What would you do if everything you relied on: your safety, your future, was taken away in seconds?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Chris Moon, a former soldier, ultra-endurance athlete, and landmine survivor who quite literally had to rebuild his life from nothing.

This is not a conversation about “staying positive.”

It’s about facing reality, taking ownership, and choosing how you respond, no matter what happens.

Chris shares the mindset that helped him survive captivity, a life-threatening explosion, and go on to run ultra-marathons all while helping others build resilience, leadership, and mental strength.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why feelings are not facts and how that changes everything

• The mindset shift that gives you control in any situation

• Why taking full responsibility is your greatest advantage

• How to move beyond fear instead of being controlled by it

• The truth about resilience (and why it’s more complex than you think)

• Why belief determines whether you “finish the race” in life

• A simple technique to calm anxiety instantly: cool, calm, confident

Chris Moon is a former British Army officer, landmine survivor, and ultra-endurance athlete. After losing his arm and leg in a landmine explosion, he went on to run marathons, raise millions for charity, and become a global speaker on resilience, leadership, and human performance.

He is also the author of One Step Beyond, sharing his journey of survival and mental strength.

In this episode:

00:00 – The Question That Changes Everything

02:00 – Surviving the Landmine Explosion

06:00 – Why Feelings Are Not Facts

09:00 – Taking Ownership of Your Life

13:00 – The Truth About Resilience

17:00 – Facing Reality (Even When It’s Hard)

21:00 – Why Belief Determines Your Outcome

25:00 – The “Cool, Calm, Confident” Technique

28:00 – Fear vs Action

32:00 – The Power of Small Improvements

36:00 – Why You Must Be Present

40:00 – Advice for the Younger Generation

44:00 – Find Your Reasons to Keep Going

48:00 – Final Message: Make the Best of Life

If this episode shifted your perspective, share it with someone who needs a reminder that they are stronger than their circumstances.

Subscribe, leave a review, and most importantly, take one principle from this episode and apply it today.

Because resilience isn’t something you talk about.

It’s something you practice.

What if the biggest thing holding you back from success… is simply thinking too much?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with entrepreneur, investor, filmmaker, and speaker Craig Gauthier to talk about the mindset shift that separates people who dream about success from those who actually create it.

Craig shares the truth about modern ambition: most people are stuck consuming ideas instead of executing them. In a world of endless information, motivation videos, and social media highlights, it’s easy to feel productive while never actually taking action.

This conversation is about breaking that cycle.

Craig explains why self-awareness is the foundation of success, why your identity is constantly evolving, and why the biggest mistake young people make is waiting until they feel “ready” before putting themselves out there.

If you’re a student, entrepreneur, or creator trying to build something meaningful, this episode will challenge the way you think about ambition, habits, and execution.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why self-awareness is the first step to building a meaningful life

• The truth about the “success myth” society sells young people

• Why consuming information without action is dangerous

• The difference between dreaming and actually executing

• How to break bad habits and replace them with productive routines

• Why success requires embracing the boring work behind the scenes

• The mindset shift that helps you stop overthinking and start doing

Craig Gauthier is an entrepreneur, investor, filmmaker, author, and speaker focused on helping individuals rethink success, identity, and personal growth. Through his work, he challenges conventional ideas about achievement and encourages people to question societal expectations while building a life aligned with their values.

In this episode:

00:00 – Intro

02:34 – Why questioning the rules builds self-awareness

06:10 – The myth of having one “true identity”

10:45 – Why most people stay stuck consuming instead of creating

15:30 – Stop overthinking and start taking action

20:10 – How mentors appear once you begin executing

28:30 – Writing a book after 17 years of hesitation

35:20 – The “success lie” society teaches young people

44:00 – Why behind-the-scenes work is the real path to mastery

52:30 – Breaking bad habits and replacing them with better ones

58:00 – Why success always looks easier from the outside

01:05:30 – Advice for young creators and entrepreneurs

01:14:00 – Why you must be kinder to yourself while chasing big goals

If this episode made you rethink how you approach your goals, share it with someone who needs the reminder to stop waiting and start creating.

