<![CDATA[Work in Progress]]>A decade clawing my way to success in law and finance, whilst trying to stay strong and fit in the process.

I made it to my dream roles: a top US law firm and the trading floor at Deutsche Bank. Then I decided to leave and follow my gut.

At first I helped others transform their health and fitness. But leaving law threw unexpected challenges my way, which led to a big personal discovery.

Our sense of self worth. The psychology behind high achievement. Our deeper emotions and patterns, and how they can stealthily sabotage our entire lives.

I now help lawyers, execs and other high performers restructure how they train, eat, think and live, so they can come off autopilot and get a body and mind to match what they have on paper.

This is straight talk from someone who has lived that world.

Expect enthusiastic discussions on:

  • Getting results with minimal time and maximum chaos
  • Training, nutrition and lifestyle on long hours
  • Client dinners, deal dynamics and travel
  • A curveball proof mindset
  • Perfectionism, self worth and all or nothing thinking
  • Emotional confidence beyond physical confidence
  • Why fear is often a dirty fuel
  • Allowing yourself to be successful beyond just work
  • Inoculating yourself against health misinformation
  • My own story, wins and failures

This podcast is for you if:

  • You're winning on paper but know there is more
  • You're putting the effort into your body but not seeing the return
  • You refuse to accept that long hours make it impossible to get a body and mind to match what you have on paper

This podcast is not for you if:

  • You have no interest in being your best version
  • You're happy to stay in love with excuses and identities that weigh you down

Welcome. I'm honoured to have you here.

Chris

If you ever have any questions on the podcast: you can contact me directly on instagram @_ballantyne / https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne

Work with me: https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm

]]>https://www.chris-ballantyne.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 08 Nov 2026 01:28:40 GMTSat, 03 Oct 2026 12:36:02 GMT60Chris Ballantyne<p>A decade clawing my way to success in law and finance, whilst trying to stay strong and fit in the process.</p><p>I made it to my dream roles: a top US law firm and the trading floor at Deutsche Bank. Then I decided to leave and follow my gut.</p><p>At first I helped others transform their health and fitness. But leaving law threw unexpected challenges my way, which led to a big personal discovery.</p><p>Our sense of self worth. The psychology behind high achievement. Our deeper emotions and patterns, and how they can stealthily sabotage our entire lives.</p><p>I now help lawyers, execs and other high performers restructure how they train, eat, think and live, so they can come off autopilot and get a body and mind to match what they have on paper.</p><p>This is straight talk from someone who has lived that world.</p><p>Expect enthusiastic discussions on:</p><ul><li>Getting results with minimal time and maximum chaos</li><li>Training, nutrition and lifestyle on long hours</li><li>Client dinners, deal dynamics and travel</li><li>A curveball proof mindset</li><li>Perfectionism, self worth and all or nothing thinking</li><li>Emotional confidence beyond physical confidence</li><li>Why fear is often a dirty fuel</li><li>Allowing yourself to be successful beyond just work</li><li>Inoculating yourself against health misinformation</li><li>My own story, wins and failures</li></ul><p>This podcast is for you if:</p><ul><li>You're winning on paper but know there is more</li><li>You're putting the effort into your body but not seeing the return</li><li>You refuse to accept that long hours make it impossible to get a body and mind to match what you have on paper</li></ul><p>This podcast is not for you if:</p><ul><li>You have no interest in being your best version</li><li>You're happy to stay in love with excuses and identities that weigh you down</li></ul><p>Welcome. I'm honoured to have you here.</p><p><i><b><strong>Chris</strong></b></i></p><p><i><em>If you ever have any questions on the podcast: you can contact me directly on instagram </em></i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><i><em>@_ballantyne</em></i></a><i><em> / </em></i><a href="https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow"><i><em>https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne</em></i></a><br /><br />Work with me: <a href="https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm</a></p>episodicChris Ballantynechris.ballantyne.training@gmail.comyes<![CDATA[Nutrition Red Flag: Your Diet Has a Name]]>If your diet has a name, it's usually a red flag.


