Daniel Ashville: The Real Reason I’m Starting Again | EP55
About this episode
Daniel Ashville joins Talkin’ Shop for a more structured conversation about what success really means—peace of mind, simplification, and learning from losses. The hosts dig into why people curate only wins online, how social media and timing can complicate decisions, and why doing well can make you most vulnerable to mistakes. Daniel then pivots to his St. Lucia plans: recurring revenue, long-term property value, and the logistics of building and shipping everything in.
After one of our most talked-about episodes, Daniel Ashville returns to Talkin’ Shop to share what’s really happened since—and how he’s rebuilding from the ground up. In this follow-up, we go beyond the highs to unpack the reality behind Ashville’s journey. From tough lessons and hard resets to a bold new chapter in St. Lucia, Daniel opens up about the decisions that changed everything, both in business and personally.
This isn’t just an update. It’s a raw look at what it takes to come back stronger: letting go of what no longer works, refocusing on what matters, and rebuilding with clarity, control, and purpose.
We explore the mindset shift behind Ashville’s comeback, why stepping away became necessary, and the risks and vision driving the new St. Lucia project. It’s an honest reflection on success, failure, and the lessons that only come with experience. If you watched the first episode, this is the next chapter you’ve been waiting for. And if you’re navigating your own challenges in business, this one will hit home.
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Daniel Ashville
https://www.youtube.com/@thisisashville
https://www.instagram.com/daniellouisy/
https://www.tiktok.com/@daniellouisy
https://www.facebook.com/DanielAshvilleLouisy/
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YouTube videos mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL6GM0DyNSU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Kzn6t5pAg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZzcrpokOoI
gel test kit
"See diagnostic technician. See now I've got this gel test kit. Mate, I, when I see someone parked up for their break, I'm like, mate, you're over there."
A “gel test kit” is a small testing kit a mechanic uses to check something about the vehicle. The gel helps show results quickly, so you can figure out what the problem might be.
A “gel test kit” is a diagnostic tool used to check a vehicle’s fluids or system condition using gel-based test media. In a workshop or roadside context, it helps technicians quickly confirm what’s going on before deeper troubleshooting.
truck stop
"I'd be driving around with the kick in the back of the car, like pulling up in truck stops, like a plug in, man."
Truck stops are places on the road where truck drivers pull in to rest and refuel. If a truck has a problem, it’s also a convenient spot to get help.
Truck stops are dedicated roadside facilities where commercial drivers park, refuel, and rest. They’re also common places for quick assistance or on-the-spot diagnostics when a truck has an issue.
regen
"But if you get a warning light, you let me know. Yeah. Need a regen."
“Regen” is short for an emissions clean-up process. On many diesel trucks, it periodically burns off soot so the exhaust system can keep working properly.
“Regen” usually refers to a diesel exhaust aftertreatment regeneration cycle, where the vehicle burns off soot trapped in the emissions system. It’s commonly triggered when the system detects soot buildup and can require specific driving conditions to complete.
40 lorries
"And it's a valid question. What took you so long? You're running 40 lorries and we're there guessing what's wrong with it."
“Lorries” means trucks. If someone is running 40 of them, it’s a whole fleet, so delays or troubleshooting take on bigger importance.
“Lorries” is a UK term for trucks. Running “40 lorries” implies a fleet operation, where maintenance and diagnostics need to be efficient because downtime affects many vehicles at once.
lorry
"we still go to huge national organizations and we're like, where have you been? What rock [2224.3s] have you been living under to not have it? So, you know, yeah. And what it does [2230.3s] as being the owner of a business, like it's twofold here because it's like [2236.4s] you're providing your staff with the right kit to do it. And it means that I actually know what's [2242.0s] going on. Because sometimes, like with a bit of kit, like, I don't know, you might have not, [2249.5s] you might have not, you might have turned the lorry on, you didn't wait for those three clicks to hear the computer"
A “lorry” just means a truck. It’s the big vehicle people use to move goods, and the speaker is talking about working on that kind of vehicle.
A “lorry” is a British term for a truck—typically a heavy-duty vehicle used for transporting goods. In this context, it’s the kind of vehicle the speaker’s business supports and diagnoses.
diff locks
"you might have not, you might have turned the lorry on, you didn't wait for those three clicks to hear the computer [2254.7s] kick in and you might have just turned it on too fast at one time or something happened. [2260.1s] You pressed the window and the diff locks were in or something's happening. You've got a warning [2264.8s] light on. I could just plug in and clear it. Transparency. Yeah. I know what's going on."
“Diff locks” means forcing the wheels on an axle to turn together. It helps when you’re on slippery ground, but you shouldn’t use it all the time because it can change how the vehicle drives.
“Diff locks” refers to locking the differential so both wheels on an axle rotate together. This improves traction when one wheel would otherwise spin, but it can affect handling if used incorrectly.
warning light
"You pressed the window and the diff locks were in or something's happening. You've got a warning [2264.8s] light on. I could just plug in and clear it. Transparency. Yeah. I know what's going on. [2270.8s] And I can look after my kit myself."
A “warning light” is the dashboard light that tells you something isn’t right. Usually it means the truck has detected a problem and needs checking.
A “warning light” is an indicator on the dashboard that alerts the driver to a fault or system status. In modern trucks, it often corresponds to a stored diagnostic trouble code that can be read with a scan tool.
plug in
"You've got a warning [2264.8s] light on. I could just plug in and clear it. Transparency. Yeah. I know what's going on. [2270.8s] And I can look after my kit myself. It's like, it's worth every penny."
“Plug in” means connecting a computer to the truck to check what’s wrong. It can also help reset the fault after the issue is fixed.
“Plug in” here means connecting a diagnostic tool to the vehicle’s onboard computer to read and clear faults. It’s a common workflow in professional truck diagnostics.
learning curve
"It just didn't take so long. It's part of the learning curve. Of course it is. [2282.5s] Yeah, 100%. So I'm not pointing any fingers, but some manufacturers,"
A “learning curve” is just the time it takes to get better at something. In this case, it means getting used to the tools and how to diagnose problems correctly.
A “learning curve” is the period where someone gets up to speed and makes mistakes while building skill. Here, it describes the time it takes to become proficient with the diagnostic kit and procedures.
OEM
"but there is, there is like from the manufacturer you put, because it's the OEM, [2332.1s] sometimes you get the naivety of they know what they're doing. I need to put my full faith in [2337.2s] them."
OEM means “Original Equipment Manufacturer”—the company that built the vehicle or its main systems. The speaker contrasts OEM guidance with independent diagnosis, implying OEM tools/approaches can be more “plug-and-play.”
ad blue injector
"All right. What we're going to do, we're just [2347.7s] going to change the ad blue injector. That's four grand. And then we drove to the yard. We want this [2353.1s] much per mile. And then two days later, I didn't work."
The “AdBlue injector” sprays a special fluid (AdBlue) into the exhaust to help clean up diesel fumes. If it stops working, the truck can throw warning faults and may need a costly repair.
The “AdBlue injector” is part of a diesel emissions system that injects AdBlue (urea) into the exhaust to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx). If it fails or clogs, the truck can lose emissions compliance and trigger expensive fault conditions.
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