Leap Academy with Ilana Golan

Ilana Golan knows what it means to start over. After losing her job, startup, and investment all at once, she faced uncertainty head-on. Instead of settling for what she was merely good at, she uncovered her ‘zone of genius’ and focused on what she truly excelled at. Through this journey, she rebuilt her career and created a system to help others do the same. In this episode, Ilana shares how to identify your strengths, stand out, and take control of your reputation.Ilana Golan is an entrepreneur, board director, and investor in over 100 companies. As the founder of Leap Academy, she helps professionals navigate career transitions, leadership, and personal branding.In this episode, Ilana will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (00:34) Identifying Your Unique Value(01:15) The Four Categories of Skills(03:27) How to Discover Your Strengths(04:38) Leveraging Feedback to Find Your Genius(05:44) Creating a 'Brag Bank' to Build Authority(06:34) How Challenges Reveal Your True Strengths(07:10) Using Your Strengths to Build Your BrandIlana Golan is an entrepreneur, board director, and investor in over 100 companies. As the founder of Leap Academy, she helps professionals navigate career transitions, leadership, and personal branding. She has been recognized as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence, a Top 40 Woman to Watch, and a CEO World Award winner. Ilana is also a sought-after keynote speaker and has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Fox, NBC, and more.Connect with Ilana:Ilana’s Website: ilanagolan.com Ilana’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan Resources Mentioned:Free Training: https://training.leapacademy.com/pass Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

At just 36 years old, Rajiv Shah got a call from Hillary Clinton. Days later, he was running USAID. Less than a week into the job, a massive earthquake leveled Haiti. He had no time to prepare. He had to act. That was one of many high-stakes bets in his career. From launching a $5 billion vaccine program with the Gates Foundation to fighting Ebola and leading global humanitarian efforts, he has tackled some of the world’s biggest challenges and won. In this episode, Rajiv joins Ilana to share how he makes big bets, leads through crisis, and asks the right questions to solve impossible challenges.Dr. Rajiv Shah is a physician, economist, global development leader, author, and President of the Rockefeller Foundation. Known for achieving the impossible to drive global change, he led U.S. responses to crises like the Haiti earthquake and Ebola outbreak as USAID Administrator..In this episode, Ilana and Rajiv will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (01:55) From Immigrant Kid to Global Leader(04:02) A Life-Changing Service Trip to India(07:00) Leaving Medical School for Politics(11:22) Joining the Gates Foundation(13:10) A 'Big Bet' That Saved 20 Million Lives(15:00) How Strategic Questions Unlock Big Solutions(19:31) Leading USAID Through Haiti’s Earthquake(26:38) Earning Obama and Biden’s Trust in a Crisis(30:22) Fighting the Ebola Outbreak with Military Support(33:22) Tackling Energy Poverty at the Rockefeller Foundation(38:54) Why Real Change Requires Big Risks(44:38) How Great Leaders Balance Change and Stability(47:08) The Power of Connection and Shared ValuesDr. Rajiv Shah is a physician, economist, global development leader, author, and President of the Rockefeller Foundation. Known for achieving the impossible to drive global change, he led U.S. responses to crises like the Haiti earthquake and Ebola outbreak as USAID Administrator. Previously, at the Gates Foundation, he helped expand childhood vaccinations and led health and agriculture initiatives. His book, Big Bets, explores bold solutions to the world’s toughest challenges.Connect with Rajiv:Rajiv’s Website: rockefellerfoundation.org/ Rajiv’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drrajivjshah/ Resources Mentioned:Rajiv’s Book, Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Bets-Large-Scale-Change-Happens/dp/1668004380 Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Ilana Golan watched others rise while she felt stuck in her career. Her identity was built around job titles and companies until she lost it all. Realizing she had spent years growing businesses but not herself, she invested tens of thousands to master public speaking and build her brand. That decision led to high-paying keynotes, advisory roles, board seats, and even the sale of her tech startup. In this episode, Ilana shares how she went from feeling stuck to unlocking massive opportunities through public speaking and personal branding.Ilana Golan is an entrepreneur, board director, and investor in over 100 companies. As the founder of Leap Academy, she helps professionals navigate career transitions, leadership, and personal branding.In this episode, Ilana will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (00:14) Her Career Wake-Up Call(00:54) The Power of Public Speaking(01:52) Why Investing in Your Brand Pays Off(02:50) Transforming Your Career with Personal BrandingIlana Golan is an entrepreneur, board director, and investor in over 100 companies. As the founder of Leap Academy, she helps professionals navigate career transitions, leadership, and personal branding. She has been recognized as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence, a Top 40 Woman to Watch, and a CEO World Award winner. Ilana is also a sought-after keynote speaker and has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Fox, NBC, and more.Connect with Ilana:Ilana’s Website: ilanagolan.com Ilana’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan Resources Mentioned:Free Training: https://training.leapacademy.com/pass Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

