STRONG: Fit For Business with Vikram Rajan, Episode 02

Welcome to STRONG: Fit For Business, a business success podcast presented through the lens of physical and mental fitness. In this episode, host Vikram Rajan speaks with Nicole Donnelly, Co-Founder and Partner at Cardinal Search Partners, a legal recruiting firm focused on strategic lateral placements for attorneys and law firms.

Nicole has spent her career guiding attorneys through pivotal decisions, representing partners, counsel, and associates across nearly every practice area and level of seniority. Known for her highly personal, candidate-first approach, she builds trust by ensuring every search is strategic, informed, and centered entirely on the attorney’s goals, allowing them to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

* Nicole’s fitness journey, from aerobics with her mom to triathlons and HIIT training today

* How fitness became a habit during law school and bar prep, improving focus and daily productivity

* The role of consistency, showing up, and building routines over time, even through life changes

* How injuries, parenthood, and career demands shaped her approach to rest, recovery, and long-term fitness

* Launching Cardinal Search Partners during COVID while maintaining discipline through early morning workouts

* Nicole’s weekly planning approach, prioritizing five workouts and adapting her schedule around work and family

* The “never miss a Monday” mindset and how it reinforces accountability in both fitness and business

Learn more about Nicole Donnelly:

* Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleldonnelly

* Email Nicole: ndonnelly@cardinalsp.com

* Visit Cardinal Search Partners website: https://cardinalsp.com

* Follow Cardinal Search Partners on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardinalsp

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About STRONG: Fit For Business:

Strong Fit for business is a business success podcast seen through the lens of physical and mental fitness. What lessons about success can we learn from staying fit? How can we say strong in both?

 Warning: this is not a fitness podcast. Vik is not a fitness expert or health professional. Don't take any advice just because you heard it here, be it fitness or business, but you can take insights and inspiration from the business leaders who share their fitness journey with us.

Watch more episodes of STRONG: Fit For Business:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@STRONGfitforbusiness

Connect and learn more from your host, Vikram Rajan:

* Connect with Vik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikramrajan

* Follow Videosocials Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Videosocials.Community

STRONG: Fit For Business with Vikram Rajan, Episode 1

Welcome to STRONG: Fit For Business, a business success podcast presented through the lens of physical and mental fitness. In this inaugural episode, host Vikram Rajan speaks with Sean O’Rourke, Cyber Liability Consultant at Combs & Company, LLC, a full-service insurance brokerage firm based in New York City.

Tune in to the episode to hear about:

* Sean’s lifelong sports background and how fitness builds reserves to push through adversity in business

* An overview of CrossFit and how Sean uses it

* Sean’s fitness regimen when training for big races and competitions, including CrossFit and running

* Sean’s daily routine, which centers on a 6:45am class, plus coaching CrossFit classes twice a week

* How Sean tracks macros with an online ap and work a nutritionist

* Pancakes for Roger, a veteran-focused nonprofit, in which Sean services as a board member

* How Sean connects sports and entrepreneurship lessons—handling failure, discipline, planning, and responding to obstacles

* Sources of inspiration to Sean, including adaptive CrossFit athletes and Susan L. Combs, author and founder of “Pancakes for Roger”

Learn more about Sean O’Rourke:

* Connect with Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scorcyber

* Visit Combs & Company’s website: https://combsandco.com

* Follow Combs & Company on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/combs-&-company-llc

***********************************

About STRONG: Fit For Business:

Strong Fit for business is a business success podcast seen through the lens of physical and mental fitness. What lessons about success can we learn from staying fit? How can we say strong in both?

 Warning: this is not a fitness podcast. Vik is not a fitness expert or health professional. Don't take any advice just because you heard it here, be it fitness or business, but you can take insights and inspiration from the business leaders who share their fitness journey with us.

Watch more episodes of STRONG: Fit For Business:

https://www.youtube.com/@STRONGfitforbusiness

Connect and learn more from your host, Vikram Rajan:

* Connect with Vik on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikramrajan
* Follow Videosocials Community on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Videosocials.Community