Balancing Act - Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing

About Balancing Act - Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing

Hosted by Sarah Brennand - Executive Coach, Strategic Educator, Author of Balancing Act and Creator of the Calibration Model for High-Performing, Sustainable Success. This podcast explores how leaders, founders, and ambitious professionals achieve results without burnout. You’ll hear from Olympic athletes, military leaders, financial experts, entrepreneurs and professionals balancing leadership with family life, transition, or redefined success. Grounded, practical, and refreshingly honest, Balancing Act is about the strategy, structure, and mindset required to create results that last.

Publisher

Host and Author: Sarah Brennand

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Dec 2025

Latest episode

20 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Jul 2026

   The Diego Masciaga Way: Lessons from a World-Class Hospitality Legend

   The Diego Masciaga Way: Lessons from a World-Class Hospitality Legend (Episode 15). Guest: Cav. Diego Masciaga OMRI, MCA MAM In this episode, Sarah Brennand is joined by Diego Masciaga, one of the most respected and influential figures in global hospitality, for a rare and insightful conversation on service excellence, leadership, and human connection at the highest level. Drawing on more than four decades at the pinnacle of international hospitality, Diego shares the philosophy and discipline behind what many refer to simply as ‘The Diego Masciaga Way’. From his early training in classical European gastronomy to leading teams where standards never drop, he reflects on what it truly takes to deliver excellence consistently – day after day, guest after guest. The conversation goes far beyond technique. Diego explores why emotional intelligence sits at the heart of exceptional service, how observation, memory, and anticipation shape the guest experience, and why great hospitality is ultimately about how people feel, not what is performed. He also discusses recruitment, leadership, and empowerment, emphasising the importance of selecting for attitude, coaching with intent, and creating cultures where people take pride in making others feel valued. Technology, Diego argues, has a role to play, but never at the expense of human connection. Throughout the episode, he reinforces the idea that service is an act of humanity, and that repeatable excellence is only possible when teams feel trusted, respected, and deeply connected to purpose. This episode offers timeless insight for leaders far beyond hospitality, for anyone responsible for people, performance, and experience in high-pressure environments. Key Topics Covered What defines world-class hospitality at the highest level The Diego Masciaga Way: discipline, humility, precision, and care Why great service is about how you make people feel Emotional intelligence as the foundation of exceptional guest experience Recruiting for attitude, presence, and values over technical skill alone Coaching teams to deliver consistency without losing warmth Observation, anticipation, and memory as leadership capabilities Listening to guests and reading the room Creating repeatable excellence when pressure is constant The customer journey beyond the transaction Balancing personal standards, wellbeing, and long-term performance ABOUT THE GUEST Cav. Diego Masciaga OMRI, MCA MAM World-Renowned Service & Hospitality Leader | Advisor | Mentor Diego Masciaga is recognised as one of the world’s foremost leaders in hospitality and service culture. Born in northern Italy and trained from his early teens in classical European gastronomy, he built an international career in luxury settings before joining the Roux family. Over the decades he has become known for an exceptional ability to combine flawless technical standards with warm, human-centred care. His approach, often described simply as “The Diego Masciaga Way” is grounded in anticipation, observation, memory, humility and a style of leadership that elevates everyone around him. For more information, resources and podcasts on high performance and sustainable success, visit: www.balancing-act.co.uk

2. 

   25 Jun 2026

   If You Can’t Get to the Start Line, You Can’t Even Compete - with Guest Steve Judge

