Low to Grow

In this episode of Low to Grow, climate advocate and social entrepreneur Natalie Chung traces the path from an 11-year-old school project to becoming one of the region’s leading voices in sustainable tourism and climate education. As the co-founder of V’air, Natalie breaks down how the platform grew from a student-led digital initiative into a hands-on eco-tourism movement creating real impact on the ground.She dives into the complexities of modern climate policy, the rise of philanthropy in funding climate solutions, and the hidden challenges social entrepreneurs face behind the scenes—from team dynamics to financial sustainability. Natalie also speaks openly about the emotional side of purpose-driven work: navigating personal relationships, coping with burnout, and learning to care for your mental health while caring for the planet.If you’re passionate about environmental impact or building a purpose-led career, this conversation offers a grounded and refreshing take on what sustainable leadership actually looks like.What you’ll walk away with:A behind-the-scenes look at building a climate-focused social enterprise as a young founder A clearer understanding of the gaps and opportunities in today’s climate policy landscapeInsight into how sustainable tourism can drive meaningful climate educationA realistic picture of team dynamics, and why interpersonal trust is a make-or-break factorTools for staying adaptable when a mission-driven project evolves with V'airA fresh perspective on environmentalism that makes space for nuance, diversity, and real-world constraintsStrategies for protecting your mental health while working in high-pressure, purpose-led fieldsA reminder of how meaningful relationships fuel long-term resilience and creativityFollow Low to Grow⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠@lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠⁠⁠Substack Newsletter⁠Connect with Natalie on her profile page on ⁠our website⁠!  Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠⁠.

In this episode of Low to Grow, future physician and community leader of over 400,000, Aghogho Okpara shares what it really takes to keep going when life keeps saying no. After six attempts to get into medical school, Aghogho opens up about the emotional weight of rejection, the quiet strength she drew from her faith, and the unwavering support from her father that helped her stay the course. Her story is a powerful reminder that resilience isn’t loud, it’s the decision to try again, and again.Aghogho Okpara opens up to Annie about how loss reshaped her purpose, why asking for help became her greatest growth edge, and how building her nonprofit, Achieve with Aghogho, and an online community of over 400,000 people taught her that success is never a solo journey. The conversation explores leadership, education as a path to equity, and the vital connection between physical movement and mental health.What you’ll walk away with:A resilience framework for moving forward after rejection instead of shrinking backA healthier way to process failure without tying it to your self-worthPractical insight on leaning into faith, support systems, and community during hard seasonsA blueprint for building meaningful, mission-driven communities that actually show up for each otherA leadership mindset rooted in teamwork rather than hyper-independenceA fresh perspective on education as a tool for empowerment and social equityFollow Low to Grow⁠Instagram: ⁠@lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠Substack NewsletterConnect with Aghogho on his profile page on our website!Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠.

Charlie Rogers, entrepreneur, community builder, and founder of undefinables, opens up about what it really means to design a life that doesn’t fit inside a neat box. Charlie shares his winding journey through national level sports, entrepreneurship, and self-discovery, highlighting the power of embracing multiple passions rather than forcing yourself into a single identity.He talks candidly about motivation, vulnerability, emotional integration, and the surprising lessons that cycling off a cliff, rewiring academic expectations, and grinding through the book-writing process taught him. Charlie also reflects on the moments when “giving up” is actually a form of reinvention, and how community can help you rebuild with clarity and purpose.Whether you’re multi-passionate, creatively stuck, or redefining who you want to be, this conversation offers tools for navigating change without losing yourself.What you’ll walk away with:Permission to pursue multiple passions without apologyA new understanding of motivation—and how purpose, profit, and play each fuel itA framework for emotional integration to support healthier mental and emotional balancePractical steps to build community and deeper connections through vulnerabilityLessons from sports that can sharpen resilience and strengthen self-beliefA grounded look at what it really takes to write a book (and how to start your own)A mindset shift around “giving up” as a strategic reset, not a failureTools for managing your energy and mental health during seasons of reinventionInsight that understanding your interests is the gateway to genuine expertise and fulfillmentFollow Low to Grow⁠⁠⁠Instagram: ⁠@lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack Newsletter⁠⁠Connect with Charlie on his profile page on ⁠⁠our website⁠⁠!  Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠⁠⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠⁠⁠.Chapters00:00 Embracing theUndefinable Self06:39 The Journey ofEntrepreneurship10:47 Motivation andCommunity Building11:23 Lessons fromSports and Personal Growth11:50 ResittingA-Levels, From ACC to A*AA!12:30 How cyclingoff a cliff got him to TEAM GB at European Triathlon25:08 ReframingSuccess and Enjoying the Process26:01 EmotionalThawing: A Journey of Self-Discovery32:39 TheTransformative Process of Writing a Book38:55 The Balance ofPerseverance and Reinvention44:11 EnergyManagement for Better Mental Health

