Resilience Unravelled

In this Resilience Unravelled episode, Alexis Sikorsky, a Swiss entrepreneur based in London, recounts building an internet café/ISP in Senegal, fleeing the country with only a suitcase, then returning to Geneva to grow a banking software and internet development business to about $10–11M revenue before the 2008 financial crisis cut 75% of revenue in a day. After years of survival, he rebuilt to breakeven and sold to private equity on an 11x EBITDA deal with 85% cash and 15% earnout, emphasising that PE deals involve uneven information and founders should do diligence on acquirers by speaking to prior CEOs. He discusses why most people shouldn’t be entrepreneurs, differentiates “having a job” from owning a company, advises seeking free mentors who’ve done what you’re doing, warns about conflicts with PE-paid advisors and small-company investment banks, explains when to avoid investment unless necessary, and describes his book Cashing Out and his initiative Night Scale to help firms stuck at $5–50M revenue using mission-based, part-time C-level expertise.00:00 Welcome 00:43 From Geneva to Dakkar02:03 Building and Losing It All03:20 Private Equity Exit Playbook06:24 Chairman Life and Retirement09:23 Who Should Be Entrepreneur11:57 Mentors and Real Advice16:14 Due Diligence on Buyers21:30 Investment vs Exit Decisions24:00 Why I Wrote Cashing Out26:05 Night Scale and Growth Plateaus27:49 Social Media Reality Check28:47 Final Thoughts and GoodbyeYou can contact us at [email protected] can be found online or link to our website https://resilienceunravelled.com

On the podcast Resilience Unravelled, Russell speaks with Susan Inouye in Los Angeles about resilience themes in homes, products, and organisational culture, including companies that post values but don’t live them. They discuss generational differences at work, with Susan describing shifts from command-and-control leadership toward belonging, meaning, and authenticity, and noting that millennials are now a large portion of the workforce. Susan also shares that millennials are complaining about Gen Z, arguing it’s often about age and development, and references brain development and the influence of how generations were raised. She emphasises that leadership change requires embodied practices, not just advice, explaining that transformation happens through the body and somatic intelligence, with HeartMath Institute research as an example. Susan tells a client story about an event-production leader whose gift for planning became controlling behaviour; using the Sawubona (“I see you”) gift-centered approach, rituals for letting go, and trapeze lessons, the client replaced fear with freedom and became more trusting at work. Susan’s book, "Leadership’s Perfect Storm: What Millennials Are Teaching Us About Possibility, Passion, and Purpose," is aimed at leaders, includes stories and a coach’s corner with practices, is used in over 30 countries, is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and donates all proceeds to the nonprofit Youth Mentoring Connection. She notes Sawubona Leadership originated in South Central Los Angeles through Tony LeRae’s mentoring work.00:00 Welcome 01:05 Resilience, building standards & planned obsolescence03:00 Corporate values vs reality: authenticity and truth-telling at work04:47 Millennials & Gen Z reshape leadership expectations06:28 Are generational stereotypes real? Command-and-control vs belonging10:24 Brain science, upbringing & why each new cohort gets judged15:40 From advice to embodiment: practices, somatics & emotional intelligence19:17 Client story: planning as a gift—and learning to let go (trapeze breakthrough)25:49 The book: Leadership’s Perfect Storm—who it’s for & what’s inside27:21 Where to buy + proceeds to youth mentoring; Sawubona ‘I see you’ origins28:34 Wrap-upYou can contact us at [email protected] can be found online or link to our website https://resilienceunravelled.com

