My First Step Ever

In Episode 199 of My First Step Ever , Ishani Nigam welcomes Liz van Zyl , a key figure in Australia and New Zealand’s startup ecosystem, for a thoughtful conversation about courage, resilience, and the foundations that shape who we become. Liz shares stories from her childhood in South Africa, where strong family values, curiosity, and community were deeply ingrained. She reflects on formative mo...

In Episode 198 of My First Step Ever , Ishani Nigam welcomes Rukaiya Khan , a transformational leader, smile strategist, and founder of Smiltastic, for a heartfelt conversation about conviction, resilience, and the power of self-expression. Rukaiya shares her journey from a childhood shaped by cultural expectations and empathy, to discovering her voice through poetry, and later navigating the uphe...

In Episode 197 of My First Step Ever , Ishani is joined by Wes Towers , founder of Uplift 360 — a digital agency elevating how trade and construction businesses show up online. Wes is known for blending AI with authentic human storytelling. But behind his professional success is a powerful personal story of emotional resilience, learning through experimentation, and embracing the mindset of “let’s...

In this episode of My First Step Ever , Ishani sits down with Matt Ellis , host of The Cricket Library Podcast and long-time educator, commentator, writer and content creator. Matt has spent years telling stories from the world of cricket, inspiring young people, and serving regional communities through his work with Cricket NSW. But his personal journey offers even richer lessons — about choosing...

This week on My First Step Ever , we welcome Akshat Agarwal , a fearless creator and founder who believes that life expands only when you do. A proud college dropout and a true outside-the-box thinker, Akshat brings a refreshing, grounded, and deeply practical perspective to innovation and decision-making. In this episode, we explore: How conviction becomes your biggest superpower The mechanism be...

At 26, after a near-fatal car accident, Alan Lazaros ’ life took a sharp turn — from external success to internal discovery. Today, he’s the Founder and CEO of Next Level University , a Global Top 100 Podcast empowering people worldwide to achieve true success in health, wealth, and love. With more than 10,000 hours of coaching and over 2,100 podcast episodes, Alan believes that success isn’t abou...

n this inspiring episode, I sit down with Dr. Len Lopez , Nutrition and Fitness Expert, Inventor, and Host of Natural Health Made Simple . With over 25 years in health and wellness, Dr. Lopez has helped thousands transform how they approach food, fitness, and mindset. His journey from business and acting to wellness coaching is filled with lessons on reinvention, resilience, and balance. 💬 What w...

In this illuminating episode, I chat with Ryan Gottfredson, PhD , bestselling author and global authority on vertical leadership development . Ryan shares the psychology behind transformational growth — not just incremental improvement — and teaches how our subconscious mental models determine the success we experience. We dive into the emotional experience of being fired, why we feel destined for...

This week on My First Step Ever , I chat with Ros Cardinal — founder of Shaping Change , award-winning leadership coach, and creator of the Women’s Leadership Archetypes model . Ros’s career has been anything but linear. From managing farms as a teenager to leading major corporate initiatives, she’s faced rejection, workplace challenges, and a life-threatening illness that became her greatest turn...

This week on My First Step Ever , I speak with the extraordinary Shrenik Shah — a world-renowned TEDx speaker, global thought leader, and throat cancer survivor who turned his pain into purpose. After being diagnosed with throat cancer and losing his natural voice, Shrenik reinvented himself as a professional orator using an electrolarynx. Today, he is celebrated worldwide for his resilience, empa...

In this week’s episode, I speak with Naga Chaithanya , an independent education consultant, edtech strategist, and startup advisor who has spent over two decades designing, teaching, and transforming learning experiences. From leading academic programs to advising education startups, Naga’s journey is a blend of intellect, curiosity, and authenticity. But beyond the credentials lies a deeper philo...

In this week’s episode, I chat with Shihan Wayne MacDonald — 3x Karate World Champion , 7th Dan Black Belt , Australian National Team Coach , and World Chief Instructor of Karate Budokan International (KBI) . Wayne’s story begins in a small town, where bullying left deep scars — but also lit a fire within him. From training with his cousin to representing Australia at 18, Wayne went on to compete...