In the legal and finance world we operate on facts. If something doesn't sound right, we test it until we get to the truth. But when it comes to our own health, it's easy to run on the wrong set of assumptions. You put the effort in, don't see results, and start to believe your metabolism is broken, your body is broken, or age has got the better of you.


In this episode I break down why there's nothing special about any diet with a fancy name, and the principles that actually matter.


Why "eat less, move more" is like telling a trader to buy low and sell high. How your body uses carbs, fat and even muscle as fuel. Why a surplus from any food ends up mostly as body fat. Why an energy deficit doesn't mean weight loss on the scale, and how you can even gain weight while in one. And why you need to detach emotionally from the scales.


WORK WITH ME

I help lawyers and high performers restructure the way they train, eat, think and live, so they can come off autopilot and finally get a body and mind to match what they have on paper.


Apply here: https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm


CONNECT WITH ME

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisballantyne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne

]]>cc2e530e-a0c9-4b32-b204-8be63fb06512Sun, 18 Oct 2026 18:55:05 GMT<p>If your diet has a name, it's usually a red flag.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the legal and finance world we operate on facts. If something doesn't sound right, we test it until we get to the truth. But when it comes to our own health, it's easy to run on the wrong set of assumptions. You put the effort in, don't see results, and start to believe your metabolism is broken, your body is broken, or age has got the better of you.</p><p><br /></p><p>In this episode I break down why there's nothing special about any diet with a fancy name, and the principles that actually matter.</p><p><br /></p><p>Why "eat less, move more" is like telling a trader to buy low and sell high. How your body uses carbs, fat and even muscle as fuel. Why a surplus from any food ends up mostly as body fat. Why an energy deficit doesn't mean weight loss on the scale, and how you can even gain weight while in one. And why you need to detach emotionally from the scales.</p><p><br /></p><p>WORK WITH ME</p><p>I help lawyers and high performers restructure the way they train, eat, think and live, so they can come off autopilot and finally get a body and mind to match what they have on paper.</p><p><br /></p><p>Apply here: <a href="https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm</a></p><p><br /></p><p>CONNECT WITH ME</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne</a></p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@chrisballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@chrisballantyne</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne</a></p>no00:08:5514Nutrition Red Flag: Your Diet Has a Namefull<![CDATA[5 Gym Time Savers for Lawyers & Slammed Professionals]]>Time is always the biggest hurdle people mention to me when it comes to why they aren't in the shape they want.

"I don't have an hour, so I can't train." It feels good to say. But how long does good quality training actually take?

In this episode I break down how lawyers and other slammed professionals can get real results from 20 to 30 minutes on the gym floor, even with a turbulent schedule.

I share how I trained every morning while working at a US law firm in London, plus the exact time savers I use with my clients.

We cover:

  • Why the one hour rule is a myth
  • The one thing that actually drives results: hard sets per week
  • Building your training around your life, not the other way round
  • Finding your windows and making logistics work for you
  • 5 time savers: supersets, combo sets, drop sets, rest pause and myoreps
  • The 5 most common mistakes busy people make in the gym

Chapters
00:00 Time is the biggest excuse
00:24 The one hour myth
01:44 What actually matters
02:28 Build training around your life
04:02 Find your 20 to 30 minute windows
04:23 Pick the most convenient gym
04:45 My morning routine in the city
07:31 5 time saving techniques
08:21 Supersets
09:52 Combo sets
10:27 Drop sets
11:35 Rest pause
11:57 Myoreps
13:30 5 common mistakes
17:26 Key takeaways
19:53 How I help

Work with me: https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm
Instagram (DM me here): https://instagram.com/_ballantyne
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@chrisballantyne
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne

]]>e771dc43-c639-40bb-adfb-088883fde7e4Fri, 09 Oct 2026 11:00:00 GMT<p>Time is always the biggest hurdle people mention to me when it comes to why they aren't in the shape they want.</p><p>"I don't have an hour, so I can't train." It feels good to say. But how long does good quality training actually take?</p><p>In this episode I break down how lawyers and other slammed professionals can get real results from 20 to 30 minutes on the gym floor, even with a turbulent schedule. </p><p>I share how I trained every morning while working at a US law firm in London, plus the exact time savers I use with my clients.</p><p>We cover:</p><ul><li>Why the one hour rule is a myth</li><li>The one thing that actually drives results: hard sets per week</li><li>Building your training around your life, not the other way round</li><li>Finding your windows and making logistics work for you</li><li>5 time savers: supersets, combo sets, drop sets, rest pause and myoreps</li><li>The 5 most common mistakes busy people make in the gym</li></ul><p>Chapters<br />00:00 Time is the biggest excuse<br />00:24 The one hour myth<br />01:44 What actually matters<br />02:28 Build training around your life<br />04:02 Find your 20 to 30 minute windows<br />04:23 Pick the most convenient gym<br />04:45 My morning routine in the city<br />07:31 5 time saving techniques<br />08:21 Supersets<br />09:52 Combo sets<br />10:27 Drop sets<br />11:35 Rest pause<br />11:57 Myoreps<br />13:30 5 common mistakes<br />17:26 Key takeaways<br />19:53 How I help</p><p>Work with me: <a href="https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm</a><br />Instagram (DM me here): <a href="https://instagram.com/_ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://instagram.com/_ballantyne</a><br />YouTube: <a href="https://youtube.com/@chrisballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://youtube.com/@chrisballantyne</a><br />LinkedIn: <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne</a></p>no00:20:25135 Gym Time Savers for Lawyers & Slammed Professionalsfull<![CDATA[The 5 Pillars I Coach to Get Life Changing Results Despite Limited Time & a Demanding Job]]>On paper, you're doing well. The title, the money, the career. But your body and mind haven't kept up.

In this episode I break down why most high performers stop getting results. It isn't discipline. It isn't time. It isn't motivation.

You put the work in, you don't see a return, so you stop.

I walk you through the 5 pillars I coach my clients on, including CEOs, senior partners and founders (all with hectic jobs, busy lives and limited time):

  1. Intelligent Training
  2. Fueling for Performance
  3. A Courageous Mindset
  4. Emotional Confidence
  5. Environment for Growth

Get these in place and you finally get a body and mind to match the career.

Chapters
00:00 What a body and mind to match your career isn't
02:14 Why you're not getting results
04:11 The 5 pillars
04:54 Pillar 1: Intelligent training
10:10 Pillar 2: Fueling for performance
15:02 Pillar 3: Courageous mindset
18:45 Pillar 4: Emotional confidence
20:02 Pillar 5: Environment
22:36 How to implement
23:51 Get in touch

Work with me: https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm
Instagram (DM me here): https://instagram.com/_ballantyne
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@chrisballantyne
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne

]]>ef5e5aa6-07b8-41ce-a611-6be788adb027Wed, 07 Oct 2026 14:32:11 GMT<p>On paper, you're doing well. The title, the money, the career. But your body and mind haven't kept up.</p><p>In this episode I break down why most high performers stop getting results. It isn't discipline. It isn't time. It isn't motivation. </p><p>You put the work in, you don't see a return, so you stop.</p><p>I walk you through the 5 pillars I coach my clients on, including CEOs, senior partners and founders (all with hectic jobs, busy lives and limited time):</p><ol><li>Intelligent Training</li><li>Fueling for Performance</li><li>A Courageous Mindset</li><li>Emotional Confidence</li><li>Environment for Growth</li></ol><p>Get these in place and you finally get a body and mind to match the career.</p><p>Chapters<br />00:00 What a body and mind to match your career isn't<br />02:14 Why you're not getting results<br />04:11 The 5 pillars<br />04:54 Pillar 1: Intelligent training<br />10:10 Pillar 2: Fueling for performance<br />15:02 Pillar 3: Courageous mindset<br />18:45 Pillar 4: Emotional confidence<br />20:02 Pillar 5: Environment<br />22:36 How to implement<br />23:51 Get in touch</p><p>Work with me: <a href="https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm</a><br />Instagram (DM me here): <a href="https://instagram.com/_ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://instagram.com/_ballantyne</a><br />YouTube: <a href="https://youtube.com/@chrisballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://youtube.com/@chrisballantyne</a><br />LinkedIn: <a href="https://linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne</a></p>no00:24:0812The 5 Pillars I Coach to Get Life Changing Results Despite Limited Time & a Demanding Jobfull<![CDATA[Rejected 40 Times. Got the Dream Job. Then Left. Why?]]>This podcast very nearly didn't happen. My inner perfectionist managed to frustrate the process for a year.

