Leap Academy with Ilana Golan

Kirthiga Reddy’s legacy is built on bold decisions and breaking barriers. Defying cultural norms, she became a top engineering graduate in a society where her mother was denied an education. After moving to the U.S., her career soared, until she took a 40% pay cut to join a startup. That gamble led her to become Facebook’s first employee in India, scaling revenues to millions. She later made history as SoftBank Investment Advisers’ first female partner. Now, as CEO of web3 startup Virtualness, she proves that reinvention and boldness drive transformative growth. In this episode, Kirthiga joins Ilana to reflect on her career transitions and the power of embracing challenging ventures. Kirthiga Reddy is a technology leader and growth-stage investor with over 20 years of experience. She was the first female Investing Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers and served as Managing Director of Facebook India. In this episode, Ilana and Kirthiga will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (02:01) Excelling Academically Despite Limited College Options (03:37) Turning Gender Bias Into a Drive for Tech Empowerment (05:37) Moving from India to the US to Further Her Education (07:58) Landing a Job in Silicon Valley (10:24) Choosing a 40% Pay Cut for the Big Picture (15:21) Joining Facebook India as Its First Employee (18:40) How Kirthiga Helped Drive Facebook’s Global Expansion (23:13) The Transition from Facebook Exec to Venture Capitalist (30:33) Transforming WeWork Into a Profitable Business (32:12) Redefining Digital Verifications with Verix (35:57) Living by a “No Regrets” Policy (38:15) Kirthiga’s Relentless Drive for Growth (40:16) Why Bold Career Moves Are Worth the Risk (42:20) How to Get 100 Free Verix-Verified Certifications (44:11) The Power of Lifting Others as You Rise Kirthiga Reddy is a technology leader and growth-stage investor with over 20 years of experience. She is the CEO of Virtualness, an AI-powered blockchain platform, and served on the Board of Directors for WeWork. Kirthiga was the first female Investing Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers, managing a portfolio of over $5 billion. She also served as Managing Director of Facebook India, scaling operations across South Asia and emerging markets. Connect with Kirthiga: Kirthiga’s Website: https://kirthigareddy.com/  Kirthiga’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirthiga  Resources Mentioned: Verix’s Website: www.verix.io  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

Despite her background in financial services, Lacy Garcia faced significant financial challenges after her marriage ended. She struggled with imposter syndrome, advising clients on finances while dealing with her own financial issues. Too embarrassed to seek help and unable to find the right advisors, Lacy turned her fear and discomfort into a drive for financial education and empowerment. She founded Willow, a fintech company focused on making financial advice more accessible, especially for those overlooked by traditional services. In this episode, Lacy joins Ilana to share insights on financial literacy, achieving stability and independence, and Willow’s approach to matching clients with the right advisors. Lacy Garcia is the founder and CEO of Willow, an award-winning platform that connects clients with certified financial advisors using an AI-powered matching system based on their financial goals and preferences.  In this episode, Ilana and Lacy will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (01:44) How Divorce Shaped Her Passion for Financial Education (04:02) Finding Clarity Amid Financial Fears and Uncertainties (09:52) From Financial Ignorance to a Career in Finance (13:14) Letting Go of Shame to Achieve Financial Health (16:13) Why You Don’t Need More Money to Start Investing (20:01) Creating Willow to Make Financial Advice Accessible (24:29) How Personal Experience Shaped Willow's Mission (29:07) Navigating the Weight of Decision-Making in Startups (34:31) The Role of Investment in Startup Growth (39:56) Ways to Avoid Common Financial Mistakes (42:55) Getting Personalized Financial Advice for Free (43:55) The Importance of Financial Literacy Lacy Garcia is the founder and CEO of Willow, an award-winning platform that connects clients with certified financial advisors using an AI-powered matching system based on their financial goals and preferences. She is passionate about empowering advisors to better serve the next generation of clients through tailored training programs. Lacy has been featured in top media outlets like The TODAY Show, Business Insider, and Yahoo Finance, and was named Hispanic Empowering Executive of the Year in 2023 by Wealth Solutions Report. Connect with Lacy: Lacy’s Website: https://www.trustwillow.com/  Lacy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lacy-garcia/  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

