How I Crushed It

Award-winning dancer and choreographer Dickson Mbi joins Tunde on How I Crushed It to share his journey from East London to winning an Olivier Award. Get the inside track on the sacrifices, setbacks, and successes that shaped Dickson Mbi's groundbreaking dance career. Dickson Mbi's resilience after a devastating knee injury nearly ended his dancing career Lessons from a childhood split between Cameroon boarding school and East London How rejection from professional football led to an unexpected career in dance The process of launching his own dance company and navigating the business side of the arts Creating the Olivier Award-winning show Enowate and the story behind his latest production, Tell Us, at Sadler's Wells East   Stay in touch: Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at [email protected] Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast   🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

Join us for a no-nonsense chat with Amina Folarin, CEO of Oliver, as she discusses her unique path from HR to the boardroom. This episode is packed with insights about leadership, diversity, and defying the odds in a competitive industry. The realities and challenges of moving from HR to the CEO role Growing up in Wolverhampton, overcoming obstacles, and the impact of family How Amina Folarin implemented 50/50 gender splits and drove diversity at Oliver Navigating leadership, self-doubt, and learning to trust her own skills   Stay in touch: Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at [email protected] Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast   🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit

Julian Boaitey is the founder of Yendy Skin, a London-based skincare brand built around African superfood ingredients sourced from Ghana.  If you enjoy the episode, subscribe to How I Crushed It for more conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and people building ambitious businesses.    Stay in touch: X: @howicrushedit Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at [email protected] Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on X & Instagram 🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit   

Ayo Akinwolere has built an extraordinary broadcasting career — from becoming the first Black male presenter of Blue Peter to presenting some of the biggest sporting events in the world. In this episode of How I Crushed It, Ayo tells the story of growing up in Nigeria, moving to Birmingham as a child and navigating racism, identity and the challenge of breaking into British television. After initially dreaming of becoming a professional footballer, Ayo found his way into broadcasting, eventually taking a six-week opportunity at the BBC that would completely change his career. He reveals how a chance conversation led to his Blue Peter audition, what it was like becoming a groundbreaking presenter on one of Britain's most famous TV programmes and how he went from learning to swim to setting a world record in just ten weeks. Ayo also discusses the difficult period after leaving Blue Peter, reclaiming his Nigerian name and identity, moving into sports broadcasting and eventually working across the BBC, CBS Sports and The Athletic. He also explains why success isn't simply about talent and how hard work can actually create the opportunities we often describe as luck.   Subscribe to How I Crushed It for more conversations with successful people about the decisions, setbacks and opportunities that shaped their careers. Stay in touch: X/Twitter: @howicrushedit Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at [email protected] Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast

BAFTA and Emmy Award-winning producer and director Jo Johnson sits down with Tunde to discuss her rise through the UK television industry. From growing up in Kensal Rise to smashing it on Netflix, she shares hard-won lessons and candid career insights. Early life in West London and influences on Jo Johnson's work ethic Breaking into the industry and overcoming setbacks as a Black woman in TV Key career milestones: Brookside, The Real McCoy, EastEnders, and Coronation Street Transition from directing to producing, including the story behind hit Netflix show Adolescence The importance of representation, resilience, and advice for forging your own path in the arts Stay in touch: X/Twitter: @howicrushedit Instagram: @howicrushedit Know someone else who is CRUSHING IT? Email us at [email protected] Use the hashtag #howicrushedit on Twitter & Instagram Want some uplifting music to help you CRUSH IT? Check out the playlist This playlist has been curated by guests that have appeared on the podcast   🪙To support the podcast: buymeacoffee.com/howicrushedit