At just 10 years old, Grant Cardone lost his father. This moment flipped his world upside down. He spiraled into teenage addiction, hitting rock bottom in his mid-twenties. Determined to change, he got clean, mastered sales, and began building wealth. It wasn’t until his fifties, during the 2008 financial crisis, that he realized survival meant growing bigger. That’s when he went all in. He scaled Cardone Capital, grew his brand, and turned his hard-earned lessons into a multi-billion-dollar business. In this episode, Grant joins Ilana to discuss overcoming adversity, embracing reinvention, managing fear in high-stakes investments, and his strategies for building wealth and a powerful network.Grant Cardone is a serial entrepreneur, equity fund manager, real estate investor, and bestselling author. A global authority on sales, investing, and personal development, he influences millions through his books, events, and online content.In this episode, Ilana and Grant will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (01:48) Reinventing After Facing a Career Crisis(03:01) Childhood Struggles After Losing His Father(05:52) Battling Addiction and Near-Death Experiences(08:17) Stuck in a Sales Job but Crushing It(10:35) The Birth of the 10X Movement(15:02) Building a Highly Influential Brand at Age 52(17:38) The Secret to Never Getting Laid Off(20:13) Taking a Loan to Launch His Real Estate Empire(21:33) Navigating Fear, Doubt, and High-Stakes Risks(27:04) The $58 Million Loan Call That Shook Him(30:35) Turning Small Investments into Billion-Dollar Deals(35:00) The Future of the 10X Growth Conference(38:54) Grant’s Real Estate-Bitcoin Investment Strategy(40:19) The Most Overlooked Shortcut to SuccessGrant Cardone is a serial entrepreneur, equity fund manager, real estate investor, and bestselling author. He is the founder of Cardone Capital, a real estate investment firm managing billions in assets. He also created the 10X movement, which includes the 10X Growth Conference, the largest business conference in the U.S. A global authority on sales, investing, and personal development, he influences millions through his books, events, and online content.Connect with Grant:Grant’s Website: https://grantcardone.com Grant’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/grantcardone Resources Mentioned:Grant’s Book, The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure: https://www.amazon.com/10X-Rule-Difference-Between-Success-ebook/dp/B004X75OES Grant’s Book, Sell or Be Sold: How to Get Your Way in Business and in Life: https://www.amazon.com/Sell-Be-Sold-Your-Business/dp/B00JV3YVHU Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

The Leap Academy Podcast with Ilana Golan is all about honest and inspiring conversations about what it really takes to leap to bigger things, amazing careers, and craft the life you want.Stories and tips you won't find anywhere else.Ilana speaks with some of the world's most influential people, experts, and thinkers who created incredible careers, had a massive impact, built a reputation, and lived extraordinary lives.Together, we discover the untold truths, the emotions, and important lessons that enabled them to reinvent themselves & leap.We take our audience on a journey that will not only inspire but also teach concrete lessons on how to leap careers: fast-track to leadership, jump to entrepreneurship, build a personal brand, portfolio career, and much more.