In this Resilience Unravelled episode, host Russell interviews Brad Ley in Texas about oxygen and exercise with oxygen therapy (EWOT). Ley explains he turned to oxygen therapy about a decade ago after chronic illness and autoimmune conditions, including psoriasis and autoimmune arthritis, when standard drugs carried serious risks and he developed melanoma. He contrasts EWOT with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, noting hard-shell hyperbaric treatments were recommended to him but were too expensive and time-consuming. Ley describes “inflammaging,” where inflamed blood vessels and swollen capillaries restrict oxygen delivery, pushing cells into anaerobic respiration, lowering energy production and increasing inflammation; he says delivering a high dose of oxygen during exercise can reduce inflammation and help reestablish blood flow in capillaries. He addresses concerns about oxygen and oxidative stress, stating oxygen is also important for detoxification and that research does not show increased oxidative stress from EWOT. Ley outlines the origins of EWOT research from Manfred von Ardenne and explains how oxygen therapy relates to inflammation and hypoxia, comparing it to hydrogen-based approaches. He discusses founding 1000 Roads after building his own system as an engineer and then producing units for patients, with a focus on affordable at-home use and a protocol of about 15 minutes of cardio with a mask, three to five times per week. Ley shares a customer anecdote about osteoarthritis improvement and notes response times vary. The conversation also covers red light therapy, which he says targets mitochondria to increase oxygen demand and pairs with EWOT by boosting oxygen supply then uptake, with claimed benefits including healing, cognitive function, reduced inflammation, skin and collagen support, and recovery. Ley notes the company ships from the US and internationally, with tariffs varying by country, and directs listeners to 1000roads.com and the 1000 Roads HQ YouTube channel for weekly videos on EWOT and red light therapy.00:00 Welcome & meet Brad Ley (Texas)01:04 Why more oxygen can reduce inflammation: ‘inflammaging’, capillaries & hypoxia02:42 Is oxygen ‘rusting’ us? Oxidative stress vs detox benefits03:51 Brad’s autoimmune journey & why he needed a third option05:01 Hyperbaric oxygen vs exercise-with-oxygen: cost, time, practicality06:32 The origins of EWOT: von Ardenne’s research & Brad builds his own device08:32 Oxygen vs hydrogen therapy: how both target inflammation10:01 Oxygen is ‘multimodal’: energy, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer & detox11:28 At-home EWOT systems: 15 minutes, 3–5x/week, accessible pricing13:11 Can it help osteoarthritis? Early user results & what to expect14:17 Red light therapy explained — mitochondria, oxygen demand & synergy with EWOT17:18 Shipping worldwide, 1000 Roads links & final wrap-upYou can contact us at [email protected]

In this episode of Resilience Unraveled, host Dr Russell Thackeray interviews Chris Burres, a scientist and entrepreneur, about his unexpected journey into the longevity space. Chris shares his extensive background in working with a unique molecule, ESS 60, which has shown remarkable potential in extending lifespan and improving health. He explains the science behind this molecule, its origins, and how it might contribute to reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Chris also touches on the skepticism surrounding the supplement industry, the rigorous research backing his products, and his transition from a carbon nano material scientist to a health supplement advocate. The discussion further covers the potential applications of ESS 60 in cosmetics and other health products, as well as Chris's commitment to continued research and ethical business practices. The episode wraps up with information on how listeners can learn more about the product, access discounts, and support a charitable cause through the purchase of Chris's book, "Live Longer and Better."Just to be clear - we do not endorse the views contained in this podcast from the guest - nor have any claims been checked or verified.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:41 Chris Burres' Background and Longevity Journey01:55 Defining Longevity and Its Importance04:39 The Molecule: Basics and Breakthroughs11:19 From Lab to Supplement: The Journey19:24 Health Benefits and Research Insights25:48 Product Offerings and Final ThoughtsYou can contact us at [email protected] can be found online or link to our website https://resilienceunravelled.com#resilience, #burnout, #intuition

In this episode of Resilience Unraveled, Dr Russell Thackeray welcomes Kate Macafoose from Chang Robotics. Kate shares her journey from civil engineering in upstate New York to her current role at Chang Robotics in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. She delves into her early career in project management and her transition into the field of automation and robotics. The discussion highlights the challenges and resilience needed in male-dominated sectors, as well as the importance of mentorship for women in STEM. Kate elaborates on how Chang Robotics is revolutionising healthcare with autonomous robots designed to assist nurses by performing nonclinical tasks, ultimately reducing their workload and improving efficiency. The conversation also touches on the development, cybersecurity, implementation, and industry-wide potential of robotic systems.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:38 Kate's Background and Career Journey02:16 Challenges in Male-Dominated Fields03:23 Women in STEM and Mentorship05:34 Introduction to Robotics06:39 Robotic Applications in Healthcare10:09 Development and Implementation of Robotics12:30 Cybersecurity in Robotics14:11 Leadership and Robotics17:18 Future of Robotics and ConclusionYou can contact us at [email protected] can be found online or link to our website https://resilienceunravelled.com#resilience, #burnout, #intuition