More · John Donaldson

Explore

The massive problem and injustice here is after committing to making a change and enlisting expert help... you thought were paying for a seat at the table, but it turned out to be a extortionate seat in the audience.

My initial intention for this document was to quickly put some comparisons together for you and keep it neutral. However, the planned 30-mins became 4+ hours and my stance has now shifted to I absolutely cannot sit back and allow you pay anything else! And even regardless if you choose Yieldschool or not... the process of me fully assessing entire situation and putting this all together I also must insist you push for this refund and play hardball. I have still made a comparison but before that I wanted to unpack what we were discussing about your faith in masterminds first.

⁠

From our chat today I can tell you’ve definitely proven the “average of five people etc.” saying and your local entrepreneurial mastermind dynamic has made you operate at a higher level.

This got me thinking about what actually is a genuine “mastermind” and what is going on that influences change and how it happens... my thoughts are:

A true mastermind requires consistent meetings with the same small group over an extended period.

regular and consistence exposure in person

physical presence is crucial and allows energy/state transfers to rewire you.

depth and range of emotions... witnessing times where confident, or problem solving, fearful, passionate. Not just highlights.

exposure to higher standards, what’s possible or expectations raising baseline of normal subconsciously.

close, tight group as pressure fades as group gets larger or less familiar. Can flow freely

encouraging while also challenging if needed

behaviour shifts trigger identity shifts which can happen over months if not years.

then of course theres the benefit of knowledge exchange or network intros

Napoleon Hill's defined a mastermind as a small group of people who come together in a spirit of harmony with a shared definite purpose, and through that alliance create something greater than any individual could alone. I know he talks about the mental mastermind too but I think the most impact comes from a physical one. Key ingredients: small group, physical presence, shared purpose, harmony, and consistent collaboration.

What I’m observing is due to the great experience you’ve had with mastermind dynamics previously you’re thinking: why not try and repeat that.

And even though you’re very disenchanted with DM experience so far “maybe the gold/platinum would unlock those comparable mastermind benefits?”

Is that fair?

Unfortunately, the word "mastermind" has been thrown around so loosely in the online education space in recent years all meaning has been lost.

There’s barely anything “mastermind” about what’s going on. (By the way, I also wouldn’t call Yieldschool a mastermind - however, school is legitimate).

(After getting far too deep in this) my previous distaste with DM has really intensified due to saying all the BS at once.

Now the whole Mastermind Pro and Mastermind Premium structure feels obscene and so cheap and cheesy.

The DM setup is just broadcasting content to groups with very few 1-1 interactions happening. Zero “mastermind” aspects at all, other than mental/learning.

It’s basically an online course platform with live lessons and basic community features bolted on. Portraying themselves as a “Mastermind” status is grossly disingenuous.

It’s completely obvious that calling it a mastermind is marketing language designed to justify the price point by borrowing the prestige of a concept they're not actually delivering.

The miami meetup could loosely qualify as a community with shared interest. That's about it.

If you're being extremely generous, the Miami weekend could be called a brief mastermind experience - a few days of proximity with like-minded people. But I feel it’s more akin to a Tony Robbins event where energy could be super high and meet some great people but 3-days can’t rewire anything.

With the amount of people (strangers) there and intermittent schedule there’s not much space for any deep, genuine interactions. You could definitely meet some high-calibre guys there but it’s not like a true business mastermind where everyone is leading in their one field, they’re going there to learn and social, so not going to be able to provide you with any greater insights than mentors should be doing.

Essentially... even if you do remain with DM - I beg of you PLEASE to not pay anything else!

The $25,000 so far gave you a premium online course with various group sessions.

Yes you gain knowledge but this is only beneficial so far as you know how to apply it - this is where bespoke expert advice should come in.

But the expert guidance promised is pretty much just a texting-based mentor... who is spread too thin + unable to give you adequate time and energy.

Therefore, veers you towards group calls or sends videos rather than sitting down 1-1 and ultimately what should be rapid progress and ROI at that price is severely stunted.

Then what really pushes me off the edge is they want to charge you another £20,000+ for Platinum to join the “VIP group”.

All that is extra is a is 2 more group calls to watch and a WhatsApp group to join (which I think is just to make people feel special).

£45,000+ down and still no focused, consistent support.

⁠

Review of Mastermind Premium deliverables ($25k)

⁠

20-March-2026-Mostafa Benamri Agreement.pdf.jpg

⁠

Copy of 6-months

Copy of 6-months

Feature / Line-item

Assessment

Dynamic

Image

Market Intelligence sessions (twice a month)

Nov 2025 forecast big impact, but often super high-level/general. Definitely still beneficial, but limiting a broadcast to 6-months?! Feels shady & done to drive renewals.

Group Audience

21-March-2026-Recordings Decentralized Masters.jpg

Mentor cell access for “tailored educational support”.

Awesome in theory + gives comfort. “Cell access” too vague because can only text, not call. Not fast responses. Tailored is not wording I’d use.

Framed as bespoke but 1-1 rare & directed to group sessions or given a video.

45+ hours p/w live mentor access “Ask anything, anytime”.

The most misleading deliverable. Feel bloated number to appear valuable. In reality there’s just a bunch of crowded zoom calls going on.

Group Audience. Legitimate manpower constraints but already stretched.

12 Institutional Grade Deep-Dive Reports (produced bi-weekly)

Decent niche reports but no strategy, just facts. Also not that regular (March 29, Dec 8).