And if you’re enjoying these conversations with world-class thinkers, entrepreneurs, and authors, make sure to subscribe to The SMARTA Podcast for weekly insights on leadership, mindset, and building a meaningful life.

What if uncertainty isn’t the problem… but your reaction to it is?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Meridith Elliott Powell, award-winning business strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Thrive, to break down how leaders, students, and teams can stop fearing disruption and start using it as fuel.

We talk about why most people wait for change instead of preparing for it, how to build a culture that expects uncertainty, and the three-step ASK framework that helps you lead through chaos instead of managing it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why waiting for change is the biggest mistake leaders make

• The ASK for Change methodology

• How to separate what you can control from what you cannot

• Why action calms anxiety

• How to build trust during disruption

• Why failure must be reframed in fast-moving markets

• The difference between managing change and leading people through it

Meridith Elliott Powell is a business growth expert, leadership strategist, and author of Thrive: Strategies to Turn Uncertainty into Competitive Advantage. She works with organizations navigating massive change and teaches leaders how to transform disruption into growth.

📘 Learn more about her book Thrive on her website

In this episode:

00:00 – Shift How You See Uncertainty

02:30 – The Biggest Myth About Disruption

05:00 – ASK for Change Framework

09:00 – Why Listening Unlocks Opportunity

12:00 – Mindset, Beliefs & Results

16:00 – Focus on What You Can Control

20:00 – Managing Change vs Leading Change

25:00 – Culture & Competitive Advantage

29:00 – Reframing Failure with Test Fast

34:00 – Building Trust in Uncertain Times

39:00 – Fear vs Sustainable Growth

43:00 – Advice to 18-Year-Old Meridith

46:00 – Books That Changed Her Life

48:00 – Final Message: Trust the Journey

If this conversation challenged how you think about progress, share it with someone who’s busy… but stuck.

Do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars.

It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever.

Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

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What if the real reason you’re stuck isn’t lack of effort… but solving the wrong problem?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Isamu Pant, behavioural health strategist, former Amazon leader, and author of The Behavioral Health Fix, to unpack why most leaders, students, and organizations stay trapped in cycles of busyness without breakthrough.

We talk about:

• Why passion alone can sabotage progress

• The power of 30-day sprints

• How to identify the real constraint holding you back

• Why “more resources” is usually the wrong answer

• The Find → Fix → Serve framework

• How small focused cycles compound into massive growth

• What young leaders must master before entering the workforce

If you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or like you’re working hard but not moving forward. This episode will shift how you think about progress forever.

Isamu Pant is a behavioral health transformation leader who has worked across public policy, nonprofit healthcare, and Amazon. He helps mission-driven organizations solve decade-long problems in 30-day focused sprints.

He is the author of The Behavioral Health Fix 30-Day Sprint Playbook, built around the Find → Fix → Serve framework.

🌐 Learn more: behavioralhealthfix.com

In this episode:

00:00 – Are You Solving the Wrong Problem?

01:30 – The 4 Core Lessons for Young Leaders

04:45 – What Behavioral Health Really Means

08:00 – Why Organizations React Instead of Fixing

11:00 – The 30-Day Sprint Philosophy

15:00 – Creating Impact With Existing Resources

19:20 – The Find → Fix → Serve Framework

24:30 – Why You Must Choose One Lever

27:00 – A Real $50M Case Study

31:00 – Why This Book Was Written Out of Frustration

35:40 – The Power of Compounding Focus

38:00 – Advice to His 18-Year-Old Self

42:30 – Books That Changed His Perspective

45:40 – Final Message on Intentional Living

If this conversation challenged how you think about progress, share it with someone who’s busy… but stuck.

Do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars.

It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever.

Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

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And if you’re ready to stop chasing symptoms and start solving constraints, grab the playbook and run your first 30-day sprint.

LinkedIn isn’t social media… but it's the biggest networking room you’re not walking into.

