The Inner Entrepreneur

Why You Can’t Sleep (And What Actually Works) Dr Chris Winters #135

Dr. Chris Winter is a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist with decades of
Tools & References Mentioned
• The Sleep Solution (book)
• The Rested Child (book)
• Sleep Unplugged (podcast) Connect with Dr. Chris Winter • Instagram: @instaDRChrisWinter • www.wchriswinters.com • Podcast: Sleep Unplugged •
Books:
The Sleep Solution;
The Rested Child
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
Connect with the host: https://www.theonehourceo.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

The Science of Keeping Your Cool – Mastering Your Emotions with Dr. Michael Keane #137

Episode Summary:
In this weeks episode, Paul sits down with Dr. Michael Keane to explore how emotions arise before we are even aware of them, why our “gut feelings” often know more than our conscious minds, and how gratitude, meditation, and attention reshape our physiology. We explore whether free will truly exists, how cultural conditioning shapes who we become, and why emotional control is less about not feeling — and more about not reacting. From ice baths to intuition, from evolutionary social pressure to the neuroscience of sleep, this episode blends science, spirituality, and practical human behavior in a transformative way.
 
In This Episode, We Explore:
How EEG sparked Dr. Keane’s fascination with the unconscious brain
The neuroscience of REM sleep & psychophysiology
Why emotions hit the body BEFORE we consciously feel them
How free will might be an illusion — or at least, limited
The gap between stimulus & response — and how to widen it
“Red, Blue & Green Circles” — A powerful model for emotional regulation
The truth about gratitude & why forced gratitude backfires
Why two people in an ice bath can have opposite physiological responses
Attention as modern humanity’s most valuable commodity
The impact of cultural conditioning on life choices & success
Intuition as pre-language intelligence
Why meditation is not about stopping thoughts – but about breaking reaction loops
 
Guest: Michael Keane – MD, PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience, neurotechnology expert, co-founder of multiple startups and neurotechnology labs, specialist in psychophysiology and emotional regulation.
 
Connect with Dr. Michael Keane:
Website: drmichaelkeane.com Neurotech Company: evolveneuro.ai
 If this conversation reshaped how you think about your emotions or attention, share it with a friend who’s into peak performance, psychology, meditation or leadership.
 
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
 
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

Bite-size: Scaling to €100m - What it Really Takes to Go Global with Brendan McGurgan #136

In this bite sized episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul sits down with Brendan McGurgan, co-founder of Simple Scaling, creator of the ScaleX Accelerator, and former CEO who scaled a small engineering firm from 15 people to nearly 700, and from £3M to over £100M+ in global revenue — long before “scaling” became a buzzword.
Brendan believes that if you have a great product or service, you don’t just have an opportunity to grow — you have an obligation to share it with the world. Yet less than 1% of SMEs ever achieve true scale.
 
Links to Episode: 
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6Xsb1mJrjUX2T8sFZjzVIG?si=aLfYPXTYTVSUR94BboG1fA
https://youtu.be/LAfqXnofcXk?si=V27Kpa2OCPW49t5e
 
 
 
 
 
We unpack:✅ What scaling really means (beyond revenue)✅ Why most SMEs never break past “stuck”✅ The cultural DNA required for exponential growth✅ How Brendan reverse-engineered scaling success into a proven 10-principle framework✅ Why scaling without purpose is dangerous✅ And how SMEs can impact millions — with the right mindset, vision, and leadership tools
Whether you’re doing €1M or €50M in revenue — this is a masterclass in thinking and acting like a scale-ready leader.
 
👤 Guest Bio 
Brendan McGurgan is the co-founder of Simple Scaling and co-author of Simple Scaling: 10 Proven Principles to 10X Your Business. A former CEO who scaled a Northern Irish engineering company from 15 employees to nearly 700 across six continents, he now coaches SME leaders through the ScaleX Accelerator, helping them scale with purpose, culture, and impact. His mission: to inspire and enable millions of SME leaders to scale consciously and change the world through entrepreneurship.
 
