What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Climb Greater Heights?
The story behind the story is my life. I didn’t write Climb Greater Heights because it was a clever business move. I wrote it because life demanded it of me—and so did my clients. I was born in Gostivar, a small town in the Republic of North Macedonia, where I grew up amidst illness, bullying, and uncertainty. Then came war. At nineteen, I was conscripted into the Yugoslav army to fight in a conflict I despised. Fourteen months later, I was alive—but broken. My mother, desperate to save me, borrowed money to put me on a one-way flight to London.
By the age of twenty, I was homeless, sleeping on the streets of a city that felt both merciless and full of possibility. I had to rebuild myself from the ground up. I worked three, sometimes five jobs, to pay for university. I graduated with honours, built a successful career in information technology, and managed multi-billion-pound transformation programmes. But in 2009, after redundancy shook my foundation, I knew it was time to climb a different mountain. I kept working in tech while building my coaching, training, and speaking business. In 2014, I published my first book, A Path to Wisdom, which became an instant bestseller and award-winner.
That journey was full of impossible mountains to climb—but each ascent prepared me to guide others up their own. What inspired me wasn’t only my battles—going from nothing to building a seven-figure, purpose-driven business, creating a vision to inspire a billion people, and helping others start, grow, and scale their businesses. It was also the people I’ve served along the way: the lawyers and doctors, the CEOs on the brink of burnout, the scientists and financiers, the entrepreneurs chasing success but losing themselves, and the countless men and women yearning to live extraordinary lives.
Publishing my ideas gave me a platform: over 1,000 TV, radio, podcast, and magazine interviews; global stages like TEDx, the United Nations, Cranfield University, Rotary International, and the London Business Show; and recognition with international awards for both my books and my work. It led to co-creating and featuring in the award-winning documentary Living My Illusion and serving as executive producer of The Truth About Reading. It allowed me to go from zero to building a global brand, profile, and partnerships, and generating millions doing what I love. And it proved to me that business can be a force for good. After more than 28,000 hours of coaching, training, consulting, and mentoring, I’ve witnessed breakthroughs that defy logic. I’ve come to see that we all share the same hidden summit: the need to rise above fear, doubt, and limitation—and to discover who we truly are.
This book is not a theory. It is a lived truth. It contains the frameworks, philosophies, and hard-won lessons that transformed my life and the lives of my clients—from billionaires and CEOs to struggling entrepreneurs and aspiring visionaries who once thought they were broken beyond repair. I know what it feels like to be lost. I also know what it takes to find yourself again.
At its heart, Climb Greater Heights is a love letter to human and business potential. It’s a roadmap for those who dare to rise higher: to become authorities in their field, to build influence, credibility, and trust, to publish their work, to create prosperous and sustainable businesses, to navigate the disruption of AI, and to avoid becoming just another statistic of entrepreneurs who gave up too soon.
And if I’m honest, it’s also a promise I made to my younger self—the boy who felt invisible, the young man who slept on the streets, the dreamer who refused to quit—that his struggles would one day become a light for others. That is the story behind the story.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Climb Greater Heights, what would they be?
“Man in the Mirror” – Michael Jackson
Because real transformation begins not with the world but with the self. Legacy Builders—those who look beyond profit to lasting impact—know that changing the reflection in the mirror is how you change the world.
“Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor
Yes, it’s iconic. Yes, it’s cliché. And yes, it’s perfect. This is the anthem of the Warrior in all of us—the client pushing through fear, doubt, and resistance. The fight is real, but so is the victory.
“Don’t Stop Believin’” – Journey
Visionaries are sustained by faith in what others cannot yet see. For the dreamers, entrepreneurs, and leaders ready to expand, this is the soundtrack that reminds them: hold on to that vision—it will carry you through.
“It’s My Life” – Bon Jovi
Unapologetic. Defiant. Alive. This is for the Climber—the archetype of resilience and mastery—who dares to take ownership of their destiny and live it on their terms.
“Boulevard of Broken Dreams” – Green Day
Raw, haunting, and honest. This is for the Seeker—my younger self, the boy who walked through war, homelessness, and despair only to find hope and create a global mission. Sometimes the loneliest roads lead to the most extraordinary destinations.
“Fix You” – Coldplay
Tender yet powerful. This belongs to the Healer within us all—the one who turns wounds into wisdom, pain into forgiveness, and brokenness into growth. It’s the quiet force of transformation that underpins every story I share.
“Stronger” – Kanye West
Because every fall, every scar, every setback sharpens the blade. This is the heartbeat of Climb Greater Heights: the unshakable truth that what doesn’t break you makes you unstoppable.
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
For me, reading is not random—it’s a toolkit. Every book sharpens my intellect, expands my leadership lens, deepens my wealth consciousness, or strengthens my ability to help others climb their own greater heights.
Now, is it the same as my favourite genre to write? Not exactly. My reading stretches wide: psychology, neuroscience, business, leadership, philosophy, wealth building, and explorations into AI, consciousness, and the future of humanity. But my writing is focused on creating transformational non-fiction that blends science, philosophy, spirituality, and practical frameworks to help people rise above limitations and thrive in the eight key areas of life.
That said, I also love writing poetry, and I’m passionate about developing scripts for future documentaries and films, where I can tackle bigger questions—how AI is reshaping human behaviour, consciousness, leadership, and entrepreneurship; how loneliness, authenticity, relationships, and healing are evolving in our modern age; and how philosophy and spirituality can guide growth in a disruptive world.
At the core, inspiration, growth, and solutions are the heartbeat of my writing—whether it’s a business framework, a meditation on consciousness, or a poem meant to stir the soul. And yes, fiction is on the horizon, too. Because for me, writing isn’t about sticking to one genre—it’s about giving shape to ideas and solutions that transform lives, businesses, and the future we’re building together.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
My TBR pile is always eclectic because my work lives at the intersection of human behaviour, business, leadership, wealth, and technology. Right now, I’m diving into:
- Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari – a re-read that challenges me to think about how AI, robotics, and biotech are reshaping work, identity, and the future of leadership.
- The Gene by Siddhartha Mukherjee – because to help people heal and perform at their highest, I want to understand human potential at its deepest level.
- Principles by Ray Dalio – a masterclass in systems thinking, decision-making, and wealth building.
- AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Lee – essential reading to stay ahead of how AI is disrupting industries and redefining human value.
- The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday – timeless wisdom that keeps me grounded, especially when coaching leaders under immense pressure.
- Climb Greater Heights (my own) – I revisit it often, because each time I teach or coach, I uncover new dimensions within the frameworks I created: the 12-Step Growth Accelerator Method®, the Octagon of Excellence®, and the Values Clarification & Alignment Process®.
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle – because presence isn’t just a spiritual practice, it’s the ultimate leadership tool.
- Good to Great by Jim Collins – a classic reminder that enduring greatness requires timeless leadership principles.
And truthfully, my TBR is never just about my personal reading—it often includes manuscripts from my clients, many of whom are leaders and entrepreneurs writing their own books. Helping them shape their message is as inspiring as anything I’ll find on a bestseller list.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
Each chapter of Climb Greater Heights is a world of its own. But if I had to choose one that was the most profound to write, it would be Chapter 1: “Your Voids Determine Your Values, Value, and the Size of Your Vision.”
Why? Because it reveals a timeless truth at the very heart of human behaviour. Neuroscience tells us our brains are wired to seek equilibrium—where there is a void, the mind creates a drive to fill it. Psychology shows us that our greatest longings and unmet needs don’t just wound us; they sculpt our values and set the direction of our vision. And philosophy, from Aristotle to Nietzsche, whispers the same lesson across the centuries: greatness is often born from the wound.
I know this not as theory, but as lived reality. At twenty, homeless on the streets of London, my life was an ocean of voids: no safety, no belonging, no stability, no sense of worth. Yet those very voids became the fuel that ignited my hunger to learn, to grow, and to serve. Without them, I would not have clawed my way from despair to managing billion-pound technology programmes—and eventually to my true calling as a teacher, author, and coach.
I see this same pattern reflected in my clients. A cardiologist once confided that his true void wasn’t financial—it was freedom and impact. Once he owned that, he broke free from hospital bureaucracy, built a thriving private practice, and rebalanced his life. A billionaire client discovered that despite his wealth, his greatest void was love and connection. Facing that truth gave him permission to rebuild his marriage and deepen the relationships that money could never buy.
