Fearless Forward

For many of us, losing a large chunk of our memory sounds terrifying. But for renowned leadership coach and author Ian Day, it has proven to be a gift. Back in 2017, during a regular gym session, Ian suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. He was clinically dead for 20 minutes. And with a survival rate of just 10%, he was lucky to pull through. But the experience left him with a serious brain injury. He...

What if life were simply a series of different adventures we say “yes” to? Because often the most rewarding experiences are the ones we don’t plan. My guest on this week’s Fearless Forward podcast is an international marketing leader whose career is a masterclass in saying “yes” to the adventures life brings. Kathryn Giblin’s journey is shaped by a willingness to embrace life as it comes – even wh...

Sometimes, the greatest opportunities are born from the greatest uncertainty. In 1991, the collapse of the former Soviet Union gave rise to a dynamic market economy. One particular physicist and mathematician not only witnessed but actively shaped the transformation of Russia’s business landscape. That man was Mikhail Klarin. Moving from scholar to pioneer, he helped build the coaching profession...

Fear can be paralysing, or it can be a motivator. For burns survivor Marc Convey, it’s a motivator. On the Fearless Forward podcast this week Marc offers profound insight into the power of facing things as they are and acting from there. It’s a powerful story of extreme adversity, fear and courage. At just 14, Marc survived a horrific accident that left him with severe burns over 38% of his body a...

You are what you absorb, not just what you eat. In other words, however well you eat, if your gut isn’t functioning well your brain and body won’t get the nutrients they need. Nutritional therapist Sarah Bayliss’s expertise is rooted in personal experience. After years in a high-stress marketing job, she suffered from sleep issues, hormonal imbalances, and gut problems that eventually led her to b...

In this episode, we journey with Joss Thompson - a mechanical engineer, seasoned mountaineer, and expert snowboarder - through his expedition to climb Denali, North America’s highest peak. This is more than a tale of adventure; it’s a masterclass in preparation, resilience, and the nuanced art of pushing human limits. Joss shares his early mistakes with acclimatisation, his preparation alongside f...

Nothing is in insurmountable, if you’re open to finding a way through. One way through is to find refuge in what you love. Love helps you stay grounded in the present, and keeps hope alive. It can also give you the strength to navigate even the most traumatic circumstances, as it did for Liia Dmytrenko , one of the millions of victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and of the ensuing war, now in...

True leadership requires the moral courage to act on your principles, even when it costs you everything you've worked for. The fear of making decisions that might harm others is far more significant than any physical danger we might face ourselves. Oliver Lee is a former Royal Marines officer whose extraordinary career took him from Cambridge to the frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan. Decorated th...

We need to share the messy, emotional reality of our own experiences with young people, not just the polished outcomes. When we sanitise our stories and skip over the struggle, uncertainty and fear we felt whilst figuring things out, we leave young people feeling isolated in their own difficulties and rob them of the most valuable lesson: that not having it all worked out is completely normal and...

Fear doesn't have to be eliminated or conquered. Instead, we can befriend it, stay curious about its messages, and move forward with purpose alongside it, rather than waiting for it to disappear before taking action. Liz Hall is a journalist, coach, mindfulness teacher, and editor of Coaching at Work magazine for the past 20 years. She is a recognised thought leader in psychological safety, race e...

Embracing our wholeness – including our fears, grief, and uncertainty – while staying connected to what brings us alive can lead us to unexpected renewal and purpose, even in the darkest moments. Bruce Cryer is a multifaceted professional with a career spanning creativity, science, leadership, and wellness. He’s the former CEO of HeartMath, a research-based organisation focused on stress managemen...

The behaviours and strategies that bring us success may not be the same ones that lead to fulfilment. Pausing to listen to our fears, rather than constantly outrunning them through action, can reveal what truly matters and guide us towards more meaningful leadership and life choices. Peter Whealy is a learning and development professional with nearly 30 years of experience working in various learn...

Slowing down and trusting your intuition can help you navigate life's challenges with greater clarity. When we step away from our screens and reconnect with nature, we gain perspective, access our deeper wisdom, and find the courage to pursue meaningful work despite fear. Jack Hubbard is a creative entrepreneur and co-founder of three successful businesses: PropellerNet, CoverageBook, and Answer t...

In times of overwhelming challenge and uncertainty, the ability to silence the noise, listen deeply, and connect with something larger than ourselves – whether through faith, values, or inner wisdom – is what carries us through and reveals the path forward, transforming our struggles into purpose and our pain into the power to help others. Ronel Hentschel’s work has been deeply influenced by her p...

Humans are wired to fear uncertainty and the unknown, and we often avoid potential opportunities because they seem too risky or uncomfortable. We cling to familiar patterns even when they no longer serve us, worried about what might happen if we let go. This week’s guest, Stephen Burt, suggests embracing uncertainty as a path to growth and creativity. By saying "yes, and" to our fears – acknowledg...

Rigid hierarchies can stifle innovation and create environments where employees wait for permission rather than taking initiative. In these cultures, people are afraid to contribute ideas, fearing rejection or overstepping boundaries. Kate Davies demonstrates how transformative leadership comes through relationships, not titles. By breaking down hierarchical barriers and creating genuine connectio...

In today's corporate world, fear-driven leadership has created environments where bullying and vaguely psychopathic behaviours are normalised. Leaders often believe success requires ruthlessness, breeding cultures where employees feel unsafe to be themselves. John Blakey offers a transformative alternative: trust-based leadership. His approach demonstrates that leaders who prioritise trustworthine...

The fashion industry is facing a critical environmental crisis with fast fashion and disposable clothing contributing significantly to global waste. The continued production and disposal of fashion items at current rates will accelerate climate change, deplete natural resources, and harm communities in manufacturing regions. Livelihoods will be threatened as resources become scarcer, affecting the...

Women are often socialised to believe that confidence will make them unlikeable or threatening. Lauren Currie OBE, founder of Upfront, shares her experience of receiving messages from childhood that "the world prefers me when I am quiet and small". This pressure leads many women to hide their accomplishments and dim their light. But confidence is not something we're born with, but something we can...

By challenging herself to run 330km across mountain terrain – facing extreme physical discomfort, sleep deprivation, and mental exhaustion – Linda Hubbard discovered that pushing boundaries leads to profound personal growth and unexpected calm. To break free from comfort zone paralysis, we must first identify what truly matters to us beyond our immediate comfort, then build a support system of peo...

Many organisations struggle to build structures that balance leadership and equality. Traditional hierarchies often lead to inefficiency, lack of clarity, and a stifling of innovation. Employees can feel disconnected or undervalued, and companies can lose sight of their mission in pursuit of profits. Mark Vletter’s approach offers a different way forwards. By embracing self-management and holacrac...

Navigating life’s biggest changes takes resilience and adaptability, especially when multiple challenges occur simultaneously. Even highly capable individuals can struggle when faced with unexpected events, from starting a business and having a child in a foreign country to dealing with illness and death. Jon and Lori Smith’s experience highlights the importance of acknowledging the cognitive stre...

Facing our fears means understanding how they shape our actions, while creating space for self-awareness, connection, and growth in both personal and professional contexts. Carlos Saba is the co-founder of the Happy Startup School, an alternative business school and learning platform that focuses on helping entrepreneurs and professionals align their work with their values and passions. With a PhD...

As change makers, we an become overwhelmed and anxious about our place in the world, the impact we have, and the resources we have to create it. These feelings often stem from deeper fears, like that of losing what we cherish or even the fear of dying. This can leave us feeling stuck, disconnected, and unable to act. For therapist Agnes Otzelberger, facing these fears head-on helped her feel more...

Many of us struggle with finding peace and quiet in our fast-paced, noisy lives. This lack of space to reflect and connect with ourselves can leave us feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, and stuck in patterns that don’t serve us. The solution is to embrace quietness, slow down, and create intentional space for reflection and connection. Pete Mosley’s approach shows us how we can live more in tune w...