This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, Mark Rampolla pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to leave the comfort of corporate life and build a business—and a life—on your own terms.

He shares the unfiltered truth about dancing with bankruptcy, rediscovering purpose, and learning that freedom isn’t a future milestone but a present-moment choice.

Together, we explore how self-awareness, curiosity, and intentional living can transform not just your work, but your entire relationship with leadership.

Mark’s journey from Zico Coconut Water to becoming an investor reveals the mindset shifts that separate leaders who feel trapped from those who feel truly liberated.

If you’re ready to rethink success and design a life you don’t need an escape from, this conversation is exactly what you’ve been needing.

You can find Mark Rampolla at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksrampolla/
• https://www.markrampolla.co/

In the interview, Mark shares

• “Freedom doesn’t show up after the exit—it begins the moment you choose differently.”
• “Leaving corporate wasn’t a leap of logic for me; it was a leap of self-respect.”
• “Entrepreneurship isn’t about a perfect idea—it’s about a relentless desire for autonomy.”
• “Everything changed when I stopped filling my calendar and started aligning it with who I wanted to become.”
• “Success without self-awareness is just another form of imprisonment.”
• “You don’t build freedom in the future—you build it in the choices you make right now.”
• “Corporate life taught me efficiency; entrepreneurship taught me who I really am.”
• “If you’re not curious, you’re not growing—and if you’re not growing, you’re not free.”
• “The biggest risk I took wasn’t leaving my job—it was learning to trust myself.”
• “Leadership is simply choosing—again and again—to live aligned with your values, not your fears.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, Hanim Dogan Jain takes you on a journey from humble beginnings across two cultures to building a multimillion-dollar company grounded in purpose, grit, and heart.

She breaks down the difference between self-confidence and self-worth—and why most leaders mix the two up at their own expense.

You’ll hear how embracing her roots, trusting her inner voice, and leading with authenticity reshaped not just her career, but her entire identity.

Hanim also opens up about blending spirituality with business, and why inner peace might just be your most underrated leadership advantage.

If you’ve ever questioned your value, your path, or what leadership really demands, this conversation will recharge you and challenge you in all the right ways.

You can find Hanim Dogan Jain at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanim-doganjain/
• https://pa-capitalpartners.com/

In the interview, Hanim shares

• “Self-confidence comes from what you achieve; self-worth comes from who you already are.”
• “Leadership isn’t a title—it’s the courage to show up as your truest self.”
• “Growing up between two cultures didn’t divide me; it expanded my empathy and strengthened my identity.”
• “Education is the one asset no one can take from you—my father called it a ‘golden bracelet,’ and he was right.”
• “Entrepreneurship, at its best, isn’t about money—it’s about uplifting communities and contributing to something bigger.”
• “Authenticity and vulnerability aren’t weaknesses; they are the real engines of power in leadership.”
• “I didn’t build a multimillion-dollar company because I had everything—only because I believed I could create something meaningful.”
• “Balancing spirituality and business isn’t a contradiction; it’s the key to leading from a place of inner peace.”
• “Female founders don’t need permission—they need equitable opportunities and a system that finally sees them.”
• “True leadership begins the moment you stop waiting for external validation and start trusting your inner worth.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, Tom Alexander flips the script on what modern leadership really demands, showing why the old “command-and-control” playbook keeps failing today’s workforce.

We dive into the mindset shift leaders must make if they want to build organizations where people feel energized, purposeful, and proud of the work they do.

Tom shares hard-earned wisdom from moving between government, entrepreneurship, and fatherhood—and how those experiences shaped his belief that action beats perfection every time.

You’ll hear why optimism is a practical leadership tool, not a fluffy one, and how embracing uncertainty can actually unlock your team’s potential.

If you’re ready to lead with more courage, clarity, and heart, this conversation will give you the spark you’ve been looking for.

You can find Tom Alexander at the links below

• https://www.holisticindex.com/
• tom@holisticindex.com.

