MentorMeet Stories

PERFORMANCE & RESILIENCE COACHING | Navigate the New Year Like an Elite Athlete

MentorMeet Stories is a mentorship podcast for business leaders and professionals seeking inspirational mentorship on thriving under pressure. This mindset mentor podcast features mentors and coaches sharing practical insights from elite environments.

Episode: What business leaders can learn from Olympic athletes about building lasting resilience, managing high-pressure performance, and sustainable excellence.

Dawn Sanders, performance and well-being coach who spent 20+ years supporting GB Olympic and Paralympic athletes, shares insights from elite sport now applied to business leadership. Works with Google and UK Sports Institute.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

This business mentorship conversation explores the person behind the performance—why defining yourself solely by achievements creates vulnerability, and how broader identity builds sustainable success.

Key topics:

- Identity beyond your job: the "cogs of performance" model

- Resilience built on well-being foundations, not burnout

- Vulnerability in leadership and psychologically safe teams

- Strength-based coaching vs constantly fixing weaknesses

- Support systems: why elite performers can't go alone

- Change vs transition: psychological response to restructure

- Kübler-Ross change curve: three phases leaders must support

- Why New Year's resolutions fail and how to set goals that stick

- Myths about resilience: it's developable, not just grit

- Why business leaders resist rest and recovery more than athletes

- Accountability: achieving goals with others vs alone

- Process goals vs outcomes: celebrating incremental wins

For business leaders managing pressure, professionals navigating change, entrepreneurs balancing growth with well-being, managers building resilient teams, athletes transitioning from sport, and anyone wanting sustainable high performance.

GUEST: Dawn Sanders

Performance and well-being coach, 20+ years supporting GB Olympic/Paralympic athletes. Now works with business leaders on resilience and sustainable performance. Google, UK Sports Institute, England Women's Football.

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/dawn-sanders/

HOST: Alpa Wagjiani

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/alpa-wagjiani/

EPISODE LENGTH: 45 minutes

THREE TAKEAWAYS FOR 2026:

1. Be kind to yourself with New Year's goals—change is hard. Ask: How important is this goal (1-10)? How much energy do I have (1-10)? If not 7+, explore blocks.

2. Seek accountability—you achieve more with others. Find a coach, partner, or team.

3. Celebrate small wins—not every goal ends in gold, but you're successful if you've learned about yourself.

🎧 Also on YouTube and YouTube Music

🌐 Find performance coaches: https://www.mentormeet.com

Browse profiles: https://mentormeet.com/profiles/

📱 Instagram.com/mentor_meet_ | LinkedIn.com/company/mentor-meet | TikTok.com/@mentormeet

ABOUT THIS MENTORSHIP PODCAST:

MentorMeet Stories features mentors and coaches across industries. Episodes explore performance, resilience, leadership, and well-being through real conversations. Inspirational mentorship and educational mentorship grounded in lived experience—not theory.

New episodes every first Monday of the month.

Subscribe for mentorship on leadership, resilience, performance, and professional development.

KEYWORDS: #MentorshipPodcast #MentorshipStories #MindsetMentorPodcast #BusinessMentorship #InspirationalMentorship #EducationalMentorship #PerformanceCoaching #ResilienceBuilding #LeadershipCoaching #WellbeingAtWork #HighPerformance #BurnoutPrevention #OrganizationalChange #NewYearsGoals #SustainablePerformance #MentalHealthAtWork #ProfessionalGrowth

SCIENCE COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC SPEAKING | The Subtle Art of Connecting with an Audience

MentorMeet Stories is a mentorship podcast for professionals and scientists seeking inspirational mentorship on connecting with audiences effectively. This mindset mentor podcast features mentors and coaches sharing practical communication insights.

Episode: How to communicate complex ideas to non-experts, make presentations engaging, and connect with any audience.

Dr. Joanna Bagniewska, Oxford-based ecologist, science communicator, and co-author of "The Communicating Scientists," shares lessons from academia, COVID vaccine communications, and teaching scientists to make technical topics accessible.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

This business mentorship conversation explores communication fundamentals and why experts must make messages clear—it's not the audience's job to untangle complications.

Key topics:

- Communication fundamentals: sender, receiver, message, purpose, obstacles

- Baseball fielding error analogy: if the catcher doesn't catch, the thrower failed

- Making audiences feel smart vs proving how clever you are

- Writing for non-specialists: simple but not simplistic

- How "The Communicating Scientists" book became a tribute after co-author's death

- COVID vaccine communication: Oxford-AstraZeneca group, media queries

- Three audience types: legitimate concerns, confused but open, hecklers

- Why informing isn't convincing: facts alone don't change minds

- Trust and storytelling: what actually shifts opinions

- Social media echo chambers and polarization

- Balancing passion with accessibility in presentations

- Presentation hacks: fewer slide items, bigger text, sequential reveals

- Why the audience wants you to succeed

- "Calling the room": acknowledge distractions

- Learning from students forces better engagement

For scientists communicating to non-experts, business professionals presenting complex ideas, public speakers, educators, anyone writing for non-specialists, and leaders managing change communication.

GUEST: Dr. Joanna Bagniewska

Oxford-based ecologist, award-winning science communicator, co-author of "The Communicating Scientists." Worked on Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine communications during COVID.

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/dr-joanna-bagniewska/

HOST: Dr. Nadia Mahmood

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/dr-nadia-mahmood/

EPISODE LENGTH: 41 minutes

THREE COMMUNICATION HACKS:

1. Put fewer things on slides and make them BIG—if you can't see from front row, neither can anyone else

2. The audience is on your side—they didn't show up to watch you fail

3. When something goes wrong, acknowledge it. "Calling the room" removes distraction.

🎧 Also on YouTube and YouTube Music

🌐 Find communication coaches: https://www.mentormeet.com

Browse profiles: https://mentormeet.com/profiles/

📱 Instagram.com/mentor_meet_ | LinkedIn.com/company/mentor-meet | TikTok.com/@mentormeet

ABOUT THIS MENTORSHIP PODCAST:

MentorMeet Stories features mentors and coaches across industries. Episodes explore communication, presentation skills, leadership, and professional growth. Inspirational mentorship and educational mentorship grounded in lived experience—not theory.

New episodes every first Monday of the month.

KEYWORDS: #MentorshipPodcast #MentorshipStories #MindsetMentorPodcast #BusinessMentorship #InspirationalMentorship #EducationalMentorship #ScienceCommunication #PublicSpeaking #PresentationSkills #EffectiveCommunication #AudienceEngagement #CommunicationSkills #ComplexIdeas #BusinessCommunication #LeadershipCommunication #ProfessionalDevelopment

MentorMeet Stories is a mentorship podcast for leaders and professionals seeking inspirational mentorship on self-awareness and organizational change. This mindset mentor podcast features executive coaches sharing insights on unlocking potential.

Episode: How to recognize when you're unknowingly blocking your own progress or your team's success, and why self-awareness is the key to effective leadership.

Susannah Chambers, executive coach with 20+ years across fintech, retail, education, and agile coaching, explores the subtle ways leaders become blockers without realizing it. Cambridge tutor and coach to world-leading organizations.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

This business mentorship conversation explores "unknown unknowns"—the invisible barriers holding you back that you don't know exist.

Key topics:

- The blocker concept: when lack of self-awareness prevents progress

- Unknown unknowns from the Johari Window model

- Why self-awareness is the critical coaching skill

- "So what?" question: identifying patterns in repeated challenges

- Gathering feedback vs analyzing it for actionable patterns

- Creating legitimate space for reflection in busy work environments

- Failure culture: glamorizing failure vs actually learning from it

- Why leaders should publicly celebrate coaching/mentoring, not hide it

- Modeling behaviors you want to see in your team

- Making data-driven decisions about personal development

- Coaching vs mentoring: distinct practices, different purposes

- The ambiguity challenge: discomfort with admitting "I don't know"

- Why "I don't know" is one of the biggest blockers for high achievers

- Executive coaching reality: often addresses imposter syndrome, life coaching, career transitions—not just corporate strategy

- Beginner's mindset (shoshin): staying open to fresh perspectives

- Prime directive: we make best decisions with information available at the time

- How one unexpected mentor can change your entire career trajectory

For leaders feeling stuck despite resources, professionals navigating change, managers wondering why teams aren't progressing, anyone struggling with imposter syndrome, leaders wanting to model growth, and professionals seeking self-awareness.

GUEST: Susannah Chambers

Executive coach, 20+ years experience. Cambridge tutor, agile coaching background, fintech and retail experience. Specializes in leadership development, self-awareness, and organizational change.

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/susannah-chambers/

HOST: Jennifer Layburn

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/jennifer-layburn/

EPISODE LENGTH: 42 minutes

THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Create space for reflection—emotionally and practically. If difficult, get support from a coach or mentor.

2. Model behaviors you want to see—consciously practice missing qualities to test if you're the blocker or it's external.

3. Make data-driven decisions on your growth—leverage feedback, analyze patterns, triangulate with coach/mentor.

🎧 Also on YouTube and YouTube Music

🌐 Find leadership coaches: https://www.mentormeet.com

Browse profiles: https://mentormeet.com/profiles/

📱 Instagram.com/mentor_meet_ | LinkedIn.com/company/mentor-meet | TikTok.com/@mentormeet

ABOUT THIS MENTORSHIP PODCAST:

MentorMeet Stories features mentors and coaches across industries. Episodes explore leadership, self-awareness, organizational change, and professional growth. Inspirational mentorship and educational mentorship grounded in lived experience—not theory.

New episodes every first Monday of the month.

KEYWORDS: #MentorshipPodcast #MentorshipStories #MindsetMentorPodcast #BusinessMentorship #InspirationalMentorship #EducationalMentorship #LeadershipCoaching #ExecutiveCoaching #SelfAwareness #OrganizationalChange #ImposterSyndrome #AgileCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #CoachingAndMentoring #PersonalDevelopment #ReflectivePractice #ChangeManagement

CAREER COACHING & BOUNDARIES | How Setting Boundaries Can Change Your Life

MentorMeet Stories is a mentorship podcast for professionals seeking inspirational mentorship on career development and well-being. This mindset mentor podcast features career coaches sharing insights on boundaries and sustainable success.

Episode: How to prevent burnout through boundaries, why people-pleasers struggle, and practical frameworks for saying no without guilt.

Lucile Kamar, award-winning career coach and leadership expert, shares her journey from mental health crisis caused by lack of boundaries to helping clients transform careers through conscious boundary-setting.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Key topics:

- Lucile's story: mental health crisis from people-pleasing

- Signs you need boundaries: resentment after saying yes, exhaustion while appearing fine, overthinking reactions, personal priorities always last

- 2025 work demands: hybrid models, global teams, always-on connectivity

- Performance impact: client who worked late until attitude suffered

- Relationships: leader as team "therapist" until drained

- Well-being: hardest boundaries are with yourself

- Myths: boundaries don't make you difficult, don't mean constant no, good leaders aren't 24/7 available

- ACE framework: Awareness (where drained/resentful), Choice (what you'll accept), Expression (communicate clearly)

- Leadership transitions: boundaries with former peers

- Open door ≠ anyone anytime

- Guilt around no: "no is a full sentence"

- Women and conditioning: "be nice, don't rock the boat"

- Primal fear: boundary-setting = exclusion threatens safety

- Professional vs personal boundaries

- Letting things build until explosion

- Well-being enables sustainable performance

- Start with one boundary, communicate consistently

For professionals feeling exhausted but appearing fine, people-pleasers who overextend, new leaders navigating dynamics, anyone with work-life boundary struggles, and leaders modeling healthy behaviors.

GUEST: Lucile Kamar

Award-winning career coach, culture and leadership expert, Cambridge alumni. Boundaries, people-pleasing recovery, leadership transitions, sustainable performance.

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/lucile-kamar/

HOST: Katie Bradbury

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/katie-bradbury/

EPISODE LENGTH: 25 minutes

THREE TAKEAWAYS:

1. Boundaries = deciding what you're available for. Every yes to something draining is a no to something that matters.

2. ACE framework: Awareness (notice where drained), Choice (decide what you'll accept), Expression (communicate kindly but clearly).

3. Start with ONE boundary. Communicate consistently. Get accountability buddy or coach. Clear boundaries = MORE respect, not less.

🎧 Also on YouTube and YouTube Music

🌐 Find career coaches: https://www.mentormeet.com

Browse profiles: https://mentormeet.com/profiles/

📱 Instagram.com/mentor_meet_ | LinkedIn.com/company/mentor-meet | TikTok.com/@mentormeet

ABOUT THIS MENTORSHIP PODCAST:

MentorMeet Stories features mentors and coaches. Episodes explore career development, boundaries, leadership, well-being. Inspirational mentorship and educational mentorship grounded in lived experience—not theory.

New episodes every first Monday of the month.

KEYWORDS: #MentorshipPodcast #MentorshipStories #MindsetMentorPodcast #BusinessMentorship #InspirationalMentorship #EducationalMentorship #CareerCoaching #BoundariesAtWork #WorkLifeBalance #BurnoutPrevention #PeoplePleasing #LeadershipDevelopment #MentalHealthAtWork #SayingNo #ProfessionalBoundaries #WorkplaceWellbeing #CareerDevelopment

ADHD COACHING & NEURODIVERSITY | ADHD: Difference, Not Deficit

MentorMeet Stories is a mentorship podcast for professionals seeking inspirational mentorship on neurodiversity and ADHD. This mindset mentor podcast features executive coaches specializing in ADHD and executive functioning.

Episode: How ADHD presents as uneven abilities, why late diagnosis is common especially for women, and practical strategies for thriving with executive functioning challenges.

Alex Smith, executive coach specializing in ADHD and neurodiversity, shares his diagnosis journey at 37 and how understanding ADHD transformed his coaching approach.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Key topics:

- Alex's 20-year journey to ADHD diagnosis at 37

- "Brain wired for interest not importance" (William Dodson)

- ADHD myths: can't have it if academically successful

- Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD): extreme sensitivity to criticism driving perfectionism, workaholism

- Energy scale: vulnerable at both ends—sedentary/under-stimulated and burnt-out/crisis

- Situational variability: brilliant in one context, unable to function in another

- Gender differences: boys 3x more likely diagnosed historically, girls mask more

- Women misdiagnosed with anxiety when ADHD is root cause

- Executive functioning: time management, procrastination, emotional dysregulation

- Maladaptive adaptive strategies developed without understanding why

- INCUP motivators: Interest, Novelty, Challenge, Urgency, Passion/Purpose

- 12,000 additional negative criticisms by age 18

- "You can do it when interested" dismissive feedback

- Out of sight, out of mind: self-monitoring challenges

- Uneven skill set: brilliant at rare things, struggle with what everyone else can do

- "Everyone else had a key I didn't have"

- Sacrifice at altar of corporate dysfunction

- ADHD rarely travels alone: co-morbidities

- Boundaries: people cope until they crack

- Chronobiology differences: productive times vary

- Short sprints vs long-term planning

- Specifics first, system second: need for variety

- Externalizing and retrieving learning

- ADHD as intermittently brilliant

For adults with recent/late ADHD diagnosis, professionals struggling with procrastination, women wondering if anxiety is ADHD, managers supporting neurodivergent teams, anyone experiencing burnout from masking, and people with uneven skill sets.

GUEST: Alex Smith

Solution-focused executive coach specializing in ADHD, executive functioning, neurodiversity. Background in publishing, diagnosed ADHD at 37, trained with ADD Coaching Academy.

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/alexander-smith/

HOST: Jill DeMasi

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/jill-demasi/

EPISODE LENGTH: 49 minutes

RECORDED: October (ADHD Awareness Month)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. ADHD brain works well on its own terms—succeed by giving yourself permission on YOUR terms, not neurotypical standards.

2. Understanding INCUP motivators (Interest, Novelty, Challenge, Urgency, Passion) helps create strategies wired for interest.

3. Advocate for what you need: specific outlets, hybrid work, shorter feedback loops, environments matching your energy.

🎧 Also on YouTube and YouTube Music

🌐 Find ADHD coaches: https://www.mentormeet.com

Browse profiles: https://mentormeet.com/profiles/

📱 Instagram.com/mentor_meet_ | LinkedIn.com/company/mentor-meet | TikTok.com/@mentormeet

ABOUT THIS MENTORSHIP PODCAST:

MentorMeet Stories features mentors and coaches. Episodes explore ADHD, neurodiversity, executive coaching, and professional growth. Inspirational mentorship and educational mentorship grounded in lived experience—not theory.

New episodes every first Monday of the month.

KEYWORDS: #MentorshipPodcast #MentorshipStories #MindsetMentorPodcast #BusinessMentorship #InspirationalMentorship #EducationalMentorship #ADHDCoaching #ExecutiveCoaching #Neurodiversity #ADHDAtWork #AdultADHD #ExecutiveFunctioning #RSD #ADHDWomen #ADHDDiagnosis #NeurodivergentCoaching #ADHDStrategies #LateDiagnosis

PSYCHOLOGY & SELF-COMPASSION | The Inner Critic

MentorMeet Stories is a mentorship podcast for professionals seeking inspirational mentorship on confidence and personal growth. This mindset mentor podcast features psychologists sharing insights on overcoming self-doubt.

Episode: How to recognize your inner critic, why high performers struggle with imposter syndrome, and the HEART framework for transforming harsh self-talk into self-compassion.

Dr. Katere Adeseko, applied psychologist working with global organizations, explores the universal inner critic and how to rewire your brain to become your own inner coach.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Key topics:

- Why high performers have louder inner critics (sensitivity + ambition)

- Types: all-or-nothing thinker, perfectionist, catastrophizer, mind reader, imposter

- Comparing back wheel to others' highlight reels

- Protective fear (keeps you safe) vs growth-oriented fear (butterflies = opportunity)

- Confidence comes AFTER taking action, not before—you need courage first

- HEART framework: Hearing inner chatter, Examining origin (whose voice?), Assigning name (activates logical brain), Reframing compassionately with evidence, Transforming into affirmations

- Synaptic pruning: new thought patterns carve new neural pathways

- "I'm nervous" vs "I'm excited": what you tell your brain changes threat response

- Public speaking example: story you tell your brain determines access to information

- Brain tabs open in background draining energy

- Self-awareness: what you're not aware of controls you

- Cognitive behavioral therapy: challenge thoughts with evidence

- Pro/con list: how likely is failure based on past evidence?

- Speaking up in meetings: fear someone will steal your idea

- Decision-making paralysis from self-doubt

- Why we need inner critic: survival, social belonging, protection

- Not about silencing—about lowering volume

- Self-compassion: speak to yourself like best friend or personal trainer

- Progress over perfection

- Practice creates new habits and neural pathways

For high performers with imposter syndrome, perfectionists never feeling good enough, professionals holding back in meetings, anyone with self-doubt, leaders building confidence, people with decision paralysis, and individuals seeking self-compassion.

GUEST: Dr. Katere Adeseko

Applied psychologist, works with global organizations, leaders, teams. Specializes in inner critic, self-compassion, confidence building, high performer psychology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4kuz8hboJM

HOST: Jennifer Layburn

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/jennifer-layburn/

EPISODE LENGTH: 32 minutes

THREE TAKEAWAYS:

1. Self-awareness first: You can't change what you're not aware of. Hear your inner chatter consciously.

2. Use HEART framework: Hear it, Examine origin, Assign name, Reframe with evidence, Transform into affirmation.

3. Practice consistently: One time won't rewire your brain. Repetition carves new neural pathways and creates new habits.

🎧 Also on YouTube and YouTube Music

🌐 Find coaches: https://www.mentormeet.com

Browse profiles: https://mentormeet.com/profiles/

📱 Instagram.com/mentor_meet_ | LinkedIn.com/company/mentor-meet | TikTok.com/@mentormeet

ABOUT THIS MENTORSHIP PODCAST:

MentorMeet Stories features mentors and coaches. Episodes explore confidence, self-doubt, leadership, and personal growth. Inspirational mentorship and educational mentorship grounded in lived experience—not theory.

New episodes every first Monday of the month.

KEYWORDS: #MentorshipPodcast #MentorshipStories #MindsetMentorPodcast #BusinessMentorship #InspirationalMentorship #EducationalMentorship #InnerCritic #ImposterSyndrome #SelfDoubt #Perfectionism #SelfCompassion #Confidence #PersonalGrowth #HighPerformers #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #Neuroplasticity #Psychology

LEADERSHIP & CHANGE MANAGEMENT | Getting Out of Our Own Way

MentorMeet Stories is a mentorship podcast for senior leaders seeking inspirational mentorship on navigating complexity and change. This mindset mentor podcast features thinking partners and executive coaches.

Episode: How to let go of scripts and certainty, why simple questions unlock complex problems, and the difference between confidence and comfort.

Alan Arnett, thinking partner and coach with 30+ years leading transformation at BP, PWC, AXA XL, explores how leaders get in their own way through over-reliance on experience.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

Key topics:

- Letting go: holding ideas lightly (open palm) vs tightly (closed fist) to stay flexible

- Myth of right answers: we're conditioned to believe there's always one, but leadership requires ambiguity

- Pace and lead: meet people where they are before moving forward

- Transitions vs changes: William Bridges model—letting go, neutral zone (scary creative gap), new beginning

- Neutral zone: where innovation happens between old and new

- Ford filing system: computerizing manual card index made it slower (don't layer tech onto old processes)

- AI adoption parallels: questioning assumptions vs automating old ways

- Leaders recreate old organizations in new settings

- Three questions: What's the problem? Where are we aiming? What options do we have?

- Playing roles vs showing up authentically

- Cost of performing: drains energy, narrows creativity

- Why telling doesn't work: people resist direct instructions

- Stress narrows knowledge access and creativity

- Asking questions calms your brain

- "What do you care about most?" unlocks authentic engagement

- Confidence vs certainty: real confidence is curiosity and solving together

- Leaders have less control as they move up

- Sense-making as active process

- Simple solutions for complex problems

- Put your own oxygen mask on first

- Why town halls and slide decks don't drive change

- Building collaborative cultures through questions

- 70% sales increase thought experiment

For senior leaders facing tough decisions, executives navigating change and restructures, leaders feeling pressure to have answers, managers trying to drive change through presentations, anyone implementing new technology, and leaders building collaborative cultures.

GUEST: Alan Arnett

Thinking partner and coach, 30+ years transformation experience. Former leader at BP, PWC, AXA XL. Specializes in complex decisions, organizational change, senior leadership challenges.

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/alan-arnett/

HOST: Jill DeMasi

https://mentormeet.com/profiles/jill-demasi/

EPISODE LENGTH: 52 minutes

THREE KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Put your own oxygen mask on first: Ground yourself before trying to lead others. Ask "What do I care about most in this situation?"

2. Use three simple questions: What's the problem we're solving? Where are we aiming? What options do we have?

3. Hold ideas lightly: Confidence isn't certainty—it's curiosity, questions, and solving things together through small steps.

🎧 Also on YouTube and YouTube Music

🌐 Find executive coaches: https://www.mentormeet.com

Browse profiles: https://mentormeet.com/profiles/

📱 Instagram.com/mentor_meet_ | LinkedIn.com/company/mentor-meet | TikTok.com/@mentormeet

ABOUT THIS MENTORSHIP PODCAST:

MentorMeet Stories features mentors and coaches. Episodes explore leadership, change, complexity, and transformation. Inspirational mentorship and educational mentorship grounded in lived experience—not theory.

New episodes every first Monday of the month.

KEYWORDS: #MentorshipPodcast #MentorshipStories #MindsetMentorPodcast #BusinessMentorship #InspirationalMentorship #EducationalMentorship #LeadershipDevelopment #ChangeManagement #ExecutiveCoaching #OrganizationalChange #Complexity #Leadership #Transformation #QuestioningAssumptions #ThinkingPartner #SeniorLeadership #ChangeLeadership #AIAdoption #Curiosity