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Actualize

Actualize

By First Session

Actualize explores the journeys of high performers in various fields, from sports to business to the arts and beyond. Join us as we delve into the mindset, sacrifices, and motivation of these successful individuals and learn how they achieved their goals. Through Actualize, we look beyond the highlights and get curious about hardships endured and resilience built.

Actualize is hosted by Rob Pintwala, the founder of First Session, and Kim Foster Yardley, a Clinical Psychologist and mental performance coach.
Currently playing episode

#6: Andy Johns - A journey from Silicon Valley to a mental health awakening

ActualizeMay 23, 2023

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01:33:10
#12: Bryce Seto - Exploring the intricacies of identity, mental health, and the transformative power of personal narratives

#12: Bryce Seto - Exploring the intricacies of identity, mental health, and the transformative power of personal narratives

Today, we explore the intricacies of identity, mental health, and the transformative power of personal narratives with our guest Bryce Seto.

For individuals seeking understanding, especially those navigating the intersections of cultural backgrounds and emotional well-being. We also discuss how the support of a loving partner and the joy of fatherhood can transform the emotional landscape, challenging societal norms of masculinity and strength. 

Together, we embrace vulnerability, cultivate self-awareness, and find balance in our life's journey.

Sep 25, 202358:02
#11: Mallory Greene - Making the leap to entrepreneurship

#11: Mallory Greene - Making the leap to entrepreneurship

When we meet an entrepreneur, we often wonder: How did they fund their startup? How do they foster its growth? And, how do they manage it all? In this episode, we sit down with Mallory Greene to delve into the challenges of fundraising as a woman, varying leadership styles, and the mental health aspects of entrepreneurship. If you're keen to uncover both the triumphs and trials faced by entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with insights and tools. Dive in to understand why the entrepreneurial journey is one of grit and resilience. Stay with us to discover the nuances of securing funding as a woman, supporting female-led businesses, and gleaning tips on effective business management.

Sep 11, 202359:38
#10: Taylor Loren - The influencer training influencers

#10: Taylor Loren - The influencer training influencers

Taylor Loren is a creator and social media educator who shares about the intersection of marketing and mental health. She is passionate about helping small businesses and creators grow their audiences without burning out, which she does through her courses and Instagram account.


Sep 05, 202301:17:15
#9: Alessia Scauzillo - From corporate finance to fitness influencer

#9: Alessia Scauzillo - From corporate finance to fitness influencer

Dive deep with Alessia Scauzillo (aka Alessia Sculpt @alessiasculpt) as she uncovers the hidden facets of shifting from a full-time corporate role to the influencer field. Alessia candidly speaks on the pivotal role her mother's passing played in reshaping her life, teaching her to follow her heart and illuminating both her life and others.

Aug 28, 202301:06:57
#8: Daniel Eberhard, Founder & CEO of Koho - Trying to be useful at scale

#8: Daniel Eberhard, Founder & CEO of Koho - Trying to be useful at scale

Daniel is the Founder and CEO of Koho, a Canadian fintech company founded in 2015. Koho recently passed 1 million customers, and the company employs over 350 people. Daniel is a very thoughtful leader, who combines emotional intelligence, high intellect, and the ability to zoom in and out when need. He’s extremely humble, and values humility and warmth in the workplace.In this episode we talk about creating a psychologically safe culture, how Koho employs coaches for their entire team to utilize, and how Daniel thinks about hiring. We also discuss Daniel’s personal experience with therapy and coaching, his desire to be useful in society, and his views on parenting and the importance he places on being a dad.

Jun 06, 202359:24
#7: Brianne Jenner - selfless leadership and sustained performance from a 2x Olympic champion

#7: Brianne Jenner - selfless leadership and sustained performance from a 2x Olympic champion

Brianne is a renowned athlete and three-time Olympian, having represented the Canadian Women's Hockey Team on the world stage. Her accomplishments include two Olympic Gold medals and a silver, and she holds the distinguished title of being named the MVP of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Tournament, where she tied the record for the most goals scored in an Olympic tournament. In addition to her illustrious sporting career, Brianne has recently embraced another profound role in her life: motherhood. Balancing the demands of being an elite athlete with the joys and challenges of raising a child, Brianne exemplifies the true meaning of resilience and determination.

