This is a conversation for high performers

You’ve Achieved.

Why Doesn’t It Feel Like Enough?

You’ve hit the goals. The money, the title, the respect. But you still wake up restless. What’s next?

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50+

High quality testimonials from industry leaders

1,500+

Coaching sessions delivered every year

100%

Completely customised programs to YOU

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The Hidden Truth

70% of high performing individuals report consistent levels of dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment. (Harvard Business Review, 2024).

Are you one of them?

You don’t need motivation. You don’t need another hack. You’ve already proven you can win. But success doesn’t guarantee fulfillment.

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What This Work Really Is

This isn’t about more achievement. It’s about alignment.

  • Accountability at a level most people can’t hold you to.

  • Clarity around what you actually want — not what culture told you to chase.

  • Alignment so your drive produces meaning, not just trophies.

Who This Is For

This Is For Leaders Who Already Have What Others Want

  • High performers at a crossroads in their careers.

    You’ve reached the top of one mountain and you’re asking yourself: “What’s next?”

  • CEOs who need someone in their corner.

    You’re carrying pressure and responsibility few can relate to, and you want a neutral partner who will challenge and back you without an agenda.

  • High performers who’ve recently sold their business.

    The exit is done, the money’s in the bank, but now comes the harder question: “What do I do with myself?”

  • Mission driven business owners wanting to take their company to the next level.

    You’ve built something solid, but you know it can be sharper, cleaner, and run with less weight on your shoulders.

  • High performers wanting to master themselves.

    You’ve already proven you can perform. Now you want to master stress, pressure, and your inner game, so success feels lighter.

  • High performers whose lives outside of work aren’t at the same level as their business.

    The company’s thriving, but your health, relationships, or sense of fulfillment aren’t keeping up.

Meet Max:

The Personal Development Strategist Chosen by Industry Leaders

Hi, I'm Max Stephens.

what I do works.

And you'll find no more dedicated to you than me.

With over 1,500 conversations delivered annually to industry leaders around the world, from CEOs and top-tier athletes to award-winning creatives. I’ve put my work to the test in high-pressure environments, ensuring they deliver tangible results.

I’m also the author of the bestselling book What the F*ck Do You Actually Want?*—a practical, no-nonsense guide to finding purpose and mastering your life. With over 100 published research articles on personal development and 10+ qualifications, I’ve dedicated my life to understanding what drives high performance behaviour.

What You’ll Experience Working With Me

  • One place where you don’t have to posture.

  • A coach who challenges you as hard as you challenge yourself.

  • Conversations that cut through noise and reach the core.

  • A path from success to fulfillment.

Trusted by Leaders Around the World

Here is some extraordinary praise from extraordinary people

“More Progress in 12 Months Than 3 Years”

My therapist told me I’d made more progress in the past 12 months than in the previous three years. That pretty much sums up the impact Max has had on my life. I’ve worked with coaches, therapists, and read more self-help books than I can count. But I kept falling into the same patterns and negative thinking. Eventually, I started to feel hopeless, like I just couldn’t change things no matter how hard I tried. So when I was referred to Max, I was pretty skeptical. But working with Max has been different. He’s incredibly well read, grounded in science, philosophy and real experience, and he’s not afraid to challenge you when you need it. He helped me see the old habits and thought loops that were keeping me stuck. I’ve started relating to my thoughts differently, built confidence by gradually facing my fears, and shifted my focus in life to what I actually want instead of being driven by fear. To be clear, this hasn’t been easy. There’s been discomfort, doubt, and a lot of work. But thanks to  Max, I’ve finally made progress in areas I thought were impossible to shift.

Duco Von Beauman

Chief Executive Officer - Haymarket HQ

"Max Helped Me Find My Next Chapter"

Working with Max has been nothing short of transformative. When I first engaged him, I was at a crossroads: ready to leave a long career in recruitment but unsure of what came next. Max helped me to clarify where I wanted (in fact, needed) to be, in a completely different space: the wine industry. What started as a fanciful idea to open a cellar door eventually evolved – through Max’s guidance – into launching my own wine distribution business. Thanks to Max’s sharp insight and encouragement, I not only launched this second business but did so having left other unviable options in the dust behind me. Those losses were mitigated before I’d even taken a step in the wrong direction. Max also connected me with invaluable contacts in the industry – some of whom I’m still working with today. Finally, on a personal level, Max stood by me through one of the most difficult chapters of my life. He helped me to navigate intense relationship issues and a near mental breakdown, always maintaining a balance of warmth, empathy, and professionalism.

Sabrina Maddock

Chief Executive Officer - Avanti Search

“Max Brings Clarity and Perspective”

It’s not often you come across someone who has found their calling in life. Max is one of these people. He possesses a sense of curiosity, warmth and discernment that makes others feel at ease and allows him to unlock their potential. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Max to anyone wanting to improve all aspects of their life.

Bradley Chan

Chief Executive Officer - Banna Property Group

"Results That Keep Me Coming Back"

Max’s coaching throughout the year has proven remarkable results through my personal experience and significant outcomes were achieved. Max, a big thank you for your support and commitment in moving me towards my utmost potential. Without a doubt, I will continue to work with you on an ongoing basis and I look forward to our next session.

Domenic Morello

Co Founder & Partner - Nationwide Capital

"Consistent Support for Me and My Family"

I’ve known and worked with Max for many years. I’ve deeply appreciated his consistency and tailored support of my family. He has a great natural sense of reading people’s mind and seeing what’s behind the conversation between us and him. He has the strength of capturing the small details that might affect largely to the issues, as well as getting down to the central point of problems straight away which makes his coaching very effective and efficient. He has supported both me and my sons in our development and always makes himself available to us whenever we have needed. I’m very grateful for all of Max’s coaching and see myself working with him indefinitely.

Henry He

Chief Executive Officer - Medigate Medical Supplies

"Max Helped Me Define My Core Values"

I engaged with Max to try out coaching with a goal to improve some areas of my life. With proper focus and attention we can often improve what we do. I found that through this process Max helped me define my core values and goals, not an easy thing to do and kept me accountable to the journey. Max is very perceptive and helps drill down on what the truth is and makes me accountable to what I really want. I would encourage anyone to do some preliminary sessions to see for yourself what a big difference it can make to your life.

Edward Thirlwall

Chief Executive Officer - Super Easy Storage

"Max’s Coaching Delivers Clarity and Results"

Max I would like to give testimony to the series of Ontological coaching sessions you led with me. They have been deeply insightful and highly effective. The introductory format and written summaries are highly structured and illuminating, helping to crystallize concrete solutions to the specific issue we discussed. I plan to continue with them and will be recommending your service to several of my portfolio company founders.

Chris Barter

Co-Founder & Partner - King River Capital

"Max Helped Me Tackle a Complex Dilemma"

I’ve known Max for 18 months and think he’s a brilliant coach – I had a coaching session with Max where we explored a complex personal dilemma that I had been wrestling with for some time. Max asked thought-provoking questions which helped me to frame the question in a way that allowed me to explore it from different perspectives considering how it was both a threat and an opportunity. After the session I felt empowered to tackle my challenge … and indeed I did!

Shane Edwards

Managing Director - Investment Bank

Want to be the next to share a success story?

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The personal development Roadmap

What Our Journey Together Looks Like

This isn’t guesswork.
 It’s a proven process I walk every client through.

Gather Data

  • Ontological Being Profile - Expose blind spots and unlock your core operating system.

  • Wheel of Life Assessment - Pinpoint exactly where you're thriving and where you're stuck.

  • Values Distillation - Strip away noise and identify what truly drives you.

Program Design

  • Turn data into precise outcomes - Set one year or six month outcomes.

  • Craft a tailored, elite-level program - No nonsense - only what actually moves the needle.

  • No cookie-cutter methods - This is a bespoke system, built around your unique psychology and ambitions.

Set Milestones

  • Identify high-impact starting points - Prioritize steps that create immediate momentum.

  • Lock in structured accountability - Create feedback loops that ensure consistent execution.

  • Engineer early wins - Small victories compound into massive transformation.

Monitor Progress

  • Track and refine your progress - Stay adaptive and course-correct where needed.

  • Retake the Being Profile every six months - Measure deep psychological shifts.

  • Stay aligned with your bigger vision - Achieve milestones along the way to your ultimate one year or six month outcomes.

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Book Your Strategy call now!

You Don’t Need More Success. You Need Fulfillment.

If you’ve made it this far, you already know something’s missing.
Let’s talk. No fluff. No posturing. Just clarity on what’s next.

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