Nancy Ho - Overcoming the Professional Paradox
Release Date: 03/04/2025
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Darryl Stickel – Share, Don't Scare: The Science of Building Trust When the World Feels Broken
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Kate Grant – Listen to Your Inner Voice: Leading a Life of Impact Without Apology
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What does it take to lead with both purpose and perseverance? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, host Cathleen O’Sullivan sits down with Kate Grant—CEO of the Fistula Foundation and author of No Woman Left Behind—whose remarkable journey from Madison Avenue to global health leadership reveals what can happen when compassion meets conviction. Kate shares how walking away from a thriving advertising career became the first step toward transforming the lives of more than 100,000 women suffering from obstetric fistula—a preventable childbirth injury that still affects over...
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Donzel Leggett – Transform, Don’t Just Change: The Mindset for a Destiny-Driven Life
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What does it really mean to design your own destiny? In this episode of Legendary Leaders Podcast, host Cathleen O'Sullivan sits down with Donzel Leggett—former Fortune 200 executive, author of Make Your Destiny Happen, and founder of Destiny Development Delta whose career has spanned three decades of transformational global leadership. From his Key West roots to the pivotal moment he walked away from professional football, Donzel shares how he turned missed opportunities and painful kicks in the butt into clarity about his calling. With warmth and honesty, he opens up about the weight...
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Lenya McGrath – The Compass Within: Leading with Purpose and Positivity
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What does it really mean to bring your authentic self to leadership? In this episode of Legendary Leaders Podcast, host Cathleen O’Sullivan sits down with Lenya McGrath—global brand strategist, creative leader, and award-winning marketer whose career has shaped some of the world’s most iconic brands. From her early days in Sydney’s ad world to leading high-performing teams across continents, Lenya shares how she turned “too happy” feedback into her leadership superpower. With warmth and humility, she opens up about authenticity in the workplace, building psychological...
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The Productivity Lie: Why Doing Less Makes You a Better Leader
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Neil Ghosh – The Power of Empathy: How Small Acts Create Big Change
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Jones Loflin - From Busy to Focused: Leadership Lessons from the Hive
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What can honeybees teach us about leadership, focus, and living with intention? In this episode of The Legendary Leaders Podcast, host Cathleen O’Sullivan welcomes back Jones Loflin—speaker, coach, educator, and co-author of Focused as a Bee. Drawing from his beekeeping journey with his daughter Sydney, Jones reveals how small shifts in focus can create big changes in how we lead and live. Their book is both a practical guide and a heartfelt tribute to Sydney’s late best friend Alicia, reminding us that life is too short to glorify busyness. Jones opens up about co-authoring...
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Laura Venezia - Compassionate Leadership Lessons
The Legendary Leaders Podcast
Get ready for an inspiring conversation with our host Cathleen O’Sullivan and Laura Venezia, an educational leader whose passion for nurturing others has taken her across the U.S., China, Hong Kong, and now Germany. In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Laura reflects on her early love of teaching, the challenges and lessons of working internationally, and how her commitment to kindness and inclusion continues to guide her as a leader. She shares practical advice on balancing technology with real connection, building collaborative relationships, and embracing those everyday moments...
info_outlineAre you still chasing the wrong kind of success? In this episode of Legendary Leaders, Nancy Ho joins host Cathleen O'Sullivan to discuss the hidden struggles of high-performing professionals and the paradox of success. Nancy shares how defining success externally can lead to a void of stress and unfulfillment. She talks about turning pain into gain, redefining what you truly want, and the importance of being authentic rather than conforming to societal pressures. Discover how your thoughts shape your reality and the power of self-reflection in transforming your life. Tune in for a conversation that invites you to redefine success on your own terms and move towards a life filled with genuine satisfaction and freedom.
Episode Timeline:
00:00 Introduction
08:40 Choosing what you want over what you need
17:22 The difference between authentic self-care and social pressure
27:37 Addressing your needs genuinely and fostering long-term relationships
36:32 Gradually changing bad habits to good ones with ongoing support and strategy adjustments
44:28 Success comes from the inside so focus on inner fulfilment
50:05 Living in the past and having a fear of judgment
01:01:01 Wake up calls from life
Key Takeaways:
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Nancy emphasises the importance of self-reflection to understand your own habits and tendencies. Being aware of the pain points and reflecting on them helps to make necessary changes.
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Nancy explains that recognising the authentic pain (what one truly wishes to avoid) and the real gain (the genuine pleasure and outcome desired) can lead to more motivated and effective action.
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Cathleen and Nancy discuss how true motivation and contentment come from internal desires rather than external validation. Nancy highlights the importance of doing things for yourself rather than seeking approval from others.
ABOUT Nancy Ho
Introducing Nancy Ho, a distinguished Life Strategist, Clarity Messenger, and state-of-mind specialist with over 26 years of experience guiding individuals toward holistic success. Throughout her illustrious career, Nancy has empowered over 10,000 clients, including C-Suite executives, mid-level managers, and business owners, to navigate the intricate balance between professional achievement and personal fulfillment. As an internationally-recognized thought leader on "The Professional Paradox," Nancy brings a unique perspective to the podcasting world. With a focus on helping high-performing professionals transcend the silent weight of success, Nancy's insights offer valuable guidance for listeners seeking harmony in their professional and personal lives. Nancy's expertise lies in addressing the disconnect between external success and inner fulfillment. Her comprehensive approach includes personalized executive coaching, strategic planning, and confidential support tailored to the unique needs of each client.
Connect with Nancy Ho:
Website: https://www.nancyho.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-ho-exec-coach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifecoachnancyho/
Connect:
Find | Cathleen O’Sullivan
Business: cathleenmerkel.com
Email: cmc@cathleenmerkelcoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-merkel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/
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