   If You Can’t Get to the Start Line, You Can’t Even Compete (Episode 14) Guest: Steve Judge In this episode, Sarah Brennand is joined by Steve Judge for a powerful and grounded conversation about resilience, recovery, and what it takes to pursue meaningful goals after life-altering adversity. Steve shares his journey following a near-fatal car accident in 2002 that left both legs crushed and led to the belief that he might never walk again. What followed were years of reconstruction and rehabilitation, during which his focus shifted from survival and mobility to rebuilding physical capability, mental discipline, and purpose. Through structured self-care, progressive goal-setting, and a relentless focus on mindset, Steve transitioned into para-sport and went on to compete at the highest level, becoming a two-time Paratriathlon World Champion, winning world titles for Great Britain in China and New Zealand. The conversation explores what it truly means to get to the start line, not just in sport, but in life and leadership, by doing the unseen work that makes performance possible. Steve also introduces his GOLD model, a practical framework for setting and pursuing goals with clarity and intent. He reflects on the importance of understanding why goals matter, surrounding yourself with the right support, and staying open to opportunity as paths evolve. Throughout the discussion, the emphasis remains on personal responsibility, adaptability, and enjoying the journey rather than fixating on outcomes alone.Key Topics Covered: - Recovering from major injury and rebuilding physical and mental capacity - Being told you may never walk again, and redefining what’s possible - The discipline required to reach the start line before you can compete - Self-care and injury prevention as foundations of sustainable performance - Mindset shifts that support recovery, motivation, and achievement - Transitioning from rehabilitation to elite para-sport - Becoming a two-time Paratriathlon World Champion for Great Britain - The GOLD model: structuring goals with purpose and direction - Visualisation as a tool for belief, energy, and momentum - The role of support systems and accountability - Regular self-reflection, reassessment, and course correction - Learning to enjoy progress, not just the finish line ABOUT THE GUEST Steve Judge Former World Champion | Motivational Speaker | Author Steve Judge is a motivational speaker, author and former world champion paratriathlete whose story has inspired audiences across the UK and internationally. After a near-fatal car accident in 2002 left both legs crushed, Steve was told he might never walk again. Years of reconstruction and rehabilitation followed - years that redefined his mindset, resilience, and goals. Through disciplined recovery and progressive physical targets, Steve entered para-sport and went on to become a two-time Paratriathlon World Champion, winning titles for Great Britain in China and New Zealand. For more information, podcasts and recourses focussed on High-Performance and Sustainable Success, visit: www.Balancing-Act.co.uk

3. 

   4 Jun 2026

   Unlocking Mental Wealth with Mike Pagan

   Unlocking Mental Wealth (Episode 13) Guest: Mike Pagan In this episode, Sarah Brennand is joined by Mike Pagan for a practical and thought-provoking conversation on the idea of mental wealth - and why it deserves as much intentional management as physical health or financial capital. Mike challenges the traditional focus on mental health as something to address only when things go wrong. Instead, he reframes mental wealth as a proactive, ongoing investment in clarity, capacity, and resilience. The discussion explores how habits, environment, relationships, and boundaries shape our mental reserves over time. Drawing on real-world experience, Mike highlights how isolation and cognitive overload affect people at every level, from students to senior leaders, and why strong support networks are not a luxury, but a strategic necessity. The conversation also examines productivity, habit disruption, and the role of coaching, mentoring, and mastermind groups in sustaining performance without burnout. This episode offers a grounded framework for assessing your current mental wealth and making deliberate choices that support long-term effectiveness, focus, and personal sustainability. Key Topics Covered Mental wealth versus mental health: a proactive lens on wellbeing Why high performers are often most vulnerable to isolation Building and maintaining a meaningful support network Self-care as a performance enabler, not an indulgence The strategic power of saying no Identifying and breaking unproductive habits Tracking time and energy to improve productivity The role of mastermind groups in accountability and growth Communication and connection as foundations of mental resilience Navigating life and career transitions through evolving support systems Coaching and mentoring as tools for sustained personal development ABOUT THE GUEST Mike Pagan Mental Wealth Strategist | Executive Coach | Speaker Mike Pagan is a leading mental wealth strategist, executive coach and motivational speaker who helps leaders, entrepreneurs and high performers build the support networks they need to thrive. With more than two decades of experience in coaching, facilitation and organisational development, he specialises in tackling the isolation that often accompanies senior roles, empowering clients to create intentional “mental wealth teams” around them. For more information, podcasts and resources, visit: www.balancing-act.co.uk

4. 

