As a teenager, Sir Richard Branson had already mastered the art of taking bold leaps to pursue opportunities. Dyslexic and struggling in school, he quit at age 15 to launch a youth magazine, a move that eventually led to Virgin Records, Virgin Atlantic, and the Virgin Group empire. In this LEAP Replay, Richard joins Ilana to share how he turned obstacles into opportunities, embraced fearless risk-taking, and uses his influence for international peace initiatives, all while showing that dyslexia can be a superpower.

Sir Richard Branson is the founder of Virgin Group, spanning airlines, cruises, hotels, health, entertainment, and space travel. Known for his adventurous spirit and bold pursuits, he has not only transformed industries but also used his influence to champion global humanitarian causes.

In this episode, Ilana and Richard will discuss:

(00:00) Introduction

(02:10) Quitting School at 15 to Run a Magazine

(05:26) Launching Virgin Records with a Bold Move

(09:20) The Funny Moment That Birthed Virgin Atlantic

(11:37) Using His Influence to Negotiate with Saddam Hussein

(15:54) The “Reserve Tank” Mindset for Mental Toughness

(18:17) Why Dyslexic Thinking Is a Superpower in Business

Sir Richard Branson is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group, a global conglomerate of more than 40 companies spanning industries from entertainment to aviation and space travel. Known for his adventurous spirit and bold approach to business, Richard built Virgin into one of the world’s most recognized brands. Beyond entrepreneurship, he is a philanthropist, author of multiple bestsellers, and a passionate advocate for social and environmental causes.

Connect with Richard:

Richard’s Website: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson 

Richard’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rbranson

Resources Mentioned:

Richard’s Audiobook: Losing and Finding My Virginity: The Full Story: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Finding-My-Virginity-Story/dp/B0CW8BS7W7 

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