🔑 Key Themes & Topics Covered
What scaling actually means (OECD definition vs Brendan’s philosophy)
Why scaling is an obligation if your product creates real value
How 28,000 scale-ups contribute over 50% of SME revenue in the UK
The “forgotten middle” of entrepreneurship — why SMEs lack real scaling support
The DNA of leadership teams that successfully scale
The danger of growth for growth’s sake (scaling with purpose)
Creating a shared vision that ignites people
Why cultural alignment matters more than strategy
How Brendan built a 40,000 sq. ft. HQ and scaled globally without a playbook
The ScaleX 10 Principles for Exponential SME growth
Why a £1M business is just the start — not the finish line
 
💬 Standout Quotes
“If you’ve sold £1M worth of anything, you’ve already delivered significant value. The real question is: why not £10M… or £100M?”
“Scaling with purpose means creating something that does good for people, for the planet, and for the team who builds it.”
“The businesses that scale are led by teams with a shared vision, not just a hunger for bigger numbers.”
“Revenue is just the echo of the value you’ve created.”
 
📈 Entrepreneurial Takeaways
✅ Scaling is not just revenue growth — it’s about increasing the impact your product has on the world.✅ If you’ve hit £1M, you’ve proven value — now it’s about leadership, process, and vision.✅ Culture is not hired — it’s created by leadership alignment.✅ Scaling without purpose becomes toxic; with purpose, it becomes transformational.✅ SMEs are the backbone of economies — scaling them changes lives beyond the P&L.
 
 
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
 
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

How €200K From Staff Saved Our Company - Adie McGuiness 134

Guest: Adie McGuiness — Co-Founder of Sigmar Recruitment
Episode Summary
In this  bite-size episode, Adie McGuiness shares the story of how his team came together during one of the toughest periods in business. Facing financial uncertainty, his staff personally contributed €200,000 to help save the company—an extraordinary act of loyalty that revealed the power of trust and genuine leadership.
Adie and Paul discuss how real leaders show vulnerability, prioritize people over profit, and build cultures where employees feel valued, even in crisis. They also explore the deeper question of fulfilment—how Aie’s lifelong meditation practice and search for inner peace have shaped his outlook on success, purpose, and life after business.
Key Themes:
Leadership in crisis and the power of transparency
Building loyalty through trust, humility, and shared purpose
How sincerity and authenticity outcompete large corporations
Why inner peace is the ultimate measure of success.
Transitioning from achievement to fulfilment after business exit
Memorable Quotes:
“Nobody deserves a salary cut—but everyone deserves a stable job.”“People don’t work for me; they work for themselves and their families. My job is to make this the best place for them to do that.”“You can give me ten million, but if I lose inner peace, I have nothing.”
Full Episode:
https://youtu.be/8SAvKEdG0rA?si=mizwCSh3CT6jNdmr
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1m7yXcJwuZMVX56hMIowbi?si=i4V3G7fHSxu63Kdk9tDBTw
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions: David Robson #133