Tiffany Williams started as a part-time receptionist with the Golden State Warriors, just looking to get her foot in the door. Two weeks later, she was offered a full-time role and quickly rose into business development. In 2015, she led the planning of the Warriors’ NBA Championship parade, an experience that fueled her drive for bigger opportunities. Her work ethic caught the attention of Steph Curry, who personally reached out and brought her on to help build his business empire at Thirty Ink. In this episode, Tiffany shares with Ilana how hunger, resilience, and seizing every opportunity took her from the front desk to the front lines of brand building.Tiffany Williams is the Chief Operating Officer at Thirty Ink, the off-court business arm of NBA superstar Steph Curry. She is a key force behind Steph’s brand, media ventures, and philanthropic impact.In this episode, Ilana and Tiffany will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (01:38) The Hustle to Get into Sports Business(03:46) Taking a Receptionist Job to Break in(07:17) Organizing the Warriors’ 2015 Championship Parade(10:26) Earning Trust and Getting Recruited by Steph Curry(14:05)  Shaping Steph’s Brand and Community Impact(15:31) Overcoming Imposter Syndrome at the Top(17:24) Learning from a Network of Mentors(21:18) How Thirty Ink Elevates the Underrepresented(24:09) Staying Driven When Success Feels Slow(25:51) The Key to Navigating Career SetbacksTiffany Williams is the Chief Operating Officer at Thirty Ink, the off-court business arm of NBA superstar Steph Curry. She began her career as a receptionist with the Golden State Warriors, quickly rising to lead major projects like the team’s 2015 Championship Parade. Tiffany is a key force behind Steph’s brand, media ventures, and philanthropic impact, and is known for her strategic execution, resilience, and leadership across sports, business, and community.Connect with Tiffany:Tiffany’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tiffany-williams-2518742/ Resources Mentioned:Thirty Ink Website: https://www.thirtyink.com/ Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Seth Godin, an influential entrepreneur and bestselling author, shares his remarkable journey of turning 800 rejections into strategic insights that paved the way for his success. He emphasizes that persistence and iteration are key to mastery, rather than sheer passion. Godin discusses how to lead change in the face of resistance, the value of niche marketing, and the importance of authenticity in personal branding. He also highlights a unique marketing strategy involving ethical chocolate, showcasing how creativity can stimulate impactful conversations.

Gil Shwed built Check Point into a $20 billion cybersecurity giant, but it all began with a flaw he spotted as a programmer in the Israeli military. Tasked with connecting classified networks, he uncovered a vulnerability, and the idea for a firewall was born. A few years later, he launched Check Point, betting on internet security before the web even existed. At 26 years old, he took the company public despite his doubts. Three decades later, he stepped down as CEO, having reshaped cybersecurity forever. In this episode, Gil joins Ilana to share how he built a problem-solving mindset, landed game-changing deals, scaled a startup from nothing, and led a multibillion-dollar company for 30 years.Gil Shwed is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Check Point Software Technologies, one of Israel's largest tech companies and the world’s top cybersecurity firm. He was the CEO for 30 years, the longest of any CEO on Nasdaq, and still helps guide the company today.In this episode, Ilana and Gil will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (01:32) Early Programming Passion(02:17) Gaining Problem-Solving Skills in the Military(06:25) The Security Flaw That Inspired Check Point(07:45) How Early Jobs Shaped His Path to Check Point(12:26) Realizing the Need for Firewalls Ahead of Time(15:12) Raising Capital Without VC Funding(17:47) Convincing Companies to Adopt Firewalls(21:06) Closing a $1M Deal After 100 Days of Hustle(28:34) Why Gil Reluctantly Took Check Point Public(33:03) The Secret to His Leadership Success(36:03) Navigating Market Changes and Stress(41:08) How Gil Stays Ahead in Business(44:05) Stepping Down as CEO After 30 Years(49:00) Minimizing Risks in Business(52:13) Building a Startup That LastsGil Shwed is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Check Point Software Technologies, one of Israel's largest tech companies and the world’s top cybersecurity firm. He saw early on how important cybersecurity would be as the world became more connected, helping Check Point grow into a leader in the industry. Gil was the CEO for 30 years, the longest of any CEO on Nasdaq, and still helps guide the company today.Connect with Gil:Gil’s Website: https://www.checkpoint.com/ Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

