I sat down with former national TaeKwonDo athlete and amateur boxer Jessica Borg. We recorded this one at my house.

Jess shared the wild story of going from being on track for the Tokyo Olympics, to being medically retired by 26. She opens up about what it really feels like to walk away from the thing that shaped your identity for two decades—and what it’s like to start over when the cheering stops.

We talk:

• What happens when COVID kills your Olympic dream
• Why she pivoted from TaeKwonDo to boxing (and won her first fight in chaos-mode)
• How she handled being “the scary opponent” no one wanted to fight
• The hidden toll of combat sports (and why hearing loss was her red flag)
• Life after sport: grief, identity, reinvention—and building something that helps others make that same leap

Now? Jess works in defence at Boeing, has a law degree, and is building a platform to help athletes transition out of sport and into careers with purpose.

Find Jess on Instagram.

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Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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Today, I’m replaying a conversation that kicked off an amazing friendship.

This was the first time I ever spoke with Andy Storch — now, he’s one of my best mates in the industry. We voice note each other across time zones, I spoke at his Talent Development Think Tank conference in Sonoma, and he now lives with his family in Barcelona. The man does it all — and does it with intention.

In this 30-minute hit, we cover a LOT of ground:

• How Andy created one of the best-rated talent development conferences — from scratch
• Why experiential learning actually works (and why most corporate training is still boring)
• What a well-designed morning routine looks like (and how Andy wrote a book off the back of it)
• Building a personal brand on LinkedIn without feeling fake
• Why practice matters more in business than we give it credit for (sports + military = good role models)
• What to do if you're a facilitator who hates content creation (hint: there's still a way to stand out)

If you're a consultant, facilitator, or someone navigating your next bold move — this episode will hit home.

🎧 Connect with Andy on LinkedIn, and don’t miss his book Own Your Career, Own Your Life.

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Today I’m joined by one of the most thoughtful teachers I’ve ever met: Sean D’Souza from Psychotactics in New Zealand.

I first saw Sean speak at the We Are Podcast conference — and let me tell you, I was hooked. Not just because he was engaging and entertaining (he was), but because his philosophy on learning, time, and facilitation absolutely cut through. I knew I had to bring him on the show.

In this episode, we go deep on:

• Why participants really come to your workshop — and it’s not for the information
• The critical link between safety and learning (for both participants and facilitators)
• Why Sean intentionally slows down his workshops to guarantee skill development
• The real reason we forget everything in our notebooks... and what to do instead
• How to use breaks, stories, and simplicity as powerful facilitation tools
• His method for teaching cartooning to complete beginners online (spoiler: it's genius)

We also talk about confidence, the energy cost of learning, and the role of fun (yes, actual fun) in skill acquisition.

💥 My big takeaway? The best facilitators aren’t trying to impress. They’re obsessed with making the learner feel safe, seen, and skilled.

📣 Got a favourite insight? Let me know what hit home.

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Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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Today’s episode is brought to you… from the front seat of my car.

Yep, I just did one of those chaotic pre-public holiday grocery shops (you know the ones where the trolley has a mind of its own), only to be ambushed by a torrential downpour on my way out. I waited it out. Got a coffee. Looked up. More rain. No blue sky in sight.

Eventually, I made the dash through the rain. And guess what? It wasn't that bad.

So that’s what this short episode is about: The moment before the moment. That split second where you hesitate, waiting for the clouds to clear… when deep down, you know they probably won’t. You just have to go.

It’s a metaphor, of course — for every scary move, every new project, every conversation we stall. I tie this to a post I made recently celebrating 100 daily podcast episodes in a row — and the comments I got from people who couldn't imagine doing it. But here's the truth: It’s not about being fearless. It’s about moving anyway.

Takeaway:

The rain always looks worse from the sidelines. But the second you move? You realise you can handle it — and maybe even have fun with it.

So… what are your clouds? And what would happen if you ran straight into them today?

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Today’s episode isn’t polished. It’s a reflection on someone who made a big impact on my life: Lindsay Gasman.

He was the kind of guy who gave you a nickname the first time he met you. Who said yes to wearing a Santa suit in 38-degree heat. Who would stop what he was doing—no matter how busy—to talk to you like you were the most important person in the room.

I drove to Maryborough today to attend his funeral. And during that long drive, I had time to think. About missed opportunities. About how often we tell ourselves, “I’ll catch up with them one day.” And how that day doesn’t always come.

This isn’t a motivational episode. It’s a human one. A reminder that time slips away—and that some people truly do role model what it means to be present, generous, and unforgettable.

Listen if you’ve ever thought, “I should reach out…” and haven’t yet.

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Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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Last night I stumbled across an article in the Wall Street Journal called “Go Delete Yourself from the Internet. Seriously. Here’s How.” Naturally, I clicked. And wow. It introduced me to a tool from Google I’d never heard of before:

👉 myactivity.google.com

Here’s what I learned (and what happened when I used it):

• You plug in your details (yep, including your home address — bit ironic, I know)
• It scans the internet for mentions of your personal info
• A few hours later, you get a report
• Mine showed 31 results (mostly just my public email — nothing scary!)
• From there, you can review and request removals

Why should you care? Because your personal data can be used for:

• Identity theft
• Impersonation scams
• Doxxing
• Or just getting bombarded with junk

Even if you’re comfortable sharing online (like I am), it’s worth knowing what’s floating out there.

🛑 BONUS: I also share other services like DeleteMe and OptOut that offer paid removal if things get overwhelming.

This isn’t about hiding. It’s about knowing. And having a sense of control in a world where our data is constantly up for grabs.

Links mentioned:

• myactivity.google.com
• Nicole Nguyen’s WSJ article (may be behind a paywall)

Questions for reflection:

1. When was the last time you Googled yourself with intention?
2. Would you be comfortable if a stranger had your home address and birthday?
3. How do you currently protect your digital identity — or are you winging it?

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Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn

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This episode is a real-time example of how I’m using AI tools like Manus to solve actual problems — not hypothetical ones.

You’ll hear how I used it to:

• Plan a last-minute status run to retain my Qantas Gold (yes, I’m that person)
• Find obscure tyres for a 1979 TransAm without spending hours trawling the internet

I’m not here to geek out on tech for the sake of it. I’m here to find what actually saves time, cuts through noise, and gives me headspace back — and these tools are doing just that.

So if you’re constantly juggling browser tabs, researching, comparing, and context-switching — this might be the thing that takes some of that off your plate.

Let me know where you’re tuning in from, and if you’ve used Manus or any other AI tools in creative ways. I love hearing how real people are getting smarter (not busier) with this tech.

Thanks for pressing play — I’ll catch you tomorrow!

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Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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While prepping for my Everest Base Camp and Lobuche Peak adventure, I went on a long, hilly walk by the river, audiobook in ears — Jim Rohn’s entire audio library. It's so good! And it reminded me of a simple but powerful project I did over the long weekend: repainting my office.

Not exactly life-changing, right? But it was a masterclass in turning a tiny idea into something tangible — with the help of imagination and modern tools.

So, I share how:

• A boring Zoom background sparked a small but meaningful project
• I used ChatGPT’s image generator (Sora) to overcome my lack of visualisation skills
• Visualising goals — whether it's a room or standing on top of Lobuche Peak — makes things real
• Imagination is no longer limited by talent, just by your willingness to experiment

Whether it's a coat of paint or a mountain climb, this is about moving from idea to execution.

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Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn

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This episode is for anyone who's ever thought:

“Am I repeating myself too much?”

“Should I change my message to keep things interesting?”

“Does anyone even care?”

Well… yes, no, and absolutely.

In this replay, I’m chatting with Jeffrey Shaw—author of The Self-Employed Life, host of a brilliant podcast by the same name, and someone who’s never worked for anyone else in his life (seriously—he started by selling eggs door to door at 14).

Here’s what we get into:

• Why repetition in your message isn’t lazy—it’s leadership
• The concept of Big Stake, Little Stake and how to stay consistent without sounding like a robot
• How to make your marketing feel like a DM to a friend
• A refreshingly honest take on energy management for speakers, coaches and facilitators
• Why space-switching is the productivity trick more of us should be using
• The workshop activity that gave me goosebumps: the Up It List

Jeffrey also talks about his rituals (inspiring socks, anyone?), why candles and calm matter more than tools, and how to keep showing up with purpose—even when you're tired of your own voice.

🎧 If you’re building a body of work, showing up consistently, or trying to refine your message, you’ll find a lot of reassurance in this one.

– Leanne

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Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

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Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn

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This episode is a plot twist in real time.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned I’d be trekking to Everest Base Camp and climbing Lobuche East Peak in November. It’s a terrifying and exciting move—and it all came about thanks to the guest on today’s show: Matthew Stewart.

Matt is a long-time friend, adventurer, and the CEO behind The Custodian Way, a collection of businesses with one mission: creating 30 million impact moments annually by 2030. He's also the founder of Experiences Not Felt Possible—the exact program I’m now joining.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why climbing mountains is just a vehicle (and not the point)
• The problem with chasing your “why” too soon
• How redefining everyday language changes everything (from patients to athletes, clinics to arenas)
• The 5-stage opt-out hiring process his team uses (hint: it flips traditional recruitment on its head)
• The importance of creating pages in your Book of Life
• How to build workplaces where no one gets performance managed out
• Why your dream doesn’t have to look “big” to be bold

You’ll also hear about:

• Dreaming big with constraints
• The story of Carol and the Brisbane clock tower that’ll stay with me forever
• Why saying “If it is to be, it’s up to me” can shift you out of a funk instantly

This isn’t a feel-good fluff piece. It’s a real, raw look at designing a life where the experiences define the strategy, not the other way around.

Follow Matt:

🌐 matthewstewart.co or connect on LinkedIn

📸 @mattjstewart on Instagram

🔗 The Custodian Way and Experiences Not Felt Possible

Pre-order my new book WORK FAME and get featured on the Wall of Work Fame

Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.

Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.com

Let's connect on all the channels:

Leanne Hughes on LinkedIn

Leanne Hughes on Instagram

Visit my website: leannehughes.com

Email me: [email protected]

Would you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.