Most people treat LinkedIn like a CV graveyard or a corporate Instagram.

In this episode, we break that myth.

Today, I’m joined by Ashley Leeds, known as The 15 Minute Guy, and we unpack exactly how to build confidence, visibility, and real opportunities on LinkedIn in just 15 minutes a day.

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I don’t know what to post.”

• “I’m not confident enough.”

• “I don’t have enough connections.”

• “LinkedIn feels awkward.”

This episode is for you.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why LinkedIn is NOT social media

• The 15-minute daily habit that changes everything

• How to stop “selling” and start building real relationships

• The 4 biggest profile mistakes killing your visibility

• How to overcome confidence blocks (even if you’re shy)

• What real success on LinkedIn actually looks like

• Why discipline beats motivation every time

Ashley shares practical frameworks, mindset shifts, and simple habits that anyone, especially young professionals can implement immediately.

Ashley Leeds is a LinkedIn trainer, speaker, and entrepreneur known as The 15 Minute Guy. He helps professionals grow their visibility and personal brand by building simple daily habits that compound into real business results.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome to The SMARTA Podcast

02:10 – Why LinkedIn Isn’t Social Media

04:30 – Stop Selling. Start Networking.

07:00 – Why Young People Have an Advantage

10:00 – The 15 Minute LinkedIn Routine

14:15 – Engagement vs. Scrolling

18:00 – What Should You Post?

21:40 – The 4 Biggest Profile Mistakes

26:00 – The “15 Minute Guy” Story

31:00 – What Success on LinkedIn Really Means

34:30 – Confidence & The Hula Hoop Theory

37:30 – How to Overcome Self-Doubt

41:30 – Discipline & Showing Up Daily

44:10 – Books That Changed Ashley’s Life

46:15 – Final Advice: What’s the Best That Can Happen?

If this episode resonated with you: do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars.

It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever.

Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

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What if the reason you feel stuck isn’t a lack of talent, but a lack of self-awareness?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I’m joined by Betsy Wills, leadership expert, author, and a voice featured in The Washington Post, to explore how understanding your attitude, not just your skills, can completely change the way you lead, learn, and live.

This conversation is about ownership, mindset, and the quiet power of knowing how you show up under pressure. Betsy breaks down why attitude shapes every outcome, how to identify your default patterns, and how small shifts in awareness can unlock confidence, clarity, and better decision-making.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why attitude is a skill, not a personality trait

• How self-awareness changes the way you lead and communicate

• The difference between intention and impact

• How to recognize your default reactions under stress

• Why feedback feels uncomfortable, and why it matters

• How to make intentional shifts without reinventing yourself

Betsy Wills is a leadership coach, speaker, and author whose work focuses on self-awareness, attitude, and leadership effectiveness. Her insights have been featured in The Washington Post, and her research-backed tools are used by individuals and teams worldwide.

📘 When you purchase Betsy’s book directly from her website, you receive a free code to complete the Attitude Assessment, a powerful tool to better understand how you show up and how others experience you.

In this episode:

00:00 – Why attitude shapes every outcome

02:30 – Skills vs attitude: what really matters

05:10 – The moment Betsy realised attitude was the lever

09:40 – Self-awareness and leadership growth

14:20 – Intention vs impact explained

18:50 – Why feedback feels personal

23:10 – Default reactions under pressure

27:45 – Small mindset shifts that change everything

32:30 – Using the Attitude Assessment

37:20 – Advice for students and young leaders

42:00 – Books and tools that shaped Betsy’s work

45:30 – Final reflection on ownership and growth

If this episode resonated with you: do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars.

It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever.

Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

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Growth starts with awareness.

What if uncertainty isn’t a sign you’re failing, but proof you’re growing?

In today’s episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I’m joined by Brianna Sylver, innovation leader, author of Leading Through Freefall, and a trusted voice featured in The Washington Post. Brianna has spent over 20 years leading organizations through uncertainty, change, and disruption, and today she breaks down what no one teaches you about navigating the moments when everything feels out of control.

