Intelligent Change with Alex Ikonn

Why are we so afraid to feel? To cry, to scream, to get ugly?In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, I sit down with Luuk Melisse—former professional dancer and co-founder of Sanctum, a global movement experience blending ancient spiritual practices with modern sound, ritual, and raw expression.We talk about:• Why we’ve been conditioned to suppress our emotions—and how that creates disconnection• How to heal through movement, sound, and somatic release• The science and soul behind Sanctum’s 3-body method: Physical, Emotional & Energetic• Creating collective rituals to break through isolation and loneliness• Embracing the ugly, the shadow, and the full spectrum of what it means to be human• Rewiring survival patterns and learning to surrender• Love, impermanence, and being a channel for something greater than yourselfFilmed high in the mountains of Switzerland, this conversation is part soul talk, part masterclass in somatic intelligence—and a reminder that the most powerful healing doesn’t happen through perfection… but through presence.If you’ve ever felt lost, disconnected, or unsure how to fully express yourself, this episode will speak to your soul.CHAPTERS: 00:00 – 🎙️ Welcome to the mountaintop with Luuk from Sanctum00:01:22 – 🧭 How Sanctum began (and why Luuk didn’t create it)00:03:19 – ❤️ The epidemic of loneliness and how movement heals00:05:20 – 🎧 Why Sanctum uses headphones, sound, and spiritual immersion00:07:17 – 🎬 How Luuk designs every class like a movie00:09:00 – 🧘‍♂️ The “3 Body” method: physical, emotional, energetic00:12:22 – 🌊 How to raise your frequency (without spiritual bypassing)00:15:01 – 🧠 Addiction to survival mode and rewiring the brain00:17:03 – 🧘‍♂️ Meditation, detachment, and befriending the mind00:18:30 – 🌑 Embracing your shadow—anger, grief, shame, and all00:21:04 – 👂 Why we don’t express our full selves (and how to start)00:25:02 – 🎭 Make it ugly: how imperfection becomes sacred00:27:27 – 🎉 Ritual, collectivity, and the magic of shared emotion00:29:59 – 🌬️ How to self-regulate through movement and breath00:33:46 – 🌱 Why true transformation begins in the body00:36:00 – 📱 The digital evolution of Sanctum00:38:13 – 🪞 Love, attachment, and impermanence00:41:00 – 💫 Living in service & becoming a vessel for something bigger00:45:08 – 💗 Final thoughts on gratitude, death, and being fully alive👉 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/👉 Created with: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

What does it take to scale a health startup from $10M to over $600M in annual revenue? In this deep-dive conversation, I sit down with Jon Corne former Chief Marketing Officer at AG1 (Athletic Greens)—to unpack the real story behind the rise of one of the most recognised brands in wellness today.Jon shares:• How he went from barista and accountant to executive leader in one of the fastest-growing supplement companies• The creator economy secrets that fuelled AG1’s explosive growth• How to scale from 10 to 90 employees and keep performance high• Real talk about LTV, CAC, and making smart bets in uncertain markets• The behind-the-scenes of working with creators like Tim Ferriss and Andrew Huberman• How to win in saturated markets by thinking long-term and obsessing over the customer• Tactical insights for tracking podcast performance, pricing creator deals, and optimising attributionWhether you’re an entrepreneur, operator, or creator—this episode is a blueprint for exponential growth, data-driven strategy, and building a team that scales.From spreadsheets to story-telling, Jon’s approach is part startup hustle, part brand genius, and 100% actionable.📌 This is a must-watch if you’re building a DTC brand or scaling anything in the creator economy.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – 🎙️ Introduction to Jon and AG1’s $600M journey00:01:15 – ☕ From barista & accountant to growth leader at AG100:02:30 – 📈 How Jon helped scale from $10M to $600M00:06:00 – 🔍 Discovering AG1’s biggest growth levers00:09:25 – 🎧 The podcast arbitrage opportunity00:13:00 – 💡 Why being the customer gave him an edge00:18:10 – 🧠 Turning insights into repeatable systems00:22:40 – 📊 Building a media attribution engine from scratch00:26:50 – 🎯 How to pitch ideas internally and get funding00:30:30 – 📉 The 3-part creator portfolio strategy (Index, Stock Pick, Crypto)00:34:55 – 🔄 Negotiating long-term creator deals00:41:20 – 🧬 What made Andrew Huberman say “I’ll work with you”00:47:15 – 🛠️ How to track ROI on podcast and influencer campaigns00:54:45 – 🔥 The “Jenga tower vs. compounding machine” mindset01:02:10 – 🛍️ GPT as the next major recommendation engine01:07:30 – 🌱 What’s next: building in health, tech, and impact👉 Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/👉 Created with: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

