The Problem With Being Your Business: James Haskell

April 7, 2026 · 1h 40m

About this episode

James Haskell joins James Smith to discuss the challenges of life after professional sports and the complexities of building multiple businesses.

James Haskell joins James Smith for a brutally honest conversation about life after professional sport, the chaos of building multiple businesses, and what it actually takes to stay relevant when the game is over. A former England rugby star, Sunday Times bestselling author, and DJ, Haskell pulls no punches on the mental cost of reinvention — and why his obsession with performing has never really left him. 👁️ Try Neutonic: https://www.neutonic.com/jamessmith 🧪 Check your Test: https://www.manual.co/smith 📝 Business Mentoring: https://www.jamessmith.business 🏋🏼‍♂️ Online Coaching: https://www.jamessmithacademy.com James Haskell on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jameshaskell James Haskell's music – https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ry5gHsT7l1X84yGPZeVIj The Good, The Bad & The Rugby – https://open.spotify.com/show/1LJJ9KUF4aAjcSPimyKfp3 James opens up about the fear of failure that drove him through rugby, the strange emptiness that follows success, and why 40 felt like the moment everything had to change. From DJing in a music industry that doesn't return emails, to launching Black Eye Gin with a £1.50-per-bottle charity model, to finally getting his testosterone tested…

People in this episode

Host: James Smith

Guest: James Haskell

Topics covered

life after professional sport
building businesses
mental health
reinvention
fear of failure
self-doubt
motivation

Keywords

James Haskell
professional sport
business building
mental cost
reinvention
fear of failure
self-doubt
motivation
DJ career
Black Eye Gin

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: James Smith Business, James Smith Academy, Spotify, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

Products: Black Eye Gin