In this series of Podcasts - Derek interviews prominent business leaders, high achievers in their field and subject experts. They are short, sharp and succinct. ideal for listening whilst travelling.
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In this series of Podcasts - Derek interviews prominent business leaders, high achievers in their field and subject experts. They are short, sharp and succinct. ideal for listening whilst travelling.
Monday Night Live with Derek Arden & Professor Paul McGee
The SUMO Philosophy — Shut Up, Move On & Live Brilliantly!
Hello everybody — Derek Arden here!Welcome to another energising, thought-provoking, and downright entertaining episode of Monday Night Live!This week, I was absolutely delighted to welcome back one of my favourite guests and long-time friend — Professor Paul McGee, the man behind the world-renowned SUMO philosophy — Shut Up, Move On!
Paul is one of the UK’s leading motivational speakers, a performance coach, and the author of 13 bestselling books, including the 20th-anniversary edition of SUMO: A Straight-Talking Guide to Creating an Enjoyable and Brilliant Life.
And yes, he’s still brilliantly straight-talking!
The Birth of SUMO — From Glasgow Banter to Global Movement
Paul shared the wonderfully Scottish origins of SUMO.It all started in 2002 when a Glaswegian on a counselling course blurted out,
“If all else fails, tell them to SUMO — Shut Up, Move On!”
That cheeky comment planted the seed that grew into a global philosophy — a toolkit for handling life’s curveballs with grit, humour, and emotional intelligence.
Paul calls it his “accidental brand,” born not from strategy, but serendipity — a great reminder that sometimes, success sprouts from staying curious and keeping your compass flexible, not rigidly chasing goals.
From the Boardroom to the Premier League
We also dove into Paul’s fascinating work with Premier League football teams — including Manchester United, Manchester City, and Everton.
His story about being invited into City’s inner circle was classic McGee: a mix of luck, networking, and perseverance.One police officer loved SUMO, told her brother — who just happened to be Head of Player Care at Man City — and before long, Paul was coaching players and staff alike.
He’s worked with stars like Shay Given, Micah Richards, and Ben Mee, not to fix problems, but to help high performers get even better.As Paul wisely put it:
“You don’t have to be ill to get better.”
SUMO Meets Psychology — Allies, Not Rivals
Paul’s insights into working alongside sports psychologists were refreshing.While some might see him as competition, the best professionals — like Patrick Vieira, Pep Guardiola, and Mikel Arteta — embraced his presence and kept learning from anyone who could make them better.
“Despite their success, they stayed humble, hungry, and curious — that’s real greatness.”
Life Lessons from the SUMO Guy
Paul unpacked his classic themes — resilience, perspective, and personal responsibility — with plenty of wit and wisdom.
He warned against wearing the “Victim T-shirt”, a metaphor for surrendering control to negativity and blame culture.He urged us to take back control of our mental diet, because too much CNN — Constant Negative News — can quietly drain your happiness and resilience.
His antidote?
“Focus on what you can influence. Improve your sleep, connect with others, and choose optimism.”
He also reminded us that modern life is more complex than ever — from endless washing machine options to parking apps that require a P...
Negotiators Podcast
In this series of Podcasts - Derek interviews prominent business leaders, high achievers in their field and subject experts. They are short, sharp and succinct. ideal for listening whilst travelling.