In this engaging discussion, Steve Varsano, founder of The Jet Business, shares his expertise on the private jet market. He highlights the shift in mindsets among the ultra-wealthy, where passion overshadows money in achieving lasting success. Steve recounts a gripping story of a life-threatening jet sale that taught him invaluable lessons on trust and resilience. He emphasizes the importance of genuine relationships and adaptability in business, while offering insights on how to create your own lucky breaks—an essential guide for aspiring entrepreneurs.

In this deeply moving episode of The Intelligent Change Podcast, I sit down with the extraordinary chef, activist, and warrior spirit Asma Khan—founder of London’s iconic Darjeeling Express and star of Netflix’s Chef’s Table.Born the “second daughter” in a society that mourned her existence, Asma shares how rejection, patriarchal norms, and early trauma became the fuel for her unstoppable rise. With raw vulnerability and poetic power, she reveals how she turned pain into purpose, silence into a roar, and exclusion into a legacy of radical inclusion.We talk about: • How to find strength in your scars • Turning marginalisation into a mission • Building a business with soul (and an all-women kitchen) • Her relationship with gratitude, legacy, and self-love • The spiritual poetry and ancestral strength that shaped her💥 Whether you’ve ever felt unseen, underestimated, or unworthy—this episode will remind you of the fire that lives within.⸻✨ Quotes to Remember:“If there’s no seat for you at the table, pull up a chair.”“You are the only one who can break out of the chains you tied yourself.”“I don’t want to break the glass ceiling. I want to bring the whole building down.”⸻🔔 Subscribe for more soulful conversations with world-changers.💬 Drop a comment and let me know what part of this conversation moved you most.❤️ If you believe in legacy through love, share this episode.00:01:24 – 🌸 The Second Daughter – Growing up feeling unwanted00:03:40 – 👑 Warrior Princess – Sister’s love and empowerment00:07:00 – 💔 Childhood Wounds – Turning pain into strength00:08:45 – 🏏 Street Cricket & Justice – Fighting back against unfairness00:10:37 – 🔥 Becoming Unbreakable – Inner power over external judgement00:13:06 – 🚢 Captain of Your Ship – Steering your own life00:14:11 – 🌊 The River Legacy – Nourishing others for the future00:16:28 – 🍲 Women in the Kitchen – Claiming respect in hospitality00:17:55 – ✨ Sharing the Light – How her sister’s kindness shaped her00:19:27 – 👨‍👧 Fathers & Daughters – Teaching true power00:21:02 – 🌟 Believing in Yourself – Igniting inner worth00:23:07 – 🌱 The Seed Story – Breaking through darkness to grow00:25:13 – 🛡 Radiating Strength – Compassion over arrogance00:27:48 – 🏛 Breaking the Building – Beyond the glass ceiling00:28:49 – 🤝 Level Playing Field – Uplifting others to equality00:29:31 – 🌩 Walk Alone – The anthem that fuels her journey00:31:21 – 🪷 Modern Enlightenment – Redefining success & cleansing the soul00:32:20 – 🍂 Autumn Lessons – Trusting in the coming spring00:33:40 – 💖 Nurturing Self-Love – Belief despite criticism00:47:51 – 🔥 Through the Fire – Emerging victorious against all odds00:48:23 – 🏔 Business is the Hardest Race – Endurance through challenges00:49:43 – 🤍 Becoming Who I Needed – Building a legacy for others00:50:17 – 🪦 Burial at the Gates – A message for women to never be crushed👉 Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/Brought to you by: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