In Part 2 of my conversation with Getrude Matshe , international speaker and founder of HerStory Circle , we explore how she transformed adversity into abundance. From rebuilding life as a migrant in New Zealand to founding multiple million-dollar enterprises and mentoring thousands of women globally, Getrude’s story is one of vision, reinvention, and unshakable belief in purpose. 💡 We discuss: N...

In Part 1 of this heartfelt two-part conversation, I speak with Getrude Matshe , a global storyteller, author, and founder of HerStory Circle . From growing up in Zimbabwe to navigating studies in the UK, early motherhood, and life-changing travels across Europe, Getrude shares the turning points that shaped her mission to empower women through storytelling. 💬 Key Moments: Pearls of wisdom from h...

This is more than a milestone—it’s a conversation that marks a turning point. In our 185th episode of My First Step Ever , I speak with Brilliant Liu , founder of House of Leaders , whose content has reached millions—but whose personal journey is even more impactful . Brilliant speaks openly about growing up under immense pressure, navigating painful family dynamics, and nearly losing his life twi...

⚠️ Disclaimer: This episode includes lived experiences involving trauma and suicidal thoughts. It is not a substitute for professional mental health care. If you’re struggling, please seek support from a licensed professional or contact a mental health helpline near you. This week, I’m joined by Nicole Zink , a multi-dimensional creative, wellness mentor, and founder of With Zinky —a startup helpi...

What if the career you’re meant for hasn’t been invented yet? This week on My First Step Ever , I chat with Seshnie Taylor , a multi-lingual changemaker, mother, and founder of Vocare — an incredible business helping skilled migrants communicate confidently and succeed at work using AI and cultural fluency. Her journey is anything but linear — from apartheid-era South Africa to the UK and now Aust...

Sharon Connolly didn’t grow up with much—but she grew up determined . In this episode, we talk to the powerhouse behind Change Superhero , who now works as a leading Change Consultant in financial services, speaks globally, and has given away over 500,000+ templates to help Change Managers around the world. But behind the awards and accolades is a powerful story of setbacks, rebuilding, and dreami...

How far can one's belief in oneself take one? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Jane Carey , who grew up in the Australian countryside as one of six siblings on a family farm. Her dream? To one day work in an office. But what followed was far beyond even her wildest hopes. 🎙 We discuss: Leaving the family farm and facing cultural shock in the city Dealing with homesickness and self-do...

What does it take to design a life that truly feels like yours ? In this joy-filled episode, I chat with Giles Roberts —coach, linguist, creator, and all-around creative from Perth, Australia—on building a life around freedom, values, and creativity. 💬 We cover: Growing up in a curious, academic household Becoming financially independent early (and why that matters) Monetising creativity while st...

Ever feel like you're chasing goals without really knowing why? In this episode, I speak with Paul Hawkins , innovation expert, speaker, educator, and the Chief Combobulator at Crazy Might Work , whose work spans NASA, the UAE Government, the Australian Federal Police , and beyond. But before the accolades, Paul had to make his leap into the unknown—and it all started by reconnecting with his why...

Success on the outside doesn’t always mean peace on the inside. In this deep and moving conversation, I speak with Dave Chauhan — leadership coach, organisational strategist, and author of Captain, Set Sail — about what it truly means to lead with purpose , especially when the world outside and inside feels uncertain. 💭 We explore: How to accept your past and rebuild your emotional foundation Why...

What does it take to rise beyond fear and transform into a leader who empowers thousands? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Raina Khatri Tandon — Founder & CEO of Right2Rise® , global human rights advocate, and multi-award-winning changemaker — to explore her powerful journey from a quiet, uncertain girl in India to one of the country’s strongest voices for women, children, and human rights...

What if the path you didn't plan turned out to be the one that changed your life? In this inspiring episode, I talk with Inderpal Singh , a certified life, career, and leadership coach whose unconventional path took him from India to Australia, with stops in the Middle East, Turkey, and South Africa along the way. Inderpal shares how a shy IT graduate, pushed by economic uncertainty, said yes to c...

175 Episodes Later… Here’s Why I Started This Podcast 🎉 In this short and heartfelt video, I’m pausing to reflect on the real reason behind My First Step Ever . 💡 I created this podcast to give voice to the power of starting — because taking that first step is often the hardest, but also the most life-changing. I started with zero experience, just a strong desire to inspire people who have a dre...