In this episode of Low to Grow, real estate entrepreneur AriRastegar unpacks the mindset behind building a billion-dollar portfolio and why fulfillment, not just achievement, should be the real target. He shares how a small law-school investment sparked his career, how meditation fuels his productivity, and why emotional health is non-negotiable for long-term success.Ari also gets personal about teaching his kids to embrace failure, navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and how cultural influences shape our approach to business. The conversation wraps with a grounded look at AI’s role in the nextera of human potential.What you’ll walk away with:A roadmap for turning early-career confusion into clear, forward motionA mindset reset that helps you prioritize real fulfillment over performative successA simple, repeatable meditation approach to boost focus and cut through your mental clutterA resilience playbook for recovering quickly when plans fall apartA healthier way to teach your kids about failure so you can all take bolder risks without the fear spiralA new lens on how your language and cultural roots quietly influence your ambition and outcomesA future-ready perspective on using AI to amplify your strengths Follow Low to Grow⁠Instagram: ⁠@lowtogrowpodcast⁠⁠⁠YouTube: @lowtogrow⁠Substack NewsletterConnect with Ari on his profile page on our website!  Please Note: Low to Grow is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. For free mental health resources, visit ⁠https://www.mind.org.uk⁠.Chapters00:00 Ari Rastegar on the Low to Grow Podcast - helping young professionals navigate change00:30 Follow @lowtogrowpodcast on Instagram!01:23 Introducing Ari Rastegar on Low to Grow Podcast02:02 Who Ari Rastegar thinks will benefit from Low to Grow episode02:25 How Ari Rastegar started his Real Estate Titan Career05:51 Success vs. Fulfillment11:24 The Power of Meditation15:47 Resilience and Overcoming Challenges21:04 Teaching Kids About Failure24:18 The Importance of Emotional Resilience28:23 Cultural Influences and Language31:25 Meditation for Mental Health32:43 AI: The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Step inside a special behind-the-scenes episode of Low to Grow. Annie takes you along to South Kensington for the very first Offscript Generation Summit, a fresh, future-facing gathering built for 16 to 25-year-olds who are determined to carve their own paths beyond the traditional career rulebook.Armed with her mic and her usual dose of curiosity, Annie Wenmiao Yu sits down with Calypso Rose, the serial entrepreneur behind this brand-new venture, to explore why this moment in 2026 matters so deeply and what inspired her to create a socially meaningful space for the next generation of creatives, coders, thinkers, and doers.But the conversations don’t stop there. You’ll also hear from:Matt Fosh, YouTuber and comedian, on breaking through an already crowded platformWilliam Hanson, Britain’s etiquette coach, on why good manners still open surprising doorsCharlotte Liebling (the Fluffy CEO), on building a business with heart and social impact—already partnering with Fenwick and Bloomingdale’sReese Wong, Diana Award recipient and returning Low to Grow guest, on the art of personal branding for young changemakersThis bonus episode captures the energy, candour, and ambition that made the Offscript Summit such a powerful space. If you’ve ever wished for guidance that felt real, relevant, and rooted in possibility, you’ll feel right at home.Settle in for an inspiring, intimate look at the voices shaping a less-linear, more meaningful future.