Shows
Navigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad034: Journaling Away a Problem(Recorded February 19, 2021) A few days ago, I was feeling really down and upset as I was trying to build my new COO business. Why was it such a struggle? It felt so hard and frustrating and it's supposed to feel fun and amazing and exciting and effortless because I'm doing what I love! Well, I sat down and journaled out my thoughts to "get the problem out of me" and decided to share what I wrote because it helped SO MUCH. This is a demonstration of why I believe in the power of journaling (not exclusively but one technique). I...2021-03-0711 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad033: Why my COO Biz Can't Lose(Recorded February 19, 2021) This episode is all about the how and why behind my current "Small Biz COO" business. I'm sharing my thought process behind launching it, why I'm so confident that it will be successful, and the boxes that it checks. The amazing thing btw? I'm finally pursuing something that checks off ALL of my boxes! How exciting! And it only took 3 years... not bad. (Spoiler alert - that itself is why it can't lose.....) (music: Jay-Z- U Don't Know)2021-03-0713 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad032: Confirmation of "Midlife Crisis"Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like: the story of the moment I knew beyond any more wonder that what I had gone through was what most people refer to as a "midlife crisis". Book Referenced: Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza2021-01-0606 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad031: Personal Journal Entry #1 (January 3, 2021)🖤❤💚💜💙💛2021-01-0329 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad030: Learnings from my 1st Stand up Comedy Set - Draft EpisodeRecorded about a week after my first ever stand up comedy set. This is the rough draft of my reflections. Then made notes on a structured way to present my ideas and cover something I missed. Haven't had a chance to do that yet so I figured I'd share the imperfect version in the meantime....2020-11-2200 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad029: Going from a Mile Wide & Inch Deep to a Mile Deep & Inch Wide(Recorded September 25, 2020) Focus. It's something I have not exactly embodied since I walked out the door (on my career) and allowed myself to consider anything & everything a possibility. The positives: I had/have the confidence to pursue anything, I'm flexible, and I ended up trying a huge variety of things (& learning a ton along the way). The potential trap: a lack of focus, which led to decreased productivity and added frustrations stemming from that. The day before recording this episode, I chatted with Jenny Paul (@livelongandhustle on Instagram) and she helped me to see things I just wasnt seeing before...2020-11-1100 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad028: My LIVE Fantasy Football Draft Strategy(Recorded Aug 30, 2020) You may be wondering what a fantasy football draft has to do with career change... Fair question. I've been listening to a LOT of fantasy football analysis on Sirius and one of the things that the hosts do is do live drafts on their radio shows. I couldn't help but think how awesome it is that they get PAID to not only study (fantasy) football and talk about it on international radio, but to actually draft their teams live or comment on/interview others' strategies while they draft... So I thought I'd give it a shot and see...2020-09-161h 01Navigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad027: My Ecommerce Experience - The Why & Why Not(Recorded Aug 13, 2020) You know when you're like out of work for 2 years and you feel like you're bashing your head against the wall cause you don't know what you're SUPPOSED to be doing with yourself or how to make money? You've applied for jobs and gotten zero response... What do you do? Duh - try something else! So I tried ecommerce. Dropshipping specifically. I got myself some courses, then got myself a mentorship program, and got some sales! I was doing everything right and was well on my way to a shiny new passive income stream cause that's how it...2020-08-2636 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad026: "Generational Wealth, that's the Key"!(June 5, 2020) In this episode, I share a little more about what my goals really are from a more macro perspective. What am I trying to do with my life? What am I working towards in addition to a new career? Who do I think I am to have these thoughts? And who benefits from the sacrifices and decisions that I've made? Hint: it's a lot bigger than me...2020-08-1124 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad025: "Pursue Your Passions" - Poison vs Inspiration(Recorded May 25, 2020) Basically, when I started my search for a new career, it wasnt just to do something different or make more money. It truly was so that I could be more happy! I knew I could make more money doing something that I loved doing. I saw my high school yearbook quote that said something along the lines of "Pursue your passions" & felt ashamed that I hadn't done that so far... Well, as my wonderfully supportive wife reminded me: "You are!" & the sentiment of "this is who you are". #perspective. I thought it was something to be ashamed of...2020-08-1121 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad024: The "Navigating Career Change" Podcast Rename(Recorded May 15, 2020) The evolution continues! I decided to rename this podcast as I continue to find a way to offer what I can. I have and continue to have conversations with so many people who are unhappy with their jobs or careers. One of the things that I notice is that people don't realize the world of possibilities that exist nowadays with the internet / social media. I spend a lot of time researching the possibilites (without realizing it) and have ZERO doubt that i am going to be successful in my next careers, so I'll use my own story as...2020-08-1107 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad023: A Depressed & Insecure State(Recorded May 20, 2020) Over the May long weekend, I celebrated the launch of allegorychai.com AND my first ecommerce sale. I was vibrating high! Then I crashed into a depressive mindset on Monday and it persisted & was furthered on Wednesday when I recorded this episode. I always knew I wanted the shitty days to be part of the story that I told, but I hadn't been doing a great job of capturing them before this. In typical poetic fashion, life poked me and I paid attention: if I believe that I am the kind of person who has a story worth...2020-06-0119 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad022: How I lived on 1 Paycheck for 2 Years(Recorded May 16, 2020) Ok, technically it wasn't quite 1 paycheck - it was actually LESS than 1 paycheck! The paycheck I refer to is the one I made as an engineer. I baffled many people over these 2 years by not working and barely making income. I really appreciated the concern that I got from people about it (& in a sick way, I kinda enjoyed watching people awkwardly ask me about this stuff cause I know how crazy it is how I am the way I am...), but I know that even more people than that wondered and didn't ask. Well, I'm breaking it...2020-06-0109 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad021: My Relationship with Money(Recorded May 15, 2020) I can't stand the way that society has forced us to attach the value that we do to money. People attach their self-worth to what's in their bank account & give that power to others as well. For a while, I resisted the idea of making a lot of money for myself for this reason (plus some weird act of protest to a societal force & a genuine fear of failure if I actually went for it). Today, I have a different perspective though: it's all relative. It's just a matter of how you choose to view money - is...2020-05-2843 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad020: Quarantine Life Advice(Recorded April 9, 2020) This whole staying at home in quarantine thing really didn't bother me that much at all... You're saying I have to stay home, try to figure out a new way to work, take care of my baby, do chores, and not lose my mind? Sounds like the last 18 months of my life! I'm a fuckin pro at this already! In fact, I was even more motivated cause it felt like as soon as I finally got my head on right and ready to work, the whole world was like "hold the door, we're coming too!" and started working...2020-05-2621 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad019: My Q1 Check in on Myself(Recorded March 31, 2020) I decided to break 2020 into quarters to get myself to focus better and set shorter time periods to attain goals. In this episode, I share where I got to as of the end of the first quarter of 2020 - the massive steps I've taken that I know are setting me up for success and the failures so far!2020-05-0539 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad018: 25 Cups of Coffee - the Best Career Change Advice I've gotten so far(Recorded Jan 13, 2020) When I left my oil & gas engineering job in February 2018, I started talking to all kinds of people to get advice, insights, and thoughts on different career paths. They were my peers, friends, business contacts, mentors, past bosses - entrepreneurs, corporate executives, CEOs. I certainly held their words in high esteem (?) and they have helped me tremendously through this process. It took me a lot of time and many coffees to get this advice in my journey to finding my next professional chapter and I know that not everyone has the time and access to some of the...2020-05-0443 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad017: My Sex Demon(Recorded Jan 14, 2020) This episode is easily the most vulnerable I've been on social media and outwardly in general. "My Sex Demon" was the biggest contributor to my early days of depression many years ago. I struggled a LOT (& still do in some ways) with my previous perceptions of sex: what it meant to me, to those around me, to society, and to my life! My perceptions were shaken, and, as a "Mediator" personality