This Week in Extrology
Courage, Connection and the Unexpected Paths to Growth
Finding Growth Through Courage & Connection: Tommy Entwistle’s Journey
This week I’m excited to re-release one of the most impactful conversations I’ve had on Extrology - Finding Growth Through Courage & Connection with former ThruDark Brand Director Tommy Entwistle.
Tommy’s story is one of resilience, leadership and the unwavering belief that success isn’t just about ambition it’s about people.
When we spoke in 2023 Tommy shared how mountaineering, rugby and brand leadership all intersect around a core philosophy - ‘Endeavour through adversity’.
Now for the first time you can watch the full episode in video format on YouTube! 🎥
In this episode we cover:
✔️ The lessons mountaineering shares with Rugby League
✔️ Why nothing works without great people
✔️ The concept of the ‘2AM Club’ and why it matters
✔️ How to build a brand around your story rather than forcing a story onto a brand
✔️ Why success isn’t defined by numbers alone
🔥 “Some people say they have 25 friends but none would get out of bed for them at 2am.” – Tommy Entwistle
🔗 Watch the full conversation on YouTube here:
Why Resilience & Leadership Matter More Than Talent
Alongside Tommy’s re-release I also wrote about the key lessons I took from our conversation, What Tommy Entwistle Taught Me About Grit and Growth.
Some people just get it. They understand that success isn’t about talent alone it’s about resilience, leadership and building something that lasts.
Key Takeaways from Tommy’s Journey:
💡 Rugby League as a Blueprint for Success: Resilience, adaptability and knowing how to take a hit and keep moving.
💡 The Truth About Brand Building: The best brands start with a story that connects deeply with people not the other way around.
💡 The Power of the Right People: Success isn’t just about hard work it’s about who you choose to surround yourself with.
🔗 Read the full article here:
Why Resilience and Leadership Matter More Than Talent
Some people just get it. They understand that success isn’t about talent alone, it’s about resilience, leadership and knowing how to build something that lasts.
Why Growth Isn’t Linear: How to Rethink Success and Embrace the Unexpected
Have you ever felt like life wasn’t following the ‘plan’ you were told it would?
We’ve been conditioned to think of success as a straight line - education → career → achievement → retirement - but real growth doesn’t work like that.
Growth is a rhizome not a ladder.
This concept from philosophy explains that success isn’t hierarchical but interconnected. The biggest moments of growth often emerge from unexpected places, chance encounters and setbacks that force us to adapt.
Key Lessons from the Rhizome Mindset:
🌱 Embrace Unpredictability: Growth doesn’t follow a set plan.
🌱 Seek Diverse Connections: The richest opportunities arise from unexpected intersections.
🌱 Redefine Success: It’s not a fixed destination it’s an evolving process.
🌱 Cultivate Resilience: Every setback is a redirection not a failure.
🔗 Read the full article here:
Why Growth Isn’t Linear: How to Rethink Success and Embrace the Unexpected
Have you ever felt like life wasn’t following the ‘plan’ you were told it would? I used to believe in the straight path to success until I realised it doesn’t exist. We’ve been conditioned to think that education leads to a career which leads to success followed by retirement. That simply isn’t true.
🔗 Watch the accompanying vlog on YouTube:
What’s Your Take?
Which of these ideas resonated with you the most? Have you ever had a moment where a setback led to unexpected growth?
Hit reply and share your thoughts, I’d love to hear your story.
If this newsletter added value to your week consider sharing it with a friend. Extrology is all about community and the more we connect the stronger we become.
Here’s to a week of courage, connection and unexpected growth. 🚀
Until next time
Lee