   28 May 2026

   Fear, Control and Choice: Leading Yourself Through the Hardest Moments

   In this episode, Sarah sits down with former RAF pilot and Gulf War POW John Peters to explore what leadership, resilience and perspective really mean when everything is stripped away. Shot down on the first day of Operation Desert Storm and held captive for seven weeks, John reflects on how he learned to manage fear, pain and uncertainty, and how those experiences reshaped his understanding of success, identity and what truly matters. The conversation moves beyond survival to examine the quieter challenges of returning to life, navigating sudden public attention, and recalibrating career, purpose and personal relationships. With rare honesty, John shares insights on emotional control, acceptance, and the long-term impact of lived experience, offering grounded reflections for anyone facing pressure, transition or change. His lessons are not about endurance alone, but about perspective – and how to lead yourself, and others, when it matters most. Key Topics Covered The early motivation and personal drive behind becoming a fast-jet pilot How intense career focus can quietly disrupt personal life and balance Leadership as a practice of adaptation, awareness and decision-making under change Mindset, structure and psychological strategies used to survive captivity The role of acceptance in managing fear, pain and emotional response Navigating public attention and identity in the aftermath of high-profile events Reframing life experiences as learning points rather than defining outcomes The importance of ongoing learning in leadership and personal development The stabilising role of trusted relationships and honest feedback Self-understanding as the foundation for meaningful leadership and contribution John Peters Former RAF Pilot | Author | Motivational Speaker John Peters is a former Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot, author, and recognised motivational speaker, best known for surviving as a prisoner of war during the Gulf War and co-authoring the notable book 'Tornado Down.' His career has been defined by both remarkable achievements and profound challenges. He earned his pilot’s license by age 17 and joined the RAF as a university cadet, completing a BSc in Building Technology at UMIST in 1983. Throughout the 1980s, he served as a fast jet fighter pilot and instructor on various RAF squadrons, including XV Squadron. On the first day of Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, during a low-level daylight strike over Iraq, Peters’ Tornado GR1 was shot down, leading to his capture. He endured seven weeks of torture and interrogation before being released as a prisoner of war. Despite this ordeal, Peters returned to flying duties within weeks and continued his RAF career for nearly another decade. He co-authored 'Tornado Down,' a best-selling account of his Gulf War experiences, and later earned an MBA before leading leadership and safety programmes within the Ministry of Defence. After retiring from the RAF, he founded a consultancy focused on leadership under pressure, resilience, and change, working with senior business teams globally. John Peters remains an acclaimed motivational speaker and business consultant, advising organisations on leadership under duress, team dynamics, and managing uncertainty. His story exemplifies resilience, courage, and the ability to find meaning and perspective even in extreme adversity. Visit www.balancing-act.co.uk for more details, podcasts and resources.

5. 

   22 May 2026

   Beyond the Words: Nuance, Pause and Presence in Communication

   Beyond the Words: Nuance, Pause and Presence in Communication (Episode 11)Guest: Gina BalarinIn this conversation, Sarah speaks with Gina Balarin, a communication specialist based in Brisbane, known for her work helping leaders articulate their message with clarity, confidence, and intention. The discussion explores the art and science of skilled communication, one of the core Calibration Tools for sustainable success, and examines how leaders can strengthen their voice, presence, and impact both professionally and personally.Gina shares insights drawn from her childhood love of language, her career in marketing and leadership communication, and her work helping CEOs communicate with authenticity and influence. Together, they unpack practical tools for becoming more intentional communicators, from mastering pause and volume to understanding context, story structure, and emotional intelligence.Key Topics Covered-The CEO’s Voice – Understanding intention, message, and audience as a single, connected system.-Why leaders benefit from support that helps them move from “great to extraordinary.”-Hearing What Isn’t Said – the “sixth linguistic sense”: noticing tone, pauses, nuance, and body language.-Why leaders need humility and curiosity to understand their blind spots.-The role of self-observation in elevating communication.-The Power of Pause – Pausing as a tool for clarity, authority, and audience engagement.-Why silence is often the most underused leadership technique.-Communicating Online vs. In-Person – Managing gestures, eye contact and physical presence on camera.-Crafting Messages That Land – Why message structure must suit both the speaker and the audience.-Using repetition, clear transitions, and dramatic openings to maintain engagement.-Consistency, Authenticity & Style-Practice & Preparation – How over-preparers and improvisers each fall into their own traps.-Communication at Work vs. Home – The crossover effect: how communication improvements at work can transform family relationships.ABOUT THE GUESTGina BalarinExecutive Speaking Coach | Founder of The CEO’s Voice & Verballistics | Storytelling Advisor to C-Level Leaders | TEDx Speaker & AuthorGina Balarin (CPM FAMI FCIM CMktr) is an executive speaking coach, storyteller for C-level impact and founder of The CEO’s Voice and Verballistics. She makes leaders extraordinary on the screen, stage and page, working with CEOs, founders and senior executives to turn their ideas into influence and their messages into moments that move people.Visit www.balancing-act.co.uk for more information, podcasts and resources on high Performance and Sustainable Success

6. 

