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 of Choosing Leadership, Fredrik Meurling—CEO of Yazen Health—shares what it really takes to lead a fast-growing healthcare startup without losing your soul (or your sanity).

We talk about the tension between passion and metrics, why sustainable results matter more than vanity numbers, and what happens when leadership shifts from “doing everything” to building leaders around you.

Fredrik offers an honest look at scaling in a heavily regulated industry, navigating uncertainty, and staying mission-driven when the pressure is on.

If you’re a founder or leader wrestling with growth, energy, and impact, this conversation will feel uncomfortably familiar—in the best way.

You can find Fredrik Meurling at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrik-meurling-2477421/
• https://www.yazen.com/

In the interview, Fredrik shares

• “I’ve always been drawn to early- and mid-stage companies—the energy, the uncertainty, and the challenge of finding real product–market fit.”
• “What hooked me about startups wasn’t the title or the metrics; it was the adrenaline of building something that didn’t exist yet.”
• “Healthcare isn’t just another industry—you’re dealing with regulation, culture, and real human lives, all at the same time.”
• “At Yazen, we don’t see obesity as a simple calorie problem; it’s a complex disease that requires a holistic solution.”
• “Medication alone isn’t the answer—sustainable weight loss only happens when lifestyle change and coaching are part of the journey.”
• “Our North Star metric is sustained weight loss, because if we get that right, the revenue follows.”
• “Leadership, especially as a CEO, is a constant exercise in knowing when to lean in and when to let go.”
• “As the company grows, my job shifts from doing the work to creating the conditions where others can lead.”
• “Scaling across Europe forces you to balance speed with responsibility—especially in a regulated healthcare environment.”
• “Great leadership isn’t about being ‘on’ all the time; it’s about managing your energy so you don’t burn out while building something meaningful.”

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.

This episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to lead with integrity in a world obsessed with shortcuts.

Prashant Issar shares how purpose, grit, and an almost stubborn commitment to his values helped him build businesses that actually change lives—not just balance sheets.

If you're wrestling with culture, scaling, or staying true to your word when the pressure is suffocating, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air.

You’ll hear how inclusivity, long-term thinking, and courageous leadership can become your unfair advantage.

Tune in and walk away with the kind of clarity that makes you rethink what you’re building—and why it matters.

You can find Prashant Issar at the links below

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/prashantissar/
• mallika@aimil.com

In the interview, Prashant shares

• “Leadership isn’t a title—it’s a choice to step into courage and vision every single day.”
• “Integrity isn’t negotiable. When everything is falling apart, your word is the only anchor that keeps your team together.”
• “Purpose-driven leadership outlasts profits, trends, and even the leaders themselves.”
• “Inclusivity isn’t charity—it’s good leadership. When you bet on people, they bet on you.”
• “If your business doesn’t stand for something bigger, it won’t stand for long.”
• “Scaling a company is easy. Scaling culture is where most leaders fall asleep at the wheel.”
• “Hire people who believe in your mission—not people looking for the next shiny thing.”
• “Challenges are temporary. Human connection, experience, and dignity are forever.”
• “Legacy isn’t built in boardrooms. It’s built through the lives you elevate along the way.”
• “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, 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.”