Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes

In this episode of Leanne on Demand, I sit down with Tim just days after he summited Ushba East. He’s still recovering, but he gives me an honest, raw, and vivid look into what it truly took to reach nearly 6,200 meters. From climbing in complete darkness to pushing through sickness, exhaustion, and brutal gradients, Tim shares the reality behind one of the hardest physical and mental challenges of his life.We talk about what “completely destroyed” really feels like, what drives someone to go for a summit when the body is already broken, and how seeing head torches in the sky can make you question whether they’re stars or just other climbers miles ahead. His reflections on redefining the word “hard” and gaining new perspective from this experience really stayed with me.This conversation captures the beauty, brutality, and transformation that comes with testing your limits in the Himalayas.TakeawaysHard gets redefined when you’ve pushed yourself to the edge at altitude.Your capacity is always greater than you think, even when sick and depleted.Climbing in darkness distorts your sense of distance and progress.Support from guides and teammates can make or break a summit attempt.Perspective shifts dramatically after enduring extreme physical and mental strain.Sometimes you can’t rest, even when you need it most, especially at altitude.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

I’m tucked into a cozy tea house in Perche while our summit team pushed on to 6,200 meters, and this morning we found out they all made it. Hearing that news after imagining them climbing at 1 am in negative 20 degrees on fixed lines in the dark filled me with so much pride and relief.A few of us stayed back, and with partners and loved ones up there, the waiting felt long. But everyone’s safe, and now they’re making their way down toward us. I can’t wait to see them.Meanwhile, I’m finally slowing down after ten intense days. My body still feels the altitude, my readiness score is terrible, and the cold mornings are no joke, but I’m relaxing, eating simple meals, and letting myself recover. Tomorrow we’ll take a helicopter to Lukla and then head into Kathmandu for some warmth and rest.Takeaways• Pride in the team’s summit• Listening to my body was the right call• Recovery is part of the journey• Community makes the hard days easier• The descent brings its own kind of peaceSign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

High in the Himalayas at 5,500 meters, the air is thin, the tents are freezing, and every step feels like a test. Tomorrow, we attempt a 6,119-meter summit, and right now it feels like standing on the edge of something enormous, equal parts thrill, fear, and sheer determination. Today’s episode dives into the mental and physical preparation for the climb, and the emotional highs and lows that come with high-altitude adventure.I chat with Matt Stewart about what it’s really like at high camp, sleeping in freezing tents, clipping into fixed lines with your buddy and Sherpa, and tackling a steep 60-degree pitch to the summit. We reflect on the emotional journey, how small victories, moments of pride, and trusting your team carry you forward when the climb feels impossible.We explore the mental game of high-altitude trekking, from embracing discomfort and leaning into uncertainty to celebrating every bit of progress along the way. This episode is as much about personal growth and resilience as it is about reaching the top.Takeaways Lean into the fear. Excitement and anxiety often feel the same, let both drive you Trust your team. Your buddy and Sherpa are essential to your success Small wins matter. Every step toward the summit is progress worth celebrating Prepare mentally and physically. High camp is tough, so sleep, gear, and mindset all count Embrace the journey. The climb is as much about personal growth as the peakGrab your warm drink and join us as we gear up for summit day, soak in the mountains, and step into the challenge together.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Hey, thanks for tuning in! Today’s episode is all about my first-ever experience using crampons, those spiky tools you strap onto your boots to tackle icy, slippery terrain. I take you through the ups and downs of figuring them out on the fly, and the little victories that came with learning how to use them properly. Spoiler: I looked like a baby giraffe stumbling around!Along the way, I realized that these lessons on ice aren’t just for mountaineering—they translate surprisingly well to life and business. I break down three practical tips that helped me find my footing.Broaden your base – Widen your stance for stability. On ice, it keeps you from toppling over; in life, it’s about building a strong foundation and perspective so you don’t get caught off guard by unexpected challenges.Walk on the ice – Once you’ve got the right support, lean into the risk instead of avoiding it. Sometimes the hardest paths lead to the most progress.Flat-foot it – Commit fully, be decisive, and put your full weight behind your steps. Half measures won’t get you anywhere on slippery ground or in life.By the end of the day, I successfully made it to Everest Base Camp, a little bruised but feeling confident in both my crampon skills and my approach to life’s slippery moments.If you’ve ever felt nervous about stepping into something completely new, this episode is for you. Strap in, find your footing, and go all in. You might stumble at first, but you’ll get there.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Just wrapped a long 10-kilometre hike, and I’m sitting in a warm tea house in Ache feeling a mix of exhaustion and satisfaction. Today’s episode is about making the most of what you’ve already got, staying organized at altitude, and finding small ways to refresh your day even when resources are limited.From icy tracks that demanded every ounce of focus to passing a memorial for trekkers who never made it back, I reflect on what really matters on the trail. I talk about the little victories, discovering the true value of my gear, reshuffling my duffle bag, and turning what I packed into fresh outfits and routines each day.Plus, the everyday surprises no one warns you about: missing socks, harder to close bags, and the mental effort of keeping everything in order while moving higher. It’s a reminder that even small adjustments can make a big difference.Takeaways Limited resources can spark creativity and fresh perspectives. Value the items that truly make a difference; not everything is replaceable. Small changes, swapping buffs, hats, socks, or layers, can feel like a reset. You don’t always need something new to feel inspired; sometimes innovation comes from what’s already in your bag.Pour yourself a warm drink and join me as I catch my breath, appreciate the views, and experiment with the little ways we can refresh our days without adding anything new.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