May 30, 202340:15
#6: Andy Johns - A journey from Silicon Valley to a mental health awakening

#6: Andy Johns - A journey from Silicon Valley to a mental health awakening

On paper, Andy Johns has had a remarkable career in Silicon Valley. He worked at nine companies worth over 1 billion each. He was an early employee of Facebook, Twitter, and Quora, and was President of Wealth Front. When Andy was a few years into his tech career, he discovered deep psychological pain stemming from childhood trauma. After years in therapy, while still being a top performer in the tech world, Andy now dedicates his life to healing and growth. Andy has a new venture and passion, Clues.life, which is all about empowering others with the tools (clues) to the life they want.

May 23, 202301:33:10
#5: Alex Auerbach, PhD - Insights from working with the world’s best performers

#5: Alex Auerbach, PhD - Insights from working with the world’s best performers

Alex Auerbach is a performance psychologist, currently working with the Toronto Raptors NBA team. Prior to this role, Alex has been a college football coach and also worked with the Kansas City Chief’s NFL team. He held the role of Director of Clinical and Sports Psychology at the University of Arizona. Alex applies the principles and practices of elite sport to everyday health and high performance.In this episode we discuss mental health in a sports setting, the difference between a coach and a therapist, and how to achieve sustainable high performance and maintain motivation over time.

May 15, 202301:06:01
#4: Yvette Yong, Olympian — Building confidence and practice makes better

#4: Yvette Yong, Olympian — Building confidence and practice makes better

Yvette Yong is an Olympian, a 15-time Team Canada TaeKwonDo athlete, and a member of the Canadian Armed Forces. Yvette is a true champion in every sense of the word, having won three world TaeKwonDo championships and multiple international medals, including a world-ranked number one position in the female 46-kilogram category, which was a first for any Canadian athlete. In this episode, we chat with Yvette about her journey to the top, the challenges she’s faced along the way, and how she stays motivated to achieve her goals. We explore the influence of her mother on her success, managing intensity in everyday life, how she thinks about confidence, and giving back to the next generation.

May 08, 202356:36
# 3: Jillian Harris - Mental breakdowns, renewing passion, and getting healthy

# 3: Jillian Harris - Mental breakdowns, renewing passion, and getting healthy

Today's guest is the talented and dynamic Jillian Harris, who is known for her creative flair and inspiring designs. Jillian is a mother, partner, and an entrepreneur who wears many hats. She's the founder of Jillian Harris Design and the Jilly Academy, and the co-founder of the Jilly Box. In this episode, we dive into Jillian's life and talk about what drives her, how she balances her various roles, and the challenges she's faced in building her successful businesses. We also discuss her passions for philanthropy, fashion, and family. Join us as Jillian shares her insights on creativity, entrepreneurship, and the power of positivity. We hope you enjoy this episode with Jillian Harris.

May 01, 202301:24:17
#2: Mark MacLeod, CEO Coach - Operating at the right altitude and unlocking peak performance

#2: Mark MacLeod, CEO Coach - Operating at the right altitude and unlocking peak performance

Our guest is Mark McLeod, a seasoned expert in the tech startup world. Mark has an impressive track record having served as CFO for companies such as Shopify and FreshBooks. With over two decades of experience in the venture-backed startup industry, Mark now spends his time coaching and advising CEOs. In this episode, Mark shares his journey of how he transitioned from being a CFO to an executive coach. He highlights how he found his true passion in coaching and advising CEOs, which he feels was the most fulfilling aspect of his previous roles. Mark's mission is to help CEOs of venture or private equity-funded technology companies grow faster than their businesses, a concept he elaborates on during the conversation.

Apr 25, 202348:32
#1: Sarah Stockdale, Founder of Growclass — Being outspoken, owning your values, entrepreneurship and motherhood

#1: Sarah Stockdale, Founder of Growclass — Being outspoken, owning your values, entrepreneurship and motherhood

Sarah Stockdale is founder of Grow Class (growclass.co), a collection of practical marketing courses taught by experts. Sarah also writes a non-marketing related newsletter titled “We Need to Talk About This” (wntta.co).In this episode, we discuss what it’s like to be a woman in the tech industry, touching on topics such as privilege, confidence, micro aggressions, imposter syndrome, and building an organization with values at its core. Sarah is also a mother, and, and we explore what it’s like to raise a child in today’s society and how priorities shift when you become a parent. Join us as we chat with Sarah Stockdale on this episode of Actualize.

Apr 18, 202351:03
#0: Introduction to Actualize Podcast

#0: Introduction to Actualize Podcast

Actualize co-hosts Rob Pintwala and Kim Foster Yardley introduce themselves and discuss their intentions for the podcast.

Apr 17, 202323:42