I’ve been fortunate enough to have had quite an exciting career thus far, and whilst relentlessly following my curiosities may have encouraged much of that; I could never have even dreamt of being where I am today without having conversed with, worked with, and learnt from others.

I’ve learnt, that no matter how hard you try, you can never truly be a self-made man. Your every plan, decision, and accomplishment sit on the back of the many individuals whom you lean on for advice or simply interact with most regularly. They shape your work, your life’s journey, and your identity.

This running list has been created to act as a continuous reminder to myself, as to why I am where I am, and what ultimately matters most. This list also gives me an opportunity to credit and highlight those who I have worked with over the years: whose work I highly recommend you deeply delve into.

For those of you on this list: you are the immediate people who have affected my worldview and my purpose – thank you.

This list is in no particular order; in fact, I made sure that the list was totally randomised – you’re all equally incredible in my opinion.

If you feel as though your name is missing… firstly, please forgive me, I was clearly lacking a proper supply of green tea as I attempted to remember names. Secondly, please reach out and remind me of your incredible deed, just know that before you are even added, I am already very grateful for all that you have done.

Elliot for introducing me to the book that started it all, and for giving me the luxury of being a part of your thought process. Legend.

Dr. Joseph Jen for giving me the value of the Toolbox Strategy.

Connor Morrin for being my closest friend, but more importantly, for allowing me to see, up-close, every brave decision you made toward growth.

Adam Vickers for being my first mentor in my journey and the catalyst for exploring my deepest passions. I owe you so much.

Robert Greene for saying exactly what was necessary and allowing me to see the world for what it is, not what I wanted it to be.

Panos Kordas for your incredible hospital-time storytelling, travel diligence, and of course: that moustache.

Sam Altman for reminding me of the importance of choosing what you work on.

Fazal Chaudhri for our deepest of conversations. Our call toward the beginnings of Covid-lockdown really set a positive tone for me. Grateful for your sharing of wisdom. (2023 Update: you’ve come to mean so much more to me now brother. Thank you, for everything).

Lily Petta for your hospitality, lovely family, and incredible food during my stay at yours.

Tom Bilyeu for showing me the unlimited potential of the human mind.

Michelle De Mott for supporting me with a unique perspective that always has me rethinking my approach. Your ability to know every component of a business, cut through the noise, and remain realistic inspires me.

Ibad Shaikh for being an incredible friend and for the endless conversations that have allowed me to explore the most complex of concepts.

Ryan Holiday for teaching me to think about who I’m writing for.

Evan Puschak for pushing me to always continue the pursuit of growing my worldview.

Mum for setting boundaries. And for showing me how and why to break them. You are my inspiration.

Jake Dakin for teaching me the value of not going all-in. You always be my best revision buddy.

Ajay Ubhi for every film, book or philosophical conversation. You’ve sparked my intellectual curiosity greatly - although that doesn’t mean you’re not watching Tenet with me at the IMAX cinema, my thankfulness isn’t free mate.

Will Howells for providing me with an interesting perspective that only you could ever give. Here’s to one of the most talented people I know!

Namali and David (Blue Lab Beats) for being the most humble and talented people I know. And for my intro and outro music.

Lorin Minxhozi for constantly looking at opportunities and championing the importance of talking with customers. I’ve learnt so much from you in such a short time.

Alicia for the mochi donut, and consistently being everything that hinted at (week after week). Glad I had a good eye, sayangku.

Jesse Boyce for inspiring me to see past what I believed was possible in my career and opening my eyes to what the best can do.

Dom London for being the best gym partner… who decided to surpass me totally. But props to you for not waiting up.

Nick Higton for Rap Fridays and our great chats on the way to client meetings.

Kosta Askitopoulos you should have made this list far sooner than you actually ended up being on it - but this is because I don’t see our relationship as something to look back on, but as something to constantly be excited about, about what next insight would reveal itself in conversation, whether we’re looking at paintings together or taking long walks to coffee spots. But, for this, I will look back now, and thank you deeply, just this… once

Oded Ran for giving me the opportunity to speak with you (and thus learn from you) at length about passion, speed, and efficiency… and not spoiling the Westworld Season finale in Lisbon.

Damien Dart for developing this website and bringing my work to life! Oh, and for introducing me to Kirby!

Will Wood for showing me the true definition of talent.

Sara for kicking off a long and deep life of close introspection and insight. Thank you.

Brian Merison for being the best source of jokes, good wine, good coffee and fashion advice. You’ve supported me for an incredibly long time, I’m extremely grateful.

Bryan for inviting me to eat ox heart with you. I’m honoured by your ‘smooth’ and ‘jazzy’ vibe. The real life Travis Pastrana.

Noah Kagan for showing me the ropes in marketing and business.

Hen Brand for always challenging and helping us all ensure we’re working on the most important thing, and apologising way too much in the process. Here’s to our productive 3 amigos sessions.

Steve Funkyfeet for showing me the wonders of live Jazz. Nothing can beat it.

Mason for doing the best to hold back your worst jokes about my awful haircuts during teenage years.

Renée for your winning smile! You always light up a room. Keep your energy as it is, and treat your life’s task with it.

Hans Zimmer for The Last Samurai. For Interstellar. For Inception. Your legacy will never die.

Miyaz Ehsan for keeping me focused on the inspiring act of studying my craft deeply. You’re a friend who constantly reminds me of what I care about most!

Kara for opening my mind to the endless possibilities of life.

Don Norman for giving me to the tools to design specifically for emotions and to recognise the value of good design for everyday things.

Alex Paulo da Costa for inspiring me deeply to always maintain a great work ethic and to not settle for the status quo.

Chloe Brown for encouraging me to be “betterfocused” and bring authenticity into my work. I miss your energy.

Giles Denning for your unlimited, purposeful energy. Your focus is a constant inspiration, and your advice is a meaningful addition. Thank you also for introducing so many concepts and practices into my life - including Weekly Wins and Skiergs. Here’s to forever avoiding Ikea tat.

Zak Peric for simply, pushing me to be better.

Jack Kelsey for every enjoyable and insightful long walk together. You’re probably the most interesting person on the planet.

Chryso for giving me a grounded afterthought and for keeping my brother in check.

Ilse Crawford for showing me that every space has a purpose.

George Hamilton for acting as the catalyst for me owning my love for Bond. Thanks to you, it moved from being a guilty pleasure to simply a pleasure.

Peter Thiel for teaching me to avoid competition at all costs.

Cecilia Marcellesi for every coffee, long walk, and deep conversation we’ve shared… and for helping me find a great Christmas present for my family!

The Ehsan family for welcoming the incredible conversations that I always wanted at dinner parties.

Ajay Chowdhury for bringing a passion of mine to life, with your own! As you said, I now never feel alone in it. Here’s to you, one of the classiest people I know.

Conni Watson for consistently reaffirming my music taste with your infamous headbop.

Ian McInnes for allowing me to bring the word “happy” in front of every day of the week and thus enabling me to help shape company culture. I hope you’re still getting pizza every Friday!

Emanuela for upgrading my tastes and furthering my love for all things Italiano.

Alex Kent for teaching me how a long-term friendship exists.

Mike Doran for showing me the beauty in UI and teaching me a new sense of humour.

Ryan Hoover for teaching me how studying a coffee shop can lead to insights in product design, and thank you for the YourStack beta invite.

Ce for introducing me to Spotify Sessions and for taking me on a short and wonderful sunset-filled adventure.

Dr. Pingfan Rao for sharing the incredible wisdom of chicken soup and coffee.

Manu Sidhu for our incredible conversations and for allowing me to witness your journey as we position ourselves into the best place possible to serve. (Also, teach me your ways of the cool. You’re a walking member of the Ocean’s Eleven crew for sure. Maybe it’s the new shoes.)

Monty Don for slowing me down and allowing me to appreciate the beauty in every garden. It was a pleasure to meet you in Japan. Quite the day!

Belen Tahir for helping me feel so welcome into our team from day 1, your support and help on quick questions always made my life easier. Here’s to the best product design team in my career.

Sam Gaffney for the 6:30 am tea sessions and wake up calls before uni.

Nino Rosella for delving into the depths of masculinity, art, and one’s responsibility in life. I admire your self-expression.

Chloe needless to say, you were a huge part of my growth. Our time will always be meaningful. Thank you. Always.

Luca Brandovardi for giving me a constant stream of good music and good headphone recommendations.

Neil Lancum for our many laughs, workouts, and Bond debates together. Alright!

Musa for showing me the ropes at the gym and showing me the importance of practical skills.

Catia for giving me the opportunity to look behind the keys during the performance of one of my favourite genres. You showed me what grace, elegance, and good character looked like.

Motohiko Umezawa for sharing your incredible business knowledge and driving me through Tokyo night-life.

Dr. Hassan Hajji for inspiring me with a 60,000ft view, enabling me to live in perpetual beta, and truly venture beyond the familiar.

Marino, James, Momo and Riko for every moment of love and pure joy you all express, and for giving me a ride in the Aston Martin.

Nikos Petounis for the deep 411 conversations and for knowing your limits and not risking your life during a beautiful, Antiparos sunset.

Casey Neistat for proving to everyone that no matter what, you can always work a little harder.

Shivan for not pushing your love of rom-coms onto me too hard.

Nicole for always making me feel at home in your home, and for teaching me the best place to enjoy biscuits. Teşekkürler.

Tobias Velvang for helping me to see the difference between working on something you own and working for someone else, and for all our long walks!

Judith Meech for showing the value of great leadership and knowing other people’s strengths. Also, for being a real example of how far you can go when focused on a mission.

Yassine ElBadaoui for originally baring with my komakai nature and inspiring me to be more so.

Sola Aine for the powerful conversations, gym sessions and finger-snapping handshakes. No issues.

David Vernon for believing in the 16-year-old Justin and allowing him to experiment whilst enabling him to access real start-up/early business insight.

Pranav Bhasin for teaching me the wisdom in making individual moments real and solidified by sharing them with others.

Neil Strauss for inspiring me to write better and for the best ‘30 days of genius’ interview ever.

Gaspare Frazzitta for pushing me to be the best at what I do. Grazie.

Ilaeira for showing me ‘the ropes’ in climbing the waterfall - even if I ended up with a sprained ankle aha!

All the Sprigges for inspiring me deeply with the importance of family values and exploration of the world and all of it’s knowledge.

Tobias Revell for an incredible year and for not getting angry that everyone used Helvetica all the time.

Luke for being the coolest brother ever. Always inspired by you.

Ojiichan for being the source of all my best traits. I miss you.

Nenna for being a huge source of motivation.

Paolo Vicari for all the inspiring conversations on expanding an international worldview. No more willful blindness!

Etsuko, Jon and Kyle for conversations on our shared passion for James Bond and Japanese culture, and for the inspiring musical influence.

Raphael Warner for believing in a 14 Justin and giving him the most perfect incredible opportunities. Forever grateful.

Doris Sprigge for being the sweetest lady in the world.

Dan Ziv for showing me, up-close, how to scale a tech business. How’s it going?

Daro IB for countless hours of laughter, goldeneye and popcorn… well, mostly.

Liam Curran for meditation chats and for always coming through with the yoghurts.

Miša Peić for inspiring me with your work ethic, attention to details, and design-thinking. And yes, I am still waiting for you to send a picture for the deck…

Yukami’s for the years of great memories, knowledge and food.

Tracy, Jack, and Andy for filling my childhood with love, laughter and poppadoms.

Austin Kleon for showing your work.

Seb Masterton for showing me that there truly is no limit to your location, ability or passion.

Nick Warelis for showing me the ropes of the international world of work and being an awesome bud from afar - ways dude!

Obaachan for instilling discipline and focus into my nature.

Dad for always being my greatest teacher. My love for life stems directly from you.

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…and You for reading my blog. Much love.