became the outlet that rebuilt his identity

🔵 The decisive moment during the 2024 Spine Race that led to a record-breaking run

🔵 How addiction doesn’t disappear… it often just changes form

🔵 The risks of becoming too tied to one identity or outcome

📖 Jack's book recommendation: From One Extreme to the Other by Mike Hartley.

Weekly interviews where Lewis Ledingham unlocks insights from Leaders & Top Performers from Business, Sport and beyond 💡🎙️

Fergus Crawley, founder of OMNIA Performance, Endurance Athlete, YouTube Entrepreneur and Mental Health Campaigner.

In this episode, Lewis & Fergus explore:

• Why great leadership starts with embodying the mission
• Project Tenacity, Fergus’ challenge to complete 10 Ironman distance triathlons in 10 days to mark 10 years since his suicide attempt.
• The reality of building and leading a business while training 30+ hours per week.
• Why the fitness industry has lost its way, and why the basics still win.
• Why chasing views and vanity metrics is the fastest way to lose the game.
• The mindset required to keep going when self-doubt, pressure and uncertainty show up.

Donate here: https://givestar.io/gs/project-tenacity

Fergus' book recommendation: Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell.

Weekly interviews where Lewis Ledingham unlocks insights from Leaders & Top Performers from Business, Sport and beyond 💡🎙️