I sat down in Brisbane with my friend and fellow facilitator, Steph Clarke, to dig into team coaching—what it is, how it differs from facilitation, and why letting a little chaos reign can be the catalyst a dysfunctional team actually needs. Steph shared what she learned during her accreditation, including how a coach intervenes with questions (not directives), works with the team in situ, and helps teams build the vocabulary to talk about tension, purpose, decision-making, and accountability in real time.We also geek out on visual facilitation—running sessions with no slides, using the room intentionally, and creating artifacts people actually keep. Steph’s honest stories (including the “we’re honest… until the break-time side chats” moment) show how tiny shifts—language, posture, and what we notice—change team behavior far beyond a retreat.Key takeawaysTeam coaching ≠ facilitation: coaches hold space for discomfort and coach the team-as-a-system, not individuals.Don’t rush to “accountability.” Start with clear commitments people make to themselves and the support they need from others.Use the room: no tables, no default “front,” more movement, more ownership. Visuals beat dense slides.Purpose first: “Why do we exist, who do we serve, and how are we greater than the sum of our parts?”Memorable lines“You have to let the chaos reign—then intervene with the right question.” —Steph“We’re ‘honest’ until the break… then the real honesty happens in side conversations.” —Me (calling out what I saw)Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

When you meet someone who’s genuinely passionate about PowerPoint, you know it’s going to be a great conversation. My guest today is Thomas Krafft, co-founder of Blue Box Data Storytelling, and honestly, I think of him as “Mr. Toastmaster.” He’s a speaker, MC, PowerPoint strategist, and all-round presentation geek who loves helping people communicate more clearly and confidently.In this episode, we dive into the art and science of PowerPoint—why “death by PowerPoint” isn’t the software’s fault, and how to design slides that actually support your message rather than distract from it. Thomas shares his golden rule for every slide (“what can I remove and still make sense?”), and we talk about how simple, visual storytelling beats walls of text every time.We also explore how his aviation background, his partnership with Kate Norris, and their combined introvert/extrovert dynamic make for powerful workshop facilitation. Thomas talks about routines, music, and energy management before stepping on stage, and why he believes nerves and excitement are the same thing—just labelled differently.💡 What we coverWhy “death by PowerPoint” is a user error, not a software flawHow to “show what you can’t tell”The best question to ask when designing slides: what can I remove?Structuring workshops and keynotes visuallyCo-facilitation dynamics: how Thomas and Kate tag-team strengthsThe importance of knowing your audience and having clear “know” and “do” outcomesUsing music to shift energy and engagement in workshopsTurning nervousness into excitement before a presentation💬 Key quotes“You wouldn’t blame Toyota for bad drivers—PowerPoint isn’t the problem.”“Show me what you can’t tell me.”“If it’s worth speaking about, it’s worth being excited about.”“Your slides come after your script.”Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

I’m coming to you from high in the Himalayas at around 4,400 meters, absolutely exhausted but strangely proud after one of the toughest days of this trek. Today’s episode is all about the reality of hitting altitude, running on zero sleep, and somehow joining the 5,000 Meter Club after a three-hour climb straight uphill.From steep trails to thin air to the kind of exhaustion that makes you question all of your life choices, I share what it’s really like to trek in the Himalayas when your body is screaming for rest. I also talk about a beautiful moment of calm at a monastery, how grounding it felt to sit in stillness, and why these tiny pockets of peace matter more than ever out here.Plus, I open up about the challenges no one warns you about: freezing mornings, no heating, unpredictable sleep, and the mental discipline of putting one foot in front of the other when everything feels hard.Takeaways:Altitude is no joke: Even “acclimatization hikes” can be brutal. Rest when you can: Insomnia is common at this height, so prioritizing recovery matters. Find stillness: Even a few minutes of meditation can reset everything. Stay present: Focus on the next step, not the next few days. Respect the mountains: EBC is beautiful, but it’s tough — way tougher than most people admit.Grab your warm drink and join me as I catch my breath, soak in the mountains, and get ready for another day on this wild adventure.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

Today, I hit a wall. Not the usual “this is hard but I’ll push through” kind, but a full, unexpected breakdown in the middle of a mountain trail.I’ve done marathons, brutal training sessions, and long endurance days, but this felt different. It wasn’t the altitude or the terrain that got me. It was this strange, overwhelming wave of exhaustion that left me sitting on a rock, crying for the first time mid-hike. It caught me completely off guard.In this episode, I share what it felt like to disconnect from my body, how music didn’t save me this time, and what I learned from being the person at the back of the group, holding on to trekking poles for dear life.It’s about more than a tough day. It’s about listening when your body says enough, learning to pause without guilt, and realising that even in breakdowns, there’s a quiet kind of strength.Takeaways: • Your body whispers before it screams. Pay attention. • Food is fuel, even when you have no appetite. • Don’t look too far ahead. One small step is enough. • Slowing down isn’t failure. It’s survival. • Sometimes a good cry is part of the climb.Thanks for walking this path with me — tears, sweat, and all.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

I’m checking in from the stunning mountain town of Namche Bazaar, and wow, what a place. It’s full of cafés, shops, and even nightclubs, which feels kind of wild this high up. We had an acclimatization day yesterday, which sounds chill… but it was definitely not. Every step uphill was a challenge, but when I reached the top and saw Mount Everest for the first time, it honestly took my breath away in more ways than one.Afterward, I treated myself to a massage, a hair wash, and even wood-fired pizza, because who knows when I’ll find those luxuries again. Today we’re off on another 10K trek, climbing another 400 meters toward our next stop. I’m feeling good overall, just a little congested from the cold air and dust.In this quick check-in, I share: • What an “acclimatization hike” really feels like 😅 • How I’m managing mild altitude symptoms • My switch from coffee to lemon-ginger-honey tea • Thoughts on Diamox and why I haven’t started it yet • My mini obsession with tracking oxygen levels • Why going slow and steady is my motto up hereIt’s all about taking it one step at a time, literally. Feeling grateful, grounded, and ready for the next climb. Thanks for listening, and I’ll catch you again from higher up the trail. 🌄Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: hello@leannehughes.comWould you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.