How do you reinvent yourself when you’ve already reached the top of one field?

It's a question many of us face as long careers, industry disruptions, or even boredom push us to rethink our path.

In the latest episode of the How to Live podcast, I sit down with the legendary sports broadcaster John Dykes, who shares his powerful and deeply personal story of stepping out of the broadcast spotlight and into corporate boardrooms.

For years, John was the trusted face of the Premier League, someone we all tuned in to see. But even before the broadcast industry in Southeast Asia faced disruption, John found himself questioning the purpose and relevance of what he was doing. After decades spent in Sports TV listening to the legends and unpicking their strategies, he began questioning his next move - convinced he wanted to inform, educate and entertain.

He spent two years exploring where he could still make an impact within the sports world—experiencing both triumphs and doubts. But a friend's remark changed everything: "John, you're more than just an entertaining dinner speech." Brutal, but it struck a chord.

Through various explorations, John realised his core skills—communication, crisis management, leadership lessons from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, and the Williams Sisters—were just as relevant in the corporate world. The stage may have shifted, but the principles remained the same.

With a natural gift for storytelling, John began helping corporate leaders, from investment bankers to senior executives, communicate powerfully, make strategic decisions, and even recruit with insights from football's greatest. Yet, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He had to learn the ropes of commercialising his services, setting the right pricing, and designing programs from scratch.

What struck me most about John's journey wasn’t just his skillset—it was his mindset. Despite being at the peak of his career and a familiar face to millions, John approached this transition with humility, curiosity, and quiet determination. He was open to learning, adapting, and evolving.

Many of us are at a point where reinvention is necessary but scary. John’s story shows that reinvention is not only possible—it can be inspiring, even at the top of your game.

If you're looking to evolve and grow to the next stage of your career, this episode is for you.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/076-re-inventing-from-broadcast-to-boardrooms

Related Episode
#030 Re-inventing yourself with Sarah Lal
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https://www.johndykes.co/

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