That’s why Chapter 1 is both deeply personal and universally human. It’s not a clever idea—it’s a fact of life. Our voids are not curses; they are compasses. They don’t just show us what is missing—they point us to what matters most. They define our contribution, expand the size of our vision, and ultimately shape the legacy we leave behind. For me, writing that chapter was like charting the genesis of every breakthrough I’ve ever witnessed—whether in myself or in those I’ve served. It’s the place where pain turns to purpose, where wounds give birth to wisdom, and where the climb truly begins.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
Yes, I absolutely have quirky writing habits. My desk is less of a workspace and more of an altar—a sacred space where science, soul, and symbolism meet.
I always begin by lighting a candle. It’s not just for ambience; it’s my way of reminding myself that every word I write must be a light for someone who may be sitting in darkness. Beside it sits my lucky solar-powered Chinese waving cat, surrounded by golden coins and the Tree of Life. Its steady, endless wave reminds me that abundance flows when we open ourselves to receive—that growth is eternal, and that energy, like sunlight, never runs out.
I keep a favourite mug of mountain tea nearby, along with freshly made juices that change with my mood and needs: sometimes celery, lemon, mint, and ginger for clarity and cleansing; other days beetroot, lemon, and ginger for grounding and strength. These juices are like liquid creativity—alive, vibrant, and nourishing. Just as I blend raw ingredients into something healing, I also blend life’s raw experiences—joys, traumas, triumphs—into words that I hope can inspire, transform, and endure.
And here’s the most intimate part: when I write, I imagine conversations with the people who shaped me. With my mother, who always knew I would one day be a writer. With my father, who believed I would excel whether I remained in my senior technology career or chose the path of entrepreneurship. And with my younger self—the boy who felt invisible, the young man who slept homeless on London’s streets, the dreamer who once wondered if he’d ever climb his way up.
Writing to them keeps me honest, compassionate, and practical, so that every page can meet someone else where they are.
So yes, my writing process is a ritual of light, symbols, and nourishment: a candle flickers, a golden cat waves, a fresh juice fuels me, and the voices of my past listen as I write words meant to help others climb their own greater heights.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
I believe our deepest voids are not curses, but callings. They reveal what we value most and give birth to the size of our vision. My philosophy is simple: transform your pain into purpose, your setbacks into stepping stones, and your vision into a legacy. When I lost everything and found myself homeless in London, I realised I had two choices: let the voids consume me, or use them as fuel. Those very voids became the reason I valued education, resilience, contribution, and ultimately service to others.
Science, psychology, and ancient wisdom all echo the same truth: energy never disappears, it transforms; pain shapes our values; the wound is where the light enters. Every challenge is also an invitation. Every perceived weakness hides the seed of greatness. And every void points us toward the vision we are meant to create. That’s the backbone of Climb Greater Heights—and of my life. Mastery doesn’t come from avoiding pain, but from transforming it into purpose, impact, and legacy.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
If readers remember one thing after reading Climb Greater Heights, I want it to be this: life is not random—it’s designed. And when you align your voids, your values, your vision, and your actions, you can consciously design the life, business, and legacy you long for.
Every chapter is a step on that climb:
In Chapter 1, you discover how your deepest voids shape your values.
In Chapter 2, you learn to reprogram your mind so you stop recycling the same patterns.
By Chapter 3, you have the 12-Step Growth Accelerator Method —a map for scaling both life and business.
From there, you define your philosophy, clarify your purpose, learn to transform pain into solutions, publish your ideas, build partnerships, master sales, publicity, and even unleash philanthropy. What I want readers to feel is possibility—that even if they’re standing where I once stood, homeless, lost, or simply unfulfilled, they can follow these steps and create a future bigger than anything they’ve imagined. I want them to realise that the same process I’ve used to help billionaires, cardiologists, entrepreneurs, and leaders transform their lives is accessible to them too.
So if there’s just one thing to remember, let it be this: you already have within you the raw material—your pain, your talents, your questions, your longings. This book is your toolkit for turning it all into prosperity, purpose, and a legacy worth leaving.
