The Big Lad Podcast

About The Big Lad Podcast

Welcome to The Big Lad Podcast – Real conversations, with real people, curated for you. Hosted by @gw_fit, The Big Lad Podcast dives deep into topics that fuel personal development and self-improvement. Each week, I bring you conversations and inspiring stories that empower you to take action and elevate your life. New episodes every Sunday at 6pm.

Publisher

George W

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Jan 2021

Latest episode

25 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

139 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   25 Oct 2026

   #139 I'm Sick Of The Modern World

   Are you tired of the modern world, endless screens, and artificial intelligence taking over everything? In this episode of The Big Lad Podcast, we take an honest look at why life in the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s felt so much simpler compared to today's hyper-connected, AI-driven reality. From deepfakes, misinformation, and online noise to the automation of skilled professions and the fitness industry—is modern technology genuinely making our lives better, or are we losing human connection and real skills along the way? Drop your thoughts in the comments below: Do you miss life before smartphones and AI, or are we just looking back through rose-tinted glasses? 📲 Join the Big Lad Mailing List for exclusive content & early access: https://mailchi.mp/799f9d66ee7f/the-big-lad-podcast My Instagram - https://instagram.com/gw_fit The Big Lad Podcast - https://instagram.com/thebigladpodcast Substack - https://substack.com/@thebigladpodcast Neutonic - GEORGE10 #ModernWorld #ArtificialIntelligence #Podcast #Nostalgia #Technology

2. 

   17 Oct 2026

   #138 Who Is Michael Smoak? The Truth About Life, Loss & Self-Improvement

   Who is Michael Smoak, the man behind HigherUpWellness? In this episode of The Big Lad Podcast, I sit down with Michael for an honest conversation about life, personal growth, masculinity, relationships, grief and what it really means to become a better version of yourself. Michael has built an audience around self-improvement, wellness and challenging the way people think. But rather than simply rehashing the advice he's shared elsewhere, we explore the person behind the public image, question some of the ideas we take for granted, and get into the uncomfortable realities of trying to live a better life. We discuss why self-improvement can sometimes become another way of telling yourself you're not good enough, whether suffering really makes us stronger, and the difference between taking responsibility for your life and ignoring the circumstances that shape it. We also explore the impact of losing a parent, how grief changes your perspective, what masculinity and emotional vulnerability really mean, and whether we're genuinely trying to improve ourselves or simply trying to prove something to the world. This is a conversation about questioning your beliefs, confronting your insecurities, understanding yourself and working out what actually matters. If you're interested in personal development, mental health, philosophy, masculinity, emotional resilience or simply having more honest conversations about life, this episode is for you. 📲 Join the Big Lad Mailing List for exclusive content & early access: https://mailchi.mp/799f9d66ee7f/the-big-lad-podcast My Instagram - https://instagram.com/gw_fit The Big Lad Podcast - https://instagram.com/thebigladpodcast Substack - https://substack.com/@thebigladpodcast Neutonic - GEORGE10Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Who is Michael Smoak? 03:56 Cultural Differences: UK vs. US Attitudes 07:17 Fear of Failure and Its Connotations 11:22 Misunderstandings About Michael’s Tone and Intent 14:36 Dealing with Online Hate and Criticism 20:22 The Reality of Public Opinion and Detachment 25:24 Living with Purpose Amidst Loss 30:04 The Final Message: Empty the Tank 34:56 Self-Improvement vs. Self-Actualisation 40:21 Embracing Greater Challenges for Growth 41:09 The Never-Ending Pursuit of Service and Love 42:07 The Love of Walking and Loving the Process 43:02 The Never-Ending Search for Enough 44:01 The Illusion of Achievements Filling the God-Shaped Hole 45:21 Celebrating Achievements Without Losing Joy 47:02 Investing in Growth and Learning from Goals 49:11 The Power of Creating for Its Own Sake 50:34 The Redemptive Power of Art and Authenticity 52:26 The Motivation Behind Creating Content 53:42 Evolving Beliefs About Relationships 55:18 Love, Sacrifice, and Selflessness in Relationships 58:10 Polarity and Authenticity in Love 01:00:15 The Role of Faith and Sacrificial Love 01:02:42 The Fragility of Life and Living Fully 01:04:26 Lessons from Personal Tragedy and Purpose 01:08:03 The Impact of Hardship on Identity 01:12:21 Living Without Regret and Embracing Mortality 01:19:24 Reflecting on Life, Achievements, and Faith 01:21:26 Final Reflections: Living a Life of Service and Purpose #HigherUpWellness #HigherUpWellnesschallenge #PersonalGrowth #SelfImprovement

3. 

   11 Oct 2026

   #137 The Truth About Making a Living From Writing | David McIlroy

   Can you actually make a full-time living from writing online, or is the reality far harsher than people admit? In this episode of The Big Lad Podcast, writer and creator David McIlroy joins us to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to turn words into a sustainable income. We dive into the brutal traps aspiring writers fall into, why chasing vanity metrics and viral views won't pay your bills, and how to build genuine audience trust that translates into a viable creative business. If you’re a writer, content creator, or freelancer wondering how to turn your craft into a career, this conversation breaks down the practical realities most people avoid talking about. David's Substack - https://substack.com/@thedavidmcilroy David's Instagram - https://instagram.com/thedavidmcilroy David's Masterclass - https://david-mcilroy.kit.com/products/substack-growth-sessions 📲 Join the Big Lad Mailing List for exclusive content & early access: https://mailchi.mp/799f9d66ee7f/the-big-lad-podcast My Instagram - https://instagram.com/gw_fit The Big Lad Podcast - https://instagram.com/thebigladpodcast Substack - https://substack.com/@thebigladpodcast Neutonic - GEORGE10 Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Why Authenticity Matters in Content 03:08 Storytelling and Humor as Trust Builders 04:36 Managing Content Creation and Avoiding Follower Fatigue 05:07 Using AI Tools Like Whisperflow for Content Repurposing 06:02 The Importance of Consistency and Long-Term Planning 07:28 The Risks of Relying Too Much on AI 08:23 Human Error and Authenticity in Content 09:11 Deliberate Mistakes and Demonstrating Realness 10:21 Inspiration from Childhood and the Love of Writing 12:47 Turning Passion into a Business 14:23 Key Moments of Success and Growth 17:03 Building a Community and Listening to Your Audience 19:22 The Reality of Long-Term Content Creation 23:58 The Value of Consistent Effort and Repetition 26:32 Growing Subscribers and Avoiding Follower Fatigue 30:37 Turning Audience into Business and Monetization 36:20 The Importance of Saying No and Vetting Clients 43:29 The Long-Term Perspective and Patience in Growth 50:26 Content Strategy: Quality Over Quantity 55:29 Upcoming Projects and Future Plans #Writing #ContentCreation #OnlineBusiness #CreativeCareer #Podcast

Who has been a guest on The Big Lad Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Matthew Headon
• Pearson Kilgore
• Jack Gibb
• Mark Walsh
• Grace Richardson

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

81,613

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 63 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

83

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

32

Contact The Big Lad Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about The Big Lad Podcast