First Things THRST

Latest Episodes:

E031 - The Finance Expert: Your Ultimate Guide For Saving Money In 2024 | Nischa Feb 04, 2024

Show notes

Nischa is a former investment banker and chartered accountant with a decade-long career in finance, including working at one of the world’s largest investment banks. Her mission is simple: to help people take control of their finances and improve their lives through easy, actionable lessons on financial literacy and self-development. With close to a million YouTube followers, Nischa shares financial smarts on investing, tax, saving, and more. Tune in for the next hour as we dive into her story and unpack practical insights on money management, risk-taking, and personal growth.
00:00 Introduction
03:50 The importance of financial literacy
05:40 Nischa’s 10+ year financial background: banking, investing & accounting
07:47 Value of day jobs & corporate skill building
09:00 Turning down £100K to pursue YouTube full-time
12:12 Fear of the unknown & taking risks
14:24 Common financial struggles & understanding taxes
18:22 Nischa’s advice for hiring an accountant
23:15 How to save & allocate your money effectively
25:20 Inflation & the rising cost of living in the UK
29:50 Skills to increase your income
34:44 Property & real estate: rent vs buy
43:31 Buying versus leasing a car
46:31 Tracking your finances and spending habits
51:18 The two biggest financial mistakes
54:24 Should couples have shared bank accounts?
57:40 Mike’s take on if his partner earned more
1:03:14 Transparency in financial relationships
1:08:50 What Mike looks for in a partner
1:12:34 Nischa’s plans for the future
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
» Transform your physique - https://www.thrstapp.com/
» My clothing brand, THRST - https://thrstofficial.com
» Custom Bioniq supplements - https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
• 40% off your first month of Bioniq GO
• 20% off your first month of Bioniq PRO
» Join @Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Nischa
YouTube: / @nischa
Instagram: / nischa.me
TikTok: / nischa.me
Website: https://nischa.me/

E030 - The Hidden Struggles of Dating & Relationships | ItsAlwaysHana Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

ItsAlwaysHana, a British-Saudi influencer, has emerged as one of the GCC’s most prominent voices on health and fitness. With over 1.2 million followers, Hana encourages self-improvement and wellness through engaging workout content, balanced diet insights, and authentic conversations. She’s also building her wellness community, Thyga, to connect fitness enthusiasts worldwide. In this episode, Hana opens up about identity, relationships, health, and success—sharing her unfiltered perspective on what it really means to thrive in today’s world.
00:00 Hana’s background & revealing life as a Saudi Arabian woman
04:48 Creativity & expression in music
06:50 Going viral on Instagram & overcoming validation traps
09:30 Collaboration, authenticity & becoming an influencer
12:30 Building your image & redefining “women's success”
20:24 The biggest issue women face on social media
23:55 Sustainable routines & gender-specific gyms
28:08 ‘Body positivity’ – The dark truth
32:10 Healthy food relationships & the value of balance
36:30 The Israeli-Palestinian conflict
40:45 Fitness industry shifts & supplement fatigue
46:40 UK vs Dubai: Cultural growth & lifestyle changes
50:22 How your friends shape you
57:33 Making friends in a new city
59:52 Alone time: the signs and benefits
1:05:33 Hana’s dating & relationship advice
1:08:55 Dating dynamics: women choose, men adapt
1:12:10 Masculine & feminine roles in modern dating
1:14:36 Privacy, rejection & relationship boundaries
1:22:00 Can men have female friends in a relationship?
1:25:35 Religion, God & life’s test
1:30:04 Cosmetics, aesthetics & Instagram “attention” culture
1:36:35 Settling down to have a family
1:43:33 “F*ck you money” & becoming self-made
1:46:50 What’s next for Hana?
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life - https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
» Transform your physique - https://www.thrstapp.com/
» My clothing brand, THRST - https://thrstofficial.com
» Get your customised Bioniq supplements - https://shorturl.at/fRV67
» Join @Whoop and get your first month for free - join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Hana
YouTube: / @itsalwayshana
Instagram: / itsalwayshana
TikTok: / itsalwayshana
Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3JQWR1u

