In this reflective episode, PJ and Andy pause to mark a milestone: 21 episodes down.

What started in June 2025 with a simple decision - “let’s just press go” - has become a powerful lesson in momentum, confidence, and learning through action.

They explore why perfection is often the enemy of progress, how confidence is built through doing (not thinking), and why most people underestimate the value of simply staying in the game.

From Roger Federer winning just 53% of the points he ever played, to the importance of lead vs lag measures, mental fitness, trusting your gut, and protecting your time - this conversation is a grounded, honest look at what really moves things forward.

This isn’t a how-to episode. It’s a perspective shift.

A reminder that clarity can come after motion - not before it.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

1️⃣ Momentum creates clarity - not the other way around

Waiting to feel “ready” keeps most people stuck. Pressing go creates feedback, confidence, and direction you can’t think your way into.

2️⃣ You’ve got to be able to fail to win

Roger Federer won just 53% of the points he ever played. The difference wasn’t perfection - it was his ability to reset and play the next point.

3️⃣ Confidence is evidence-based

Real confidence doesn’t come from affirmations.

It comes from giving the world irrefutable proof that you are who you say you are — by showing up and doing the work.

4️⃣ Consistency beats intensity

Some days are 100%.

Some days are 5%.

Doing something keeps momentum alive — and momentum compounds.

5️⃣ Lead measures matter more than money (early on)

Downloads, conversations, invitations, engagement, feedback - these are signs you’re moving in the right direction long before revenue appears.

6️⃣ Protect your time like it’s your most valuable asset

Because it is.

Time is often given away to people, jobs and tasks that don’t serve us - and we rarely get it back.

7️⃣ Don’t do it alone

Ideas grow faster - and more safely - when shared. Having someone alongside you helps challenge blind spots, build belief, and avoid isolation.

🎯 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR

• Anyone sitting on an idea

• Founders and creators early in the journey

• People struggling with confidence or overthinking

• Anyone who feels stuck waiting for “the right time”

• Those navigating change without a clear rulebook

🧠 CORE THEMES

• Pressing go

• Momentum vs perfection

• Confidence through action

• Failure and resilience

• Mental fitness

• Trusting your gut

• Time, energy and priorities

• Learning on the job

Chapters

00:00 Setting the Stage: The Journey Begins

02:42 Momentum and Growth: The Power of Starting

05:21 Learning Through Experience: The Value of Failure

08:17 Defining Success: Beyond Financial Metrics

11:10 Time Management: Prioritizing What Matters

14:34 Trusting Your Gut: Navigating Risks in Business

17:15 The Importance of Community and Feedback

20:08 Physical and Mental Fitness: Foundations for Success

22:57 Iterating and Evolving: What’s Next for the Podcast?

25:48 Final Thoughts: Encouragement for Aspiring Creators

Summary

In this episode, siblings Peggy and Will Crawford discuss their unique career paths and shared experiences.

Peggy, a data analyst and semi-pro poker player, shares insights into the poker world and her journey in content creation.

Will, founder of Quiet Note, talks about integrating mindfulness and music to improve mental wellbeing.

They explore the challenges and rewards of their respective fields, emphasising resilience, passion, and the importance of mental health.

The conversation also touches on their supportive sibling relationship and future aspirations.

Let's get into it.

Keywords

siblings, poker, mindfulness, mental wellbeing, content creation, resilience, passion, mental health, Quietnote, career paths

Takeaways

• Peggy Crawford is a data analyst and poker player.
• Will founded Quiet Note, focusing on mindfulness and music.
• Resilience and passion are key to success.
• Mental health is a priority for both siblings.
• Peggy shares insights into the poker world.
• Will integrates music and mindfulness for wellbeing.
• The siblings support each other's careers.
• Future aspirations include expanding their ventures.
• They emphasise the importance of mental health.
• The conversation highlights their unique career paths.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Crawfords

