Success With Purpose

Alain Seckler was originally from Luxembourg, trained to be a lawyer, started working in the UN, passed the bar exam, worked for the UN in Geneva, Luxembourg, ex-Yugolsavia during the conflict, Haiti, Congo, Guinea Bissau, Western Sahara and recently retired in NY. Throughout this time he was also a diplomat for Luxembourg in Brussels & EU.

This conversation explores the themes of personal and professional success, the importance of staying true to one's values, and why Alain chose the UN to create impact in the world and work in conflict zones. Alain shares his journey from law to diplomacy, emphasizing the significance of making a positive difference in the world and the challenges of navigating bureaucracy. The discussion also highlights the complexities of peacekeeping operations and the long-term nature of creating change. 

"It takes time to see the impact of your work."

But what this conversation is really about is how we can experience personal growth through our professional endeavours, the importance of empathy, and the lessons learned from Alain’s global experiences. He emphasizes the need for integrity, perseverance, and the value of understanding diverse perspectives in achieving meaningful change.

So, if you want to hear a new perspective of success from someone who has spent their lives in a world of conflict, turmoil and impact, then listen in to hear Alain’s journey.

Jump straight to the part which interests you the most:

00:00 Sticking to Your Guns: The Importance of Belief

02:07 Defining Success: Personal and Professional Perspectives

06:08 Fitting In: Finding Your Place in the World

09:53 A Journey Through the UN: Career Path and Experiences

18:02 Impact in Conflict Zones: Stories from the Field

25:45 Navigating Bureaucracy: The Role of the UN

33:55 Elections and Peacekeeping: The UN's Role in Congo

34:21 Navigating the Complexities of Congo

40:02 The Role of the UN in Peacekeeping

45:49 Personal Growth Through Challenges

51:56 Lessons Learned from a Global Perspective

59:46 Defining Success and Staying True to Values

01:09:04 Final Reflections and Messages for the Future

Bobby Feigler has taken a key leadership role in nearly every step of his career. Both in the military, in cofounding SciQuest and in all the roles since. It takes an impressive leader to take the Presidency & then CEO of the company that took over his former employer.

"Success is achieving our full potential as human beings"

His journey leaves a trail of success. With rapidly building businesses, maintaining a strong marriage for 40 years, raising 2 successful adult children & now mentoring others to share the wisdom learnt from his experiences while still applying all his knowledge around business, relationships & investing for the company he is CEO of.

"Purpose is about being on the move in some direction"

And that’s part of his life message. His purpose in life is to keep moving in some direction, never staying stagnant.

“Setting a course, even if it requires corrections, is essential when feeling lost.”

Bobby shares his journey from a chaotic childhood in New Orleans to becoming a successful leader in various industries. He emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, empathy, and the interconnectedness of personal and professional growth. We discuss conflict resolution and the lessons learned throughout Bobby's life, highlighting the value of applying wisdom to help others. 

"Be open-minded and listen…it's a two-way conversation."

But perhaps the core of this conversation is the significance of learning from others and the responsibility that comes withstanding on the shoulders of giants.

And that summary barely scratched the surface.

So listen in, take some notes, and move toward your full potential.

Let’s begin.

Chapters:

00:00 The Journey of Purpose and Potential

19:21 Bobby's Life Journey and Key Milestones

28:54 Applying Life Lessons and Wisdom

31:13 Conflict Resolution and Empathy

35:34 Navigating Conflict with Empathy

39:24 Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

44:46 The Value of Personal Connections

54:31 Finding Purpose in Times of Uncertainty

01:01:53 The Golden Thread of Quality in Life

Andrew Patterson’s conversation explores his evolving perspective on success, challenges, and Ubuntu, deeply shaped by his life experiences. Originally from South Africa, Andrew’s definition of success has shifted from material wealth to embodying the philosophy of Ubuntu: "I am because you are." His three pillars—learning, mastering, and teaching—reflect his commitment to personal growth and community impact. These principles were influenced by his upbringing during the apartheid era, where understanding the challenges of others instilled a deep sense of empathy.

Key moments include Andrew's transformative Table Mountain project, climbing the iconic peak daily for a year. The endeavour tested him mentally, physically, and emotionally, while raising funds for charities and fostering connections. This project also serendipitously led him to his wife, who supported him throughout this life-altering challenge.

Through wilderness therapy, Andrew worked with at-risk youth, teaching them resilience and self-worth. This taught him the importance of creating space for others to grow, distinguishing between helping and rescuing. It highlighted Ubuntu's principle that collective effort benefits all. His work in wilderness therapy was a profound lesson in humility, patience, and the enduring impact of small actions, such as sharing Ubuntu principles with teens.

Andrew emphasises embracing challenges to uncover inner strength and resilience. His belief that growth arises from discomfort underpins his philosophy. Whether enduring corporate rejection, pursuing creative projects like writing, or training through physical and emotional hurdles, Andrew’s life exemplifies the importance of persistence and self-belief.

The conversation also delves into societal dependency on convenience, contrasting it with Andrew's advocacy for reconnecting with effortful living. He uses his lessons, such as teaching fire-making to troubled youth, to demonstrate how discipline fosters transformation. His ideas of self-worth resonate as he reflects on overcoming self-doubt and societal expectations.

Andrew’s life is a tapestry of stories showcasing humanity's ability to persevere, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to others' lives. He now channels his experiences into community-focused initiatives, blending his love for nature, storytelling, and personal development. Whether building resilience through his Whole Foods work or planning future ventures in Cape Town tourism, Andrew’s mission remains consistent: inspire and uplift others by living authentically and striving for meaningful progress.

Don’t miss this conversation that just might spark your next transformation.

04:35 Learning humility through reflections on apartheid's legacy

06:03 The philosophy of Ubuntu as a life framework for success

16:26 A year of daily climbs up Table Mountain for charity and growth

23:59 Using personal challenges as opportunities to foster community and self-worth

28:48 Meeting his wife amid personal transformation

32:13 Overcoming rejection in creative pursuits like writing

34:53 Life lessons from living with at-risk youth in wilderness therapy

49:09 Finding joy in seemingly mundane moments of work and life

49:26 Teaching fire-making as a metaphor for patience and growth

54:43 Embracing discomfort to find resilience and purpose

Have you heard of Dr Suzy Green?

Suzy’s journey didn’t start out so promising. She went from being a school drop out at 16 years old to turn her life around and become Australia’s Leading Positive Psychologist, founder of The Positivity Institute & author of The Positivity Prescription.

In this conversation we dive deeply into what it means to Suzy to be holistically successful, authentic & empowered.

Here’s a taste of what we covered in this conversation:

00:00 The Importance of Self-Compassion

01:25 Defining Success: Authentic Living

02:22 Core Values and Their Evolution

04:43 Navigating Values Conflicts

10:22 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

12:44 Managing Conflicting Values

18:00 The Role of Timing in Success

19:27 Resilience and Positive Mindset

29:42 Understanding Wellness, Positivity, and Resilience

33:05 Understanding Resilience and Mental Toughness

39:07 The Role of Affirmations and Hope in Adversity

46:08 Navigating Life's Challenges: Personal Stories and Lessons

54:10 The Importance of Self-Compassion and Emotional Literacy

59:32 Summary

Scott Andrews has been on an extraordinary journey including:

- Military helicopter pilot with deployments

- CEO of a dotcom company which reached billions in valuation

- Experienced the crash and losing a lot of wealth

- Became a professional trader,

- Managed millions of clients funds,

- Transitioned from discretionary trading to automated trading,

- Learned to incorporate AI tools before they became so popular

- Now running an automated trading company helping clients achieve pretty impressive returns

- Continued to foster a strong marriage, and

- Jointly raised 4 now-adult children!

There’s a lot to learn from Scott, so listen in, take some notes and be mentored by a wise man with decades of experience.

Enjoy!

Jump straight to the juicy parts:

00:00 Introduction

02:01 Defining Success and Personal Accountability

08:22 The Impact of Losing Wealth and Balancing Priorities

15:40 The Role of Personal Accountability and Communication in Success

18:01 Finding Balance: Financial Success and Family Time

33:32 Lessons from the Military: Risk and Decision-Making

38:53 The Importance of Wealth and Time

40:19 Navigating the Dot Com Crash and Diversification

42:13 Transitioning to Trading

44:07 The Role of Luck and Tenacity

46:28 Making Career Decisions

50:12 The Power of Supportive Partners and Mentors

01:16:38 The Role of Mentors and Support Systems

01:18:05 Honesty, Communication, and Respect in Relationships

01:20:59 Learning to Compel People and Build Support Networks

01:26:36 Taking Care of Your Health and Finding Balance

01:31:26 Chunking Down Goals and Making Progress

01:38:27 Discipline and the Importance of Following Rules

01:44:14 Being Good at Many Things to Succeed

01:49:53 Dreaming Big and Prioritising Health and Relationships

Have you heard of Scott Doty?

The man who built an extraordinary tutoring company which allowed him to “retire” at 31, spend time with his family, raise his daughters and grow his mindset. And then coming back when the business needed him during covid and bringing it to new heights.

In today’s conversation we focus on true success. And what’s that? According to Scott, it’s uncovering your own unique genius, cultivating it and sharing it in service to the world.

Amongst many other valuable topics, we explore the importance of building deep relationships, discovering one's passions, and putting in consistent effort.

And, most importantly, while the plans and ideas around your personal growth, business, parenting or any other area of your life are great…

…It’s all worthless if you don’t know how to execute.

Listen in.

Take notes.

Enjoy!

Have you heard of Ramesh Rajagopalan?

Well, if you haven’t, now is your opportunity!

We discuss some fascinating concepts & perspectives. But the three most intriguing & insightful are these:

1. The opposite of success is NOT failure. The opposite of success is simply not success.

2. Success is beyond the temporary feelings, the temporary changes or the temporary achievements. It’s about turning butter into ghee.

3. If you want to save your marriage, commit to one more day. Every day. Just one more day. And success will be found on the other side.

Listen to our full conversation to hear about the miracles of success in Ramesh’s life and some of the key experiences which helped mentor him into the success he is today.

Quotes:

"Success is the surprise, the joy, the discovery of things which you thought you didn't have or which you thought didn't exist."

"Success is something which is more permanent, something which you can't take away."

"Success is about becoming someone entirely new, something entirely different."

"Success is not that one goal. It is those multiple goals which you have to go through."

Chapters

00:00 Defining Success as Finding the Truth

08:22 Starting with the End in Mind

13:34 Becoming Someone Entirely New

20:18 Enjoying the Process and Letting Go of Fixation

23:42 Failure as a Message and Opportunity for Growth

37:00 Success Defined by Personal Definition

40:46 Failure as the First Attempt in Learning

49:04 The Evolution of Success

51:01 Embracing the Process

56:08 The Role of Miracles and Grace

01:19:44 Measuring Success and Finding Purpose

01:30:40 Striving for Personal Growth

Have you heard of Olivier Vojetta?

Olivier is a successful, inspiring and eclectic individual, with a degree from INSEAD and an extraordinary trading career in London. He was a senior strategy lead at Macquarie, is a founder and entrepreneur in Sydney, and on top of all this he is a master storyteller and public speaker & a well known writer.

He’s gone through the highs and lows of career, moving countries & starting a family.

This conversation is about taking action on your path in the absence of regrets.

We discuss the importance of taking on challenges and finding happiness in the difficulty of achieving success.

We explore Olivier’s approach to building relationships through asking insightful questions and listening to understand.

But what this conversation is really about, is the power of curiosity, hard work, and movement in achieving success and making a positive impact on the world and those around you.

Listen in.

Enjoy!

00:00 Defining Success and the Importance of Challenges

14:09 The Vibrant and Decadent Culture of the Trading Floor

34:47 Moving to Australia and Starting Afresh

38:10 Career at Macquarie Bank and the Value of Relationships

43:31 The Power of True Conversation

44:29 Building Relationships through Quality Work and Questioning

57:01 Teaching Curiosity and Hard Work to Kids

01:08:26 The Future: Creativity and Collaboration

01:21:35 Being Connected and Open-Minded for Success

When Louise Baxter started her career, she had absolutely no idea she’d end up leading one of Australia’s most impactful charities.

In this conversation, we explore Louise’s journey from working part time at David Jones, to move toward a marketing career across multiple industries to eventually receive an opportunity to work with Starlight which changed her journey forever.

Louise is now the CEO of Starlight Children's Foundation.

She shares insights on socializing ideas, maintaining mission focus, and the impact of positive psychology. She emphasizes the importance of purpose, authenticity, and open-mindedness in leadership and clearly articulates the value of learning, adaptability, and the power of finding purpose in one's work.

00:00 Intro

01:22 Navigating Success and Purpose

06:11 Transitioning to a Purpose-Driven Career

37:44 Embracing Change and Innovation

46:29 The Power of Socializing Ideas: Feedback and Stakeholder Engagement

51:19 Maintaining Mission Focus: Organizational Success and Decision-Making

01:31:41 Authentic Leadership: Purpose, Open-Mindedness, and Learning

Josh Waldhorn had the “perfect” life. A wife, 2 kids, a beautiful home, an advancing career and then it all fell apart.

More specifically, Josh fell apart and from the “depths of hell” he found a way out.

This episode focuses on what happens when we take life for granted: The pain that comes from resting on our laurels. 

Josh shares his journey with deep authenticity and brutal honesty.

"Life's so fast-paced. So much stuff's all happening. You just have to occasionally just take a step back and just do a little health check."

And we explore the life lessons he’s taken away from his pain. Especially, the importance of breaking free from the comfort zone, embracing change, and finding the courage to pursue one's true passions. Josh shares insights on the impact of life experiences, the value of bravery, and the significance of self-awareness

Our conversation delves into the journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and the pursuit of a fulfilling life.

The truth is, anyone can learn from the journeys of those who have gone into the depths of despair and darkness while being able to come out even stronger on the other side.

"I don't want to be happily unhappy. I want to be the author of my own ambition."

00:00 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Personal Growth

21:17 Embracing Change and Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

36:26 The Impact of Relationships on Personal Growth

45:07 Finding the Courage to Pursue True Passions

Know anyone experiencing marriage breakdown or divorce?

Do them a favour and send them this conversation.