E029 - Build Your Personal Brand From SCRATCH | Matt Gray Jan 07, 2024

Show notes

Matt Gray is a serial entrepreneur who’s built three successful companies, scaled teams of 50+, and grown an audience of over 14 million people. He’s best known as the founder of Herb, the world’s largest cannabis wellness platform, backed by investors like Joe Montana and the CEO of Shopify. He’s also the founder of Founder OS, a system and community helping founders scale their online businesses through proven frameworks, lead engines, and organic content. In this episode, Matt shares battle-tested insights on scaling startups, creating content, legalising cannabis, and living with purpose.
00:00 Matt’s entrepreneurial background & the start of Herb
03:58 Learning to code & building practical skills
05:40 Facing a $1M fine & potential jail time
10:50 Navigating fear & uncertainty in business
14:30 Nature, travel & the joy of simplicity
17:40 The pros & cons of personal brand building
20:45 Long-term planning & using deadlines
22:40 Medicinal cannabis & advocating for alternatives
27:50 The case for legalisation & addressing side effects
32:50 Chat with Andrew Huberman: cannabis & testosterone
34:34 How cannabis affects mood, energy & creativity
35:55 Discovering purpose through Ikigai
43:36 Embracing failure & repetition
47:20 Common founder pitfalls & how to overcome them
51:20 Scaling your business into a passive system
54:10 Best marketing platforms & power of long-form
1:00:30 Content strategy & team building
1:07:15 Essential tools to streamline growth
1:11:27 2024 goal setting & planning
1:18:31 Do you need a morning routine to succeed?
1:22:40 Japan, India & moving to Dubai
1:26:02 Gut instinct & advice for those feeling stuck
1:30:44 Staying productive while travelling
1:34:36 Enjoying youth & reflecting on your 20s
1:39:50 How to spend wisely & raise your hourly rate
1:47:02 Health, habits & working with your partner
1:52:04 Planning for 2024 & achieving balance
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life – https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
» Transform your physique – https://www.thrstapp.com/
» My clothing brand, THRST – https://thrstofficial.com
» Custom Bioniq supplements – https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
» Join @Whoop and get your first month for free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Matt:
YouTube: / @realmattgray
Instagram: / matthgray
TikTok: / realmattgray
Twitter: / matt_gray_
Founder OS: https://www.founderos.com/
Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3JQWR1u

E028 - The Marketing Genius: I Helped GROW “Coca-Cola, the Olympics & More” | Marilyn Crawford Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Today’s guest is one of the most connected people on the planet: Marilyn Crawford — a global award-winning PR specialist, business strategist, and life coach. Named the “Marketing Mogul” by the New York Post, Marilyn has advised world leaders, mentored at Harvard, and led campaigns for icons like Coca-Cola, President Obama, and the FIFA World Cup. From building billion-dollar brands to mentoring future leaders, Marilyn shares the key principles that shaped her success across PR, marketing, economic development, and life coaching.
00:22 Will gambling become legal in Dubai? Marilyn’s role in developing a casino
04:40 Economic development, strategic marketing & PR
06:40 The secret behind her success: Coca-Cola, Obama, World Cup & more
10:36 How Marilyn achieved 1 billion hits — her career pinnacle
18:10 Launching the first diversity event at Cannes
23:25 From teaching to event planning
27:06 Behind the scenes of working in PR
30:22 Respect for women, cultural shifts & avoiding trends
35:23 Admiration for Jay-Z & thoughts on the P Diddy case
40:30 Social media oversharing & the impact of AI
46:55 Mentoring & Marilyn’s experience as a life coach
56:51 Branding advice: Marilyn’s A.C.E. framework
1:00:01 Dubai vs Saudi Arabia — business & cultural insights
1:03:18 Marilyn’s advice for Mike on relationships and brand integrity
1:14:55 Balancing career and personal life
1:23:06 Feeling lost? Marilyn’s advice for finding your path
1:33:01 Why you should stop limiting yourself
1:38:52 Parenting & the importance of positive reinforcement
1:44:33 How Marilyn reads people’s personalities
1:49:04 Current projects: Prime Time & ongoing ventures
1:54:00 Marilyn’s upcoming book
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life – https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
» Transform your physique – https://www.thrstapp.com/
» My clothing brand, THRST – https://thrstofficial.com
» Custom Bioniq supplements – https://shorturl.at/fRV67
» Join @Whoop and get your first month free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Marilyn:
LinkedIn: / l-marilyn-crawford-4326531b
Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/3JQWR1u

E027 - The Trading Expert: How To Get RICH In Your 20s *my trading method* | Umar Ashraf Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