In the first episode of Work in Progress, I tell my own origin story. How I got here. Going from a state school kid in the North East with a "gifted" label, to teenage lostness, to the City, to building my own business.

Along the way, apparent "failures" kept turning out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

We cover:

The rejections that sent me to Cyprus at 22, and how a split second decision shaped my whole life

Being at the centre of the Cyprus banking crash, and how it set up my career in restructuring

UK and US firms, then the trading floor at Deutsche Bank. On paper, the perfect path I never dreamed of

Resigning, and why I left

How I was scared and it took meeting a hollywood idol to insulate me from the fear.

The first bad month in business, and slowly discovering out my self worth was tied to external results and had been for a long time.

Why high performers go "all or nothing": 100% feels safe, 0% feels safe, 50% feels off

What Work in Progress really means, and why the work on yourself is never "finished"

If you're putting the effort in but not seeing the results, or not feeling the way you want to feel, this one is for you.


WORK WITH ME

I help lawyers and high performers restructure the way they train, eat, think and live, so they can come off autopilot and finally get a body and mind to match what they have on paper.

I work with high performers around the globe, from senior lawyers, to unicorn founders, to those taking some time out.

Apply here: https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm

CONNECT WITH ME

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisballantyne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne

]]>bfa87edd-8648-4354-8598-371e9697b182Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:57:47 GMT<p>This podcast very nearly didn't happen. My inner perfectionist managed to frustrate the process for a year.</p><p>In the first episode of Work in Progress, I tell my own origin story. How I got here. Going from a state school kid in the North East with a "gifted" label, to teenage lostness, to the City, to building my own business.</p><p>Along the way, apparent "failures" kept turning out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.</p><p>We cover:</p><p>The rejections that sent me to Cyprus at 22, and how a split second decision shaped my whole life</p><p>Being at the centre of the Cyprus banking crash, and how it set up my career in restructuring</p><p>UK and US firms, then the trading floor at Deutsche Bank. On paper, the perfect path I never dreamed of</p><p>Resigning, and why I left</p><p>How I was scared and it took meeting a hollywood idol to insulate me from the fear.</p><p>The first bad month in business, and slowly discovering out my self worth was tied to external results and had been for a long time.</p><p>Why high performers go "all or nothing": 100% feels safe, 0% feels safe, 50% feels off</p><p>What Work in Progress really means, and why the work on yourself is never "finished"</p><p><b><strong>If you're putting the effort in but not seeing the results, or not feeling the way you want to feel, this one is for you.</strong></b></p><p><br /></p><p>WORK WITH ME</p><p>I help lawyers and high performers restructure the way they train, eat, think and live, so they can come off autopilot and finally get a body and mind to match what they have on paper.</p><p>I work with high performers around the globe, from senior lawyers, to unicorn founders, to those taking some time out.</p><p>Apply here: <a href="https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://zavqq9pe1sd.typeform.com/to/JYw3isVm</a></p><p>CONNECT WITH ME</p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/_ballantyne</a></p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@chrisballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/@chrisballantyne</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ballantyne</a></p>yes00:34:0311Rejected 40 Times. Got the Dream Job. Then Left. Why?full