Beyond the Horizon

MIND
The Pre-Game: Thoughts Before Stepping into the LSE

I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The London Stock Exchange, the beating heart of the UK economy, the 4th largest in the world, and a place I’ve always seen as a distant summit.

My mind kept looping around the same things:

• Macro economics.

• The ripple effects of private and public markets.

• How even the smallest policy changes can set off waves that impact global cycles.

But here’s the kicker: while I’ve spent years thinking about how these markets work, I’ve never imagined myself in the room where decisions happen. Yet, there I was, invited to a pilot programme designed to stimulate the private markets, driven by conversations with scale-up founders and leaders shaping tomorrow.

The thought haunted me: “What role could I play here? How do I move from observing the ripples to creating them?”

Being There: The Room Where It Happens

Walking into the programme felt like stepping into a living map of the UK economy’s future. Founders of quantum lighting companies, Google-backed ventures, and AI pioneers - all here, swapping ideas and dissecting the challenges of scaling in this climate.

And then, there was me.

Sitting with Julia Hoggett, the CEO of the LSE, and Marcus, head of the AIM market, I found myself asking big questions about the UK’s trajectory under Labour, Elon’s social media antics (I went there), and the domino effect of global pessimism on growth.

To my surprise, they didn’t just respond, they challenged my thinking, asked about my theories, and encouraged me to dream bigger. The message was clear: the UK isn’t just reacting to the future, it’s ready to shape it and they want us selected few to help…

The Post-Game: Why I’m More Fired Up Than Ever

Two days. One night. And a mind buzzing like never before.

What hit me hardest was this: for years, I’ve been building from the ground up, looking up at institutions like the LSE as a far-off pinnacle. Suddenly, I wasn’t looking up, I was sitting across the table.

Now, everything feels possible. Ideas I’ve toyed with for years, what to build, how to float, the role of private markets - aren’t just theories anymore. They’re conversations I’m determined to turn into reality.

And so, this week I’ve been asking myself:

"Why not me? Why not now?"

BODY
The Engine That Drives the Vision

Let’s talk about mornings. Lately, I’ve been waking up with what I’ve started calling “cluster thoughts” a million ideas, questions, and plans vying for attention the moment my eyes open. Sound familiar?

Here’s the thing: the mind might generate the ideas, but it’s the body that fuels the execution. So, I’ve been experimenting with a simple fix: jogging.

Before you roll your eyes at yet another “exercise solves everything” pitch, let me explain. I’m not out here clocking marathon miles or chasing that kid who ran 5K every day for a month (respect, but my knees would sue me). Instead, I’m keeping it light. Just enough to clear the cobwebs, organise my thoughts, and fire up my brain for the day ahead.

Why It’s Working

Here’s what I’ve noticed after just a couple of weeks:

• Mental clarity: By the time I finish, those cluster thoughts are sorted into actionable plans.

• Energy boost: Jogging has become my morning “reset,” and honestly, it beats caffeine (well, most days).

• Momentum: Starting the day with a win sets the tone for everything else.

Next Steps: Building Momentum Without Overdoing It

I’m not here to become the next Mo Farah (lol this little line me chuckle), but consistency is key.

My plan is simple:

1. Jog 2-3 times a week, no pressure to hit crazy distances.

2. Pair it with light stretching or bodyweight exercises to avoid injuries (yes, knees, I hear you).

3. Celebrate the small wins - because showing up matters more than smashing records.

EXPLORATION
A Country Backing Its Boldest Builders

So, here’s the thing: we’ve all read the pessimistic takes. Social media, LinkedIn “thought leaders,” and even casual conversations seem drenched in doom and gloom about the UK economy. But after spending two days at the London Stock Exchange, surrounded by innovators, decision-makers, and the minds shaping the future, I can confidently say: they’re wrong.

What I experienced was the complete opposite.

The LSE isn’t just talking about growth… they’re stimulating it. There’s a laser focus on private markets, a recognition that the SME sector (all 5.5 million of them) is the backbone of the UK’s economy, and a push to help founders scale and thrive.

The Reality Check

But let’s keep it real there’s a challenge here. UK companies are staying private longer, with many choosing to float in the US for higher valuations. And sure, we’ve all seen the headlines about stocks delisting or sinking below their IPO prices. The numbers back it up:

• In the last decade, 22 UK based companies listed on the US market.

• Of those, over 80% either delisting or currently trading below their IPO price.

That said, the pilot programme I joined gave me hope, here at home. The LSE is thinking differently. They’re opening doors, challenging outdated systems, and empowering founders to think beyond survival - to think legacy.

True Exploration: Beyond the Data

But enough stats, let’s get into the juicy history from this week, courtesy of my mum (cheers, Mama!).

She sent me this gem of a read:

Ancient Pompeii bathhouse discovery

Archaeologists have uncovered an incredibly well-preserved Roman bathhouse in Pompeii, frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. What fascinated me most was how advanced their public infrastructure was, complete with heating systems, social gathering spaces, and stunning mosaics that reflected a culture of sophistication and wellness.

Errr… 2,000+ years ago…

The takeaway?

Exploration isn’t just about discovering new places, it’s about understanding the past to build better futures. The same way the Romans pioneered public spaces for wellbeing, today’s innovators are creating new arenas for growth (The Middle East seems to be an awesome case study for that atm!), whether in business, technology, or even our personal lives.

CHALLANGE
Dare to Experiment: Unlocking Autophagy

This week’s challenge is for those of you ready to dive into something bold and experimental: autophagy.

What is it? In short, it’s your body’s way of cleaning house, breaking down and recycling damaged cells to promote repair and regeneration. It’s been linked to benefits like better cellular health, improved longevity, and even brain function. (Sounds cool, right?)

A friend of mine (thanks, Lal!) sent me this Healthline article, and while it’s not something I’m testing just yet (I’m knee-deep in my current experiments… jogging and brain fog clearing, anyone?), it’s definitely on my radar.

How You Can Try It

If you’re up for the challenge, here are a few simple ways to kickstart autophagy:

1. Intermittent fasting: Start with a 12-hour window and work your way up if you’re feeling brave.

2. Exercise: High-intensity workouts can help trigger autophagy (bonus points for doubling this challenge with jogging).

3. Cut out sugar: We talked about this last week, clean fuel leads to a cleaner system.