My First Step Ever

In Episode 199 of My First Step Ever, Ishani Nigam welcomes Liz van Zyl, a key figure in Australia and New Zealand’s startup ecosystem, for a thoughtful conversation about courage, resilience, and the foundations that shape who we become.

Liz shares stories from her childhood in South Africa, where strong family values, curiosity, and community were deeply ingrained. She reflects on formative moments — from stepping up for a school race she felt unprepared for, to learning how support and belief from others can carry us further than we imagine.

This episode explores:

• How family values shape confidence and character

• Why courage often begins with saying “yes” before feeling ready

• Planning for worst-case scenarios without letting fear run the show

• How completing difficult challenges rewires self-belief

• Lessons from navigating uncertainty — in life and in startups

Today, Liz operates across founders, funding, and networks — helping startups access alternative capital and scale sustainably. But at the heart of her work is a simple truth: growth comes from stepping forward, even when the path isn’t clear.

This is a grounded, inspiring conversation for anyone building something meaningful — professionally or personally.

Learn more about Liz: linkedin.com/in/liz-van-zyl

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

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Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

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Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

In Episode 198 of My First Step Ever, Ishani Nigam welcomes Rukaiya Khan, a transformational leader, smile strategist, and founder of Smiltastic, for a heartfelt conversation about conviction, resilience, and the power of self-expression.

Rukaiya shares her journey from a childhood shaped by cultural expectations and empathy, to discovering her voice through poetry, and later navigating the upheaval of displacement during the Gulf War. Through every transition, one thing remained constant — her ability to listen deeply, connect authentically, and believe in the power of words.

This episode explores:

• Why self-conviction matters more than motivation

• How early life experiences shape empathy and leadership

• The healing power of writing and communication

• Resilience during cultural shock and emotional upheaval

• Transforming life challenges into purposeful impact

Rukaiya’s story is not just about success — it’s about becoming, about honouring where you come from while courageously choosing where you’re going.

If you’re on a journey of self-discovery, leadership, or personal growth, this episode offers grounding insights and gentle reminders that clarity often comes after courage.

Learn more about Ruqya here: https://ruqyakhan.com/

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

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Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

In Episode 197 of My First Step Ever, Ishani is joined by Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360 — a digital agency elevating how trade and construction businesses show up online.

Wes is known for blending AI with authentic human storytelling. But behind his professional success is a powerful personal story of emotional resilience, learning through experimentation, and embracing the mindset of “let’s give it a try.”

In this episode, we explore:

• The emotional and mental resilience needed to grow

• The foundational building blocks of personal and business success

• Why being willing to experiment opens life-changing opportunities

• How authenticity wins in a crowded digital landscape

• What success really means — and how it evolves over time

If you’re navigating uncertainty, building something new, or simply trying to stay grounded in a noisy world, Wes’s journey will leave you inspired and equipped with practical wisdom.

Tune in, take a breath, and take your first step ever.

Learn more here: Learn more: https://uplift360.com.au/

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

***

Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

In this episode of My First Step Ever, Ishani sits down with Matt Ellis, host of The Cricket Library Podcast and long-time educator, commentator, writer and content creator.

Matt has spent years telling stories from the world of cricket, inspiring young people, and serving regional communities through his work with Cricket NSW. But his personal journey offers even richer lessons — about choosing values over validation and designing a life that feels true.

We explore:

• How unconventional decisions have shaped Matt’s career and relationships

• Why questioning society’s definition of success is essential

• How to prioritise family, purpose and meaningful work

• What it means to create a life aligned with your principles

• The magic behind asking: “What would this look like if it were easy?”

• Why fulfilment is found in contribution, not comparison

Whether you're feeling stuck, pressured, confused or ready for change — Matt’s story will remind you that there is no single “right” path. There is only the path that fits you.

Tune in, reflect, and take your first step ever toward a life designed with intention.

Learn more here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ellis-cricket/About Your Host –Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com***Subscribe and follow the podcast on :Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJEApple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW***Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

This week on My First Step Ever, we welcome Akshat Agarwal, a fearless creator and founder who believes that life expands only when you do. A proud college dropout and a true outside-the-box thinker, Akshat brings a refreshing, grounded, and deeply practical perspective to innovation and decision-making.

In this episode, we explore:

• How conviction becomes your biggest superpower

• The mechanism behind quick, high-quality decision-making

• Why overthinking is the death of creativity

• Akshat’s unconventional, experiment-driven life

• What holistic learning looks like in real life

• How to analyse situations with logic, not fear

• The mindset behind “think less, do more”

Akshat’s journey will inspire you to trust your instincts, take bold steps, and rewrite the rules you’ve been conditioned to follow.

Tune in, reflect, and take your first step ever toward a more intentional and courageous life.

learn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akshat418/?originalSubdomain=au

learn more:

Website: https://ryangottfredson.com/

Becoming Better: https://ryangottfredson.com/books/becoming-better/

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About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

***

Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

At 26, after a near-fatal car accident, Alan Lazaros’ life took a sharp turn — from external success to internal discovery. Today, he’s the Founder and CEO of Next Level University, a Global Top 100 Podcast empowering people worldwide to achieve true success in health, wealth, and love.

With more than 10,000 hours of coaching and over 2,100 podcast episodes, Alan believes that success isn’t about doing more — it’s about becoming more.

💬 In this episode, we talk about:

• How tragedy shaped his drive for purpose and growth

• Why success looks different for everyone

• The 4 Quadrants of living a balanced life

• How to sustain success without losing your peace

• The truth about entrepreneurship and personal fulfilment

Alan’s heart-driven yet no-BS approach to growth has transformed thousands of lives. His story will challenge how you define success — and inspire you to build a life that’s both powerful and peaceful.

🎧 Listen now to discover what it truly means to live your next level.

Learn more here: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

***

Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

n this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Len Lopez, Nutrition and Fitness Expert, Inventor, and Host of Natural Health Made Simple.

With over 25 years in health and wellness, Dr. Lopez has helped thousands transform how they approach food, fitness, and mindset. His journey from business and acting to wellness coaching is filled with lessons on reinvention, resilience, and balance.

💬 What we talk about:

• Why life truly begins after high school

• Learning by doing vs waiting for clarity

• Facing and overcoming life-shattering challenges

• The mental reset that turns failure into growth

• The birth of The 5 Steps a Day Framework — to track how you feed your Body, Mind & Spirit

✨ This episode will shift how you think about success, health, and happiness — inside and out.

🎧 Stream now and start feeding every part of your being, one step at a time.

Learn more:www.DrLenLopez.comAbout Your Host –Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

In this illuminating episode, I chat with Ryan Gottfredson, PhD, bestselling author and global authority on vertical leadership development. Ryan shares the psychology behind transformational growth — not just incremental improvement — and teaches how our subconscious mental models determine the success we experience.

We dive into the emotional experience of being fired, why we feel destined for more, and how to shift from a deficit mindset (fear, scarcity, proving) to an abundance mindset (growth, curiosity, possibility).

💡 Highlights you’ll learn:

• Why “better things” begin within your internal operating system

• The mindset patterns that lead to stagnation or sabotage

• How to recognise and break out of deficit thinking

• Ryan’s proven framework for personal transformation

• Tools to elevate from “doing leadership” to being a leader

Ryan’s work has transformed leadership development for global organisations and has been featured in top journals, including Leadership Quarterly and Journal of Management.

🎧 Press play to learn the science of becoming the version of yourself you know you’re meant to be.

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learn more:

Website: https://ryangottfredson.com/

Becoming Better: https://ryangottfredson.com/books/becoming-better/

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About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

***

Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

This week on My First Step Ever, I chat with Ros Cardinal — founder of Shaping Change, award-winning leadership coach, and creator of the Women’s Leadership Archetypes model.

Ros’s career has been anything but linear. From managing farms as a teenager to leading major corporate initiatives, she’s faced rejection, workplace challenges, and a life-threatening illness that became her greatest turning point. Today, she helps leaders and teams across the world embrace change, authenticity, and emotional intelligence.

💬 In this conversation, we discuss:

• How early responsibilities shaped her leadership mindset

• The painful yet powerful lessons from career rejection

• Her battle with cancer and how it redefined success

• Building a business with purpose after corporate life

• How women can lead authentically through self-awareness

• The importance of resilience in leadership and life

🎧 A must-listen episode for anyone navigating change, self-doubt, or career reinvention.

Learn more: https://www.courses.shapingchange.com.au/🎧 Tune in to discover how to shape your change — and live a career with meaning, courage, and compassion

About Your Host –

Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller!

🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.

👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com

***

Subscribe and follow the podcast on :

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3CkEhJE

Apple: https://apple.co/39kVVjW

***

Sound and music credit: www.mixkit.com

This week on My First Step Ever, I speak with the extraordinary Shrenik Shah — a world-renowned TEDx speaker, global thought leader, and throat cancer survivor who turned his pain into purpose.

After being diagnosed with throat cancer and losing his natural voice, Shrenik reinvented himself as a professional orator using an electrolarynx. Today, he is celebrated worldwide for his resilience, empathy, and advocacy — featured on Times Square, recognised by Amity University, and honoured at the World Cancer Congress in Geneva.

💡 What we explore:

• A childhood shaped by curiosity and love for the English language

• His entrepreneurial success and the shock of diagnosis

• Overcoming despair and finding purpose through service

• The art of storytelling as a tool for healing

• Why gratitude is the foundation of true success

🎧 A moving and motivational episode about the man who lost his voice but gained the world.

Follow Shrenik Shah: https://shrenik-shah.comAbout Your Host –Hi, I’m Ishani Nigam, a podcaster, presenter, and storyteller! 🎭💡 My passion is to EDUTAIN (educate + entertain) my audience through powerful conversations that help dreamers, disruptors, and underdogs turn their doubts into action.👉 Connect with me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes fun: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zl0IN6⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🎬💃Sound and music credit: www.pixabay.com