In this special 36-minute episode, I am interviewed by my children, Paige and Saul, for a candid, future-focused conversation on what will actually win in 2026-on social media and in business.

Stripping away trends, tactics, and algorithm-chasing, I share why the next era belongs to those who understand the Story Economy, where authenticity, leadership, and lived experience outperform automation, shortcuts, and surface-level influence.

Together, we explore:

• Why storytelling has become the most valuable currency in an AI-driven world

• What authentic personal brands will need to do differently in 2026

• How leadership is shifting from authority to connection and trust

• Why people are done with perfection... and drawn to real human journeys

• What businesses and creators must focus on now to stay relevant long-term

This episode is thoughtful, honest, and deeply human, a rare intergenerational conversation about meaning, identity, and building something that lasts in a world of constant noise.

If you’re a founder, creator, coach, or leader navigating the next chapter of digital culture, this conversation will challenge how you think about growth, influence, and impact.

🎧 Listen if you want to understand what’s coming- not just what’s trending.

In this deeply honest and hopeful episode, I’m joined by Cheryl Stott, a woman whose story is not defined by trauma...but by resilience, growth, and the decision to keep going when everything felt lost.

Cheryl opens up about her early life, growing up in an unsafe home where violence and fear were part of her daily reality. As a child, she struggled to regulate her emotions and later received diagnoses of Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. Searching for relief and understanding, she turned to drugs in an attempt to cope with the pain she carried for so long.

By her mid-30s, Cheryl reached a breaking point. After years of addiction, self-harm, and a suicide attempt that left her hospitalised, she found herself questioning whether life had any meaning at all. She speaks candidly about losing custody of her son, feeling invisible, and believing that no one truly cared.

But this episode is not about the moment she tried to end her life- it’s about what came after.

Cheryl shares how meeting someone who genuinely saw her and believed in her became a turning point. With support, courage, and immense inner work, she got clean, moved forward, and began facing the unresolved trauma that had shaped her entire life. Though that relationship didn’t last, it played a crucial role in helping her reclaim herself.

Today, Cheryl has spent over a decade working in drug recovery, helping others find a way out of addiction. She is now a personal trainer, using fitness as a tool for mental strength, self-respect, and healing. She believes the body is a reflection of the mind- and that movement can change lives.

Her message is one of hope:

✨ The pain won’t last forever.

✨ You are not broken.

✨ There is another way — even when you can’t see it yet.

This episode is raw, emotional, and deeply human. It’s for anyone who has ever felt lost, ashamed, or unsure how to keep going... and for anyone who needs to hear that change is possible.

Connect with Cheryl:

📱 Instagram: @exerciseforwellbeing

In this deeply reflective and inspiring episode, I’m joined by Olga Wlodarska, a woman who truly believes she found this conversation at the exact right moment...through alignment, readiness, and the courage to finally share her story.

Born and raised in Poland, Olga describes a childhood with very little joy, growing up in a home affected by alcohol abuse, instability, and emotional neglect. From a young age, she took on responsibilities far beyond her years- supporting her mother emotionally and helping manage her father’s addiction, while quietly learning that safety and support were not guaranteed.

Despite the challenges at home, Olga loved performing arts, poetry, and being on stage, inspired by her older brother, who she deeply admired. His tragic death four years ago became one of the most defining moments of her life, shaping how she now lives with presence, gratitude, and intention.

At just 14, Olga moved out to live in another city, driven by a desire to learn, to be seen, and to help others. She later moved to the UK at 21 with her partner at the time, believing she was following love and doing the “right thing.” What followed were years marked by stress, academic pressure, health issues, and repeated experiences of mistreatment — both at home and within educational environments.

Despite this, Olga persevered. After setbacks in her studies, she rebuilt her confidence from the ground up, eventually training at King’s College Hospital in London, where she not only qualified as a dental hygienist therapist, but was awarded Best Student for Dental Hygiene — a powerful moment of validation after years of being told she wouldn’t amount to anything.

Now a single mum of two, Olga reflects on how the breakdown of her marriage became the death of her ego- and the beginning of her true evolution. Today, alongside her clinical work, she supports others with confidence, self-worth, meditation, and inner healing. She is also part of the Start Over Movement, with her chapter titled “Never the Same.”

✨ Olga’s message is clear:

Change begins internally. Self-love and self-trust are powerful. No one is coming to save you — and that realisation can change everything.

This episode is about resilience, grief, identity, and the quiet strength it takes to choose yourself- again and again.

In this deeply moving and courageous episode, I sit down with Andrea Ducker, a woman whose life story is one of survival, strength, and ultimately, transformation.

Andrea opens up about growing up in a deeply unstable and unsafe environment — from her parents separating at a young age, being moved between family homes, and enduring years of sexual abuse, alongside domestic violence and neglect. She shares how these experiences shaped her childhood, her sense of self, and her deep desire to become invisible just to survive.

We talk honestly about the daily reality of living in fear, the anxiety of never knowing what you’re walking into, and how Andrea eventually made the brave decision to run away at just 16 years old. Despite finding herself in another hostile environment, she explains how reclaiming even a small sense of control changed everything.

Andrea also speaks about becoming a young mum, navigating life largely on her own, and later being diagnosed with cervical cancer at just 22 — an experience she believes was connected to the trauma she endured earlier in life. Even after surviving cancer, Andrea faced further betrayal, remaining silent for years before reaching a pivotal moment of realisation: she didn’t want to live as a victim anymore.

From that point on, Andrea committed to healing. Through self-work, acceptance, and ambition, she rebuilt her life — climbing the ladder in sales, travelling across Europe, and creating a future she once thought was impossible.

Today, Andrea is passionate about helping others who have experienced trauma, including vulnerable adults and children who’ve lived on the streets. She is part of the Start Over Movement, using her voice to remind others that what happened to them is not their fault — and that asking for help is an act of strength, not shame.

✨ Andrea’s greatest lesson:

Accept what you can’t change. Change what you can. Keep going — and don’t give up.

This episode is raw, honest, and deeply empowering. A must-listen for anyone navigating healing, trauma, or the courage it takes to start again.

Connect with Andrea:

📱 Instagram: @andreabevan.sg

🌐 Website: whatlifethrowsatyou

For our next episode of How to be a Hero in real life, I’m joined by Radomira Sunacova, a female health and fitness coach who shares a deeply honest and courageous story about self-worth, identity, and learning to listen to yourself.

Radomira talks openly about one of the lowest moments of her life-returning her engagement ring , and how that moment forced her to question everything she thought would bring her happiness. Growing up, she never lacked materially, but there was an emotional gap that led her to seek comfort in food. Hurtful words from her father about her body stayed with her for years, shaping a belief that she was only worthy of love if she looked a certain way.

That belief followed her into her teenage years and adulthood, where fitness became less about health and more about redemption. Surrounded by slim bodies and unrealistic standards, she began restricting food from the age of 16, pushing herself harder and harder in the hope that she would finally be accepted, loved, and “good enough.” What followed was nearly a decade of binge eating, poor self-confidence, and a complete disconnect from her body-including the loss of her menstrual cycle, a clear sign that something wasn’t right.

She also reflects on her relationships and the pressure many people feel in their 30s to settle down and follow a certain path. Despite strong gut feelings that something was missing, Radomira stayed in a relationship and pushed toward marriage, believing that ticking the right boxes would bring fulfilment. When the relationship eventually ended and the engagement was called off, she was left feeling lost, unwell, and unsure how to move forward.

Looking back, Radomira shares that while she wishes she had asked for help sooner, those experiences shaped the woman she is today. She now works with women to help them rebuild trust with their bodies, reconnect with their intuition, and understand that true health and fitness are tools for strength and support…not punishment.

This is a powerful conversation about trusting your feelings, asking for help, and remembering that you are more than your body... and that you can choose a different direction at any point in your life.

This week’s episode is a truly powerful one. I sit down with Monica Daly, a mum of two, professional chef, and aspiring motivational speaker, who opens up about her life-changing journey through the family court system- and how she found her voice after being silenced by false allegations and emotional abuse.

Monica had built a life she loved- raising her children, following her passion for cooking, and dreaming of a positive future. But when her relationship turned toxic and she tried to leave, everything changed. What followed was a heartbreaking and eye-opening experience that exposed the cracks and failings within the system meant to protect her.

In this conversation, Monica shares how she was arrested under false accusations, separated from her children, and left without the home she helped build. Yet through every setback, she refused to give up. With courage and determination, she fought to clear her name, heal from the trauma, and rebuild her life — all while finding the strength to help others who are facing similar battles.

We talk about:

💔 The devastating impact of false allegations and domestic abuse

⚖️ Her experience navigating the family court and legal system

💪 The importance of financial independence and emotional strength

🌱 How she’s healing, finding her purpose, and turning pain into power

🌟 Her dream of becoming a motivational speaker to share her story and inspire others

Monica’s story is one of resilience, truth, and transformation. It’s a reminder that even when life knocks you down, you can start over — stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.

Connect with Monica on Instagram: @monicadaly1978

In this powerful and heart-opening episode, I sit down with Esther Heese, a soul-based resilience mentor from Las Palma who has dedicated more than 30 years to helping people navigate life’s greatest uncertainties.

Esther’s mission is to inspire others to find peace, clarity, and strength — even when life feels like it’s falling apart. She guides people through what she calls soul-based alignment, helping them reconnect with their intuition and build unshakable resilience from the inside out. Her signature program, The Harmony Map, is designed to support people through deep transformation by first calming the nervous system, then using mindfulness, meditation, and inner awareness to create lasting balance.

But Esther’s wisdom didn’t come from theory- it was forged through personal experience. In her early years as a mother, her baby became gravely ill, and after two agonizing weeks of uncertainty, doctors finally found the cause. That period taught her a powerful truth: no matter how much we try to control life, real peace comes from surrender, not control.

Years later, Esther built a thriving therapy practice, guiding couples toward conscious relationships rooted in understanding and authenticity. Yet, just before Christmas, after 20 years of marriage, her husband revealed he was leaving. That moment — followed by the loss of close friendships and her mother’s passing — sent her into a breakdown. She couldn’t eat or sleep, and her entire sense of stability crumbled.

From that darkness came a profound shift. Esther began to reframe her pain...not as something going wrong, but as an opportunity for transformation. She discovered that when we stop resisting what life brings, we create space for healing, purpose, and renewal.

One of the most moving moments of her story came years later when she stood and watched, from a distance, as lava consumed her home. Everything she owned — every material possession — was gone. Yet, she remained calm. She trusted that life had something better in store. And she was right. She found a new home, a new sense of peace, and love again.

Today, Esther lives as a walking example of the power of trust, embodiment, and surrender. Her story reminds us that life isn’t meant to be controlled — it’s meant to be experienced, and that even in the midst of uncertainty, we can find harmony, meaning, and magic.

If you’re ready to be inspired, grounded, and reminded that you are never alone on your journey, this episode is for you.

✨ To dive deeper into Esther’s story, check out her feature in The Start Over Books and join our community for more conversations on resilience, transformation, and living in alignment with your soul.

Esther's Instagram is @soulbased_resilience

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Eldin, someone I connected with online after she saw my Start Over book co-author post on Facebook. From the moment we spoke, her story really struck a chord with me — not only because of what she’s endured, but because of how she’s transformed her experience into something empowering.

Michelle opens up about her two-year battle through the family court system, a process that left her shocked and disillusioned by what she witnessed behind the scenes. Despite having all her evidence ready, she was never allowed to present it-a legal technicality that completely changed the course of her case.

What began as a gruelling divorce became a fight for control, truth, and protection — both for herself and her child. Michelle shares what it was like living through a domestically abusive relationship, the “Jekyll and Hyde” dynamic she faced, and the strength it took to finally reclaim her power.

Since then, Michelle has built a six-figure recruitment business and continues to empower women through her work and storytelling. She also co-authored the international best-seller Hear Her Roar in 2021.... a book sharing powerful stories from women who’ve overcome domestic abuse and found their voice again.

Her words really stuck with me:

“Everything is temporary. You never know what tomorrow will bring.”

This conversation is raw, real, and full of resilience. I hope it inspires you as much as it inspired me.

#Podcast #MichelleEldin #Empowerment #DomesticAbuseAwareness #FamilyCourt #HearHerRoar #Resilience #Inspiration