Mr Motivator MBE: Motivation for the “Covid Hurricane” and exercising racism out of the media

By Workplace Evolution

12 Oct 2020

  Business Psychologist Michael Costello meets Mr Motivator (Derek Evans) to explore how we can stay motivated during the challenging times of Covid or what he calls "Life's Hurricanes". The interview explores how he dealt with racism in his career, particularly from media network sponsors who told him "A black man doing fitness can't work".   Recorded before the award of his MBE by the Queen for services to health and fitness, the interview also asks whether he felt he had received the recognition for his work in breaking down racial barriers.    Podcast Link: https://bit.ly/33K1cj4 This podcast explores: • How we can get our mindset right & feel energised before we set off to work • The importance of drawing from our past experiences to sustain belief & motivation • How he responded to Covid during 2020 & racism from TV sponsors in the 1990s • The importance of the country moving forward together using lessons from the past • The obesity crisis facing the UK & the recommended 20 minutes a day exercise • Lastly, do you think Mr Motivator has ever taken a "Sickie"?    Get your Lycra ready and make sure you're warmed up for this one!...   Podcast Notes: Website: www.mrmotivator.com/welcome/ Twitter:   https://twitter.com/MrMotivator Mr Motivator's book: The Warm Up: https://www..amazon.co.uk/Warm-Up-behind-televisions-Motivator/dp/1910819573 Image Credit: Paul Cooper (The Times) If you feel you have been impacted by any of the issues raised in the podcast please have a look at the link below: Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/workplace/ If you enjoyed the podcast please like and share!  If you would like to be on the podcast and have great business insights to share get in touch at admin@workplaceevolution.   Thank-you for listening! You can find out more about us at the following addresses: Twitter: https://twitter.com/workplaceevol  Michael Costello's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcostellooccpsych1/ The Workplace Evolution podcast is brought to you by Workplace Evolution Ltd - The Natural Selection for Workplace Solutions!  Michael Costello is the Managing Director of Workplace Evolution based in Lancaster, UK

Latest news

1

Breck reveals £380m development pipeline Bourne Road

Breck reveals £380m development pipeline

27 Apr 2026

2

ICT Reverse hits record £11.8m turnover Sophie Gray ICT Reverse

ICT Reverse hits record £11.8m turnover

27 Apr 2026

3

Royal return for Open Championship to Lancashire Mens Open

Royal return for Open Championship to Lancashire

27 Apr 2026

4

Crowds turn out as Darwen’s state-of-the-art Youth Zone opens in style Darwen Youth Zone launch

Crowds turn out as Darwen’s state-of-the-art Youth Zone opens in style

24 Apr 2026

5

New appointments at fulfilmentcrowd Ben Chicken (Director of Commercial), Katie Shepherd (Director of Marketing), Paul Taylor (Managing Director), Rachel Miller (Director of Finance) and Matthew Humphreys (Director of Sales)

New appointments at fulfilmentcrowd

23 Apr 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
AI & Cybersecurity Summit
AI and Cybersecurity Logo
Summit
28 Apr 2026

AI & Cybersecurity Summit

Dunkenhalgh House , Blackburn Road, Clayton Le Moors, BB5 5JP

08:30 - 11:00

Sub36 Networking - Outdoor Elements
Sub36 Outdoor Elements Logo1920x1008
Networking
29 Apr 2026

Sub36 Networking - Outdoor Elements

Outdoor Elements, Pump House Dean Wood, Trapp Lane, Burnley, BB12 7JD

09:00 - 11:00

LBV128 May/June Magazine Networking Event
Canva - Mag Launch
Networking
19 May 2026

LBV128 May/June Magazine Networking Event

Colne Market Hall, Lancashire, BB8 0HS

08:30 - 10:30

Funding Summit
Funding Logo Canva Mid
Summit
17 Jun 2026 - 17 Jun 2026

Funding Summit

Village Hotel Blackpool

08:30 - 11:00

Vibe Coding: "Who owns what when no one wrote the code?"
April PTC Banner.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
28 Apr 2026 - 28 Apr 2026

Vibe Coding: "Who owns what when no one wrote the code?"

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Sales acceleration in this uncertain economic climate
Logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
28 Apr 2026 - 28 Apr 2026

Sales acceleration in this uncertain economic climate

Lancaster & Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TZ

08:30 - 10:30

Dazzle & Decadence
Dazzle & Decadence TryBooking Header.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
30 Apr 2026

Dazzle & Decadence

Ainsworth Jewellers, 57-59 Darwen St, Blackburn, BB2 2BW

18:00 - 20:00

Manufacturing for Tomorrow Club
Example.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
30 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2026

Manufacturing for Tomorrow Club

University of Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 11:30

Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026
Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026
LBV Hub Social
01 May 2026

Blackburn Beer and Gin Festival 2026

BB1 8NB

17:00 - 23:00

Society1 Open Coworking Day
LBV Hub Networking
06 May 2026 - 06 May 2026

Society1 Open Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 16:00

The AI Lab: E-commerce
LBV Hub Seminars
08 May 2026 - 08 May 2026

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Emergency First Aid at Work
LBV Hub Seminars
08 May 2026 - 08 May 2026

Emergency First Aid at Work

FGH Training, 3rd Floor, Storey House, White Cross Business Park, Lancaster, LA1 4XQ

09:00 - 16:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin