Shows
Leap Academy with Ilana Golan68 Rejections, One Yes: How I Built a $100M Startup Against All Odds | Dan Shapiro | E119After getting laid off from his corporate job, Dan Shapiro launched his first startup, Photobucket Inc. (formerly Ontela), but faced nine months of rejection from investors and no funding. Despite these setbacks, his persistence led to a successful partnership, which later turned sour due to a managerial dispute. He took these lessons and went on to build multiple successful startups, including Glowforge, a $100M company revolutionizing 3D laser printing. In this episode, Dan joins Ilana to share the secrets to startup success, how to navigate entrepreneurial challenges, and what it takes to build a company that not only thrives...2025-08-051h 06Leap Academy with Ilana GolanDr. Josh Axe: From Healing My Mom of Cancer to Building a Multi-Million-Dollar Health Brand | E118Dr. Josh Axe’s passion for health and wellness began when his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis led to chronic health issues after chemotherapy. Inspired by this, Josh pursued natural medicine, which helped her make a remarkable recovery when cancer returned. Years later, Josh faced a spinal infection that left him unable to walk. Doctors predicted permanent disability, but using the same healing mindset and natural methods that saved his mom, he defied the odds. In this episode, Josh joins Ilana to discuss the transformative power of belief, the keys to true health and success, and the secrets behind buil...2025-07-2949 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanSahil Bloom: The 5 Types of Wealth, How to Find True Success and Fulfillment Beyond Money | E117Sahil Bloom was living the "dream" life, climbing the corporate ladder, earning well, and hitting all the career milestones. Yet, he felt unfulfilled. During a conversation with an old friend, he mentioned how he only saw his parents once a year. His friend's blunt remark, "You're going to see your parents 15 more times before they die," hit him hard, forcing him to reevaluate his priorities and reassess his idea of success. In this episode, Sahil joins Ilana to share how to overcome the fear of career transitions, build a life that aligns with your values, and find fulfillment beyond...2025-07-2245 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanChristiana Figueres: Building a Lasting Legacy in Global Climate Action at the UN and Beyond | E116When Christiana Figueres was a young mother, she longed to share her love of nature with her daughters, a love sparked by watching golden toads shimmer like coins under the moonlight in a Costa Rican forest. Hoping to show them this rare beauty, she returned to the same park, only to learn that the species had gone extinct due to rising temperatures. That moment ignited her mission to leave a better planet for her children. In this episode, Christiana joins Ilana to share her journey to becoming a United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary and leading global climate efforts...2025-07-1557 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanGaryVee: The Mindset That Took Me from Zero to Multi-Million-Dollar Success | E115Being scrappy wasn’t just a choice for Gary ‘Vee’ Vaynerchuk; it was his only way forward. After years of growing his family’s wine business, he was left with nothing of his own. With no money to rent an office or hire employees, Gary leveraged his grit, relationships, and opportunities to launch VaynerMedia. Overcoming the financial, mental, and emotional hurdles of entrepreneurship, he built his company into a multi-million-dollar media empire. In this episode, Gary joins Ilana to reveal the mindset and strategies you need to overcome obstacles and build your own multi-million-dollar business.
Gary V...2025-07-0840 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanMatt Abrahams: How to Conquer Anxiety and Lead Powerful Conversations Under Pressure | E114Matt Abrahams's passion for communication was shaped by his parents during his childhood. In the corporate world, he noticed that great ideas often went unheard because people were too anxious to speak up, particularly in high-pressure situations. Realizing that fear, not a lack of ideas, was the barrier to success, Matt made it his mission to help individuals overcome anxiety and communicate with confidence. In this episode, Matt joins Ilana to share his top techniques for managing public speaking anxiety and how you can transition from rambling to speaking with clarity, confidence, and impact.
...2025-07-0142 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanFrom Singing in Parks to Selling Out Arenas: AJR’s Adam Met on Building Success from Scratch | E113As a teenager performing on New York’s streets and parks, Adam Met never imagined selling out arenas nationwide. Alongside his brothers Jack and Ryan, he formed the band AJR, playing for hours each summer while learning to capture the attention of indifferent passersby. A single tweet to Sia changed everything, launching their breakthrough. Balancing music with demanding academic work and nonprofit leadership, Adam mastered the art of building an engaged fan base that is driven to action. In this episode, Adam joins Ilana to share insights from his new book, Amplify, which blends his experiences in music and cl...2025-06-2449 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanFrom Near Bankruptcy to a $745M Exit: The Raw Truth Behind Kass & Mike’s Entrepreneurship Journey | E112Kass and Mike Lazerow’s entrepreneurial journey began with a leap of faith and a lot of grit. They started Golf.com with funding from friends and family, only to be acquired by a company that later went bankrupt. Forced to raise capital and revive their business against all odds, they quickly learned that entrepreneurship means facing setbacks every day and building the resilience to keep going when it feels impossible. In this episode, Kass and Mike join Ilana to dive into their new book, Shoveling $h!t, sharing the struggles behind their wins, the fears they confronted, and ho...2025-06-1758 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanGretchen Carlson: The Journalist Who Defied Fox News and Exposed Workplace Abuse | E110In 2016, former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson made a bold move that transformed the conversation around workplace harassment. After enduring years of mistreatment, she filed a lawsuit against Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes for sexual harassment. Despite the immense personal and professional risks, this courageous act helped spark the #MeToo movement, giving a voice to countless women who had suffered in silence. Now, through her nonprofit, Gretchen is working to dismantle the silencing mechanisms that allow harassment to thrive in the workplace. In this episode, Gretchen joins Ilana to share how her painful experiences fueled her mission to create...2025-06-0353 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanBreaking the Glass Ceiling: How Adva Amir Became One of the Few Female Airline Captains | E108As a curious eight-year-old, Adva Amir was mesmerized by the cockpit during a family trip, sparking a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. After failing to become a military pilot in Israel, Adva felt broken. Shifting her mindset and picking up the pieces, she moved to the U.S. to pursue civilian flight training. Despite language barriers, naysayers, and grueling hours, she broke into this male-dominated field and became one of the few female airline captains in the world. In this episode, Adva joins Ilana to share insights on chasing your dream, even when the odds are stacked against...2025-05-2751 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanFrom School Teacher to Fitness Icon: What I Wish I Knew Before Quitting My Job | Brian Keane | E107Brian Keane’s journey is a powerful example of embracing change and conquering fear. Originally a primary school teacher in London, Brian realized teaching wasn’t his true calling and made a bold leap into fitness, despite doubts from family and peers. With his mom’s support, he overcame numerous challenges to become a three-time bestselling author, certified strength and conditioning coach, and ultra-marathon runner. In this episode, Brian joins Ilana to share how he tackled fear, turned his career around, and undertook the most daring endurance challenges, including running through the Sahara Desert and the Arctic.
2025-05-221h 05Leap Academy with Ilana GolanTony Khan: Building AEW into a Billion-Dollar Brand and Competing with Wrestling Giants | E106Tony Khan was captivated by sports and wrestling from a young age. After immersing himself in sports analytics, he joined his father’s ventures, using his expertise to build a data-driven team at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Witnessing Fulham’s struggles, Tony saw an opportunity to apply his skills to improve the team and took it. His passion for wrestling ultimately led him to launch All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Despite initial skepticism, Tony’s vision and perseverance allowed AEW to thrive, becoming a major disruptor in the wrestling world. In this episode, Tony joins Ilana to share the power of taking...2025-05-2051 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanTim Storey: Turning Setbacks Into Comebacks and Achieving Unstoppable Success | E105Tim Storey grew up facing financial struggles, family instability, and a devastating loss at a young age. When his father tragically passed away in a car accident, it could have broken him. Instead, Tim leaned on his family for support and drew strength from his faith and community. This resilience led him to become a life coach, eventually earning the title of "comeback coach" for stars like Robert Downey Jr., Charlie Sheen, and Grant Cardone. In this episode, Tim joins Ilana to share the pivotal moments that shaped his life, the power of maintaining a "miracle mentality," and the...2025-05-1539 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanTurning Personal Grief Into a Global Mission for Happiness | Mo Gawdat | E103Mo Gawdat was thriving in his career as Chief Business Officer at Google X, enjoying wealth, success, and a loving family. However, his life took a dramatic turn after the tragic loss of his son, Ali. This loss made Mo realize that happiness isn’t defined by external factors but by how we perceive and navigate life’s challenges. Letting go of everything that once defined success, including his career, Mo reinvented himself as an advocate for happiness, dedicating his life to helping others live with less stress and more joy. In this episode, Mo joins Ilana to share how...2025-05-081h 04Leap Academy with Ilana GolanVenture Capitalist, James Currier: Mastering Network Effects to Scale Your Startup | E102James Currier was born an entrepreneur. Before turning 18, he had launched 18 businesses. After years in corporate jobs, he fully embraced his entrepreneurial calling. He co-founded Tickle, one of the internet’s first successful user-generated platforms, which grew to 150 million users before being acquired by Monster.com for $110 million. Now, as a founding partner at NFX, he invests in high-growth startups leveraging network effects. In this episode, James joins Ilana to discuss the power of network effects in scaling businesses, the key traits of great founders, and how to spot technology windows for timely investments.
Ja...2025-05-0645 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanThe Power of Regret: Daniel Pink on The Unexpected Tool to Unlock Your Greatest Success | E101After studying law, Daniel Pink transitioned into politics, serving as the chief speechwriter for Vice President Al Gore. However, he soon felt unfulfilled and realized his true calling wasn’t in a structured career with defined rules, but in writing. Despite the uncertainty, he made the leap, leaving politics behind to pursue writing full-time. This decision led to multiple bestselling books, including his latest, The Power of Regret. In this episode, Daniel joins Ilana to discuss how embracing regret, rather than avoiding it, leads to profound growth and how we can turn our past decisions into catalysts for a be...2025-05-0145 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHow Dr. John Demartini Crushed Life's Toughest Challenges to Unlock His Full Potential | E100Dr. John Demartini’s childhood was marked by major obstacles, from a severe speech impediment and dyslexia to a rough start in school. Told that he would never read, write, or communicate, he defied the odds. At age 13, he left home and embarked on a journey that would take him from street life to a global career as a human behavior specialist and entrepreneur. In this episode, John joins Ilana to share how he turned adversity into fuel for success, the mindset that led him to create the Demartini Institute, and how he overcame his learning disabilities to become on...2025-04-2954 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanAlex Carter: Negotiate Like a Pro, Powerful Techniques to Unlock Career and Business Growth | E99As a shy kid, Alex Carter struggled to speak up for herself. Her parents’ divorce sparked her interest in advocacy and mediation, which led her to pursue a law degree. Despite facing self-doubt early in her career, Alex bet on herself and built a career as a Columbia Law professor and renowned negotiation expert. Now, she helps others find their voice, advocate for themselves, and unlock career success. In this episode, Alex joins Ilana to share actionable strategies for negotiating with confidence, landing promotions, charging your worth, and scaling a business.Alex Carter is a...2025-04-2453 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanChemi Peres: Overcoming Personal Loss to Build Pitango, Israel’s Largest Venture Fund | E98Chemi Peres’s journey to success was shaped by both professional challenges and personal loss. After losing his job, he felt humiliated and vowed never to face such a setback again. He pivoted to venture capitalism, co-founding Pitango Venture Capital, Israel’s largest venture fund. Despite his success, Chemi experienced the profound losses of both his father and son. These tragedies fueled his drive to honor their legacies through innovation. In this episode, Chemi joins Ilana to share how he navigated grief and adversity, transforming these experiences into a force for lasting impact.Chemi Pere...2025-04-2257 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHow Shai Reshef Is Empowering Refugees and Underserved Students with Free College Education | E96Growing up, Shai Reshef wasn’t the most enthusiastic student, but after earning a master’s degree in Chinese politics, he discovered the transformative power of education. Inspired by a UNESCO report predicting the future lack of access to higher education, Shai decided to act. He sold two businesses, leveraged open-source technology, and partnered with volunteer professors to create University of the People, the world’s first tuition-free, accredited online university. In this episode, Shai joins Ilana to share how the university is empowering over 150,000 students from marginalized communities and offers valuable advice for those seeking to make a meanin...2025-04-1548 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHow Rosanna Pansino Overcame Dyslexia, Risked Everything, and Built a YouTube Empire | E95Growing up with dyslexia and ADHD, Rosanna Pansino struggled to find her career path. After being fired from every job, she found her calling on YouTube, combining her love for baking with nerdy pop culture. Despite financial struggles, she invested her life savings into building her channel, Nerdy Nummies, which quickly became a sensation. With over 14 million subscribers, bestselling cookbooks, and her own product line, Rosanna turned content creation into a thriving business. In this episode, Rosanna joins Ilana to share how she sustains a long-lasting digital career, navigates platform algorithms, and diversifies her entrepreneurial ventures.2025-04-1053 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHow to Win Investors: The Brutal Truth About Raising Capital | Elizabeth Yin | E93After quitting her job at Google, Elizabeth Yin took a bold leap into entrepreneurship by founding LaunchBit, an adtech company. Despite facing challenges with fundraising and customer acquisition, LaunchBit was acquired. Drawing on these experiences, Elizabeth joined 500 Startups, where she invested in early-stage companies. As co-founder of Hustle Fund, she now backs startups focused on speed and execution. In this episode, Elizabeth joins Ilana to share the challenges of starting a business, how she evaluates founders to invest in, and the realities of fundraising in the competitive world of venture capital.Elizabeth Yin is...2025-04-0356 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanLeapCon 2025: Ilana Golan on Taking Bold Risks That Lead to Unstoppable Career Growth | E92After her first startup collapsed, Ilana Golan lost her job, salary, and investment. Feeling like a failure, she spiraled into doubt and uncertainty. But instead of giving up, she made a promise not to be the person who does nothing. That decision led her to reinvent herself and found Leap Academy, a community helping others make bold career shifts. In this 2025 LeapCon, Ilana shares her emotional journey from feeling stuck in her career to becoming an impactful leader. She provides actionable insights for navigating hidden markets, building a personal brand, and growing continuously in your career.2025-04-0135 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanEmmy Nominee, Bastiano Ferrari: From Broke and Sleeping on Beanbags to Building Hollywood Success | E91Bastiano Ferrari’s journey is one of resilience and perseverance against all odds. At just 11 years old, he faced financial hardship when his father lost everything. Despite his family’s disapproval, he pursued his passion for acting, even when it meant sleeping on beanbags and struggling to eat. But with his mother to care for, Bastiano had to pause acting to launch a tech company that ultimately gave him the financial freedom to return to Hollywood, where he earned an Emmy nomination. In this episode, Bastiano joins Ilana to share how resilience and bold decisions shaped his success in both...2025-03-2738 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanFormer Obama Foundation President: How to Lead Through the Toughest Moments | David Simas | E90David Simas grew up in a Portuguese immigrant family in Massachusetts. His mother, who lost two fingers in a factory accident, instilled in him the power of resilience and the importance of community. These lessons shaped his career, from practicing law to advising President Obama on key national issues and eventually leading the Obama Foundation, where he worked with global leaders to promote democracy and address critical global challenges. In this episode, David joins Ilana to share valuable insights on navigating political crises, leading with empathy, and maintaining personal balance during high-stress moments in public service. 2025-03-2555 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanAmy Porterfield: I Quit a Prestigious Job with Tony Robbins and Built a $100M Business | E89Amy Porterfield had a dream job working with Tony Robbins, one of the world’s top motivational speakers and business strategists. But deep down, she wanted to be her own boss. During a high-level meeting, she realized she was on the wrong side of the table, watching entrepreneurs build wealth instead of becoming one. With no plan, no clients, and no backup, she left corporate life and built a $100 million online business. In this episode, Amy joins Ilana to share how she overcame imposter syndrome, depression, and anxiety to create a balanced life and the mindset shift that took he...2025-03-2051 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanStyling Beyoncé, Cher, and J.Lo: Norma Kamali’s Rise from Losing Her Company to Dressing Icons | E88Norma Kamali built a business with her then-husband, but he controlled the money and decisions and even rehired the woman she had fired. Realizing the partnership was toxic, she walked away with just $98. No company. No safety net. No guarantees. Most people would have crumbled, but Norma reinvented herself. Within months, her bold designs took off, attracting lifelong, high-profile clients. Five decades later, she is still shaping the industry. In this episode, she joins Ilana to share how she overcame early setbacks, left a toxic partnership, and built lasting success.Norma Kamali is a...2025-03-181h 05Leap Academy with Ilana GolanIlana Golan: 7 Steps to Unlock Your Zone of Genius | E87Ilana Golan knows what it means to start over. After losing her job, startup, and investment all at once, she faced uncertainty head-on. Instead of settling for what she was merely good at, she uncovered her ‘zone of genius’ and focused on what she truly excelled at. Through this journey, she rebuilt her career and created a system to help others do the same. In this episode, Ilana shares how to identify your strengths, stand out, and take control of your reputation.Ilana Golan is an entrepreneur, board director, and investor in over 100 companies. As t...2025-03-1308 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanDr. Rajiv Shah: Working with Bill Gates, Barack Obama, and More to Tackle Global Crises | E86At just 36 years old, Rajiv Shah got a call from Hillary Clinton. Days later, he was running USAID. Less than a week into the job, a massive earthquake leveled Haiti. He had no time to prepare. He had to act. That was one of many high-stakes bets in his career. From launching a $5 billion vaccine program with the Gates Foundation to fighting Ebola and leading global humanitarian efforts, he has tackled some of the world’s biggest challenges and won. In this episode, Rajiv joins Ilana to share how he makes big bets, leads through crisis, and asks the ri...2025-03-1150 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanIlana Golan: 100X Your Personal Brand and Unlock Opportunity | E85Ilana Golan watched others rise while she felt stuck in her career. Her identity was built around job titles and companies until she lost it all. Realizing she had spent years growing businesses but not herself, she invested tens of thousands to master public speaking and build her brand. That decision led to high-paying keynotes, advisory roles, board seats, and even the sale of her tech startup. In this episode, Ilana shares how she went from feeling stuck to unlocking massive opportunities through public speaking and personal branding.Ilana Golan is an entrepreneur, board...2025-03-0604 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanGrant Cardone: Reinventing at 50 to Build a Multi-Billion Dollar Business from Rock Bottom | E84At just 10 years old, Grant Cardone lost his father. This moment flipped his world upside down. He spiraled into teenage addiction, hitting rock bottom in his mid-twenties. Determined to change, he got clean, mastered sales, and began building wealth. It wasn’t until his fifties, during the 2008 financial crisis, that he realized survival meant growing bigger. That’s when he went all in. He scaled Cardone Capital, grew his brand, and turned his hard-earned lessons into a multi-billion-dollar business. In this episode, Grant joins Ilana to discuss overcoming adversity, embracing reinvention, managing fear in high-stakes investments, and his strategies for...2025-03-0443 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanThis is the LEAP AcademyThe Leap Academy Podcast with Ilana Golan is all about honest and inspiring conversations about what it really takes to leap to bigger things, amazing careers, and craft the life you want.Stories and tips you won't find anywhere else.Ilana speaks with some of the world's most influential people, experts, and thinkers who created incredible careers, had a massive impact, built a reputation, and lived extraordinary lives.Together, we discover the untold truths, the emotions, and important lessons that enabled them to reinvent themselves & leap.2025-02-2702 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanSteph Curry Enterprise: From Receptionist to Driving Business Success for a Sports Icon | Tiffany Williams | E83Tiffany Williams started as a part-time receptionist with the Golden State Warriors, just looking to get her foot in the door. Two weeks later, she was offered a full-time role and quickly rose into business development. In 2015, she led the planning of the Warriors’ NBA Championship parade, an experience that fueled her drive for bigger opportunities. Her work ethic caught the attention of Steph Curry, who personally reached out and brought her on to help build his business empire at Thirty Ink. In this episode, Tiffany shares with Ilana how hunger, resilience, and seizing every opportunity took her from th...2025-02-2730 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanSeth Godin: Turning 800 Rejections into a Roadmap for Success | E82Where most people give up after a handful of rejections, Seth Godin got rejected 800 times by editors before finally making a big break. For him, every “no” was a clue. He adapted and mastered the system, and soon, the same editors who dismissed him were calling him first. His success wasn’t luck or passion. It was built by showing up, iterating, and playing the long game. In this episode, Seth joins Ilana to reveal why most people quit before they succeed, how to market ideas people want, and why smart strategy, not passion, drives real success.2025-02-2537 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanGil Shwed: Building Check Point into a $20B Empire and Defining the Future of Cybersecurity | E81Gil Shwed built Check Point into a $20 billion cybersecurity giant, but it all began with a flaw he spotted as a programmer in the Israeli military. Tasked with connecting classified networks, he uncovered a vulnerability, and the idea for a firewall was born. A few years later, he launched Check Point, betting on internet security before the web even existed. At 26 years old, he took the company public despite his doubts. Three decades later, he stepped down as CEO, having reshaped cybersecurity forever. In this episode, Gil joins Ilana to share how he built a problem-solving mindset, landed game-changing...2025-02-2057 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanToo Broke for Bankruptcy: How Michael Hyatt Rebuilt Success Without Sacrificing His Life | E80After the crash of his company, Michael Hyatt was determined to rise again. Returning to his old publishing firm, he took on a failing division and turned it into the most profitable. His hard work paid off with a massive bonus check. But when he rushed home to celebrate, his wife was in tears. He had put his all in at work, at the cost of his family. That moment changed everything. Instead of choosing between work and life, he found a way to win at both. Now, through Full Focus, he helps others do the same. In this...2025-02-181h 05Leap Academy with Ilana GolanHow I Lost My Company and Built a $500M Business Instead | Brandon DawsonAt 29 years old, Brandon Dawson was on top of the world. He had taken his company public, stood on the American Stock Exchange floor, and rang the bell. He felt unstoppable until his private equity investors sold his company against his will. Most people would have quit, but Brandon learned from this setback, cracked the code to scaling, and went on to build and sell his next company for $151 million. Today, he helps business owners do the same through Cardone Ventures, a $500 million business he co-founded. In this episode, Brandon joins Ilana to share insights on scaling a business...2025-02-1345 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanCraigslist Founder, Craig Newmark: How I Transformed a Simple Email List Into a Billion-Dollar Business | E78After Craig Newmark moved to San Franciso in 1995, he had a simple idea: a mailing list to share local events with friends. It wasn’t fancy and certainly wasn’t meant to change the world. However, as the list grew, people began calling it “Craigslist,” unknowingly naming what would become a billion-dollar digital marketplace. In this episode, Craig joins Ilana to share his journey, from creating Craigslist without VC funding to stepping down as CEO to focus on customer service. He also discusses how his moral compass continues to shape his work, including his mission in cybersecurity and his support...2025-02-1135 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanGaryVee: From Earning $2 an Hour to Running a $350M Digital EmpireGary ‘Vee’ Vaynerchuk was born to be an entrepreneur. At six years old, he was already running a lemonade stand like a boss, later flipping baseball cards for cash. By age 14, he had made thousands when his father put him to work in the family liquor store for $2 an hour. He hated it, but years later, he rebranded the business and scaled it from $4 million to $60 million. Realizing he didn’t own a piece of it, Gary walked away with nothing and started over. Now, as the founder of multiple ventures, including VaynerMedia, and an early investor in Facebook and Tw...2025-02-0646 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanTrent Shelton: Your Pain Has a Purpose, Unlock Its PowerTrent Shelton hit a low point after his NFL career ended, leaving him lost and questioning his purpose. Tragedy struck when his best friend, overwhelmed by his own struggles, took his life. The loss shook Trent to his core. Determined to honor his friend’s memory and empower others facing similar challenges, Trent picked up his phone and began sharing raw, heartfelt videos. These eventually evolved into RehabTime, a global movement helping millions turn pain into purpose. In this episode, Trent joins Ilana to share powerful lessons on resilience, protecting your peace, rediscovering purpose, and the five words that tr...2025-02-0440 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanCrippling Anxiety: How I Beat Panic Attacks to Become a 3x USA Memory Champion | John GrahamJohn Graham went from being a shy, anxious kid to becoming a three-time USA Memory Champion and performing before 400 million viewers in China. Despite these achievements, John faced severe anxiety and daily panic attacks, which led him to confront and release suppressed emotions. Today, he has transformed his struggles into strength, helping others unlock their true potential. In this episode, John joins Ilana to share how he overcame severe anxiety through unconventional methods, the importance of facing your triggers, and the powerful connection between emotional healing and peak performance.John Graham is a three-time...2025-01-3051 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanIf You Want to Have Life-Changing Conversations, Ask These Tough Questions | Topaz AdizesAfter his parents’ divorce, Topaz Adizes discovered the power of connection through the camera. His drive to explore human connection led him to become a filmmaker. From filmmaking to his work with The Skin Deep, Topaz focuses on creating real, vulnerable conversations in a digital world. His viral documentary The And shows how shared space and honest dialogue can deepen relationships. In this episode, Topaz joins Ilana to discuss the art of asking questions that strengthen relationships and how to create space for hard but empowering conversations.Topaz Adizes is an award-winning writer, director, experience design architect, an...2025-01-2859 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanShark Tank’s Matt Higgins: How I Beat Poverty, Loss, and Cancer to Become a Global InvestorMatt Higgins grew up in abject poverty, caring for his sick mother at just 9 years old. At age 16, he dropped out of high school to focus on financial growth, eventually earning his GED and getting into college. While balancing work, life, and caregiving, he lost his mother unexpectedly on the day he began a new job. Despite these challenges, among others, Matt co-founded a private investment firm, RSE Ventures, appeared as a guest investor on Shark Tank, and developed military drones for the U.S. Army. In this episode, Matt joins Ilana to share the many struggles that shaped...2025-01-231h 01Leap Academy with Ilana GolanBluestone Lane Founder: How Nicholas Stone Is Redefining the U.S. Coffee Culture With Zero Coffee ExperienceIt seemed like all was lost after Nicholas “Nick” Stone was cut from three different teams during his sports career. However, he used this setback to transition into finance, eventually founding Bluestone Lane, a successful coffee shop chain. Despite having never made coffee before, his love for the premium coffee culture of his home country, Australia, inspired him to transform the U.S. coffee experience into a more personalized one. In this episode, Nick joins Ilana to share how he transformed an 87% revenue loss into an opportunity for innovation and reinvention, emphasizing his commitment to community, human connection, and exce...2025-01-2155 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanFormer Medtronic CEO: Leadership Secrets for Achieving Success Beyond Profits | Bill GeorgeAfter losing seven elections in college, Bill George realized that leadership is about building relationships and helping others grow. Personal losses, including the deaths of his mother and fiancée, taught him resilience and the value of purpose. Though on track to become CEO at Honeywell, Bill chose a more fulfilling path at Medtronic, focusing on the company’s mission to restore lives. In this episode, Bill takes Ilana through his leadership philosophies and shares lessons on building relationships, leading with values, and prioritizing purpose over profits, which were pivotal in driving Medtronic's success.Bil...2025-01-1659 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanFormer Managing Director of Facebook India, Kirthiga Reddy: How to Seize Life-Changing OpportunitiesKirthiga Reddy’s legacy is built on bold decisions and breaking barriers. Defying cultural norms, she became a top engineering graduate in a society where her mother was denied an education. After moving to the U.S., her career soared, until she took a 40% pay cut to join a startup. That gamble led her to become Facebook’s first employee in India, scaling revenues to millions. She later made history as SoftBank Investment Advisers’ first female partner. Now, as CEO of web3 startup Virtualness, she proves that reinvention and boldness drive transformative growth. In this episode, Kirthiga joins Ilana to ref...2025-01-1447 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHow Lacy Garcia Conquered Financial Fear and Transformed Wealth Planning for AllDespite her background in financial services, Lacy Garcia faced significant financial challenges after her marriage ended. She struggled with imposter syndrome, advising clients on finances while dealing with her own financial issues. Too embarrassed to seek help and unable to find the right advisors, Lacy turned her fear and discomfort into a drive for financial education and empowerment. She founded Willow, a fintech company focused on making financial advice more accessible, especially for those overlooked by traditional services. In this episode, Lacy joins Ilana to share insights on financial literacy, achieving stability and independence, and Willow’s approach to ma...2025-01-0948 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanNeil Patel: From Crushing Failures to Building a Global Marketing EmpireNeil Patel’s story shows how hard work, persistence, and learning from failure lead to success. As a teenager, he started businesses, including