   12 May 2026

   The Calibration Model for High Performance and Sustainable Success

   The Calibration Model: Balancing Work, Wealth and Wellbeing (Episode 10) Solo Podcast with Balancing Act Author & Host: Sarah Brennand In this solo episode, Sarah Brennand introduces The Calibration Model, the core framework at the heart of the Balancing Act for Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing. During this episode Sarah explains how sustainable success is shaped by alignment across three interdependent paradigms: Money & Mission, Mental & Physical Health, and Work & Life. Drawing on years of executive coaching, leadership advisory work, and real lived experience, Sarah explores why capable, driven professionals often find themselves under sustained pressure despite doing ‘the right things.’ The issue is rarely motivation or ambition. More often, it is a lack of structure to understand how competing demands, energy, identity and decision-making interact over time. The episode explains how the Calibration Model helps you see where alignment is strong, where friction is forming, and how pressure in one area quietly creates ripple effects across the others. Rather than chasing balance as a static ideal, calibration offers a dynamic way to adjust, recalibrate and stay effective as circumstances shift. Sarah also introduces the three Calibration Tools that support the model: Emotional Intelligence, Skilled Communication and The Resilience Advantage, and how they operate across each paradigm to support clarity, capacity and performance. This episode provides a clear lens through which to engage with the rest of the Balancing Act podcast series, offering listeners a practical framework they can return to when navigating growth, transition, challenge or change. Key Topics Covered Why sustainable success requires structure, not more effort The origins and purpose of The Calibration Model Money & Mission: direction, meaning and decision-making Mental & Physical Health: capacity, resilience and emotional bandwidth Work & Life: rhythm, boundaries and operational structure How pressure in one paradigm impacts the others Recognising early signs of misalignment before burnout Calibration versus traditional goal-setting Emotional Intelligence as a performance capability Skilled Communication under pressure Resilience as a system that can be strengthened and maintained ABOUT THE SPEAKERSarah BrennandCreator of the Calibration Model | Executive Coach | Speaker | Performance & Leadership SpecialistSarah Brennand works with leaders and organisations operating in high-pressure, high-performance environments, supporting them to build capability and achieve results that are sustainable over time. She is the Founder of L7 Executive Coaching and Co-Founder of Illuminare Executive Education, delivering leadership and business solutions internationally across multiple sectors.Her work integrates strategy, human performance and wellbeing, informed by executive leadership experience, extensive coaching practice, and a strong belief that clarity, structure and alignment are essential to long-term success.For more information, podcasts and free resources and high performance and sustainable success, visit: www.balancing-act.co.uk

7. 

   1 May 2026

   Cashing Out with Alexis Sikorsky On the Balancing Act Mastering Work Wealth and Wellbeing Podcast

   CASHING OUT: THE REAL PATH TO ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS Guest: Alexis Sikorsky In this episode of Balancing Act – Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing, Sarah Brennand is joined by Alexis Sikorsky, entrepreneur, advisor, and author, for an honest conversation about what entrepreneurial success really looks like over the long term. Alexis shares his journey from starting businesses as a teenager to building New Access into a global banking software company and navigating a nine-figure exit. Along the way, he reflects on the realities behind growth: pressure, responsibility, decision fatigue, and the personal cost of leading through uncertainty. The conversation explores not only the strategic decisions that shaped Alexis’s success, but also the moments of failure, including financial collapse, redundancy decisions, and the identity shift that followed his exit. He speaks openly about the emotional impact of these experiences and why founders are often well-prepared for scale, but not for what comes after. Now working with founders and leadership teams, Alexis shares the principles behind his APEX method and why emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and personal readiness are critical assets in building companies that last. This episode offers grounded insight for entrepreneurs who want to scale with intention, prepare for exit properly, and define success in a way that holds up beyond the finish line. Key Topics Covered • Starting young: early entrepreneurial experiences and lessons learned • Building and scaling New Access over two decades • Strategic pivots and responding to market reality • Leading through pressure, uncertainty, and financial crisis • The emotional and human cost of high-performance leadership • Making difficult decisions, including redundancy and restructuring • Preparing for exit: business readiness versus personal readiness • The identity gap after selling a company • Reframing failure as feedback rather than defeat • Emotional intelligence as a strategic leadership capability • The APEX method: structuring companies for scale, resilience, and exit • Redefining success after a major liquidity event • Creating sustainable success across work, wealth, and wellbeing About the Guest: ALEXIS SIKORSKY ENTREPRENEUR | BUSINESS ADVISOR | AUTHOR Alexis Sikorsky is an entrepreneur, business advisor and author known for building, scaling, and successfully exiting New Access SA, a Geneva-based banking software company he founded in 2000. Over two decades he grew the business into a major player in its sector before engineering its acquisition by a private equity firm for a nine-figure sum. For more episodes of the Balancing Act – Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing podcast, additional recourses, articles or to buy the book, visit: www.balancing-act.co.uk

8. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Money That Works for You: How to Build a Life-Driven Wealth Strategy with guest Anne McClean

   Episode 8. Money That Works for You: How to Build a Life-Driven Wealth StrategyGuest: Anne McClean In this Balancing Act conversation, Financial expert Anne McClean delves into the psychological aspects of money, discussing how perceptions of ‘not enough’, ‘enough’, and ‘plenty’ shape financial behaviours. Sarah and Anne explore practical financial planning strategies for both employees and self-employed individuals, emphasising the importance of understanding one’s financial situation and goals. The discussion also covers the significance of liquidity and legacy in wealth management, as well as tips for building money confidence. Anne provides actionable advice on budgeting, investing, and preparing for the future, highlighting the need for personalised financial guidance aligned with longer term aspirations. Key Topics Covered Understanding your perception of money is crucial. Financial planning should be proactive and personalised. Budgeting is essential for financial success. Investing early can lead to significant growth. Self-employed individuals face unique financial challenges. Liquidity is important for maintaining lifestyle. Legacy planning should start early in life. Building money confidence requires understanding your finances. Utilising employer benefits can enhance financial health. Seeking trusted financial advice is key to success. For more information, additional podcasts and resources visit: www.balancing-act.co.uk Anne McCleanPartner and Head of Wealth | Chartered Financial Planner and Certified Financial Planner | Specialist in Strategic Financial Planning Anne McClean is a multi-award-winning wealth strategist with two decades of experience advising high-achieving professionals, business owners and families on how to translate earnings into long-term financial security and purpose-led decision-making. Currently a Partner and Head of Wealth at IPS Capital, Anne previously served as a Partner at Smith & Williamson (now Evelyn Partners) and holds Fellowships with both the Personal Finance Society and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. Anne’s expertise bridges complex financial planning with clarity, empathy, and a deep understanding of human motivation. Whether her clients are scaling businesses, transitioning careers, or preparing for generational legacy, her advice helps demystify financial systems and align capital with life aspirations. She specialises in ensuring that the life being built today is structurally and emotionally supported by the decisions made for tomorrow. Named a Top-Rated Adviser multiple times by VouchedFor and recognised by the Personal Finance Society and Women in Finance Awards, Anne is trusted for her depth of knowledge, her calm, grounded presence, and her ability to create confidence in moments of uncertainty. Anne’s insights appear throughout the Money-Mission paradigm in this book, enriching topics including wealth strategy, liquidity, legacy planning and building a successful future that reflects what matters most. Her contribution offers a powerful reminder that financial confidence is about more than numbers, it’s about pro- active planning and making your money work in service of your bigger purpose.

9. 

