In this episode of The Real Shift Show, co-hosts Katy Temple and Anna Crowe sit down with internationally renowned author, journalist, and speaker Francesc Miralles — best known as the co-author of the global phenomenon Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life.

Joining the show from Barcelona, Francesc shares the deeper meaning behind ikigai, the Japanese philosophy centered around purpose, fulfillment, longevity, and living a meaningful life. From discovering unexpected global success to helping millions rethink happiness, discipline, flow, and human connection, this conversation is both grounding and deeply inspiring.

Together, Katy, Anna, and Francesc explore what it really means to live with purpose in a distracted, fast-moving world — and how small daily shifts can radically transform the way we live. This episode is for entrepreneurs, creatives, leaders, seekers, and anyone feeling disconnected, overwhelmed, or searching for greater meaning in life and work.

In this episode, we talk about:

Timestamps 00:00 – Intro 00:34 – Meet Francesc Miralles and the meaning of ikigai

01:13 – What is ikigai?

 01:52 – Francesc’s unexpected journey to global success

02:34 – The Okinawa trip that changed everything

03:32 – How Ikigai transformed Francesc’s career

04:04 – When Francesc realized the book was impacting the world

05:02 – What Okinawa teaches us about longevity and happiness

06:01 – Why relationships and community matter so much

06:41 – The importance of daily meaning and purpose

07:24 – What is “flow” and why does it matter?

08:31 – Why multitasking destroys flow

09:25 – How to find your purpose using the four circles exercise 11:24 – What the world needs and how to align with it

12:28 – Practical ways to begin finding your purpose

13:20 – Making time for reflection and creativity

14:28 – Why discipline matters beyond work

15:15 – Training your attention in a distracted world

16:29 – What Francesc says to people who feel “it’s too late”

17:02 – Why many people discover purpose after retirement

17:42 – The beauty of becoming a “late bloomer”

18:23 – Lessons we can learn from the Japanese and Blue Zones

18:38 – Final thoughts and book giveaway announcement If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with someone searching for more meaning, balance, or purpose in their life.

Follow Francesc Miralles: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francesc_miralles/ Website: https://www.francescmiralles.com/ Books: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life What was your biggest takeaway from this conversation? Let us know in the comments. #TheRealShiftShow #Ikigai #FrancescMiralles #Purpose #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #Longevity #BlueZones #Happiness #SelfDevelopment #FlowState #MeaningfulLife #Leadership #MentalWellness

In this episode of The Real Shift Show, co-hosts Katy Temple and Anna Crowe sit down with Julie Uhrman — the visionary entrepreneur and co-founder behind Angel City FC, now valued at $335 million and considered the most valuable women’s soccer club in the world.

Julie opens up about building Angel City FC alongside Natalie Portman and Kara Nortman during a time when most people doubted women’s sports could succeed at scale. From hearing over 100 “no’s” while fundraising to redefining what impact and profitability can look like together, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, resilience, mission-driven business, and trusting your vision when nobody else sees it yet.

This episode is for entrepreneurs, founders, leaders, athletes, and anyone navigating growth, reinvention, or the pressure of building something bigger than themselves. In this episode, we talk about: How Angel City FC grew to a $335 million valuation in just six years Why women’s sports was treated like a “charity” — and how they changed the model The 100 “no’s” that almost stopped the business before it started The mindset shift that changed Julie’s fundraising strategy forever Building a business around impact AND profitability Why Angel City gives 10% of sponsorship revenue back to the community Leadership lessons from building with Natalie Portman and Kara Nortman Letting go of identity and stepping away as CEO The importance of understanding your strengths Why women’s sports is not a moment — it’s a movement

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro 00:28 – Meet Julie Uhrman and the Angel City FC story

01:14 – Why starting a women’s soccer team in 2019 felt “crazy”

02:22 – The Women’s World Cup moment that changed everything

03:06 – The groundbreaking 10% sponsorship model

04:23 – Supporting players after retirement through the Player 22 Fund

05:29 – Growing Angel City FC to a $335 million valuation 06:15 – Investing in players, community, and fan experience

07:19 – Expanding women’s sports beyond “girl dads” and families

08:00 – Hearing 100 “no’s” while fundraising

08:50 – The Eva Longoria conversation that changed everything

10:11 – Why impact became Angel City’s biggest business differentiator

10:46 – Building trust and leadership with co-founders

12:21 – Creating a legacy that changed women’s sports forever

13:19 – The belief Julie had to overcome to scale the business

13:59 – Reframing rejection and the meaning of “no”

15:49 – Why Julie stepped down as CEO

17:02 – Identity shifts after leaving a major role

17:41 – The “secret sauce” behind Angel City’s success

18:05 – How to better understand your strengths

18:57 – Advice Julie would give her younger self

19:30 – Why women’s sports is a movement, not a moment

19:47 – Final advice on overcoming other people’s opinions

If this conversation resonated with you, make sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with someone building something bold. Follow Julie on IG: https://www.instagram.com/juhrman/, https://www.instagram.com/weareangelcity/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieuhrman/ What was your biggest takeaway from Julie’s story?

Let us know in the comments. #TheRealShiftShow #JulieUhrman #AngelCityFC #WomensSports #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #WomenInBusiness #FounderStory #NWSL #SportsBusiness #MindsetShift

Most people spend their lives avoiding discomfort.

They avoid the hard conversation.

But what if discomfort is actually the doorway?

In this episode, Tyler Forbes, founder of Breathe Degrees, explains why doing hard things is the key to resilience, growth and becoming who you’re actually capable of being.

From cold plunges and breathwork to mindset, fear, confidence and community, Tyler shares the philosophy behind building one of San Diego’s most talked-about wellness communities—and why staying calm under pressure is a skill anyone can train.

This is a conversation about nervous system regulation, mental toughness, human connection and the stories we tell ourselves that keep us playing small.

You will learn:

How cold plunges train your nervous system and resilience

⏱️ Timestamps:

About Tyler Forbes:

Follow Tyler Forbes + Breathe Degrees:

Subscribe for more:

Subscribe for more conversations on mindset, resilience, leadership, personal growth and the shifts that change how we live and lead.

Most people wait to be chosen.

They wait for permission.

But what if that moment never comes?

In this episode, Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient and founder of #SeeHer, explains why waiting is the biggest mistake holding you back—and how to build confidence, speak up in meetings, and step into leadership before you feel ready.

After disrupting the research industry and building a global platform for gender equality, Shelley shares the mindset, communication skills, and leadership strategies that helped her succeed in high-stakes environments.

This is a conversation about confidence, executive presence, and what it really takes to lead—especially when you’re the only one in the room.

0:00 – Introduction

Shelley Zalis is the CEO of The Female Quotient and founder of #SeeHer, a global movement focused on advancing gender equality in the workplace and media. She is a recognized leader in business, leadership, and inclusion.

Website: https://www.thefemalequotient.com

Subscribe for more conversations on leadership, communication, confidence, and career growth.

In this episode of The Real Shift Show, co-hosts Katy Temple and Anna Crowe sit down with Robin Toft, CEO of Curebound, cancer survivor, and purpose-driven leader. Robin shares the moment everything changed — walking into an ER thinking she had food poisoning… and being told she had cancer and needed emergency surgery. No time to prepare. No time to process.

 Just a decision — and a complete life reset. What followed wasn’t just recovery. It was a radical shift in how she lives, works, and defines success.

💡The shift: The life you’ve built — the one that looks successful on the outside — might be the very thing pulling you away from who you really are. Robin followed that realization immediately. She walked away from her career, rebuilt her life from the inside out, and chose a path rooted in purpose — not pressure. In this episode, we talk about:

🧠 A line you’ll remember: “If you would quit your job after a life-defining moment… you should probably quit your job now.” Robin’s story isn’t just about cancer. It’s about the moments in life that force you to stop… re-evaluate… and decide if the path you’re on is actually the one you want. Because the real shift isn’t just surviving something hard… it’s having the courage to change everything after it. Learn more about Robin Toft:

🌐 Curebound: https://www.curebound.org/ https://www.instagram.com/cureboundofficial/, https://www.instagram.com/robintoft2/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robintoft/ 👇 Join the conversation: What part of Robin’s story resonated with you most?

Have you ever had a moment that made you completely re-evaluate your life? What would you change if you actually listened to that voice?

In this episode of The Real Shift Show, co-hosts Anna Crowe and Katy Temple sit down with former Major League Baseball player Jeff Francoeur. After 12 years in the big leagues, Jeff shares what it really looks like to transition out of a career that once felt like everything — and how quickly that chapter becomes just a small part of your life story.

Today, he’s a broadcaster and co-host of the Pure Athlete Podcast, where he helps parents and coaches navigate the realities of youth sports — from pressure and expectations to helping kids actually enjoy the game. 💡

The shift: The thing you thought would define your life… might only be a small part of it. Jeff puts it into perspective: Even a successful, years-long career can end up being a fraction of your life — leaving the bigger question: 👉 What are you going to do with the rest of it?

In this episode, we talk about:

The mindset shift from perfection → awareness and adjustment 🧠 A line you’ll remember: “Baseball was one of the best parts of my life… but it was a small part of my life.”

 Jeff reminds us that this isn’t just about sports. It’s about any moment where something you’ve worked toward — a role, a title, a chapter — comes to an end. And the real shift isn’t just in achieving it… it’s in learning how to redefine who you are after it’s over.

Learn more about Jeff Francoeur: 🎙Pure Athlete  Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/pureathleteinc/, https://www.instagram.com/jefffrancoeur/ Website: https://pureathlete.com/

👇 Join the conversation: What part of Jeff’s story resonated with you most? Have you ever had to redefine your identity after a major transition? What does “what’s next” look like for you?

In this episode of The Real Shift Show, co-hosts Anna Crowe and Katy Temple sit down with Dr. Deepika Chopra — clinical health psychologist, author, and founder of “All Things Are Looking Up.”

Dr. Chopra has spent years studying the science of optimism — not as blind positivity, but as a powerful, evidence-based tool for resilience, health, and performance. Her work bridges neuroscience, psychology, and real-life application, helping people shift how they think about the future — and ultimately how they show up in the present. 💡

The shift: Optimism isn’t about ignoring reality — it’s about how you face it. Dr. Chopra introduces the concept of real optimism — the ability to acknowledge challenges while still believing in your capacity to move through them. Because the brain is always anticipating what comes next… and what you expect shapes how you act. In this episode, we talk about:

How to train your mind to expect better outcomes

A line you’ll remember: “Optimism isn’t about denying the dark — it’s about learning to see in it.” Dr. Chopra reminds us that optimism isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you build. Not by pretending everything is okay… but by trusting that you can handle what isn’t. And sometimes, the most powerful shift isn’t thinking bigger — it’s expecting differently.

Learn more about Dr. Deepika Chopra: Website: https://allthingsarelookingup.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/drdeepikachopra/ Book: Real Optimism (available wherever books are sold)

👇 Join the conversation: What did this episode shift for you? Where in your life could you practice “real optimism”? What are you choosing to expect next?

In this episode of The Real Shift Show, co-hosts Anna Crowe and Katy Temple sit down with AmyK Hutchens — international award-winning speaker, leadership expert, bestselling author, and founder of Ignite Brilliance.

For more than 25 years, AmyK has coached, trained, and consulted leaders around the world, helping them communicate more powerfully, lead more authentically, and move beyond the patterns that keep them small.

Her work lives at the intersection of leadership, communication, cognitive science, and spirituality — challenging people to quiet the ego, reconnect with their true selves, and lead from the heart.

AmyK believes one of the most important shifts leaders can make is moving away from fear, performance, and people-pleasing… and toward authenticity, stillness, and self-leadership.

In this episode, we talk about:

A line you’ll remember:

“Your state of being is your number one doing.”

AmyK reminds us that leadership isn’t about performance. It’s about alignment.

And sometimes the most powerful shift isn’t a giant leap — it’s a quiet pause, a deeper breath, a better phrase, or a more honest way of showing up.

Learn more about AmyK Hutchens: 

https://www.ignitebrilliance.com/

Follow AmyK Hutchens:

📘 Books by AmyK Hutchens include GET IT and her upcoming book Ignite Brilliance.

👇 Join the conversation:

In this episode of The Real Shift Show, co-hosts Anna Crowe and Katy Temple sit down with Jim Brogan — former NBA player, leadership coach, keynote speaker, and co-author of Bullets, Basketballs, and Boardrooms.

Jim has spent over 40 years studying high performance — working with professional athletes, CEOs, and top organizations — to understand what actually drives success. His approach blends neuroscience, discipline, and real-world application, helping people move from intention to execution. At the core of his work is a simple idea: success isn’t about big moments — it’s built through small, consistent actions over time.

Jim challenges the way we think about discipline, reframing it not as something rigid or punishing, but as a system that creates freedom, confidence, and results. In this episode, we talk about:

Jim reminds us that growth doesn’t come from doing everything at once — it comes from choosing one small shift and committing to it consistently. Whether it’s reading 10 pages a day, walking 100 yards, or simply drinking water in the morning — the smallest actions, done repeatedly, create the biggest transformations.

Learn more about Jim Brogan: https://jimbroganconsulting.com/ Follow Jim Brogan:   / jim-brogan-262042b     / jamesrbrogan  

📘 Bullets, Basketballs, and Boardrooms — available now on Amazon.

👇 Join the conversation: What part of Jim’s conversation resonated with you most? What’s one small shift you can commit to this week? Where in your life could more disciplined?

In this episode of The Real Shift Show, co-hosts Anna Crowe and Katy Temple sit down with Samantha Skelly — breathwork expert, entrepreneur, speaker, and host of the Can’t Be Contained podcast.

Through breathwork and somatic healing, Samantha has helped thousands of people reconnect with their bodies, release emotional patterns, and step into a more authentic version of themselves.

Her work focuses on identifying and removing the internal “templates” that keep people stuck — the beliefs that say you’re not worthy, you’re not good enough, or you can’t do that.

Samantha believes the key to transformation isn’t forcing change — it’s releasing what no longer serves you so your true self can emerge.

She also shares a powerful vision for bringing breathwork into new spaces — including churches — where she believes people can experience spirituality and connection through the breath itself.

In this episode, we talk about:

A line you’ll remember:

“The containment comes from the old templates — the stories that say you’re not worthy or good enough.”

Samantha reminds us that when we release the patterns that keep us small, we create space to live more meaningful, expansive lives.

Learn more about Samantha Skelly:

Follow Samantha Skelly:

🎙 Can’t Be Contained Podcast — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

👇 Join the conversation: