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In this episode of the Freedom Nation Podcast, host Jeff Kikel interviews Mike Handcock, an international award-winning speaker, author, and founder of the Circle of Excellence group. Mike shares his journey from corporate life in New Zealand to creating a thriving coaching business that empowers entrepreneurs worldwide. His experiences—from building a business in construction to traveling the globe as a speaker—are filled with valuable insights on how to live freely and design a life that aligns with your dreams.
Key Takeaways:
• Transforming Adversity into Opportunity: Mike shares his incredible backstory, growing up as an orphan and facing adversity from a young age. Through resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit, he built a successful career in corporate before taking a leap to pursue his passions.
• The Importance of Design and Intention: Mike explains how he deliberately crafted a life that allowed him to travel, work, and enjoy his freedom. He discusses how years of planning and discipline helped him achieve the flexibility to live and work in 20+ countries each year.
• Building Circle of Excellence: From free resources and webinars to intensive personal coaching, Mike’s Circle of Excellence group offers five levels of involvement for entrepreneurs at every stage. His unique business model is designed to provide practical solutions for challenges like branding, sales, and customer service.
• Lessons Learned from Corporate to Coaching: After years in the corporate world, Mike shares his insights on the importance of following your gut, building a strong network, and recognizing opportunities. His transition story offers a blueprint for others looking to break free from the corporate grind.
• The Power of Writing and Personal Branding: A prolific author, Mike offers practical advice on writing books to establish authority and build a brand. He shares his journey in publishing, including insights from owning a publishing company and advice from legendary authors like Mark Victor Hansen.
About the Guest:
With clients in over 50 countries, and travelling to around 15 each year, Mike Handcock chairs 5 companies, is on the board of 3 NFP's and will be the 2025/26 President of the Global Speakers Federation. From Orphan to Conscious Leader Mike influences leaders across industries to play a bigger game. Supported by 7 international best sellers in personal and professional development, a background which includes being a touring musician and the GM Sales responsible for getting $250M a year, Mike is a plethora of incites into business, life, ancient wisdom and enjoys throwing all sorts of ideas around to create magic.
Links:
https://www.circleofexcellence.biz/
Fast Five Questions
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “I’d pick up my Les Paul guitar, plug it into my Marshall amp, and play as loud as I want. Sometimes, you just need to do what brings you joy.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? "Not trusting my gut. Following corporate protocols instead of intuition led me to miss out on opportunities and trust the wrong people."
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Blue Ocean Strategy—both provide valuable insights on innovative business thinking and success.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? "WhatsApp”
5. What is your definition of freedom? "Freedom is doing what you want, when you want, wherever you want, with whoever you want."
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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