The Intelligence Trap: Why Smart People Make Bad Decisions: David Robson #133
Episode Summary
Award-winning science journalist David Robson joins Paul to explore the big ideas behind his three books — The Intelligence Trap, The Expectation Effect, and The Laws of Connection. We get practical about intellectual humility, how beliefs shape physiology and performance, and why most of us underestimate how much other people like us. From Nobel laureates falling for “earned dogmatism” to positive aging, placebos in sport, and the “Beautiful Mess Effect,” this episode is packed with evidence-based ways to think clearer, feel better, and connect deeper.
What We Cover
The trilogy thread: Challenging assumptions to make wiser choices, feel better, and build stronger relationships.
Intelligence vs. wisdom: IQ is engine power; wisdom is steering, suspension, and navigation.
Sternberg’s three intelligences: Analytical, creative (multiple perspectives), and practical (people & meta-skills).
Intellectual humility: The keystone of wise thinking; why “earned dogmatism” traps high achievers.
Real-world traps: Why brilliant doctors/dentists can be poor investors; “do you want to be right or rich?”
Genes, environment & lifespan: How influence shifts from childhood to adulthood—and why lifestyle still wins.
The Expectation Effect: Placebo & nocebo explained; beliefs measurably shape stress responses, inflammation, blood pressure, gas exchange, and muscle fiber recruitment.
Sport & belief: Caffeine vs. decaf deception; the Tour de France “glucose syringe” story; accessing more of your strength.
Positive aging: Mindset can add ~7.5 years of life; Patty Jones, the 80-something acrobatic salsa dancer.
The Laws of Connection: The Liking Gap (we think others like us less than they do), the Beautiful Mess Effect (vulnerability increases warmth and trust), and why asking/offering help and apologizing work better than we expect.
Key Takeaways
Be actively open-minded. Ask, “How might I be wrong? What would change my mind?”
Train wisdom, not just IQ. Practice perspective-taking, project planning, and metacognition.
Mindset moves metrics. Your expectations can alter hormones, inflammation, pain, breath exchange, and perceived exertion.
Confidence via evidence. Use small, repeated wins (like conquering one brutal hill) to reset your “possible.”
Aging ≠ inevitable decline. Focus on abilities, stay social and physically active — mindset steers behavior.
Connect by being human. Most people like you more than you think; vulnerability signals honesty and builds trust.
Humility beats hubris. Past success doesn’t transfer by default; in new domains, act like a beginner.
Resources & Mentions
David’s books: The Intelligence Trap, The Expectation Effect, The Laws of Connection.
Concepts: Earned Dogmatism, Active Open-Minded Thinking, Placebo/Nocebo, Liking Gap, Beautiful Mess Effect.
Story highlights: PCR inventor case study; caffeine/placebo in sport; Patty Jones (acrobatic salsa dancer).
Connect with David Robson
Website: davidrobson.me
Substack: Sixty-Second Psychology
Instagram: @DavidARobson
X/Twitter: @DavidARobson
Connect with Paul
Subscribe to The Inner Entrepreneur and leave a review.
Share this episode with a friend who geeks out on psychology & performance.
Explore Paul’s programs: The One-Hour CEO & The Life Code.
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
 
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

The Hidden Trauma That Runs Your Life with Laurel Wiers#132

 
Most people think “trauma” means war, abuse, or catastrophe. In this Inner Entrepreneur Bite-Size clip, Laurel Wiers (trauma therapist and creator of the MINT Method) explains why that’s incomplete — and how little-t experiences can quietly shape your personality, decisions, and success until you learn to reset back to your truest self.
This isn’t just theory. We dig into Gabor Maté’s definition of trauma (“not the event, but the imprint”), how generational patterns live in the body, and why your gut rarely lies even when your mind does. Laurel shares a step-by-step way to trace reactions back to origin memories, metabolize them, and return to calm, choice, and clarity — without losing the lessons.
 
🔑 What you’ll learn
Big-T vs little-t trauma: why everyday “aversive events” wire in the same way.
Personality vs protection: the parts you call “me” might be old coping strategies (IFS lens).
Trust your body: sensations tell the truth; the mind often rationalizes.
A practical process: feel → locate in the body → allow images → find the first memory → integrate.
Reset, don’t erase: keep the wisdom, release the hyper-vigilance.
Inner work reality: most avoid it… until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.
 
🧭 Episode Highlights (bite-size)
Redefining trauma: it’s the imprint, not the incident.
How “little-t” moments (like a parent’s offhand comment) become lifelong patterns.
Using body cues to uncover origin memories (and change reactions fast).
The food example: one small childhood moment → decades of compulsion — then release.
Firewalk insight: a temporary fear “dial-down” reveals what life can feel like on the other side.
“Reset to who you were before the event” — while keeping your hard-won wisdom.
 
📌 Key Quote
“If it’s distressing — and you wish it were different — it may not be your personality. It’s a stuck moment asking to be healed.”
 