   17 Apr 2026

   Wired to Connect: The Science of Emotion and Leadership with Dr Lynda Shaw

   Wired to Connect: The Science of Emotion and LeadershipGuest: Dr Lynda Shaw - Episode 7 of Balancing Act - Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing. In this Balancing Act conversation, Dr. Lynda Shaw speaks with Sarah Brennand to unpack the complex and fascinating relationship between emotion, leadership and human behaviour. Drawing on her background in cognitive neuroscience and decades of work with organisations, she explains why emotions – all of them – operate below conscious awareness long before we label or interpret them, influencing decisions, communication and leadership behaviour. Dr. Shaw explores how emotional intelligence is far more than a behavioural skill; it is a neurobiological process shaped by experience, culture and the unconscious triggers that guide our reactions. She discusses why self-awareness is the foundation of effective leadership, how triggers can be understood rather than feared, and why leaders must model the emotional and communicative standards they expect from others. The conversation expands into organisational culture, communication, and global perspectives on emotional intelligence, recognising that cultural norms shape how emotions are expressed, read and valued. Dr. Shaw also touches on the future of neuroscience and what emerging research reveals about connection, performance and wellbeing in a fast-changing world. This episode offers a deeply human, science-informed perspective on leadership - one that acknowledges both our wiring and our capacity to adapt, understand and connect with intention. Key Topics Covered Emotions as unconscious, neurobiological processes The link between self-awareness and emotional intelligence Understanding and navigating emotional triggers How experience shapes helpful vs. unhelpful emotional responses Effective communication as the foundation of strong relationships Cultural differences in emotional expression and interpretation Leadership modelling: setting the tone through behaviour Creating supportive organisational environments for wellbeing and performance The evolving neuroscience behind emotional regulation and resilience Practical steps to enhance self-awareness and emotional understanding Dr. Lynda Shaw Cognitive Neuroscientist | Business Psychologist | Entrepreneur Dr Lynda Shaw is a cognitive neuroscientist, business psychologist, and entrepreneur whose career spans academia, enterprise, and applied neuroscience in leadership. A Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and former President of the Professional Speaking Association UK&I, Lynda specialises in making complex brain science practical for business and leadership. She has founded multiple organisations, including Brain & Behaviour Ltd., the Consciousness Academy, and the Neuroscience Professional Development Programme, dedicated to bridging neuroscience, psychology, and real-world performance. Her PhD in cognitive neuroscience focused on unconscious emotional processing and behavioural change, and her subsequent research has explored how emotion influences communication, trust, and decision-making. Through keynotes, consultancy, and leadership development, she helps organisations harness the power of neuroplasticity to create more connected, innovative, and emotionally intelligent cultures. Lynda is the author of Your Brain is Boss and Beat the Bullies: Use Your Brain, and her clients include Lloyds Bank, NHS, Citrix, and Royal Mail. Known as ‘The Walking Neuroscientist,’ she brings humour, warmth, and scientific rigour to every conversation - translating brain science into human connection.

10. 

    7 Apr 2026

    Episode 6. Designing Success: Building Businesses, Brands & Balance with Guest Sarah Willingham

    Episode 6. Designing Success: Building Businesses, Brands & Balance Guest: Sarah Willingham Entrepreneur | Investor | Former Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den In this episode of The Balancing Act, Sarah Brennand is joined by entrepreneur and investor Sarah Willingham, for an open and grounded conversation about what success really looks like when it is designed across work, wealth and life. Sarah Willingham shares her personal and professional journey, from early ambitions around motherhood and partnership to building, scaling, and exiting businesses. She reflects on why the concept of starting, growing, and exiting became central to her definition of success, not only as an industry benchmark, but as a route to freedom, choice, and long-term security for her family. The conversation explores how financial outcomes, personal values, and life goals intersect, and how success evolves over time. Rather than pursuing business growth in isolation, Sarah describes how clarity around family, relationships, and future freedom shaped her decisions as an entrepreneur and investor. This episode offers a candid perspective on designing a life where ambition and personal priorities are aligned, highlighting that success is not accidental, but built through intentional choices, recalibration, and a clear sense of what matters most. Key Topics Covered Defining success beyond status or scale The role of motherhood and family in shaping career ambition Why “start, grow, and exit” became a personal success framework Financial freedom as a tool for choice and autonomy Building businesses using intellect, strategy, and timing The emotional and practical importance of a successful exit Balancing entrepreneurship with relationships and home life How definitions of success evolve at different life stages Designing work and wealth to support long-term wellbeing Making intentional decisions that support life, not just business Sarah Willingham Entrepreneur | Investor | Former Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den Sarah Willingham is a serial entrepreneur, investor and consumer-business expert whose career spans high-street brands, hospitality, media and strategic investment. She built her early leadership experience at global restaurant chains including Pizza Express and Planet Hollywood before acquiring and scaling The Bombay Bicycle Club into the UK’s largest Indian-restaurant chain. Sarah later became a board director and serial investor, co-founding and backing brands such as London Cocktail Club and Craft Gin Club, and co-founding Nightcap PLC, a drinks-led hospitality group. Her television profile includes roles as an investor on Dragons’ Den and judge on The Restaurant. As a proud mum of four, Sarah is passionate about proving that career growth, business leadership and family life don’t have to exist in conflict - she believes true success is built across all areas of life. She regularly speaks, advises and invests in high-growth consumer and lifestyle businesses and serves as a mentor to the next generation of founders. For more information visit: www.balancing-act.co.uk

11. 