In this conversation, we unpack how to stop fighting uncertainty, why clarity is a superpower you claim (not find), and how resistance, self-doubt, and discomfort are actually signals pointing you toward growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why trying to control your future is holding you back

• How to lead yourself through discomfort instead of avoiding it

• What “freefall moments” really mean and how to use them

• How to stop shrinking when you hit resistance or self-doubt

• Simple habits to stay grounded, focused, and emotionally resilient

About Brianna Sylver:

Brianna Sylver is a global innovation leader and the author of Leading Through Freefall: How Innovators Turn Turbulence Into Trust. She works with Fortune 50 leaders and teams to help them navigate change, uncertainty, and emotional resistance and turn it into impact.

In this episode:

00:00 – Why the future is never predictable

02:40 – Letting go of control & leading through discomfort

05:00 – The freefall moment that changed everything

09:00 – How clarity becomes your superpower

12:00 – Why comparison quietly destroys confidence

14:30 – Reframing resistance as a gift

19:00 – The biggest mistake young professionals make

24:50 – The emotional side of innovation no one talks about

33:30 – Habits to prepare emotionally for change

38:30 – One small action to regain momentum

42:30 – Why you should read Leading Through Freefall

47:00 – Advice Brianna would give her 17-year-old self

50:30 – The daily ritual that unlocks clarity

If this episode resonated with you: do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars.

It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever.

Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-epic-drama-113886/

Your story is not over. It’s still being written.

What if the thing you’re missing right now isn’t motivation — but a village?

In this episode of The SMARTA Podcast, I sit down with Jonathan Conyers, author of I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here, campaign feature on Humans of New York, and a voice recognised by The Washington Post, to talk about resilience, community, forgiveness, and how to keep going when life stacks the odds against you.

This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply human. Jonathan shares how belief carried him through hardship, why every moment is bittersweet, and how finding mentors, in unexpected places, changed the trajectory of his life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why community is non negotiable for growth

• What Jonathan means by everything being bittersweet

• How forgiveness frees you more than anyone else

• How to find mentors even when no one looks like you

• Why confidence starts with understanding your own story

• How using your voice can change your future

• Why taking life one day at a time is sometimes the bravest strategy

Jonathan Conyers is an author speaker and founder working at the intersection of storytelling education and community building. His memoir I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here gained national attention through a viral Humans of New York campaign and has been featured by The Washington Post. He is also the co founder of the Brooklyn Debate League empowering young people to claim their voice and rewrite their futures.

📍 Follow Jonathan on Instagram and LinkedIn

📘 Read I Wasn’t Supposed to Be Here

🎧 Listen to the Professional Winner Podcast

This episode is a reminder that you are not behind. You are becoming.

In this episode:

00:00 – Welcome to Episode 3 of the Year

02:15 – The three lessons that shaped Jonathan’s life

05:20 – Why community matters more than talent

09:30 – Growing up with belief when the odds are against you

14:30 – Finding mentors in unexpected places

19:00 – The Humans of New York moment and what it changed

24:00 – Becoming a father and finding a reason to keep going

28:05 – Staying focused when life feels unstable

32:00 – Helping young people claim their voice

36:50 – Passion as the through line of every career

40:30 – Advice Jonathan would give his 17 year old self

43:00 – Books that changed his perspective

45:30 – Final message for anyone who feels they are not enough

If this episode resonated with you: do me a huge favor: double-check that you’re subscribed, follow the show, and rate this episode 5 stars.

It’s the single best way to help us bring you more amazing guests and tools to help you live your best life ever.

Now, go out there and make this your best year yet!

📺 Watch on YouTube: The SMARTA Podcast Playlist

📖 See Sonia’s books: www.soniamarta.com/books.

📲 Follow Sonia’s Journey linktr.ee/soniamartauthor

Music by epic_musictracks on Pixabay

https://pixabay.com/music/main-title-epic-drama-113886/

Your story is not over. It’s still being written.