In this raw and powerful episode of Yours For The Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Ed Lofts, seven-time world kickboxing champion, gym owner, complex trauma specialist, and all-around explorer of physical, mental, emotional, and financial growth.

Ed opens up about his transformative journey from martial arts prodigy to trauma therapy advocate, exploring how early life abuse shaped his worldview, how helping his mother heal from lifelong shame became a personal milestone, and why real growth means finding the edges of your comfort zone.

You'll hear candid insights into the realities of CTE in combat sports, how unprocessed trauma holds people back, and why men in particular need better tools to process emotions. Plus, how Ed's mentors shaped his philosophy, what true freedom looks like, and why “slowing down” is the most underrated tool for self-discovery.

Whether you're into self-improvement, psychology, martial arts, or just navigating the modern challenges of fatherhood, business, and emotional well-being, this episode delivers heavyweight insight.

In this episode, Robin Johnson and Ed Lofts discuss:

• Emotional trauma, childhood abuse & recovery
• Martial arts and mindset development
• CTE, brain health & the fight industry’s hidden cost
• Exploring the four edges: physical, mental, emotional & financial
• Men’s mental health, therapy stigma, and breaking generational cycles
• Parenting, reflection, and subconscious patterns
• Mentorship vs. manipulation in personal growth
• How to build resilience and redefine masculinity
• How slowing down helps you speed up growth
• Financial freedom and reframing the money narrative

KEY MOMENTS:

0:00 - Introduction to Ed Lofts: Martial Arts Champion & Explorer

0:05 - The Explorer's Mindset: Pushing Personal Boundaries

3:30 - From Martial Arts to Enlightenment: Ed's Early Journey

5:10 - Mentorship and the Importance of Finding the Right Guides

9:20 - Movement, Performance, and Working with Ido Portal

13:00 - Brain Trauma in Combat Sports: A Critical Health Concern

16:50 - Complex Trauma: Understanding Emotional Healing

22:30 - The Impact of Childhood Experiences on Adult Behavior

27:15 - Financial Freedom and Personal Growth

32:40 - Navigating Emotional Challenges and Seeking Help

38:20 - Parenting, Presence, and Inner Child Work

44:50 - The Four Pillars of Personal Development

50:30 - Transitioning from Martial Arts to Trauma Therapy

55:45 - Building a Platform for Personal Growth and Education

1:01:30 - One Key Piece of Advice for Personal Transformation

This podcast is for:

Those interested in trauma recovery and personal development, Men exploring emotional health and mindset, Martial artists, combat sports athletes, and trainers, Entrepreneurs, fathers, and purpose-driven leaders, Listeners seeking holistic tools for personal reinvention, Fans of Gabor Maté, Tim Fletcher, Ido Portal, and The School of Life

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Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson - founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on shows such as The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we...

In this episode of Yours For The Making, host Robin Johnson is joined by Rob Pollard, co-founder of RX Architects - the award-winning firm behind some of the UK’s most iconic beachfront properties.

From the now-famous pink “Sea Breeze” house built entirely without road access on Camber Sands, to cutting-edge wineries in the South Downs, Rob shares the untold stories behind RX’s most ambitious projects. This is a masterclass in modern architecture, sustainability, and pushing the limits of what’s possible in the built environment.

You’ll hear how RX Architects:

• Became leaders in coastal architecture and design-led residential projects
• Built a legacy of modern beach houses using robust materials and innovative construction techniques
• Navigated extreme environments, from sand dunes and salt storms to eco-protected build zones
• Took a collaborative, community-first approach to working with contractors, joiners, and clients
• Scaled a high-end architecture firm organically from a small studio to one of the most in-demand practices on the South Coast

Plus, you’ll discover why Sussex wine country is a booming hotspot for architectural opportunity, and why hands-on delivery, lasting client relationships, and design integrity matter more than ever.

This conversation is essential listening for anyone passionate about:

• Modern British architecture
• Property design and self-build inspiration
• Regenerative construction
• Creative craftsmanship
• Building sustainable, coastal homes

Whether you’re an architect, designer, builder, or simply someone who loves beautiful spaces - this one’s for you.

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson - founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on shows such as The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

What does it take to design a timepiece that lasts generations?

In this episode of Yours For The Making, host Robin Johnson sits down with Matt Herd, co-founder and designer at Beaucroft Watches, a rising name in British independent watchmaking. From early design scribbles in Cambridge to handcrafted, small-batch production runs, Matt shares the deeply personal and creative journey behind Beaucroft's elegant mechanical watches.

If you're passionate about craftsmanship, product design, and British heritage brands, this conversation is a masterclass in what it means to make with intention, build a creative business from scratch, and embrace the imperfections that drive innovation.

Matt opens up about:

• Why perfectionism can sabotage creativity
• How British craftsmanship and Cambridge inspired Beaucroft’s design DNA
• The real process behind designing and prototyping a mechanical watch
• Japanese vs. Swiss movements (and why Beaucroft chose Miyota)
• The emotional power of heirloom timepieces
• Collaborating with artists and building a brand from passion
• The legacy of mechanical watch design - and why it still matters today

Whether you're a maker, designer, watch enthusiast, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights on product integrity, brand storytelling, and why making mistakes might be your most valuable design tool.

Check out the amazing work and beautiful designs from Beaucroft via their website https://beaucroftwatches.com/

In this conversation, we talk about British watch brands, independent watchmakers UK, Beaucroft Watches, mechanical watches, Miyota movement, Swiss watch vs Japanese watch, Cambridge design, product design journey, watch design process, handmade watches UK, craftsmanship podcast, artisan watchmaking, creative entrepreneurship, side hustle to business, building a brand story, legacy products, slow design, small batch manufacturing, how to start a watch brand, artistic collaboration and British heritage design

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson - founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on shows such as The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.

Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.