After the crash of his company, Michael Hyatt was determined to rise again. Returning to his old publishing firm, he took on a failing division and turned it into the most profitable. His hard work paid off with a massive bonus check. But when he rushed home to celebrate, his wife was in tears. He had put his all in at work, at the cost of his family. That moment changed everything. Instead of choosing between work and life, he found a way to win at both. Now, through Full Focus, he helps others do the same. In this episode, Michael joins Ilana to share how he rebuilt after failure, set healthy work boundaries, and redefined success to thrive in work and life.Michael Hyatt is a bestselling author, leadership expert, and founder of Full Focus, helping leaders succeed without sacrificing their personal lives. Through his books and coaching, he helps high achievers lead with vision, set boundaries, and create lasting impact.In this episode, Ilana and Michael will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (01:49) How Philosophy Shaped His Business Mindset(03:21) Why His Fast-Growing Company Crashed(06:40) The Key to Overcoming Business Failure(11:44) Succeeding at Work, Losing at Home(14:49) Balancing Family, Work, and Life’s Demands(23:36) Rest as the Key to Peak Performance(28:24) The Power of Peer Support in Leadership(31:07) Becoming CEO and Navigating Crisis(36:43) From CEO to Building a Personal Brand(42:39) Why Retirement Was Never an Option(43:58) Building a Personal Brand That Lasts(46:42) Finding Purpose Beyond Work(49:46) Creating a Legacy That Matters(52:07) Overcoming Personal Challenges and Trauma(54:27) The Importance of Therapy and Seeking HelpMichael Hyatt is a bestselling author, leadership expert, and founder of Full Focus, helping leaders succeed without sacrificing their personal lives. As former CEO of Thomas Nelson, he led its turnaround and acquisition by HarperCollins. Realizing success shouldn’t come at the cost of family, he developed the Double Win philosophy, proving you don’t have to choose between work and life. Through his books and coaching, he helps high achievers lead with vision, set boundaries, and create lasting impact.Connect with Michael:Michael’s Website: https://fullfocus.co Michael’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelhyatt Resources Mentioned:Michael’s Book, Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less: https://www.amazon.com/Free-Focus-Productivity-System-Achieve-ebook/dp/B07F3DM7C1 Michael’s Book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World: https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Get-Noticed-Noisy-World/dp/140023803X The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Full-Engagement-Managing-Performance/dp/0743226755 Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

At 29 years old, Brandon Dawson was on top of the world. He had taken his company public, stood on the American Stock Exchange floor, and rang the bell. He felt unstoppable until his private equity investors sold his company against his will. Most people would have quit, but Brandon learned from this setback, cracked the code to scaling, and went on to build and sell his next company for $151 million. Today, he helps business owners do the same through Cardone Ventures, a $500 million business he co-founded. In this episode, Brandon joins Ilana to share insights on scaling a business against all odds, why 97% of businesses fail, and how to be in the top 3%.Brandon Dawson is an entrepreneur, scaling expert, and co-founder of Cardone Ventures. With over 30 years of experience, he helps businesses scale using data-driven strategies, navigate breakpoints, and avoid common pitfalls.In this episode, Ilana and Brandon will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (01:47) From College Dropout to Top Sales Performer(03:45) Selling Everything to Start a Business(05:48) Getting Kicked Out of His Own Company(09:08) Surviving the Early Years of Entrepreneurship (12:31) Turning Leadership Failures into Billion-Dollar Lessons(16:08) The $151 Million Exit That Made Employees Millions(21:57) Scaling a Family Business Without the Chaos(25:22) Staying Unstoppable in the Face of Hate(32:12) Why Most Entrepreneurs Fail and How to Avoid It(39:41) Making Data-Driven Decisions in BusinessBrandon Dawson is an entrepreneur, scaling expert, and co-founder of Cardone Ventures. As CEO of Sonus Corporation, he grew it to over 1,400 locations and raised $58 million before investors took control and sold the company against his wishes. He later founded Audigy Group, scaling it from $500,000 to $35 million before selling it for $151 million. With over 30 years of experience, Brandon helps businesses scale using data-driven strategies, navigate breakpoints, and avoid common pitfalls.Connect with Brandon:Brandon’s Website: https://bdawson.comBrandon’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandonmdawson Resources Mentioned:Brandon’s Book, Nine-Figure Mindset: How to Go from Zero to Over $100 Million in Net Worth: https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Figure-Mindset-Zero-Million-Worth/dp/B0C8G8CTQC The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John C. Maxwell: https://www.amazon.com/Levels-Leadership-Proven-Maximize-Potential/dp/1599953633 The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John C. Maxwell: https://www.amazon.com/21-Irrefutable-Laws-Leadership-Anniversary/dp/0785288376 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck--Why Some Thrive Despite Them All by Jim Collins, Morten T. Hansen: http://amazon.com/Great-Choice-Uncertainty-Luck-Why-Despite/dp/0062120999 Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training