Is financial freedom really as simple as spending less, investing wisely, and shifting your mindset?

Alan and Katie Donegan proved it is. By 40, they’d retired from the 9–5, become millionaires, and built a life of freedom, travel, and passion projects.

In this episode, we unpick the exact steps and mindset that made it possible. Alan and Katie are the founders of the Rebel Finance School, a free global programme that’s helped over 22,000 people learn to invest and take control of their money. Their story shows why financial literacy matters—not just for wealth, but for choice, independence, and the freedom to live life on your terms.

They explain:

⬛ How to create a gap between what you earn and what you spend

⬛ Why investing in simple global index funds beats most strategies

⬛ The practical steps to reach financial independence

⬛ Why financial freedom is about time not just money

⬛ How tracking your spending can transform your wealth mindset

⬛ The discipline shift athletes (and all of us) need to master our finances

00:00 Introduction to Financial Freedom

03:04 The Importance of Financial Literacy

05:52 The Journey of an Athlete’s Finances

08:40 Understanding Investments and Retirement

11:35 The Power of Self-Development

14:35 Building a Partnership in Financial Goals

17:39 The Concept of Financial Independence

20:34 The Role of Discipline in Financial Success

23:49 Investing in Global Index Funds

26:27 The Risks and Rewards of Investing

29:35 Practical Steps to Start Investing

32:34 The Importance of Tracking Spending

35:47 Overcoming Financial Barriers

38:37 The Mindset Shift Towards Wealth

41:32 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

💬 “You can only spend it once.”

💬 “It’s about saving, then spending.”

💬 “You are buying back your time.”

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In this conversation, Francesca Gino discusses the concept of 'rebels' in the context of leadership and innovation, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, perspective, and authenticity. She addresses common challenges such as imposter syndrome and decision-making fatigue, while also highlighting the value of constructive debate and learning from both successes and failures. The discussion draws on her experiences at Harvard Business School and offers practical advice for leaders navigating change and striving for personal growth.

Takeaways

Rebels are individuals who take in different perspectives.

Imposter syndrome is a common experience and can be normalized.

Disagreements can be productive if approached correctly.

Curiosity is a key trait of constructive rebels.

Authenticity in leadership is crucial for effectiveness.

Learning from each other's perspectives enhances growth.

Decision-making fatigue can impact the quality of decisions.

It's important to reflect on successes as well as failures.

Constructive debate can lead to better outcomes in disagreements.

Finding your values helps maintain focus and direction.

Sound Bites

"The focus on progress is a valuable lesson."

"Choose the hills that you want to die on."

"Reframe negative feedback into opportunities."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Rebels and Imposter Syndrome

02:30 Navigating Change and Staying Centered

09:14 The Fine Line Between Rebellion and Sabotage

15:31 Characteristics of Constructive Rebels

21:18 The Importance of Authenticity in Leadership

27:58 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

31:33 Learning from Perspectives at Harvard

34:12 The Power of Constructive Debate

38:59 Decision-Making Fatigue and Learning from Success

Keywords

rebels, imposter syndrome, leadership, authenticity, constructive debate, decision-making, curiosity, education, change management, Harvard Business School

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In this episode of The Olympic Mindset Podcast, Dominic Broad sits down with David Harkin, CEO of 8billionideas, to talk about what it really means to be brilliantly busy. David opens up about his leadership philosophy, how marginal gains can transform performance, and why being world-class starts with how you manage your time.

He shares stories from his early working life that shaped his entrepreneurial drive, the lessons he’s learned scaling a global education company, and why vulnerability and self-improvement should be part of every leader’s toolkit. From parenting and personal growth to purpose and productivity—this is a must-listen for anyone seeking high performance with heart.

Keywords: leadership, marginal gains, self-improvement, education, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, parenting, world-class mentality, time management, personal development

Takeaways:

• "Brilliantly busy" means doing what I love with purpose.
• Marginal gains are foundational to leadership success.
• Self-improvement is ongoing, not optional.
• Early work experiences can forge lifelong values.
• Parents play a key role in shaping future leaders.
• A world-class mindset applies to every part of life.
• Passion and clarity drive better time management.
• Value minutes—not just hours.
• If you love what you do, every day matters.
• Being selfish with time allows us to serve others better.

Sound Bites: "I am brilliantly busy." "Pressure is a privilege." "Marginal gains matter."

Chapters: 00:00 – Brilliantly Busy: The Art of Balancing Life

03:07 – The Power of Marginal Gains in Leadership

06:13 – The Importance of Self-Improvement and Perspective

09:05 – Lessons from Early Work Experiences

12:04 – The Role of Parents in Education

15:00 – Creating a World-Class Mentality

18:01 – Marginal Gains: Applying Sports Principles to Life

20:44 – The Ripple Effect: Making Your Mark

23:53 – The Importance of Passion in Time Management

26:46 – Finding Balance: Being Selfish to Be Selfless

#OlympicMindsetPodcast #DavidHarkin #8BillionIdeas #BrilliantlyBusy #MarginalGains #Leadership #WorldClassMindset #EducationLeadership #TimeManagement #HighPerformance

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