In the interview, Tom shares

• “Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a choice we make every single day.”
• “Environments change, industries change, but the heart of great leadership never does.”
• “People don’t just want a job anymore—they want their work to matter.”
• “Uncertainty isn’t an excuse for inaction. Leaders move even when the path isn’t crystal clear.”
• “Sustainable cultures are built when leaders balance organizational goals with genuine care for people.”
• “Optimism isn’t fluffy—it’s a strategic advantage in a world that won’t stop shifting.”
• “Adaptability is no longer optional. The faster the world moves, the calmer leaders must become.”
• “Remote work proved something big: when you trust people, they almost always rise to the occasion.”
• “Sometimes leadership is as simple as seeing right and wrong with the clarity of a child—and acting on it.”
• “Human potential is the greatest asset in any organization; the boldest leaders design everything around it.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, you’ll meet Dr Julian Nesbitt, a GP-turned-tech-entrepreneur who refused to accept the broken state of mental healthcare and decided to rebuild it from the inside out.

He shares how spotting a simple but painful gap in patient access led him to create a platform that’s now transforming mental health support across entire countries.

Leaders will appreciate his raw honesty about resilience, hiring the right people, and learning to step back so the vision can scale.

His story is a masterclass in reinventing yourself, embracing discomfort, and using technology to solve real human problems.

If you’re navigating growth, change, or the weight of big decisions, this conversation will give you both clarity and courage.

You can find Dr Julian Nesbitt at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-julian-nesbitt-648445110/
• https://www.dr-julian.com/

In the interview, Dr Julian shares

• "I wasn’t meant to be doing what I do today — I’m living an impossible life, reinvented multiple times over."
• "The biggest gap I saw as a GP wasn’t expertise, it was access — people were waiting far too long for the help they needed."
• "Technology isn’t just a tool; it’s the bridge that finally connects patients to timely, personalized mental healthcare."
• "Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster, but resilience and learning by doing are what keep you on the ride."
• "Bring people together who complement each other — that’s the real engine behind meaningful innovation."
• "Scaling a company means stepping back from the day-to-day and stepping into the bigger vision."
• "Our mission is simple: try and help as many people as you can, wherever they are in the world."
• "AI-driven tools can democratize mental healthcare and bring support to communities that have never had access before."
• "Cold-water skiing and reiki keep me grounded — balance fuels my ability to lead and create."
• "Comfort is the enemy of greatness. Mediocrity is a choice, and so is excellence."

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, Mallika Kapur pulls back the curtain on what leadership actually looks like when you stop chasing approval and start focusing on impact.

She shares her unexpected leap from medicine into health tech and how that shift forced her to think bigger, lead bolder, and reinvent herself at every stage.

Mallika talks openly about the loneliness of being a woman leader, the pressure of carrying an entire organization through COVID, and the courage required to keep choosing effectiveness over comfort.

Her insights on prioritization, delegation, and building a team that thinks beyond the small stuff will hit home for anyone feeling stretched thin.

If you’re navigating growth, battling overwhelm, or figuring out how to lead without losing yourself, this conversation will give you a refreshing dose of clarity and fire.

You can find Mallika Kapur at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallika-kapur-7665107/
• mallika@aimil.com

In the interview, Mallika shares

• “Leadership isn’t about approval — it’s about effectiveness, even when you’re the only woman in the room.”
• “I loved my patients, but I realized I couldn’t serve them if I was burning myself out.”
• “Shifting from medicine to health tech opened my eyes to how much bigger the impact could be.”
• “Technology isn’t a luxury in healthcare — it’s the only way to close the massive demand-supply gap.”
• “As a leader, your superpower is knowing what’s non-negotiable and what must be delegated.”
• “My MBA humbled me — regression nearly killed me — but it expanded my world.”
• “During COVID, my biggest responsibility wasn’t just survival — it was protecting every livelihood in my organization.”
• “Leadership gets lonely, especially for women, but loneliness isn’t a reason to shrink.”
• “If your team keeps obsessing over the small things, your company stays small too.”
• “Every stage of growth demands that you reinvent yourself — leadership is never a finished journey.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this conversation with Hussein Hallak, you’ll hear a raw, honest look at what it really takes to reinvent yourself when life keeps throwing you into the deep end.

He breaks down how cities, cultures, and circumstances can shape you—and why the courage to keep choosing who you want to become is the real leadership edge.

You’ll walk away with a reminder that resilience isn’t a personality trait but a muscle you build by showing up for the hard moments.

Hussein’s blend of ambition, grounded wisdom, and radical authenticity will challenge you to rethink what “success” actually means.

If you’re navigating change, craving clarity, or trying to lead with more depth and intention, this episode is going to hit home.

You can find Hussein Hallak at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/husseinhallak/
• https://www.husseinhallak.com/

In the interview, Hussein shares

• “Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a daily decision to choose courage over comfort.”
• “Every city I lived in broke me down just enough to rebuild me into someone stronger.”
• “Damascus made me a poet, Dubai made me a businessman, and Vancouver taught me balance.”
• “Resilience isn’t earned in easy times; it’s forged in the chaos we dare to walk through.”
• “I follow what I love, not what pays—authenticity has always been my most profitable decision.”
• “Realistic dreamers chase everything life offers, not the metrics society tells them to care about.”
• “Hardship didn’t harden me—it made me calmer, more empathetic, and more human.”
• “Your culture shapes your lens, but your choices shape your life.”
• “Leadership begins the moment you decide who you want to become and commit to living that story.”
• “Life has more in store for us than we can possibly imagine—if we’re brave enough to ask for it.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, Sam Sykes takes us far beyond boardrooms and into the wilderness, where real leadership is tested—not theorized.

He shares how adventure, risk, and discomfort shaped his journey to building one of the most impactful outdoor education companies in the world.

You’ll hear why he believes mandatory outdoor education could radically transform the next generation of leaders—and what today’s executives can learn from climbing mountains, navigating storms, and leading scared teenagers through tough terrain.

Sam opens up about resilience, conviction, and the routines that keep him grounded when life and business get loud.

If you’re craving a fresh, honest perspective on leadership, this conversation will hit you exactly where you need it.

You can find Sam Sykes at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/samsykes/
• https://samsykesltd.co.uk/sykes-group

In the interview, Sam shares

• “Leadership is the courage to step into uncertainty with conviction, not the comfort of staying where it’s safe.”
• “Adventure teaches you what classrooms can’t: resilience, honesty, and who you really are under pressure.”
• “Great leaders don’t just manage resources—they galvanize belief.”
• “Your mission has to matter more than your fear, or you’ll quit long before the magic happens.”
• “Outdoor challenges reveal the truth: you can do far more than you think when comfort is no longer an option.”
• “Entrepreneurship often starts accidentally, but staying in the game requires obsession and resilience.”
• “If we want confident leaders tomorrow, we need outdoor education today.”
• “Real leadership is less about titles and more about the legacy you leave in people’s lives.”
• “Balance isn’t found—it’s created through routines that ground you and adventures that wake you up.”
• “When life feels heavy, step outside your world. Perspective lives in the places you don’t normally go.”

This is the Leadership Journey series on the Choosing Leadership Podcast.

I believe we all have a lot to learn from each other's stories - of where we started, where we are now, and our successes and struggles on the way. With this series of interviews, my attempt is to give leaders an opportunity to share their stories and for all of us to learn from their generous sharing. If you know a leader whom you would like to see celebrated on the show, please send me a message on LinkedIn with their name.

In this episode, Sumit Gupta sits down with David Lapin to explore what it really takes to lead with depth, purpose, and humanity in a world that’s moving faster than ever.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “keep up” while craving more meaning in your work, this conversation will hit home.

David brings a rare blend of ancient wisdom and modern leadership insight, showing how real influence comes from presence, inner clarity, and authentic connection.

Together, they unpack why so many leaders feel lonely, how to build environments where people feel safe to speak truthfully, and why slowing down might actually accelerate your growth.

If you’re ready to lead with more courage, more soul, and more impact — this episode is your new compass.

You can find David Lapin at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlapin/
• https://lapininternational.com/

In the interview, David shares

• "Leadership is the ability to inspire people to think, act, or feel differently without ever forcing them."
• "Technology can spread information fast, but only human connection can transmit energy and trust."
• "Every person carries a spark of greatness — leadership is helping them uncover it."
• "We're more digitally connected than ever, yet lonelier than we've ever been. Leaders must bridge that gap."
• "Boundaries create safety; barriers create distance. Leaders should know the difference."
• "Ancient wisdom still solves modern problems — if we're willing to slow down and listen."
• "Silence isn’t absence. It’s the space where we hear ourselves clearly enough to lead courageously."
• "Human experiences move slowly by nature — progress only accelerates when we balance pace with presence."
• "If leaders don’t model depth, purpose, and connection, the next generation will never learn how."
• "A thriving future depends on honoring our individuality while eliminating the walls that keep us apart."