building websites, but struggled with ineffective marketing agencies. This pushed him to learn digital marketing, and by 16, he helped a client make $20M, marking the start of his career. After facing challenges with his earlier ventures, he shifted from starting businesses to acquiring and turning underperforming ones into successes. Now, as the founder of NP Digital, he runs a global marketing company that helps businesses grow. In this episode, Neil talks with Ilana about his journey, th...2025-01-0744 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanPeloton VP, Robin Arzón: Surviving a Hostage Crisis and Building a Relentless Fitness BrandA former lawyer turned fitness powerhouse, Robin Arzón’s journey is one of resilience and inspiration. After surviving a traumatic hostage situation in college, she turned to running as a way to heal and challenge herself. She went from casual runs to completing marathons and ultra-marathons. Despite being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Robin refused to let it define her. She embraced the mantra, "Why not me?" and continued challenging herself to achieve more. In this episode, Robin shares with Ilana how she transformed a traumatic experience into a driving force for her life’s purpose, made a bold leap...2025-01-0241 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanNaveen Jain: Turning Audacious Ideas Into Life-Changing InnovationsNaveen Jain believes that no idea is too crazy to pursue. With the right questions and focus, you can turn big ideas into life-changing solutions. After his father's battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Naveen wondered why early cancer detection wasn’t possible. This led him to apply his 'Why me? Why this? Why now?' framework, sparking innovation in early cancer detection and chronic disease management. In this episode, Naveen talks with Ilana about the mindset that drives him to solve the world’s toughest problems. He emphasizes the importance of staying focused, persistent, overcoming failure, and obsessing over solu...2024-12-3156 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanEmpowering 5 Million Entrepreneurs: Making Business a Force for Global Good | Jessica JackleyJessica Jackley grew up with values of generosity and compassion, which inspired her passion for helping others. Initially uninterested in business, she had a life-changing moment after hearing Dr. Muhammad Yunus speak about microfinance. This led her to East Africa, where she saw firsthand how small loans helped entrepreneurs escape poverty. In 2005, Jessica co-founded Kiva, a groundbreaking platform that enables individuals to lend small amounts directly to entrepreneurs worldwide. In this episode, Jessica talks to Ilana about how Kiva redefines the way people think about giving and social impact, the challenges of growing a social impact platform, and the...2024-12-2433 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanFormer Zillow CEO, Spencer Rascoff: Leading Billion-Dollar Startups Through CrisesSpencer Rascoff’s career is a masterclass in navigating crises. After co-founding the travel site Hotwire, the 9/11 tragedy devastated the travel industry. Spencer helped steer the company through this crisis, leading to its $685 million sale to Expedia. He then co-founded Zillow, guiding it through the 2008 housing crash and growing it to a $20 billion market cap. His third venture, Pacaso, a luxury vacation home co-ownership platform, launched just before the pandemic. Despite initial fears about shared spaces, the crisis increased demand for second homes, helping Pacaso achieve unicorn status. In this episode, Spencer shares with Ilana his hard-earned insights on na...2024-12-1947 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanTom Bilyeu: How I Proved Everyone Wrong and Built a Billion-Dollar BrandTom Bilyeu’s journey is a powerful story of transformation, from self-doubt to self-mastery. His early years were shaped by fear of failure, a lack of direction, and doubts from those around him. After struggling to break into the film industry, he joined a startup with the goal of getting rich, but found himself unhappy and in a strained marriage. Taking a leap of faith, Tom walked away from millions to pursue something more meaningful. This gave rise to Quest Nutrition, a billion-dollar company creating nutritious, great-tasting products. Yet, for Tom, wealth was never the endgame. He launched Impact Th...2024-12-1757 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanWistia CEO, Chris Savage: Master the Art of Pivoting, How to Adapt and Grow Against the OddsChris Savage is a master at pivoting. He co-founded Wistia with his best friend in his living room, originally aiming to create an online filmmaking competition platform. When that didn’t work, they shifted to portfolio tools and later to secure video hosting for businesses, which became Wistia’s core offering. Chris wasn’t afraid to turn down major clients like HBO when their goals didn’t align. Despite running a $300k monthly loss and receiving multiple life-changing acquisition offers, he rejected them and took on $17.3M in debt to continue growing the business. In this episode, Chris opens up to Il...2024-12-1252 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanRussell Brunson: From Rock Bottom to $100 Million in 5 Years with ClickFunnelsAt age 12, Russell Brunson was inspired to become an entrepreneur after watching an infomercial about making money. Over the years, he faced massive personal and professional setbacks, from losing 60% of his staff to battling infertility, financial struggles, and nearly going to jail. But instead of giving up, he turned each failure into a lesson, tweaking his approach and ultimately co-founding the multi-billion-dollar company, ClickFunnels. In this episode, Russell shares with Ilana how he transformed his toughest setbacks into the foundation of his thriving business, offering powerful lessons on resilience, success, and the impact of authentic relationships.2024-12-1054 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanNextdoor’s Bryan Power: Turning Big, Scary Opportunities into Career-Defining SuccessKnown for seizing “big, scary opportunities,” Bryan Power has defined his career by embracing risk, adapting to change, and staying focused under pressure. After turning down a promotion at Google for a new challenge at Square, he quickly realized he was in over his head. But it was in facing that discomfort head-on, that he experienced his most significant growth moments. In this episode, Bryan joins Ilana to discuss the importance of tackling challenging opportunities, the practices that lead to career growth, and his unique approach to leadership.Bryan Power is a certified executive coac...2024-12-0547 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanSurviving Lies, Rumors, and Digital Hate: Dan Ariely’s Guide to Thriving OnlineDan Ariely didn’t just accept the hand life dealt him. He turned it into something powerful. After a traumatic burn accident that scarred 70% of his body, he struggled to find his place in the world. This journey led him to study human psychology and behavior, focusing on how people cope with pain and trauma. Later, when false rumors spread about him on social media, Dan chose to understand and empathize with the “misbelievers.” In this episode, Dan joins Ilana to share his journey from personal trauma to professional triumph, exploring how lies, rumors, and "misbelief" take root and affect...2024-11-2850 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHoward Behar, Former Starbucks President: Putting People Over Profits for Lasting ImpactHoward Behar went from making $300,000 a year to working at Starbucks for a third of that. Driven by his passion for the business, he rose to become president of Starbucks North America and later the founding president of Starbucks International, helping grow the company from 28 to over 15,000 stores worldwide. Despite these achievements, Howard faced a deep depression after retiring, prompting him to reevaluate his life’s purpose. He realized that his true calling is to serve and uplift others, with or without a formal title. In this episode, Howard chats with Ilana about redefining purpose after retirement, finding identity be...2024-11-2653 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanLisa Bilyeu: Radical Confidence, My Journey From Housewife to Billion-Dollar BossIn a world that imposes expectations, Lisa Bilyeu is all about defying them. Raised in a traditional Greek Orthodox family, her path was set: get married and raise a family. But after eight years as a stay-at-home wife, she could no longer ignore the inner voice telling her she was meant for more. So, she co-founded Quest Nutrition with her husband and built a billion-dollar business. In this episode, Lisa talks to Ilana about setting ambitious goals, trusting your decisions, and finding self-worth without needing external validation.Lisa Bilyeu is a renowned entrepreneur, bestselling...2024-11-211h 10Leap Academy with Ilana GolanRichard Branson: The Journey to a Multi-Billion Dollar EmpireFrom struggling in school because of his dyslexia to starting a magazine at just 15, Richard Branson has always found ways to turn his challenges into unique opportunities. Even his iconic airline started as a joke when he was stranded in Puerto Rico after his canceled flight. He hired a plane, wrote "Virgin Airlines" on a blackboard, and offered seats to other stranded passengers. Soon enough, Virgin Atlantic was born. In this episode, Richard shares his incredible journey with Ilana, highlighting key lessons on embracing risk, staying resilient, and using challenges to fuel growth and innovation.Sir Richard...2024-11-1222 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanJeff Dudan, Undercover Boss: How I Built a Thriving National Franchise From ScratchJeff Dudan started his first business in college, painting apartments to pay the bills. The business grew beyond his expectations, allowing him to support his younger brother and create jobs for other college athletes. Years later, he moved to South Florida to help with disaster recovery after Hurricane Andrew struck. Having learned to see opportunity in adversity, he started AdvantaClean, which eventually grew into a national franchise. In this episode, Jeff talks to Ilana about spotting hidden opportunities in crises and the mindset shifts that helped him build a successful franchise business to empower others.2024-11-0549 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanTurning Pain into Purpose: How Anne Beiler Built a Pretzel Empire from NothingBefore building a global snack empire, Anne Beiler’s dream was to have her own family like the loving one she grew up in. Like a fairytale, she met the man of her dreams. But years later, she found herself stuck in a place of darkness after tragically losing her daughter and enduring years of abuse. Through this pain, however, Anne found a new purpose. With no money, no formal education, and no business plan, she started the iconic pretzel brand, Auntie Anne’s. In this episode, Anne shares powerful lessons on resilience, leadership, and embracing life’s obstacles.2024-10-0856 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanYour Authenticity is Your Superpower, Master The Art of Authentic Leadership with Scot SafonEarly in his career, Scot was told that he wasn’t “tough enough” for the media industry. He didn’t fit the traditional image of a hard-nosed executive. But instead of changing who he was, Scot embraced his own authentic style of leadership, ultimately proving that enthusiasm and a focus on collaboration are just as powerful for success. He went on to lead groundbreaking marketing campaigns for major networks like CNN and HLN. In this episode, Scot shares his leadership lessons from building a successful career by staying true to himself.Scot Safon is a seasoned media executiv...2024-10-0155 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHow Forbes 30 Under 30 Kira Radinsky Turns Every ‘No’ Into OpportunityFascinated with science as a young child, Kira Radinsky was driven to make a meaningful impact on the world through technology. She faced rejection after rejection while building her first startup, but her resilience paid off when eBay acquired the company. Kira didn’t stop there—she developed AI models that successfully predicted cholera outbreaks in Cuba and today, she continues to push the boundaries of AI and healthcare. As inspiring as her journey is, it’s been far from easy. In this episode, Kira shares the lessons she’s learned about resilience, pushing past rejection, and scaling startups.2024-09-2446 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanThe Woman Who Transformed How We Think About Inclusive Leadership | Sally HelgesenFrustrated by how women’s voices were being ignored in the corporate world, Sally Helgesen started documenting the leadership styles of successful women. Her efforts culminated in the groundbreaking book, The Female Advantage, which changed the course of her career. Despite the uncertainty, Sally left her dream job for the male-dominated space of leadership coaching and speaking. Today, she is recognized as the world’s premier women’s leadership expert. In this episode, Sally shares powerful leadership lessons and offers actionable advice on pushing past fear, dealing with pushback, and staying committed to your mission.Sall...2024-09-1750 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanBrian Tracy: The Unbreakable Laws of Money and SuccessBrian Tracy went from struggling with a series of menial jobs to achieving remarkable sales success. A relentless self-learner, he transformed his life by mastering the science of sales. Then, he dedicated himself to studying, researching, writing, and speaking in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy, and psychology. Today, he is a legendary self-development expert and world-renowned bestselling author. In this episode, Brian shares his top principles and strategies for unlocking your full potential in both life and business.Brian Tracy is the Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International. He is a...2024-09-101h 19Leap Academy with Ilana GolanHow I Built a 7-Figure Business While Working a Corporate Job | Kelly RoachKelly Roach built a seven-figure side hustle before leaving her corporate role. How did she do it despite an intense workload and failed product launches? Strategic planning, smart time management, and an unyielding drive fueled by a childhood embarrassment on the free lunch line. In this episode, Kelly shares her inspiring journey, emphasizing the importance of patience, persistence, and the willingness to take imperfect action.Kelly Roach is a business coach, CEO, podcast host, and bestselling author. Before launching her multimillion-dollar business, she worked at a Fortune 500 company, rising to become its youngest VP. 2024-09-0341 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHunger Beats Talent: Dr. Geoff Smart’s Formula for Hiring SuccessEven when met with skepticism, Geoff Smart pushed forward with his vision to transform hiring through powerful data-driven methods. He created the WHO Method through his leadership consulting firm, emphasizing drive and cultural fit over skills. This approach not only brought success to his clients but also propelled his firm to global success. In this episode, Geoff reveals the key strategies behind the WHO Method, including how to prioritize drive over skills and ensure cultural alignment in hiring.Dr. Geoff Smart is the Chairman and Founder of ghSMART, a top leadership consulting firm serving...2024-08-2757 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanBalancing Entrepreneurship and Motherhood While Building a Billion Dollar Company | Eynat GuezEynat Guez leaped from a comfortable corporate job to co-founding Papaya Global. Despite numerous investor rejections, she stayed true to her vision, proving the market need for her innovative solutions. Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, she turned her startup into a global payroll and HR solutions powerhouse valued at $3.7 billion. In this episode, Eynat reveals the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, underscoring the importance of resilience and adaptability in achieving success.Eynat Guez is the co-founder and CEO of Papaya Global, a leading global payroll platform. She has been recognized among Forbes Israel's Po...2024-08-2049 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanRunning the Sahara, Raising Millions, and Finding Purpose in Prison | Charlie EngleAs Charlie Engle's teenage sons dropped him off at the gates of federal prison, he faced his lowest point. Sentenced to 21 months for mail fraud, he had lost his career, reputation, and freedom. Despite his history of overcoming addiction and running across the Sahara, this challenge was the hardest. Initially consumed by anger and fear, Charlie turned to running daily. He inspired fellow inmates, earning the nickname "Running Man" and forming a running group. In this episode, Charlie reveals the mindset shifts that turned his lowest point into triumph, rebuilding his life post-incarceration into one of influence.2024-08-131h 05Leap Academy with Ilana GolanSiri Co-Founder: Adam Cheyer on Innovation, Persistence, and Timing Big WinsFeeling creatively stifled in his stable but unfulfilling job, Adam Cheyer pursued entrepreneurship, even with his limited business knowledge. He co-founded Siri to realize his dream of a voice-activated assistant and the project was so promising that Steve Jobs called out of the blue. Despite initially turning down his offer, Jobs persisted. Today, Siri is integrated into billions of Apple devices. In this episode, Adam shares the key moments and mindset shifts that turned his vision into reality.Adam Cheyer is an inventor, entrepreneur, and VP of AI Experience at Airbnb. He has founded...2024-08-0642 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanEnding Hunger: How This Accidental Activist Found Her Passion | Ronni KahnImmersed in her privileged life in apartheid South Africa, Ronni Kahn never imagined she would become a leader in the fight against food waste and hunger. She went from one bold leap to the next—leaving a kibbutz in Israel to start from scratch in a new country, then building a successful business only to leave it to start a nonprofit. In this episode, Ronni shares the pivotal moments and challenges that led her to find her true calling, the importance of taking risks, and the powerful impact of small acts of kindness.Ronni Ka...2024-07-3057 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanMarshall Goldsmith, #1 Executive Coach: How to Find Purpose and Meaning in LifeFrom nearly failing out of college to becoming the number one executive coach, Marshall Goldsmith embodies the power of relentless self-improvement. Shaped by harrowing experiences, influential mentors, and Buddhism, he has gained unique perspectives on gratitude, resilience, and purpose, inspiring leaders worldwide to achieve their full potential. In this episode, Marshall Goldsmith shares the importance of finding fulfillment, enjoying the process of life, and avoiding achievement addiction. Marshall Goldsmith is a renowned authority on leadership and coaching for behavioral change. He is also the bestselling author of multiple books, including The Earned Life. He h...2024-07-2340 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanDave Liniger, RE/MAX Co-Founder: How to Disrupt an Industry and Turn Failures to FortunesDave Liniger went from pinching pennies while saving for his first property to owning 21 single-family homes at age 21. Despite fierce opposition and financial turmoil, he implemented an innovative commission system that empowered agents to maximize their earnings. His unique model not only transformed his company into a global real estate powerhouse but also revolutionized the entire industry. In this episode, Dave shares his incredible journey of perseverance, highlighting the principles and mindset shifts that drove him to success.Dave Liniger is the co-founder of RE/MAX, a real estate empire that spans over 115 countries...2024-07-1657 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanHow to Discover Your Niche and Dominate with Entrepreneurs on Fire Host John Lee DumasJohn Lee Dumas went from leading his seniors in the military at 23 to failing at different careers for six years. Although the fear of failure almost held him back, he pushed through and started his podcast at 32. Today, he generates over a million dollars in annual revenue. In this episode, John shares lessons from his journey, actionable insights on overcoming fear, and strategies for entrepreneurial success.John Lee Dumas is the founder and host of the award-winning podcast Entrepreneurs on Fire, with over 160 million total listens. He is also the author of The Common...2024-07-0935 minLeap Academy with Ilana GolanJames Altucher: Finding the Freedom to Start OverAfter selling his first company, James Altucher went from having $15 million in his checking account to a balance of $143 within a short period. Then, he managed to build himself back up and sell another company only to lose it all again. Although he failed many more times, James never let fear stop him from taking action. His commitment to consistent experimentation led him to make several bold leaps, from web development to business, and from finance to standup comedy. In this episode, James and Ilana talk about how he is able to master new skills and reinvent himself quickly...2024-06-111h 00Leap Academy with Ilana GolanThe Leap Academy Podcast: Your New PossibleThe Leap Academy Podcast with Ilana Golan is all about honest and inspiring conversations about what it really takes to leap to bigger things, amazing careers, and craft the life you want.Here you will listen to stories and tips you won't find anywhere else. Ilana speaks with some of the world's most influential people, experts, and thinkers who created incredible careers, massive impact, built a reputation, and an extraordinary life.Together we discover the untold truths, the emotions, and important lessons that enabled them to reinvent themselves & leap. We...2024-05-1403 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanFrom Rejection to Top Disney Animator: Saul Blinkoff’s Tale of TenacityWhat happens when you give up on your dreams and you realize you were 3 feet from gold? This is a story about perseverance, aiming higher and believing in yourself despite rejection.Saul Blinkoff, Hollywood filmmaker and animator shares with Ilana about how he gave himself a second chance and went on to work with companies such as Disney, Dreamworks,Netflix, Amazon, animating for films like Pocahontas Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan Tarzan and so many more!Listen to this inspiring and engaging story and share it with someone who needs inspiration today.2023-10-0350 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanEntrepreneurial Instincts: Gary Beasley's Playbook for Building A Successful CompanyIgnore the naysayers. trust your gut. Take risks, make quick decisions and stay true to your mission. Many times the best entrepreneurs are people that don’t play by the rules. In this fascinating episode Ilana speaks with Gary Beasley, CEO & co-founder of Roofstock about his journey starting and growing a successful company. Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/21ARHuLLiNoMore about Garyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-beasley-956647/A...2023-09-2938 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanLeading Beyond the Boardroom: Finding Connection and Purpose at the Top - Athena ManleyHow do top leaders turn challenges into drive? Is it really lonely at the top? Athena Manley, Chief of Strategy & Staff at Aon and Founder & CEO of @theflexibleceo, who's collaborated with top 10 ASX, Fortune 500 firms, and start-ups, shares with Ilana her passion for impact and gives insight into the mindset that keeps her driven to lead and inspire in the corporate world. More about Athena:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/athena-manley/Instagram: @theflexibleceo2023-09-2722 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanFrom Near Financial Ruin to Podcast Mogul: The Incredible Journey of Gary ArndtHow do you maintain relevance in your career and stay excited about the work you do when the world changes around you? Gary Arndt reveals how he successfully adapted his career in a changing economy. He went on to become an award-winning travel photographer and the host of the 'Everything Everywhere Daily' podcast, which boasts one million monthly downloadsMore about Gary:https://everything-everywhere.com/About Ilana Golan & Leap Academy:Website - https://www.leapacademy.com/2023-09-2620 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanSolo - Building your Portfolio CareerWhy is building your portfolio career mandatory for the future of work?This is a MUST listen.Would you like to learn the 4 steps our clients use to make huge leaps in their careers? Check out my FREE training https://training.leapacademy.com/registerNeed some guidance ASAP? Grab a FREE career coaching session with our team:https://www.leapacademy.com/applyAbout Ilana Golan & Leap Academy:Website...2023-09-2318 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanChanging the Conversation on Depression & Suicide - Mark EliasDepression. Suicide. Are these more common than we think? Are we talking about it enough? Award winning actor and filmmaker Mark Elias is shining the light on these topics with his film Exitus. In this episode Ilana and Mark take a deep dive into the experience of Depression, acceptance and navigating challenges while on the path to success.Mark has worked on series such as on 911: Lone Star and Lucifer alongside actors such as Rob Lowe and Liv Tyler. 2023-09-2125 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanRunning Towards the Most Dangerous Places on Earth - Itai AnghelWhat makes someone go to the most dangerous places on earth?Itai Anghel is a very different correspondent who has to be on the ground. In this episode of the Leap Show Ilana and Itai discuss how to become unstoppable in the face of fear in order to create an impact and align with your calling.Highly recommend to view this specific episode on our YouTube channel:https://youtu.be/5J8MYRKWTlMMore about Itai's work:2023-09-1937 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanFrom Losing Everything To CEO of a Global Publication - Chris DuttonWhen is it too soon to quit on your dreams? For Chris Dutton only death could stand in the way of him and his success.This interview will have you on the edge of your seat as Ilana speaks with Chris Dutton (Founder of The CEO Magazine a Global publication) about true resilience and staying the course even when it seems like everything is lost. Watch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/0rO6b69O2QYMore about Chris:Instagram @officialdutton...2023-09-1325 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanThe Near Death Experiences On the Way to Running a Public Company - Coby HanochHow do entrepreneurs and leaders survive the inevitable near-death experiences of their companies, in order to thrive? Ilana speaks with Coby Hanoch, CEO of Weebit Nano (ASX: WBT) about his career journey and what it takes to grow companies, especially a public company like Weebit.Watch This Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/2d49Zpw7FHE----About Ilana Golan & Leap Academy:Website - https://www.leapacademy.com/Follow Ilana on L...2023-09-1229 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanChuck Garcia: "The Moment That Defines You"From leadership roles in big investment firms to a coach, author and speaker.An incredible personal story with clear takeaways for anyone looking to leap to become the best version of themselves.In this inspiring conversation, Ilana and Chuck Garcia discuss how to lean into life's difficult moments as opportunities for growth and transformation. More about Chuck Garcia:Chuck is a motivational speaker, Amazon bestselling author of A Climb to the Top, and teaches at Columbia University. He is a passionate and accomplished mountaineer who has scaled peaks a...2023-09-0647 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: Garry's Story of Overcoming Limits To Become President & CEOHaving the right mindset is critical for success. We can't avoid obstacles and challenges, but how we handle them makes all the difference. In this episode Ilana speaks with Garry Crossland, President & CEO of GM Quartz about how he set an intention to run a company and used the power of mindset to help him stay the course despite setbacks. Watch This Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/zcz5FdufAKYReady to take the first step to fast-tracking your career? Get access to my free training...2023-09-0110 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanSolo: Dealing with AgeismLet's dive deep into the ugly truth about ageism. It exists and it's not going away. This doesn't mean you have to sit back helplessly as you watch your relevance decrease. Join me as I share some tactics, mindsets, and strategies you can use to rewrite the narrative and turn your age into an advantage, regardless of age-related biases. For more strategies on maintaining relevance and desirability in your career watch my free training: https://training.leapacademy.com/register2023-08-2914 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: Doron's Leap to EVP and Ringing the Bell at NASDAQ!How can you be intentional and strategic about your career?How to experiment and find the career direction that is right for you?In this episode Ilana explores these questions with Doron Simon experienced board member, advisor and expert in Mergers & Acquisitions. Watch This Episode On YouTube - https://youtu.be/-2HG7mA-cZoCheck out the free training that inspired Doron's leap to EVP: https://training.leapacademy.com/registerNeed help asap finding yo...2023-08-2609 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: The Tale Of An IT Agency That Was Acquired For 8-figures!What does it take to start your own agency and bring it to success and acquisition?The wrong strategy can lead to disaster. Lior Klisman Co-Founder of Sentant built his agency to 20+ employees with countless clients including famous VCs. His agency was named one of the fastest growing companies in America by Inc. 5000 and he sold it for 8 figures! In this episode Ilana and Lior discuss what it takes to run a successful company that creates a positive impact for everyone involved. 2023-08-2411 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanFrom Overcoming PTSD to Top Photographer in the World! - Amos NachoumFrom personal trauma to a world-renowned photographer!Ilana sits with Amos Nachoum explorer, wildlife photographer and TEDx speaker in this super inspiring conversation, as they explore:His true career story. Something you will not hear anywhere! The stories behind his many accolades – his book, TEDx, a featured film, and numerous groundbreaking records. Dive in for a tale of resilience, passion, and extraordinary achievements.Watch This Episode On YouTube - highly recommended to see...2023-08-2336 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: The Secret To Overcoming BurnoutWhat is the antidote to burnout? Is it doing less work?According to Jen, Deputy Director at the Gates Foundation, burnout develops from a lack of purpose and fulfillment. Join us as we delve deep into Jen's inspiring story of transformation and massive mindset shifts in her career. You'll hear about how she found Ilana and Leap Academy at her lowest point and how through listening to Ilana's backstory, she felt validation and how, in less than 8 weeks she transformed from someone struggling to wake up for work to...2023-08-2011 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanYasser Zaki - How to Grow a Company Through ImpactIs it possible to run a global company and change people's lives at the same time? Why is aligning with your mission is so critical?For Yasser Zaki, Global CEO at Tender Loving Care, he knew making a difference and changing lives was critical for him. In this episode, Ilana and Yasser discuss what it takes to run a global company while staying true to your mission to help others live a quality life.Yasser Zaki is...2023-08-1729 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: Her 14 Year Old Said...Warning: you may shed a tear!Listen to Glenda who ticked many of the boxes of success in an organization but she needed more.What could that look like?Whats even on the "menu"?Listen to this inspiring story and how this is already impacting her family within a few short months!Ready to take the first step to fast-tracking your career? Get access to my free training here: https://training.leapacademy.com/register2023-08-1527 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: From Individual Contributor to Director at Microsoft!The classic chicken & egg...Most will never break free from that:"You never proved yourself in leadership so why would we give you a chance".Neelay was committed and wanted to change.He knew he wanted the impact and believed he could be a good leader - but needed the proven formula to make it happen and fast-track the journey.In this episode Ilana chats with Neelay to find out how he was able to not only land a dream...2023-08-1510 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: The Leap to C-Suite - What does it take?Yuying Chen-Wynn leaped from VP in a startup to CPO of a public company in 4 months!!What does it really take to get to C-Suite?Dabbling and trying solo doesn't work. What does? In this episode, Ilana chats with Yuying about the limitations of trying to reach success on your own and taking career advice that doesn't support your personal goals. If you are wondering how some executives zoom up the ladder and most stay stuck, then t...2023-08-1217 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: From Tech Manager to Chasing Her DreamWhat would you do if nothing else mattered? If you weren't afraid?These are the questions Cherie Reed had to grapple with before realizing she was living a life of complacency. How did Cherie Reed move from tech to become the owner of Mashup Market, a vegan business franchising now? In this episode Ilana and Cherie discuss the challenges of navigating corporate politics as an individual who wants to create impact and drive change. Cherie describes the moment she realized all her career choices were based on what she believed sh...2023-08-1010 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: Building a Legacy of ServiceWhat else is possible?What do I really want to do next?Tim O’brien had already accomplished a lot but wondered what else is possible.In a very short time, he leaped to found Eighty 20 Partners.Listen to this inspiring story, as Ilana sits down with Tim to discuss how he found the clarity to pivot his career trajectory and make the leap to start his own company. Watch This Episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/5Y6bO32hP7...2023-08-0918 min
Leap Academy with Ilana GolanClient Spotlight: From Dream Role to CEO & AuthorWhat creates the pull to start your own company?When do you decide to follow your passion and when do you play safe?In this episode, Ilana chats with Lisa Litherland, author, speaker and CEO of Social Optics a social communication program that helps teens create a toolkit to elevate their social and emotional well-being. Lisa talks about what led her to leave a high-paying job, with a great culture, and work she loved.Listen to this inspiring story!Watch t...2023-08-0821 min