What happens when life forces you to do the hard thing and you come out steadier, wiser, and more at peace with who you are?In this raw and generous conversation, Alex Fuchs — APAC Colour Master for KEVIN.MURPHY and owner of Fuchs Hair in Sydney, opens up about army bunkers, resilience, court battles, leadership wobbles, and the journey back to a client first salon he truly loves.We go deep on identity, pressure, growing a career and a family at the same time, and the quiet power of being seen in the chair. Timestamps00:00 Episode Summary01:22 Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome02:42 Reconnecting with Alex03:26 Alex's Career Journey18:14 The Army Experience27:56 Life in Australia38:52 Oversharing and Its Consequences39:19 Support from the Salon Team39:34 Court Rulings and Emotional Impact40:00 Balancing Personal and Professional Life41:00 Leadership Challenges in the Salon42:27 Reflections on Salon Management44:52 Client Connections and Authenticity46:41 The Importance of Client Experience01:00:47 Social Media and Young Hairdressers01:02:35 Adapting and Evolving in the Industry01:06:29 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsIf you’ve ever felt like the wheels were coming off behind the scenes, this one will feel like a deep breath and a hand squeeze.💡 What we cover:The mirror moment that became Alex’s turning pointResilience lessons from compulsory service to courtroom stressLosing team, finding culture, and leading without people pleasingSmaller team, better profit, and falling back in love with clientsSocials as one pillar and putting client experience back at the centreIf this episode made you feel seen, hit subscribe and share it with a salon friend who needs it today.Mentioned in this episode:💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM ImportsWe’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇MCM💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - TimelyWe’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:➡ Enjoy a 14 day free trial to see how Timely can transform your salon.➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.If you've been thinking about levelling up your salon systems, this is your moment. Timely is designed specifically for salons. Helping you manage bookings, clients, staff, and more with ease.Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇Timely