Connecting the Dots by The Collective

Vivian Szterling’s story isn’t linear, it’s layered, intentional, and quietly radical. She started in tourism, moved through pharmacy and neuroscience, and landed in nutrition. But nothing truly clicked until she discovered mindfulness. That’s when the dots connected, and her purpose became clear. Today, she’s not just a registered dietitian or mindfulness instructor, she’s a global voice shaping...

Until recently, measuring your VO2Max required a lab setting, a mask, and a max-effort treadmill test. This made it inaccessible for most people. But VO2Max is one of the most powerful indicators of health we have. It measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise and is directly linked to heart strength, disease prevention, and even lifespan. In this episode, Jennifer talks with M...

Want to truly level the playing field in leadership and sport? Host Grace McNamara talks with system-thinkers Eran and Carolyn about the hidden forces shaping our world: bias, diverse role models, and crucial male allies. Eran shares how his Value Sports initiative uses sport to tackle prejudice and empower youth, revealing how early biases can push girls out of the game. Carolyn uncovers challeng...

🤝 Meet Our Guests: Rosanna Tucker – Co-Founder, CoverMe Isabel van de Keere – Founder, Immersive Rehab Rosanna was dismissed in a business meeting as “just a little girl from Brighton.” Isabel was told her company must be a side project. Neither of them listened. This episode is a conversation about what happens when you build something because no one else will. It’s about how sport and injury ca...

This week on Connecting the Dots , I’m sharing my personal journey with Zova Life, a hyper-personalised longevity service that transforms the overwhelming noise of health advice into clear, actionable, and evidence-based strategies. I was so intrigued by Zova’s service after our first podcast that I wanted to know how it truly worked. So, I decided to test the service out myself. Approaching 49 an...

In this episode, Gav Baxter opens up about his unconventional career path, from struggling gym instructor in the UK to leading one of the biggest fitness events in Dubai. We talk honestly about what it’s like to live and work as an expat in two very different but rapidly evolving markets: the fast-paced, international business hub of Dubai and the traditionally conservative yet transforming Saudi...

🧠 Cognitive fitness is one of the biggest untapped opportunities in health, performance, and longevity. It boosts retention, enhances engagement, and drives outcomes — not just in sport or fitness, but in clinical care, workplace wellbeing, and active ageing. In Episode 31 of Connecting the Dots: The Longevity Playbook , I sat down with two pioneers who are putting brain health at the centre of b...

Inside the Power Struggles, Silent Barriers, and Missed Opportunities in Fitness Sector Leadership. In this episode, we bring together two voices who rarely sit at the same table - Steffie Bryant, COO of Keepme , and Herman Rutgers, a veteran of the fitness industry with decades of boardroom experience. What unfolds is an unfiltered conversation about the fitness sector and its diversity challenge...

Elfie isn’t just another health app. It’s medically endorsed, ad-free, gamified, and already helping over 650,000 people manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Emilie Cristini and Professor Otavio Baranger join Grace McNamara to explore how Elfie is scaling globally, the science behind its clinical trials, and why it could change how the world manages chronic illness. 🎧 Tap pla...

She Left Pharmacy to Reinvent Longevity - This Is Her Mission Now Dr. Dorsa Jalaei walked away from a traditional career in pharmacy to tackle one of the biggest challenges in healthcare: how to make longevity science both affordable and actionable . In this episode, she shares the turning points that led her to found Zova Life , a company built on the belief that everyone deserves access to perso...

In this engaging conversation, Grace McNamara hosts Pinky Ghadiali and David Stalker to discuss their career journeys, the importance of mentorship and sponsorship, and the challenges women face in leadership roles, particularly in the sports and fitness industry. They explore how sports can foster leadership skills, the need for gender balance in leadership positions, and the significance of visi...

🎙️ We're Dropping Episode 28 – Playing Catch-Up: The Rise of Female Athletics & the Future of Ageing in Fitness 🌐 This pop-up podcast reimagines business through the lens of sport and a gender-balanced perspective . Each episode pairs guests from diverse sectors and geographies to uncover insights that address challenges, unlock opportunities, and deliver game-changing results. Our latest...

We’re Dropping Episode #27- The Shift in Gender Roles and the Sandwich Generation: How It’s Reshaping Careers and Life 🌐 This pop-up podcast reimagines business through the lens of sport and a female perspective. Each episode pairs guests from diverse sectors and geographies to uncover insights that address challenges, unlock opportunities, and deliver game-changing results. Our latest episode, T...

We’re Dropping Episode #26 -The Missing Muscle: Building Stronger Foundations for Women's Fitness Across Every Life Stage 🤝 Meet Our Guest: Mish Wright - Writer, educator, speaker, and consultant. I support organisations large and small in improving/creating their education products. Head of Education at Women's Fitness Education.   🎧 Tune in now: 🔗 Spotify: Connecting the Dots by The Collectiv...

We’re Dropping Episode #25: Alzheimer's and AI Med Tech Augmenting Health Care🤝 Meet Our Guests:Asma Taib https://www.linkedin.com/in/asma-altaibAhmad Farooq: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmad-farooq-5939a149/💼 Key Takeaways:AI’s role in revolutionising early diagnosis of Alzheimer's, dementia, and other neurological conditions. The integration of neurocognitive AI (NCAI) to enhance clin...

🎙️ We're Dropping Episode #24- Using Generative Listening to Create a Shift in Health Equity 🌐  🤝 Meet Our Guests: Ekua Mends-Aidoo, CCDP – President, Clementine Group Equity-centered strategist with deep expertise in planning, engagement, and community partnerships. Nathan Hyland – Chief Business Officer, The Collective Longevity expert, coach, and athlete driving business growth in wellnes...

🎙️ We're Dropping Episode #23 – The Human Guidance AI Needs in Tech and Media 🌐  🤝 Meet Our Guests: 🎙️ Nicole Dunn- CEO at Dunn Pellier Media Inc., a PR expert spotlighting wellness leaders and championing stories that spark global conversations. 🎙️ Alex Peacock - Founder at Leisure Labs, building one of the most forward-thinking digital teams in fitness tech, helping businesses scale smart....

⭐️ Special Announcement We’re so excited about Elfie – what they’re developed, the alliances and partnerships role that Grace is taking with them – we wanted to give Elfie its own episode. Download the Elfie app and start tracking your health journey today! 🤝 Meet Our Guests Jean-François Legourd – Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Elfie Ofir Ejnes – Co-Founder & CEO, Elfie Both bring...

🤝 Meet Our Guests: 🎙️ Dr. Fiona Bull (Head of the Physical Activity Unit, World Health Organization) – A global leader in public health policy and physical activity, shaping strategies to improve well-being worldwide. 🎙️ Steven Fevrier (Senior Advisor to the Director-General, World Trade Organization) – An expert in trade policy, economic development, and global inclusion initiatives. 💡 What You...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots by The Collective , we explore Infertility Insurance with: 🎙️ Dr. Christy Lane is global leader of InsurTech, an investor, founder and award-winning health scientist with expertise in AI, digital health, and wearable devices. Dr. Lane is the Co-Founder of Flora Fertility, the Stanford Wearable Health Lab, as well as Founder and former CEO of Vivametrica. Chri...

In this episode of Connecting the Dots by The Collective , we dive into how the changing leadership is shaping the future of industry with: 🎙️ Mia Bjorkroos (COO of BFS Network) – Expert in boutique fitness & business growth 🎙️ Tobias Gröber (Sports Industry Leader) – Specialist in trade shows & global sports business 💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ How women are driving change in...

Meet Our Guests : Melinda Nicci – Founder & CEO of Body Collective , pioneering digital health solutions for women’s well-being. Edi Pasalis – Founder of Be Your Power, the Menopause Leadership Program , helping women navigate menopause while strengthening their leadership.   💼 Key Takeaways & Quotes to Remember: Menopause Affects Everyone in the Workplace Every woman will experience meno...

This Episode Covers: The legacy of inequity in sports and business—and how to correct it ✅ “Equality means everyone should get the same. But to truly close the gap, we need equity, not just equality.” – Eamonn Sayers ✅ “You can see the result of hiring only based on qualifications – leadership remains overwhelmingly male. We need to be intentional in how we develop talent.” – Amy Boone Thompson...

This episode explores the intersections of leadership, personal fulfillment, and industry disruption. Our guests, Jodi Wellman and Peter Croft , bring unique perspectives on how to live with purpose, lead with impact, and embrace the evolving nature of work and wellness. Jodi, a leadership expert, keynote speaker, and founder of Four Thousand Mondays , challenges us to rethink how we define a mean...

Our latest episode, "From Entrepreneur to Board Director - The Business Journey Through the Lens of Gender Balance," is live! This episode of The Collective Podcast dives into the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and succession planning through the lens of gender balance. Hosted by Grace McNamara, we explore the challenges of building and scaling businesses, the biases that per...