    20 Dec 2025

    Performance Is Health in Motion: Resilience, Neuroscience & the PROCESS Model with Guest Dr. John Sullivan

    Guest: Dr. John Sullivan Host: Sarah Brennand Original interview used in the creation of the book Balancing Act - Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing (author: Sarah Brennand) In this expert-led Balancing Act conversation, Dr. John Sullivan, clinical sports psychologist and internationally recognised authority in resilience and human performance, shares decades of insight into the science and psychology underpinning sustainable success. Drawing on his work across elite sport, military, and corporate environments, Dr. Sullivan breaks down why performance is fundamentally a health process, driven by brain function, emotional regulation and the interplay between stress, recovery and individual differences. Dr. Sullivan explains neurological resilience, the importance of understanding each individual’s unique wiring, and why mistakes are essential data for growth. He explores how leaders can create supportive, psychologically safe environments, and why communication, culture and behavioural modelling have a measurable impact on performance outcomes. A core part of the conversation centres on Dr. Sullivan’s PROCESS model, a holistic framework integrating movement, rest, nutrition, emotional management, social connection and behavioural habits. He illustrates how these elements oscillate rather than progress linearly, shaping resilience, reducing burnout and improving adaptability in both high-performance and everyday settings. This episode delivers science-driven, deeply human insight –  a practical and compassionate exploration of what truly helps people perform, recover, and thrive. Key Topics Covered The science of neurological resilience and why the brain drives performance Sullivan’s career journey as a clinical sports psychologist Individual differences: why “one size fits all” doesn’t exist in high performance Association vs. dissociation and how athletes manage focus under pressure Micro cycles of rest and why recovery is a biological necessity The impact of music, environment and emotional cues on performance The PROCESS model: movement, rest, nutrition, emotional regulation, social connection and self-awareness Why performance is non-linear – understanding oscillation, not constant output Managing fear of failure and fear of success How mistakes shape learning, adaptation and long-term resilience Leadership culture: psychological safety, communication and supporting human complexity Recognising and addressing early signs of fatigue and burnout Practical applications for sport, leadership, wellbeing and everyday life Visit www.balancing-act.co.uk for more episodes, insights, to buy the book and to access the Balancing Act Resource Hub.

12. 

    20 Dec 2025

    Balancing Logic and Connection: Curiosity, Relationships & the Art of Reassessment with Guest Anne-Sophie Amiot

    Guest: Anne-Sophie Amiot Host: Sarah Brennand Original interview used in the creation of the book Balancing Act - Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing In this extended Balancing Act conversation, Anne-Sophie Amiot reflects on how she navigates life at the intersection of scientific thinking and human connection. Rather than treating science and relationships as opposing worlds, she explains how her curiosity-driven approach shapes both, grounding her in observation, openness, and a willingness to reassess assumptions. Anne-Sophie speaks about the complexity of human relationships, especially in multicultural environments, and why they resist fixed rules or neat formulas. She highlights how passion and energy grow from genuine interest, not technical ability, and why the drive to discover is central to both her work and her way of relating to others. This conversation offers a thoughtful lens on balance – balancing analysis with empathy, structure with intuition, and learning with experience. It fits seamlessly within the Balancing Act book’s themes of self-awareness, personal growth, and the ongoing calibration of work, wealth and wellbeing. Key Topics Covered How curiosity shapes both scientific work and human relationships Balancing analytical thinking with emotional understanding Why human relationships require ongoing reassessment The limitations of rules or formulas when dealing with people Passion, energy and the difference between proficiency and personal meaning Discovery as a motivating force in work and relationships Navigating cultural awareness in multicultural settings How continuous learning supports connection and clarity Personal reflections on growth, reassessment and staying open Integrating logic, intuition and curiosity in everyday life Visit www.balancing-act.co.uk for more episodes, insights, to buy the book and to access the Balancing Act Resource Hub

13. 

    20 Dec 2025

    From Podium to Purpose: High Performance, Resilience & Breath-Led Recovery with Guest Adam Burgess OLY

