Learning It My Way Cost Me Two Heart Attacks and £100 Million: Dariush Soudi's Journey from Refugee to Multimillionaire

Stripping Off with Matt Haycox

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In this powerful episode of Stripping Off with Matt Haycox, I dive into the extraordinary life story of Dariush Soudi. From early tragedy in Iran to arriving in Dubai with nothing but grit and resilience, Dariush’s journey is packed with life lessons on resilience, entrepreneurship, and the 'gladiator mindset' it takes to succeed in the face of adversity.

Dariush’s story isn’t just about achieving financial success—it’s about creating a lasting legacy, challenging the labels society puts on us, and showing up with unstoppable determination. As he says, “The more people we serve, the freer we become.” Tune in to hear how he overcame countless obstacles, the personal values that fueled his climb, and how he’s helping others today achieve their own goals.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to cultivate resilience in the face of adversity: Dariush’s story of losing everything and bouncing back will inspire you.
  
• The importance of a purpose-driven mindset: Dariush talks about creating a legacy that goes beyond material wealth. He reminds us, “I just had this inner belief that if I work hard enough, things will happen.”
  
  
• Insights into mentorship and personal growth: Why lifelong learning is key to success and fulfilment.
  
• How to channel setbacks into powerful comebacks: Dariush’s experiences offer a roadmap for anyone feeling stuck. As he says, “I want to walk into every battle, every meeting, like my life depends on it, like a gladiator.”
  
  

This episode is essential for entrepreneurs, aspiring business owners, and anyone ready to adopt a 'millionaire mindset' to turn dreams into reality.
Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
1:19 - Dariush’s Childhood
6:32 - Future and Career Prospects
10:46 - Why did your family move to England?
11:15 - Aging Well, Feeling Good
13:03 - Skiving A-Levels
14:03 - Going into Sales & Working Hard
15:09 - Biggest Mistakes You’ve Made in Sales
18:46 - Dariush as a Parent - Anger Issues, In and Out of Prison in England Growing Up
20:07 - Dubai Jail
25:28 - Sales Career in Dariush’s 20s
30:59 - Dodgy Business Partners and Heart Attacks
36:19 - Arriving to Dubai with No Money
39:48 - The Origin of ‘Gladiator’
41:59 - Selling Events
48:26 - An Audience from All Walks of Life
50:04 - Dariush’s Talking Points on Stage
51:53 - Gladiators Summit 2
59:26

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Who Is Matt Haycox? - Click for BADASS Trailer
Are you ready to unlock your full potential and take your business to the next level? I’m Matt Haycox—entrepreneur, investor, mentor, and your go-to guy for no-bollocks advice on business and personal growth.

With over 25 years of experience building and funding businesses across industries, I’ve faced it all—wins, losses, and the ultimate comeback story. Through my podcasts, No Bollocks with Matt Haycox and Stripping Off with Matt Haycox, I cut through the bullshit to bring you real, actionable strategies and raw conversations with entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders.

Whether you’re looking to scale your business, secure funding, or avoid the mistakes I’ve learned the hard way, my goal is simple: to help YOU create YOUR success story.

Want more? Subscribe to my No Bollocks Newsletter and get weekly insider tips on entrepreneurship, strategy, and business growth—because learning in 10 minutes is way better than wasting years on an MBA.

Ready to make moves? Let’s go—your success starts here.

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1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. Dariush’s Childhood (00:01:19)

3. Future and Career Prospects as a Child (00:06:32)

4. Why did your family move to England? (00:10:46)

5. Aging Well, Feeling Good (00:11:15)

6. Skiving A-Levels (00:13:03)

7. Going into Sales, Working Hard, Becoming a Natural (00:14:03)

8. Biggest Mistakes You’ve Made in Sales (00:15:09)

9. Dariush as a Parent - Anger Issues, In and Out of Prison in England Growing Up (00:18:46)

10. Dubai Jail (00:20:07)

11. Sales Career in Dariush’s 20s (00:25:28)

12. Dodgy Business Partners and Heart Attack from Stress (00:30:59)

13. Arriving to Dubai with No Money (00:36:19)

14. The Origin of ‘Gladiator’ (00:39:48)

15. Selling Events (00:41:59)

16. An Audience from All Walks of Life (00:48:26)

17. Dariush’s Talking Points on Stage (00:50:04)

18. Gladiators Summit 2 Event 16/17 December - World Trade Centre, Dubai (00:51:53)

19. Why Dariush Does What He Does (00:59:26)

20. Final Thoughts (01:01:14)