In this episode, Jacquie Pretty from Grammar Factory joins me to talk all about what led her to set up her business helping entrepreneurs. How she helps people write awesome books and assists them to craft and hone their words so that they really resonate with their audience. Jacquie grew her business from being a sole trader to employing a team of editors, she talks about how she made that happen and what drove her to succeed. We also discuss how she has found work/life balance by returning to a corporate role, alongside running her own business and the advantages and opportunities that this presented her with.

Each Wednesday night this year I rushed off after work to teach a room full of uni students whose main ambition was not to do an exam and finish their degree with as little effort as possible. Little did they know that my mission was to be an intervention to their status quo and shock them into the reality of life outside of the protective University walls!

Today we're going to do something a little bit different.  I've got Belinda Coomes my esteemed podcast engineer and fabulous person who is actually going to interview me, so this is going to be the first episode we want to record and it's just so the listeners out there can be understanding of my background and why I do what I do a Social Star

I recently returned from a quick 'holiday' in beautiful Phuket, Thailand. During my six days in Kamala beach, I discovered a few things about myself and my business that might be handy for those working on their own corporate escape. Here are my top three takeaways.

If you are over fifty in the modern economy and out of work, you may well be thinking why is this so hard!

I recorded this podcast with one of my previous students of the Launch in 12 weeks program, the amazing Davis. Accountant, family man and a very authentic guy. 

Always great chatting to experts in their industry, especially on their Podcasts. James McCracken specialises in helping mortgage brokers build a strong business and realises the importance of branding to establish trust. We have some great debates about our methods!

Elon Musk is a master of using personal branding for business benefit. I use Elon as an example of great branding in my e-ttraction keynote presentation, because if you can sell US$14,000,000,000 of electric cars from a PowerPoint presentation then you are a master!

If you haven't heard of World Ventures yet, you soon will. These are the guys with the blue signs that read 'You should be here!'. You might have seen a few pics on Facebook or have been invited to a 'Travel Party' by a friend where you will see people frolicking in crystal clear blue waters, grinning from ear to ear. 

Last weekend I took my team skydiving. Yes jumping out of a perfectly good, working plane in the air at 35,000 feet with only a thin plastic sheet to stop you hitting the ground at 220 km per hour. Nice.

Last week I met the guy in this picture who pissed me off! He also changed my perspective on business. He got under my skin big time because of all the work I had put into my business skills seemed like a waste of time. But on reflection it made me ponder what business was all about: the money or something more important?

I have finally decided I want more!  More of the stuff I like and less of the stuff I don't.  Sure we all think this at time, but what do we actually do to get it? I have taken some risks and chances to get on the road to time freedom. It's not for everyone, but if you are keen to get more time, travel, life and less work, pressure and stress - then this blog might be for you. 

I know what you're thinking, is this guy serious! Business travel is for eating at fancy restaurants on the company tab and drinking at the airport in the morning because you can pretend your from a different country. "Sie sprechen Deusch?"

Are you are a business traveler like me? If you are then you probably end up going to amazing countries but with only limited time to look around. So if you were in Dubai for a night what would you do? 

Business in Bali, why would you bother!  Why would you want to work? I know Bali is Australia's favourite holiday destination but let's examine why it could make a great business destination too.

A few years ago I left the cushy corporate life to start my own business Social Star. I knew starting a new business would be challenging, but I didn't realise how much! The energy and hours required to grow something from nothing are extraordinary

I know what you're thinking, is this guy serious! Business travel is for eating at fancy restaurants on the company tab and drinking at the airport in the morning because you can pretend your from a different country. "Sie sprechen Deusch?"

Staying fit over the Christmas festive season is tough for everyone. Amazing food, the social catch ups with excessive drinking and of course the it's holidays so who wants to work out - right? Wrong! Here is my tips on how to keep the inches of the waist line over the silly season and keep relatively in shape with this very simple, but effective three part summer fitness strategy. 

Dr Cameron is passionate about eradicating migraines from peoples lives. If you have ever suffered one you will appreciate his lifelong dedication to studying how we humans work and why we get these debilitating headaches in the first place. If you have ever had a migraine yourself or know someone who has, read on. If not, consider yourself lucky!

Eat!  It's pretty important for living apparently.  As someone who loves to eat, I believe it's important to not deny yourself sustenance and pleasure. I also believe it's important to eat the food you crave. Surely you jest Andrew, I hear you say. Cravings are BAD!  Well I disagree. 

To be healthy, don't die. Seems obvious enough yet some of us take actions every day that produces that result. I'm not talking about jumping out of a plane, I mean the boring stuff, good food and regular exercise.  I don't preach about abstinence, God know's I have had my fair share of unhealthy, yet very enjoyable things. 

Beer, the drink of the Gods. Well my Gods at least. You may think it strange for me to write about my love of beer at the same time as health and fitness, but I believe it is vital to explore the areas you enjoy in life and I enjoy beer - so much so I made my very own mobile applicationClosest Beer so I would never be too far from one!