    Guest: Adam Burgess OLY Host: Sarah Brennand Original interview used in the creation of the book Balancing Act - Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing (author - Sarah Brennand). In this Balancing Act conversation, Olympic silver medallist Adam Burgess reflects on a career defined by both breakthrough success and the relentless reality of elite performance. Fresh from becoming the first British man since 2008 to reach the Olympic podium in the C1 event, securing a historic silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games, Adam speaks openly about the emotional contrasts of the season: the exhilaration of team success, the sting of a single costly mistake in his individual race, and the psychological pressure of constantly performing under intense scrutiny. Adam shares how injuries, expectations, and the business side of elite sport shaped his mindset, leading him toward a second passion: breathwork, recovery science, and physiological balance. After a career-threatening shoulder injury, breathwork became central to his rehabilitation and later formed the foundation of the Inspired Breath Academy, where he now coaches athletes, leaders and wellbeing professionals. What emerges is a conversation about more than medals, it’s about identity, emotional regulation, resilience, and the move from competing to coaching. Adam’s reflections offer a rare look at the realities behind high performance and how he now channels his competitive experience into educating others on breathing, balance and sustainable success. Key Topics Covered Achieving a historic Olympic silver medal in the C1 event The emotional contrast between team success and personal disappointment How one mistake can define an elite performance, and how to recover mentally The psychological load of Olympic cycles and high-stakes competition Overcoming a career-threatening shoulder injury Breathwork as a tool for performance, regulation and long-term resilience The creation and mission of the Inspired Breath Academy Training independently and building self-leadership in elite sport Understanding the business, pressure and uncertainty behind the athlete lifestyle Shifting identity from athlete to educator and coach Recovery, emotional regulation and high-performance habits Building a life that “performs under pressure” across sport, work and wellbeing Visit www.balancing-act.co.uk for further episodes, insights, to buy the book and to access the resource hub.

14. 

    20 Dec 2025

    Challenge With Care: Motivation, Responsibility & Real Growth with Guest: Alison Oliver MBE

    Guest: Alison Oliver MBE Host: Sarah Brennand Original interview used in the creation of the book Balancing Act - Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing (author - Sarah Brennand) In this Balancing Act conversation, Alison Oliver speaks candidly about the realities of growth, motivation and responsibility, and how leaders can stretch people in ways that inspire rather than overwhelm. Drawing on her experience supporting individuals through transition, pressure and change, Alison reflects on the fine line between pushing someone to thrive and placing so much on their shoulders that the weight becomes counterproductive. She explores why failure, when framed well, becomes a catalyst for development, and why empowerment isn’t about giving people more to carry but helping them understand their capacity, confidence and direction. The discussion aligns closely with the themes in Balancing Act, touching on wellbeing, mission, personal accountability and the emotional intelligence needed to support others without creating burnout. Alison offers a grounded, compassionate view of growth, one that recognises challenge as necessary, failure as informative, and responsibility as something to nurture rather than impose. Key Topics Covered Balancing motivation with realistic responsibility How challenge helps people grow without tipping into overwhelm Why failure is not an endpoint but an essential teacher Empowerment through support, clarity and self-awareness The emotional intelligence behind stretching others safely Understanding capacity and resilience in personal and professional transitions How leaders can create conditions for sustainable growth The relationship between wellbeing, pressure and performance Navigating career and personal shifts with honesty and reflection What it means to take responsibility without carrying unnecessary weight Visit www.balancing-act.co.uk for more episodes, insight, to access the Resource Hub and to buy the book.

15. 

    17 Dec 2025

    Compass for Life: Resilience, Purpose & the Path to High Performance. Guest: Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM

    Guest: Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM Host: Sarah Brennand Original interview used in the creation of the book Balancing Act - Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing (author - Sarah Brennand) In this wide-ranging and energising conversation, recorded as a conversation to inform content you’ll find in the book ‘Balancing Act: Mastering Work, Wealth and Wellbeing’, Floyd Woodrow shares the principles that have guided his journey from military service to international leadership development. The discussion explores what success really means, why understanding yourself is foundational, and how resilience is built through daily practice, emotional intelligence and alignment between who you are and what you pursue. Floyd reflects on passion, purpose and the Compass for Life model, while also exploring how AI is reshaping human performance and personal development. The episode highlights the importance of intuition, the role of a strong support network, and the habits that sustain momentum. It is a conversation about growth, adaptability and designing a life that feels meaningful, balanced and high-performing. Key Topics Covered: Redefining success as an ongoing journey The transition from military service to business leadership Purpose, passion and the Compass for Life framework Self-understanding as the gateway to sustainable growth Building resilience through practice, structure and self-awareness Emotional intelligence and authenticity in leadership The importance of support networks for performance and wellbeing Mental-Physical alignment and daily habits that enhance performance Navigating career pivots and adapting with confidence Rest, recovery and resilience AI as a tool for human development and enhanced self-awareness Social resilience, connection and energy management Visit: www.balancing-act.co.uk for more episodes and to access the Balancing Act Resource Hub.

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