In this episode of The Diary of a CEO, Stephen Bartlett dives deep into a conversation with Ben Francis, the guy behind Gymshark—now, get this, a fitness brand worth more than $1.5 billion. It’s wild to think that what started in his parents' garage, with barely enough space for a set of weights, would transform into this global movement. But Ben’s story isn’t your typical “rise to the top” tale; it’s messy, unpredictable, and full of those gritty, real-life twists that keep you wondering what's coming next.

From the early days of hustling at 19, Ben shares moments most people wouldn't even consider part of "business advice"—like finding out how crucial it is to have people who not only lift you up but also keep you grounded. He dives into the weird balance between resilience and self-doubt, the unglamorous, hard-learned lessons on ...