Your Cents’ Worth is a monthly series that explores inspiring stories of accounting and bookkeeping firm owners who are building their dream firms and a life they love. 

Nick Sinclair, the CEO of TOA Global, has accomplished something many people only dream of—losing significant weight while running a highly successful business. Nick’s journey, which led to him shedding 40kg in ten months, is inspirational.

Financial Cents recently spoke with him, and he shared his story, motivations, and how he balanced the demands of his business with his health goals.

Early Influences and Business Beginnings

Nick Sinclair’s journey to a health-conscious, successful entrepreneur is deeply rooted in his early life experiences.

Growing up, he was more inclined towards sports than academics, which shaped much of his early years. “I was much more into sport growing up than academics,” he recalls happily.

This passion for sports instilled in him a sense of discipline and determination, which would later prove invaluable in his business and personal life.

One of his most significant turning points was his parents’ financial downfall. “My parents lost everything when I was 18. They went bankrupt,” he shares. This wasn’t just a financial setback but a life-altering event that taught Nick vital lessons about business and resilience. His parents’ business failure was influenced by poor financial advice. “They didn’t get the advice they needed from their accountant. Their accountant did their tax returns and work, but they never had structuring advice or asset protection.”

Witnessing his parents’ struggles, Nick realized the importance of comprehensive financial planning and advice. This realization became the catalyst for his career in the financial services industry. “That was an early thing for me that got me into financial services,” he notes. Nick was driven by a desire to ensure that no one else had to endure the hardships his parents endured.

The Genesis of TOA Global

His entrepreneurial journey began with founding his own financial planning and accounting firm. Despite the initial success, scaling the business presented significant challenges, such as long hours, insufficient profits, and difficulty finding talent.

Nick realized the potential of outsourcing during a leadership conference in the Philippines. “I happened to be in the Philippines for a global leadership conference with an organization called Entrepreneurs Organization, and one of our members had a back office there,” he recalled. “I went and looked at it, and it just blew my mind. This is my answer to scale”

Nick’s ability to see the potential in outsourcing and his willingness to adapt quickly was crucial to the growth of his firm. “I call it the young and dumb or entrepreneurial moment where I had an extra 20 seats, and I thought, well, if I said yes, the revenue I’ll get from those will pay for my office costs and some of my team costs. I’ll be covering some of my firm’s costs. So yes,” he explained.

Today, TOA Global is a thriving business with over 4,000 team members, recruiting 150 to 200 people monthly and serving 1,100 clients across five main countries. Nick’s decision to pivot from running his firm to building a talent solutions powerhouse has paid off remarkably. “We’ve got clients in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK,” he said proudly. “And we continue to grow and fall in love with helping accounting firms to get the resources and leverage they need.”

The Turning Point

Despite his professional achievements, Nick’s health was deteriorating. “For many years, I’d use the excuse that business and family were my focus,” he admitted. The reality of his situation hit him during a visit to the doctor. “The doctor said if you don’t make some changes, we’re going to have to give you medication,” Nick recalled. This warning was a wake-up call, but the final push came from an unexpected source—Tony Robbins.

Nick was initially skeptical about attending Tony Robbins events. “I reluctantly went to one of his events. I thought he was this American rah-rah guy, and I’d heard all the negatives about it,” he admitted. However, his perspective changed dramatically once he experienced the event. “It just blew my mind that the problem was that I wasn’t living a full life. I was living a compartmentalized life, trying to be the best family man, husband, and dad while also running and growing a global business across five to six countries.

The event made Nick realize that he couldn’t effectively fulfill his roles at work or home without his health. “My health is going to be something that if I don’t have it, I won’t be alive to be able to do those other two things. I can’t make an impact in the business, and I won’t be a dad, and I won’t be a husband if I’m not alive,” he reflected.

This epiphany led Nick to take immediate action. He began by setting clear goals and sought guidance from experts. “I went and got a coach because I didn’t want to have to learn what food to eat and what exercise to do on my own,” he explained. The structure provided by his coach, Zach Mason, was crucial. “He gave me that playbook, I followed it, and he checks in on me daily. Suddenly, the results happened. It’s not coincidental.”

It’s also worth noting that Nick’s transformation was not only physical but also psychological. “The actual losing weight is not the hard part. It was the decision that, you know what, you need to stop making excuses and do something about it,” he emphasized.

The Weight Loss Journey

A combination of determination, structure, and support marked Nick’s weight loss journey.

His daily routine is meticulously planned to incorporate exercise and proper nutrition. “I’m training for an Ironman Triathlon at the moment, so run, swim, bike, and gym,” he detailed. “Three times a week, I’m going to the gym, I’m running three times a week, and every single day, I’ll either be at the gym, running or riding.” His commitment to exercise is unwavering, making it a non-negotiable part of his day.

In addition to his structured exercise regimen, Nick’s approach to nutrition plays a significant role in his weight loss journey. He employs a house manager to prepare his meals, ensuring consistency and adherence to his dietary plan. “I have the same lunch every day, the same dinner every night. I’m very structured in my food.”

This level of discipline helps him stay on track and avoid common pitfalls.

One of the key strategies Nick uses is calorie control and flexible dieting. “The great thing with the structure that I’ve been put in place with my coach around this was I still eat chocolate daily,” he revealed. By allowing himself small indulgences within a controlled calorie limit, he avoids the extreme restrictions that often lead to failure.

“I have a donut every Saturday. I love sweets, so I haven’t taken them away; I’ve just got structure around it now.”

Nick’s experience with weight loss was not without its challenges. He referred to his past attempts as the “yo-yo diet,” where he would lose weight only to gain it back. “I’ve yo-yo dieted for the last 20-something years—lost weight, gained weight, lost weight, gained weight,” he admitted. The difference this time was the sustainable approach provided by his coach and the psychological commitment to long-term change. “I’ve learned that you just can’t take things away and out of your life that you enjoy because you won’t continue to do it,” he emphasized.

Impact on Professional Life and Team

The changes in Nick’s health influenced the professional environment at TOA Global. “People have noticed how I look now and the increased energy I bring to my role,” he said. This transformation has reinforced the importance of health and well-being within the organization, inspiring others to prioritize their wellness.

His commitment to structured time management also contributed to his positive impact on his professional life.

He has balanced work and personal health by delegating responsibilities and focusing on critical tasks.

“I’ve become good at managing my diary,” he stated. I’m a lot more structured now, and I’m just healthier and have more energy.” This transformation has benefited him personally and improved his ability to lead and inspire his team effectively.

Balancing Business and Health

For Nick, this approach involves a clear delegation of tasks and responsibilities. He employs a structured system where each team member knows their role and contribution to the business’s success. “We have a great team that is employed to do specific roles. So each of us has our part on the team, and if we do that, then we’re not going to have to be stretched thin,” he shares passionately.

Efficiency in managing his time also allowed him to integrate his fitness routine seamlessly into his busy schedule, thanks to his assistant, who plays a crucial role in this, handling emails and managing his diary to maximize his productivity. “I have someone who owns my time, and her role within our organization is to maximize my time and the work that I’m doing. This helps me to focus only on the most critical tasks.”

For example, Nick’s mornings often start early with calls or meetings, but he always finds time for his fitness regimen. “Like this morning, I’ve been on US calls from 4:50, and tomorrow, I’ve got a webinar at 4 am,” he noted. Despite such a busy schedule, he ensures that he engages in physical activity, whether running, biking, or hitting the gym. “Tonight or this afternoon, I’ll run for an hour and a half and then walk 40 minutes,” he detailed.

Advice for Others

“Move from operator to owner.”

Drawing from his experience, he emphasizes the importance of transitioning from an operator to an owner mindset.

This transition involves building a business that doesn’t rely solely on the owner for every decision, allowing more time to focus on strategic planning and personal health.

Another piece of advice he shared is the value of having a support network. Whether it’s a coach, a mentor, or a team, having people who can provide guidance and hold you accountable can make a significant difference.

“I went and got a coach because I didn’t want to learn what food to eat and what exercise to do on my own.”

​​Finally, Nick encourages others to embrace a holistic approach to life, ensuring that all areas—business, family, and health—balance. “I think that for me, it was just psychological around getting my head around all areas of my life that needed to be under control, not just success in some areas.”

Want to be like Nick?

“If you become complacent, you have 41 kilos of extra weight like I did or more,” he warned.

Whether it’s shedding weight, growing a business, or simply finding a better balance, Nick’s experience offers valuable lessons for everyone.

All you just need to do is start. Take that first step and keep moving forward.