What happens when two people build an entire life together—businesses, a family, a global following—and still choose to separate?In this raw, unfiltered conversation, Mimi and I sit down for the first time since our conscious uncoupling to talk about the truth behind our separation after 16 years together. From meeting as young dreamers in Toronto, to building a multi-million dollar business, becoming parents, and navigating the unraveling of a romantic relationship—we share it all.This is not a story of failure. It’s a story of love evolving, of choosing honesty over comfort, and of honoring growth over illusion.If you’ve ever questioned the meaning of love, struggled with letting go, or wondered how to stay connected even when the form of the relationship changes—this conversation is for you.🔸 Why we separated🔸 The impact of parenting on our relationship🔸 How our values shifted over time🔸 What conscious uncoupling really looks like🔸 How we continue to love and lead as co-parents and business partnersThis is one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had. Thank you for witnessing it.👉 Subscribe here: @alexikonnpodcast 👉 Follow me on Instagram: @alexikonn Brought to you by: https://link.intelligentchange.com/to...

Why Comfort Is Killing You | Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan Race In this powerful episode of Intelligent Change, I sit down with Joe De Sena, founder of Spartan Race and Tough Mudder, to uncover what it truly takes to build grit, resilience, and a purpose‑driven life in a world obsessed with comfort.We recorded this right after doing 100 burpees and 100 flights of stairs in Zermatt, Switzerland—and Joe showed up with the same intensity that has inspired millions to do hard things and transform their lives.💥 Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:✅ Why modern society (and especially men) are becoming soft—and how to reverse it✅ How subtracting comforts creates deeper happiness and gratitude✅ The power of Fire. Ready. Aim. and why action beats planning every time✅ How Joe raised his kids to be strong, resilient, and grateful✅ The mindset shifts that took him from Wall Street to building a global movement✅ Why you need a date on your calendar that scares you—and how that creates real changeJoe’s philosophy is simple but not easy:👉 If you have everything, you appreciate nothing.👉 If you have nothing, you appreciate everything.Whether you’re a parent, entrepreneur, or someone feeling stuck in comfort, this conversation will push you to embrace discomfort, build your own calluses, and design a life that actually feels alive.🔥 Watch, share, and let me know in the comments: What hard thing will YOU commit to this week?✨ If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes on building a life with purpose, gratitude, and intelligent change.👉 Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexIkonnPodcast👉 Follow Joe De Sena: https://www.instagram.com/realjoedesena/👉 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexikonn/Brought to you by: https://link.intelligentchange.com/tools68894b

Peter Crone, a globally renowned 'Mind Architect,' shares his insights on breaking free from the limiting stories we tell ourselves. He emphasizes the power of embracing uncertainty in love and loss, and the transformative journey of self-awareness. Crone explores how to let go of past programming, dissolve stress, and live authentically instead of for approval. He encourages listeners to redefine success beyond fear and burnout, advocating for emotional authenticity as a path to deeper connections and personal freedom.

David Ghiyam, an entrepreneur and spiritual teacher, shares his inspiring journey from $700K in debt to co-founding the billion-dollar MaryRuth Organics. He discusses how guilt and old beliefs block abundance and the crucial role of mindset shifts. Ghiyam emphasizes trusting your intuition and why certainty, not suffering, is vital for success. He explores how gratitude transforms challenges into growth opportunities, illustrating that miracles are crafted through intention and energy. This conversation challenges conventional views on success and reveals the power of personal transformation.