Umar Ashraf is a 28-year-old entrepreneur and veteran day trader who turned $20,000 into $18 million through smart, disciplined trading. With 10+ years in the markets, Umar has built a loyal online following by sharing honest, real-world trading insights—including both his wins and losses. In this episode, he opens up about the mindset required to master day trading, how to manage risk, the biggest myths around crypto and forex, and why trading is one of the most humbling careers in the world.
00:00 Introduction
01:20 How Umar found his passion for trading
04:10 Trading alone vs. working for a firm
05:20 Teaching himself to trade & early role models
07:40 Honesty, USPs & what sets Umar apart
09:55 Beginner guide to trading (Pt. 1 – Markets, FX, influencers)
15:44 Beginner guide to trading (Pt. 2 – First trades)
18:10 Journaling, mindset & tracking your data
21:20 How the markets will humble you
23:45 Investing vs. Trading & managing risk
28:35 How long does it take to profit from trading?
31:40 Umar’s biggest wins & losses
35:20 Strategy or luck?
36:44 Coping with stress & enjoying the process
40:00 Managing finances & life in Dubai
45:50 Avoiding distractions & the power of networking
49:00 Social media, influence & building a personal brand
54:55 The #1 app for traders – TradeZella
1:11:40 Umar’s 2024 vision
1:14:25 Building Blackline Trading & leading a team
1:21:00 AI's impact on trading
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life – https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
» Transform your physique – https://www.thrstapp.com/
» My clothing brand, THRST – https://thrstofficial.com
» Custom Bioniq supplements – https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
» Join @Whoop and get your first month free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Umar:
YouTube: /@umarashraf28
Instagram: @umarashraf
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realumarashraf
TradeZella: /@tradezella
Listen to First Things THRST:
https://bit.ly/3JQWR1u

E026 - The Business Expert: I Made MILLIONS At 21 With “Zero Skills” | Daniel Priestley Dec 10, 2023

Show notes

Daniel Priestley is a best-selling author, international speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur who built a multimillion-dollar empire across the UK, Australia, and Singapore. Named one of the UK’s Top Business Advisors, Daniel breaks down the key traits that define elite founders and business leaders. In this powerful episode, he unpacks the mental models, strategic frameworks, and real-world lessons that have helped him—and thousands of others—build scalable, high-impact businesses.
00:00 Introduction
02:20 Dropping out of university & making millions by 21
09:30 Losing a $14M deal & the role of mentorship
14:35 Luck vs. skill in early-stage entrepreneurship
18:36 How a business failure led to 9 successful ventures
28:14 Business fundamentals: 10 ideas, bell curves & power laws
38:00 4 strategies to test a business idea
44:20 The “entrepreneur seat” mindset
52:00 Psychology of consumerism & boosting sales
59:40 Why products don’t make money—this does
1:05:44 Business vision & Daniel’s view on supplements
1:09:14 Superpowers, competition & KPIs
1:18:20 Monetising your name as an influencer
1:21:50 Equity vs. shares explained
1:23:15 Business partnerships & co-founder alignment
1:27:40 Fatherhood & how it changed Daniel’s outlook
1:30:00 Power of writing & reading
1:35:10 Organisation & time mastery
1:38:55 Risk-taking, buying/selling businesses & wealth
1:46:25 Expanding into new industries
1:52:30 The rise of AI
2:02:25 Everything happens for a reason: resilience & setbacks
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life – https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
» Transform your physique – https://www.thrstapp.com/
» My clothing brand, THRST – https://thrstofficial.com
» Custom Bioniq supplements – https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
» Join @Whoop and get your first month free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Daniel:
Instagram: @danielpriestley
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/danielpriestley
Website: https://danielpriestley.com/
Listen to First Things THRST:
https://bit.ly/3JQWR1u

E025 - Vladislava Galagan: The “Kendall Jenner” Of Bodybuilding Dec 03, 2023

Show notes

Vladislava Galagan is a professional bodybuilder, entrepreneur, and viral internet sensation. Dubbed “prettier than Gal Gadot and stronger than Arnold,” Vladislava has sparked global debate by blending muscularity with femininity, eroticism, and unflinching authenticity. In this episode, she opens up about her fitness journey, steroid use, and the realities of life on OnlyFans—challenging stereotypes and redefining what it means to be a powerful woman today.
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Growing up in Russia
03:52 Fitness inspirations & early routines
09:08 Family pressures & financial struggles at university
13:45 Dropping out & pursuing bodybuilding in Europe
16:59 Mike’s thoughts on leaving university
18:04 Taking steroids to compete at the highest level
23:05 Side effects: hair loss, acne & hormonal shifts
26:22 First pro comp at 21 & bad coaching experience
29:40 Best fitness tips for women
30:10 Avoiding masculinisation with PEDs
35:50 The fear of weakness, therapy & vulnerability
40:05 Income differences & relationship dynamics
44:52 How OnlyFans & webcams “saved” her financially
50:00 Lessons from validation & webcam culture
53:04 OnlyFans pros, cons & niche fetishes
1:01:40 Finding a partner who accepts OF
1:02:55 Materialism & spending wisely
1:07:12 Transitioning from OF & supporting her family
1:12:20 Russia’s hardships & life abroad
1:14:50 What’s next for Vladislava?
1:18:20 Imposter syndrome & the pursuit of confidence
1:22:04 Future goals & living in Dubai
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life – https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
» Transform your physique – https://www.thrstapp.com/
» My clothing brand, THRST – https://thrstofficial.com
» Custom Bioniq supplements – https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
» Join @Whoop and get your first month free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Vladislava:
YouTube: @vladigalagan
Instagram: /vladigalagan
TikTok: /vladislava_661
Listen to First Things THRST:
https://bit.ly/3JQWR1u

E023 - Jordan Welch: The BEST Way To Dropship In 2024 *full guide* Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Jordan Welch is a rising star in content creation and e-commerce, best known for his rapid rise to millionaire status by age 22 through dropshipping and paid ads. In this episode, Jordan opens up about his early failures, growing up with limited resources, and how he found financial freedom—not just for himself, but to uplift his family. He also shares rare behind-the-scenes lessons on building a powerful personal brand and scaling a YouTube audience.
00:00 Introduction
01:20 Jordan’s background & family motivation
03:40 How Jordan got started with content & entrepreneurship
09:40 YouTube growth tips and algorithm strategy
14:46 Dropshipping & ad mastery: his secret to $100K/month
21:20 Big breakthrough with the sleep band product
26:35 Explosive business and YouTube growth
28:00 Fake gurus & misinformation in the online space
29:20 Battling weed addiction
35:00 Going sober: alcohol & mental clarity
36:40 Creative influences and staying motivated
40:10 Lessons from interviewing millionaires
44:32 Selling the business & valuing experiences
47:25 Living in Miami
51:10 Helping others start Shopify stores
52:50 Iman Gadzhi’s Educate program
54:30 Jordan’s advice for young men
57:49 Relationships, focus, and distractions
1:00:20 Life hacks & health optimisation
1:03:55 Sleep & vegan diet insights
1:07:20 Training & fitness routines
1:08:55 The role of travel
1:12:20 Jordan’s future vision
» Escape the 9-5 & build your dream life – https://www.digitalplaybook.net/
» Transform your physique – https://www.thrstapp.com/
» My clothing brand, THRST – https://thrstofficial.com
» Custom Bioniq supplements – https://www.bioniq.com/mikethurston
» Join @Whoop and get your first month free – join.whoop.com/FirstThingsThrst
Follow Jordan:
YouTube: @JordanWelch
Instagram: /jordanwelch
TikTok: /jordanwelchyt
Listen to First Things THRST:
https://bit.ly/3JQWR1u

E022 - Reece Wabara: Professional Football to £100m Fashion Brand Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Introducing Reese Wabara, former Manchester City defender and CEO of one of Britain’s most successful fashion labels. With the help of Gymshark founder Lewis Morgan, Reese ventured into entrepreneurship whilst in the midst of his football career. Manière De Voir was established in 2013 with the clear goal of creating trend-focused contemporary designs at competitive prices. After retiring from football in 2017, MDV skyrocketed with a 187% YoY growth, whilst becoming a staple wardrobe choice f...

E021 - Iman Gadzhi: The Voice of Future Millionaires Oct 22, 2023

Show notes

Season two of First Things THRST kicks off with a bang as we introduce the business mastermind, Iman Gadzhi. With a burning desire for financial freedom, Iman dropped out of high school at 17 and dedicated his life to making money. His journey catapulted him from personal training and “flipping” Instagram accounts to amassing a £30 million net worth by age 22. The young entrepreneur continues to build his digital footprint, inspiring millions worldwide through his philanthropic wisdom, an imp...

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