🔗 Listen to the Full Conversation
This clip comes from our full episode with Laurel Wiers. Dive deeper here:👉 YouTube: https://youtu.be/d6qPt0EWfX8?si=Jl6z4lR-a7yXd98t👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0caDBICWh3mJWj2SKy1jPt?si=v02kCznVT4GoxGGzGqHmcw
 
🙌 Support & Subscribe
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
 
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/
 

The Million Dollar Matchmaker: How the Ultra-Successful Really Find Love: Amber Lee #131

Most of us picture a “matchmaker” as a village elder with a little black book. Amber Lee flips that script. As co-founder of Select Date Society, she runs a boutique, white-glove matchmaking firm for high achievers and ultra-high-net-worth clients — pairing deep psychology with ruthless vetting to protect time, energy, and hearts.
In this conversation, Amber shares how a near-death cardiac arrest became the wake-up call to launch her own firm, why self-awareness is the #1 predictor of dating success, and how real compatibility goes far beyond a great photo or a perfect résumé. From attachment styles to the quiet biases of wealth and status, this is a masterclass in modern matchmaking — and building a relationship that lasts.
 
🔑 What you’ll learn
Modern matchmaking, de-mythologized: why boutique > volume, and what “white glove” really means.
Self-awareness as a superpower: the non-negotiable trait Amber screens for before taking any client.
Attachment styles 101 (Attached, Gottman, IFS): secure vs. anxious vs. avoidant — and why “opposites” only work with skills and awareness.
Attraction isn’t a headshot: how smell, voice, presence, safety and ease drive true chemistry.
Protecting high-profile clients: filtering for intent, lifestyle alignment, and authenticity (beyond status and money).
From boardroom to first date: softening your “operator mode” so connection can breathe.
Resilience in love: the same trait that builds companies also sustains great relationships.
 
🧭 Episode Highlights
The hospital-bed epiphany: turning a survival story into a purpose-built business.
Why big agencies fail great clients — and how Amber’s team sometimes meets 50–100+ candidates for one match.
Chemistry vs. checklists: when photos mislead and a great match needs a gentle push to say “yes.”
How Amber vets for intent and integrity — especially with fame and wealth in the mix.
Money can’t buy love, but lifestyle fit matters (values, time, travel, how you spend).
Why many high-achieving women hire matchmakers (signal, safety, filtering, dignity).
The “kite and string” metaphor: complementary differences that actually work — when you communicate.
 
🗣️ Key Quotes
“We don’t want clients falling in love with potential. Our job is to find the person who really fits.”“Attraction happens in how someone makes you feel — safety, ease, presence — not a flat photo.”“You’re not in the boardroom on a first date. Bring the softer version of your best self.”
 
👤 About Amber Lee
Amber Lee is the co-founder of Select Date Society, a boutique matchmaking firm serving high-achieving and high-profile clients with a 90% success rate. Trained by the Global Love Institute and the Gottman Institute, Amber blends rigorous vetting with relational science to create matches that last.
Connect with Amber:
Website: www.selectdatesociety.com/about
Instagram: www.instagram.com/amberleematchmaker/?hl=en
LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/amber-lee-matchmaker
 
🙌 Support & Subscribe
If this episode sparked a few “aha” moments, share it with a friend who’s serious about love — and subscribe to The Inner Entrepreneur for more conversations at the intersection of life, business, and meaning.
 
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
 
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

Born Superhuman – The Truth About Overcoming Impossible Odds with Dan Metcalfe #130

We’re all born with extraordinary potential — but life tests us with obstacles that shape our character and reveal what we’re truly capable of.
In this Inner Entrepreneur Bite-Size episode, Dan Metcalfe shares a remarkable journey: from youth footballer scouted by Crystal Palace to an unlikely leap into West End dance — then a devastating on-stage spinal injury in Las Vegas that forced a total reinvention. What followed wasn’t the end, but a masterclass in resilience, mindset, and redefining success.
 