01:21 Peggy's Journey in Poker and Data Analysis

03:51 Will's Mindfulness and Music Business

06:53 Daily Routines and Work-Life Balance

09:49 Innovative Approaches to Mental Health

12:36 Sibling Dynamics and Collaboration

15:22 The Intersection of Poker and Strategy

18:06 Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

20:38 Mindset and Resilience in Business

23:25 The Importance of Patience and Purpose

28:39 Rituals and Habits for Grounding

32:33 Mindfulness in Poker and Life

36:05 Building Community Through Poker

39:52 Future Aspirations in Poker and Business

44:21 Advice for the Next Generation

In this episode of Wit + Grit, we are joined by Doug Wright MBE DL - a man whose life reads like a masterclass in resilience and service.

Doug shares how he went from failing his exams and disappointing his parents to finding purpose on 93p an hour at McDonald’s, becoming the youngest restaurant manager, and then having his world turned upside down after a devastating car accident that left him temporarily paralysed from the neck down.

He talks candidly about the charities that supported his family during that time, how that shaped his lifelong commitment to giving back, and how he eventually became a McDonald’s franchisee with just £612 to his name, growing to 26 restaurants across the West Midlands.

Doug opens up about:

• The Kids Village project – a UK-first respite holiday village for seriously ill children and their families – and how they’ve just raised £5.3m, opening three years ahead of schedule.

• Why his two non-negotiables are “honest and hardworking”, and how “why wouldn’t we?” became the heart of his culture.

• What he’s learned from mentoring hundreds of business owners, his time as High Sheriff of the West Midlands, and why he believes sport and food are the international languages of connection.

• The advice he’d give to 16-year-old Doug after that first shift cleaning toilets: “Well done fella – keep going, be yourself, and don’t do it alone.”

If you care about people-first leadership, community impact and staying positive in the hardest moments, this one will stay with you.

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Key Takeaways

• Resilience isn’t theory – it’s lived: Doug broke his neck at 20 and was told he might never walk again. That moment became his lightbulb: if I get through this, I’ll use my life as a force for good.

• Someone believing in you can change everything: McDonald’s gave him a chance when he was “pretty much unemployable”. That belief is now the core of how he hires, leads, and mentors.

• From 93p an hour to 26 restaurants: With just £612 and one bank willing to back him, Doug built a multi-restaurant franchise, employing 66,000 people over 44 years.

• Two H’s and two promises: If you bring Honest and Hardworking, Doug promises you’ll be made to feel valued and special.

• Why wouldn’t we? Instead of shutting people out because they don’t fit a rigid corporate rulebook, Doug’s default is to ask “Why wouldn’t we?” – especially around flexible work and opportunity.

• Retention > recruitment: Hospitality has huge staff turnover. Doug flipped the model – investing heavily in retention, development and trust instead of endlessly chasing new hires.

• Articulate the WHY before you shake the bucket: In charity work (Ronald McDonald House, Kids Village), Doug doesn’t start with asking for money. He starts with a compelling why, builds love for the cause, then shows clear impact.

• Third-party advocacy beats self-promotion: Let the people you serve tell the story – families, children, and community voices are more powerful than any CEO speech.

• Sport and food as international languages: Sport (and a good meal) can bring people together across cultures, languages and divides – especially in an “angry world”.

• Advice to young people (and 16-year-old Doug): Be yourself, be proud of what you’re doing, protect your mental health, step away from social media, and don’t try to do life alone.

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Doug Wright's Journey

01:17 The Kids Village Initiative

05:48 Early Life and Career Beginnings

12:17 Overcoming Adversity: The Accident

15:20 Recovery and Ambitions

17:09 Becoming a McDonald's Franchisee

18:51 Building a Business and Non-Negotiables

19:43 Transforming Workplace Culture

23:43 The Journey of Growth and Community Engagement

26:55 Mentorship and Empowering the Next Generation

31:43...