type who is guided by their virtues and principles, this was a very big deal because it was something that I considered so special and so important...2020-05-0449 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad016: The @NameThatDishYYC Idea(Recorded Jan 10, 2020) In this episode, I'm sharing my thoughts behind the idea that I had for the Instagram account @namethatdishyyc. As of the date I post this episode (May 2020), that page has not gotten much attention at all from me. Quite simply and honestly, while I still fully believe in the potential of that page (to acquire the ultimate currency of attention) , I decided that it wasnt worth the time I would have to invest in order to get it off the ground RIGHT NOW. Personal finances require more attention, my start up businessES require more attention, and my daughter...2020-05-0417 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad015: Why I Quit & the World that OpenedIn this episode, I get into why I left my job, what I was thinking and the whole world of opportunities that I learned about AFTER I left.2020-01-1532 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad014: Contextuals - FatherhoodYes, it is time. I am excited to share more about my journey as a father! As I have done before, I want to do my best to give you some context before I just start saying things or offering my thoughts, advice or otherwise. In this episode, not only do I speak to that, but it also represents a lot of "firsts" for me: first day at Work Nicer, first day for Ilaya in a dayhome, first time I record a "preamble" segment because I was unhappy with the episode I recorded, first time I scripted a portion of...2020-01-0825 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad013: Do You Care what your Strengths are?I had an interesting conversation with Shaista (my wife) the night before recording this episode. She noted qualities that I displayed when we worked together that I didn't really consider "strengths" of mine. It reminded me that I STILL don't know what my strengths are & I'm actually devoting time to try to figure it out! What chance do people who dont think about it have? If only they knew that their true strengths / skills could probably net them a lot more in life than they think... Article referenced was written by Ayodeji Awosika & read on Medium (unfortunately my Medium app...2020-01-0307 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad012: Dear Fellow Introverts & WeirdosI spent many years of my life ashamed or embarrassed of who I truly was. It is a totally different world for introverts and extroverts. I'm not gonna pretend I'm going to teach you anything about that, I'm just here to share my experiences in hopes that they help someone else one day. Gary Vee said something along the lines that it's the greatest time to be an introvert because you can become a public figure and not be forced to leave that comfort zone the same way you may have had to in the past (poor paraphrasing, but you...2019-12-2717 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad011: Why "Daily Soup or Salad"I started "Soup or Salad" on my personal Instagram account and got such great engagement that I decided to dedicate a separate account to it (plus double down with TikTok). Wanna know why I'm thinking this could be big? It's fun. It's different. It's a niche. It's engaging. And it's Zakkee. Have a listen for more...2019-12-2624 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad010 - Contextuals: What I'm AboutSomeone gave me some advice a while ago. In a nutshell, it was to find other people whose perspectives resonated with mine. I was eager to change the world, and this advice was essentially to team up with & learn from the people who had a similar outlook. Yesterday I looked through those notes and realized I still haven't really expressed my own philosophy to the world! So here I go. My first draft: 6 points that I think and believe about us as people and about our society. Maybe this is obvious, maybe not. Either way, I also believe change starts...2019-11-0720 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad009 - A Major Personal Struggle: ExecutingI went to a meeting this evening and delivered a somewhat unfocused presentation. I was (of course) frustrated with myself, but it's become par for the course with me in some ways. I ask myself, "why? Why do I continue to do this??"
It's not a secret that I have struggled with so little direction & mentorship in my life - especially recently. I still feel the need to be validated externally (ideas, etc.) before I can execute. It's been an adjustment and I know I'll reach a point where I do this much better. But for now, I struggle with...2019-10-0210 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad008 - Contextuals: My Spirituality, Not ReligionThis one's mostly self-explanatory. Look, if I was on my deathbed and someone told me my religion was a hoax and they orchastrated the whole thing, I'd say, "Ha! Joke's on you, motherfucker!" cause spirituality made my life what it was.... (& "Thank you").
(Sorry for the somewhat short caption, but im semi-rushing so I actually just post this same-day)
Soundtrack: Jay-Z - "U Don't Know"2019-09-2823 min
More Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad009 - Football Thoughts (GB@CHI Opening Night - NFL 100) & PFF ImpactSo I got a part-time job working for Pro Football Focus this summer and it has already changed the way I see the game and watch football. In a nutshell, I gather pre-snap data on which players are on the field and where they line up and I already notice so much more when I watch a live game. This happened last night as I watched the opening night Bears/Packers game. I guess I had some realizations so decided to document them via voice memo. I squished em together for this podcast episode, so i hope you enjoy and...2019-09-0710 minMore Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad008 - Andrew Luck Retirement & the Mental Health ConnectionsAndrew Luck retired quite suddenly about 2 weeks before the NFL 100 season started and its surprising because of his age, ability, and earning potential. Some would say it took balls to put other priorities ahead of football. I agree that this is a big deal and big statement to society in general as it relates to mental health. I thought it was worth commenting on (partially because I think it took More Than Just Balls.........(*wink))
Theme: Jay-Z - Parkin Lot Pimpin2019-09-0610 minMore Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad007 - The Jay-Z/NFL Partnership BacklashJay-Z's RocNation and the NFL signed a partnership deal recently and a lot of public figures expressed negative opinions about it (a lot expressed positive ones too). I feel strongly that it's a positive partnership with longer term benefits than most realize. Full disclosure: these are 2 of my absolute favourite things in LIFE (Jay-Z and the NFL), so I'm inherently going to be a bit biased, but I think i did a good job of being impartial on this one....! This partnership is certainly about more than just balls...
Theme song: Jay-Z - Parkin Lot Pimpin2019-09-0418 minMore Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad006 - AB to New Free Agency & the Power of SocialAntonio Brown recently stated very publicly his desire to be traded from the Steelers (& to be paid btw) and it happened during the offseason. He managed to get an extended contract and much more guaranteed money than he would've received had he stayed with the Steelers. Basically, he took care of himself by speaking up. Athletes obviously have much louder voices in these matters today with the rise of social media (& in general of course), but was this the start of something new? Did we witness the beginning of a radically new type of free agency? I don't think it's...2019-09-0410 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad007 - Doin What Energizes me on a Bad DaySo I'm on vacation, right. I'm in an airbnb in Kelowna with the extended family in a place that overlooks the Okanagen. It's beautiful. I had to bring work with me, but it's fuckin football work, so I wasn't complaining about that!
As you get to know current me, you'll learn that I can EASILY have bad days even in such great conditions. I was having a bad day and decided to do something that energized me instead of keep bashing my head against the wall in frustration (you know...inside my head...). I sat on the balcony and recorded 3...2019-08-3115 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad006 - My first Instagram LIVE & Soup or Salad 1st Edition!Hey Podcast! I was really excited to record this episode as it was my first ever Instagram LIVE, so I caputured the audio for this and video for my YouTube channel! It was my little kick-off for both my podcasts (the other being "More Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad") and the first time i shared them on social media. The "live" concept is very normal for all my episodes, as I do little to no editing of any of my audio recordings.
I also dive into the results of the 1st edition of a game I've been posting on...2019-08-1328 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad005 - The Football Players' vs the Engineers' JourneyI'm super excited to dive into this topic today. I recently heard that a player who was once fantasy football-relevant may not make the team this year. It struck me, but then made perfect sense. Everyone can't be good enough to make teams and to get paid every year.
....What must that be like? It's a comparable, but very different professional experience from someone who works a salary job (or works as a contractor AWAY from the public eye). It reminded me that none of us share the same journey, so why do so many of us feel compelled and...2019-08-0936 minMore Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad005 - The Football Players' Journey vs the Engineers'I'm super excited to dive into this topic today. I recently heard that a player who was once fantasy football-relevant may not make the team this year. It struck me, but then made perfect sense. Everyone can't be good enough to make teams and to get paid every year ....What must that be like? It's a comparable, but very different professional experience from someone who works a salary job (or works as a contractor AWAY from the public eye). It reminded me that none of us share the same journey, so why do so many of us feel compelled and...2019-08-0934 minMore Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad004 - The STICKY SUPER BOWL has GOT to GO!It's my first "rant" episode! This is something I'm very passionate about because I think it makes the NFL look BAD. This league sets trends in so many ways, but for some reason doesn't seem to want to present a shiny new-looking trophy to their champions! That's right: the trophy that makes its way onto the stage after the Super Bowl is all "sticky" and I just don't understand why... Shouldn't the trophy be honoured the same way all trophies are (*ahem Stanley Cup)?? If the commissioner told me I could change 3 things today, you bet your ass this would...2019-08-0413 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad004 - Contextuals: Family History(s) & Generational ThoughtsIn this "Contextuals" Series episode, I share my thoughts on the importance of previous generations, my curiosity around generational changes, and my family background, so you have that much more context on who I am and a bit about why I think about this topic so much!
One point that I forgot to mention: these topics climbed the priority list for me after I had my daughter. That has been a life changing, eye-opening, life-altering experience and is right in line with this topic!
Thanks for listening to NAVIGATING with ZAKKEE AHMAD!2019-07-2722 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad003 - Contextuals: School, Career, and the Changing MindsetIn my first "Contextuals" episode, I get into my school/career background: high school, University, career path #1. More importantly, I discuss what my mindsets were like at those various stages and how I ultimately reached a very unhealthy place mentally & had to (literally) call it quits!
(Pardon my ice cream eating.... )
Thanks for listening to Navigating with Zakkee Ahmad!2019-07-2737 minMore Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad003 - Contextuals: The "More than Just Balls" Name & PodcastI named my sports podcast: More Than Just Balls. I love the name (& don't take credit for coming up with it) because it works on several levels & I get into that in this episode.
#1) I intend to talk about more than just balls: balls in this context referring to the game itself, the sport or league themselves. I love seeing the human side of sport. It is why many people truly connect with sports: the people!
#2) Some people say it takes balls for me to do the things that I do (like start a podcast or quit my job), but...2019-07-1618 minMore Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad002 - Contextuals: Fantasy Football LoveIn my first episode in the "Contextuals Series", I give you some background (context if you will) on my love for and perspective of fantasy football.
"What is the big deal?" you may wonder... well wonder no more. THIS is why it's such a big deal for anyone who loves sports to play fantasy sports!
I also give a short chat about fantasy itself (if you enjoy that, look out for my beginners guide to fantasy football episode coming soon!).
..This is about more than just balls you know...
Thank you for your time & attention!2019-07-1112 minMore Than Just Balls with Zakkee Ahmad001 - Sports Talk Podcast with Zakkee Ahmad (Intro Episode)This is the intro episode of my sports talk podcast, "More Than Just Balls". I'm a huge NFL fan, sports fan, & am very interested in the human aspects of the game that are often lost in the headlines. I'm documenting and sharing my perspectives on those things. I intend to (later) get into the business side of the businesses that the leagues all are, fantasy football, and the Green Bay Packers!
(I recorded this before I named the podcast / got the suggestion from someone, so more on that later).
Progress over perfection, so expect very little editing in all of...2019-07-0107 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad002 - INTRO to "Navigating with Zakkee Ahmad"Welcome to "Navigating with Zakkee Ahmad"! This is technically my second intro episode, but the hair is down for this one! In this episode, I'm giving you some context on why I wanted to start my own podcast & talk a little bit about who I am, what I enjoy, and what I'm secretly (not secretly) trying to achieve with my podcast and social media presence. Thanks for listening!2019-06-2114 minNavigating Career Change with ZakkeeAhmad001 - Introduction to Zakkee AhmadHi. I'm Zakkee. Thank you for your time! The primary purpose of this podcast is the same as my purpose on all other social media platforms: documentation. I don't know what niches or worlds this journey may lead me to, but it starts with this episode. I plan to share thoughts and experiences related to some of my favourite things: the NFL, fantasy football, sports in general, human nature, business, attention, society, and generational change. I also hope to share my platform with guests and listeners to bring value to those who tune in. I'm an engineer by education & consider...2019-06-1506 min