 In this conversation, we explore:
Why there are no roadblocks, only obstacles — and how character is built in how you face them.
The “Billy Elliot” pivot that changed everything.
Turning paralysis and a broken system into purpose and service.
The mindset shift from victim to your own hero.
Why success isn’t crossing the finish line — it’s having the courage to step over the start line.
The power of “You never lose if you learn.”
 
 Episode Highlights (bite-size)
Dream to detour: from county-team captain and Crystal Palace prospect to a surprise dance scholarship.
The accident: paralyzed mid-performance; battling a system that preferred disability over recovery.
Reclaiming agency: choosing the hero role; coaching from a chair to state-level success and Nike Coach of the Year.
Ironman Canada: near-drowning → peace → comeback — and a new definition of “champion.”
The lesson that sticks: learning > losing and “every level has its own devil.”
Entrepreneurial parallel: stepping outside the box others build for you — and committing to the journey.
 
 Key Quote
“A champion isn’t the one who finishes first. It’s the one who has the courage to step over the start line, not knowing the journey ahead, but committing to give their best.”
 
🔗 Listen to the Full Conversation
This clip comes from the full-length episode of The Inner Entrepreneur with [Guest Name]. Dive deeper here: YouTube: https://youtu.be/fU114oDg0yQ?si=8FscWRe7LFzigNbz Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3nfcKlomOj4qZfSjm8qOzZ?si=FmIevgo7Re2mvTsHvaJgwQ
 
 Support & Subscribe
If this story resonated, share it with a friend who needs a push — and subscribe to The Inner Entrepreneur for more bite-size wisdom on building a business (and life) by design.
 
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
 
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

Slow down to go faster: the power of pause with Carl Honore #129

Rushing through life isn’t the same as living it. In this conversation, Paul sits down with author and speaker Carl Honoré—often called the evangelist of the Slow Movement—to unpack how “doing things at the right speed” unlocks better work, deeper relationships, and a saner mind. They explore monotasking vs. multitasking, why walking is a superpower, simple rituals that calm a frantic nervous system, and the surprising link between slowing down and aging boldly.
Key Takeaways
Monotask to go faster: One thing at a time = fewer mistakes, better results.
Set tech boundaries: Kill notifications; you choose when to engage.
Adopt micro-rituals: 5 minutes of breath, walking, or sketching resets your day.
Listen to the body: Fatigue, fog, and forgetfulness are red flags to slow.
Nature heals speed addiction: Green time sharpens focus and reduces stress.
If this resonated, listen, share, and subscribe for more conversations that build both success and a life you love.
 
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
 
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/

Olympian Lessons: Growth, Grit & Purpose with Bob Molle #128

In this bite-sized episode of The Inner Entrepreneur, Paul sits down with Olympic medalist, pro football player, coach, entrepreneur, and author Bob Molle to explore the secret to living with energy and purpose.
Bob shares why he’s always chased what excites him—from wrestling in the Olympics to coaching, business, writing, and speaking—and how this zest for life has kept him happy, fulfilled, and resilient. He reveals why doing what lights you up is more powerful than chasing money, and why strong relationships are the true measure of happiness.
You’ll also hear Bob’s philosophy on:
Why retirement should never mean boredom.
The difference between “rusting out” and “wearing out.”
How to nurture long-term relationships that bring joy and meaning.
The power of pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.
Lessons from competing and training with the best in the world.
This episode is packed with wisdom on purpose, energy, and staying excited about life—no matter what stage you’re in.
👉 Listen now, and don’t forget to check the links below for the full conversation.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2aifHBDQBffQrMFX23lW16?si=Ch2nOxkbTnaRneS5UftDsg
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2aifHBDQBffQrMFX23lW16?si=Ch2nOxkbTnaRneS5UftDsg
About the host:
Paul Ryan is an entrepreneur, 8 figure business owner, mentor, podcaster and creator of the 1-Hour CEO and Life Code Program. As a CEO, Paul has a depth of 'real life' experience of what it takes to be successful in business and life.
 
Connect with the host:
 
https://www.theonehourceo.com/
 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-ryan-9a98774/