Neil Patel’s story shows how hard work, persistence, and learning from failure lead to success. As a teenager, he started businesses, including building websites, but struggled with ineffective marketing agencies. This pushed him to learn digital marketing, and by 16, he helped a client make $20M, marking the start of his career. After facing challenges with his earlier ventures, he shifted from starting businesses to acquiring and turning underperforming ones into successes. Now, as the founder of NP Digital, he runs a global marketing company that helps businesses grow. In this episode, Neil talks with Ilana about his journey, the strategies behind his success, and how businesses can overcome challenges and scale in today’s competitive market. Neil Patel is a New York Times bestselling author, digital marketing expert, and the founder of one of the top 100 most brilliant companies, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. With over 15 years of experience, Neil has been instrumental in helping businesses grow their online presence and revenue. In this episode, Ilana and Neil will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (01:11) The Power of Hard Work Over Privilege (01:39) From Teenage Hustle to Launching His First Website (08:01) Learning Digital Marketing After Agency Failures  (08:55) Helping a Client Reach $20M in Revenue at Age 16 (10:17) Attending College Due to Family Expectations (11:55) How Experimentation Reveals Your True Strengths (14:26) Lessons from Surviving Legal Battles at Kissmetrics (19:53) Businesses That Found Success Despite Their Flaws (22:35) Balancing Personal and Corporate Branding for Success (25:24) Shifting from Building to Acquiring Businesses (27:10) Neil’s Strategy for Improving Acquired Businesses (31:15) Why “Renting Your Dreams” Can Lead to Future Success (33:29) How Consistency and Networking Create Opportunities (35:48) Empowering and Trusting Your Team for Results (37:44) Hiring Experts to Reduce Risk and Drive Growth (40:57) Neil Patel's Digital Marketing Services Neil Patel is a New York Times bestselling author, digital marketing expert, and the founder of one of the top 100 most brilliant companies, according to Entrepreneur Magazine. Recognized as a top influencer by The Wall Street Journal and one of Forbes' top marketers, Neil has helped companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google grow through marketing. He is also the co-founder of NP Digital, a leading marketing agency. With over 15 years of experience, Neil has been instrumental in helping businesses grow their online presence and revenue. Connect with Neil: Neil’s Website: https://neilpatel.com/  Neil’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkpatel/  Neil’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/neilpatel  Resources Mentioned: NP Digital: https://npdigital.com/  Neil’s Book, Hustle: The Power to Charge Your Life with Money, Meaning, and Momentum: https://www.amazon.com/Hustle-Power-Charge-Meaning-Momentum/dp/1623367166  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

A former lawyer turned fitness powerhouse, Robin Arzón’s journey is one of resilience and inspiration. After surviving a traumatic hostage situation in college, she turned to running as a way to heal and challenge herself. She went from casual runs to completing marathons and ultra-marathons. Despite being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Robin refused to let it define her. She embraced the mantra, "Why not me?" and continued challenging herself to achieve more. In this episode, Robin shares with Ilana how she transformed a traumatic experience into a driving force for her life’s purpose, made a bold leap into the fitness world, and built a global brand that empowers millions. Robin Arzón is a renowned fitness expert, former lawyer, author, and motivational speaker. She is best known as the VP and Head Instructor at Peloton, where she inspires millions with her high-energy cycling and strength classes. In this episode, Ilana and Robin will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (01:24) Surviving a Hostage Situation and Finding Inner Strength (05:34) Discovering Running as a Healing Tool (08:38) From Casual Runs to Completing Ultra-Marathons (11:16) Transitioning from a Law Career to Fitness (13:06) How Robin Landed a Job at Peloton with a Cold Email (15:36) Living and Thriving with Type 1 Diabetes (18:21) Juggling a Career, Motherhood, and Life’s Demands (21:26) Pushing Past Her Limits at Richard Branson’s StriveX Challenge (24:41) Building a Global Brand Through Grit and Consistency (28:05) Launching Swagger Society, a Community for Growth (29:49) Upcoming Cookbook and Plant-Based Lifestyle (31:34) Learning to Trust Life’s Redirections  (33:27) Robin’s Career Pivots and Life-Changing Lessons (36:46) How Everyday Actions Define Your Life and Career Robin Arzón is a renowned fitness expert, former lawyer, author, and motivational speaker. She is best known as the VP and Head Instructor at Peloton, where she inspires millions with her high-energy cycling and strength classes. After overcoming a life-changing traumatic event, she pivoted from a law career to focus on health and wellness. Robin is also a New York Times bestselling author of Shut Up and Run and Strong Mama, sharing her personal stories and fitness philosophies. She advocates for mental and physical strength, promoting the power of movement and mindset to achieve personal transformation. Connect with Robin: Robin’s Website: https://www.robinarzon.com/  Robin’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robinnyc  Resources Mentioned: Robin’s Book, Shut Up and Run: How to Get Up, Lace Up, and Sweat with Swagger: https://www.amazon.com/Shut-Up-Run-Sweat-Swagger/dp/0062445685  Robin’s Journal, Welcome, Hustler: An Empowerment Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Hustler-Empowering-Motivational-Self-Care/dp/1454946342  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