Leap Academy with Ilana Golan

Ilana Golan has reinvented herself more times than most people switch job titles. From becoming one of the first women to train F-16 pilots in the Israeli Air Force, to engineering, to product, to Silicon Valley executive, to investor, to founder, she’s rebuilt her identity again and again in industries that weren’t built for people like her. In this episode of the Remarkable People podcast, Guy Kawasaki pulls back the curtain on what it really took for Ilana to leap across careers, break barriers, and build a system that helps thousands do the same. She breaks down the concept of reinvention and what it really takes to leap again and again. Ilana Golan is a former F-16 flight instructor turned Silicon Valley tech executive and investor. As the founder of Leap Academy and host of the LEAP Academy podcast, she teaches professionals how to fast-track opportunities, build portfolio careers, and unlock financial freedom. In this episode, Guy and Ilana will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (02:20) Breaking Barriers in the Israeli Air Force (06:07) What Reinvention Really Means Today (10:40) The Core Steps to Reinventing Your Career (12:59) Reinventing When Systems are Against You (15:16) Advice for Women on Breaking Glass Ceilings (19:58) The Core Signals That You Need Reinvention (21:52) Case Studies: Reinventing Public Figures (29:37) The Role of Timing in Reinvention (33:41) The Power of Building a Personal Brand Ilana Golan is a serial entrepreneur, board director, global keynote speaker, and investor in over 100 companies. As the founder of Leap Academy and host of the LEAP Academy podcast, she teaches professionals how to fast-track opportunities, build portfolio careers, and unlock financial freedom. Ilana has been recognized as a Silicon Valley Woman of Influence, a Top 40 Woman to Watch, and a CEO World Award winner. Under her leadership, LEAP Academy was named one of Inc. 500’s Fastest Growing Companies. Connect with Ilana:  Ilana’s Website: leapacademy.com  Ilana’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan  Resources Mentioned: Guy’s Podcast, Remarkable People: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guy-kawasakis-remarkable-people/id1483081827  LEAP E97 with Guy Kawasaki: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guy-kawasaki-the-tech-evangelist-who-built-apple/id1701718200?i=1000703853865  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.  Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

When Vick Tipnes launched Blackstone Medical Services, it was the worst possible moment: newly divorced, broke, and with two young kids. For years, he operated in survival mode, managing a business that lost money month after month. Instead of giving up, Vick's resilience became the driving force that turned a tiny, run-down $500 office into one of the fastest-growing sleep testing companies in the U.S. In this episode, Vick opens up to Ilana about the sacrifices, powerful mindset shifts, and relentless drive that transformed his company from the brink of collapse to industry leadership. Vick Tipnes is the founder and CEO of Blackstone Medical Services, a leading provider of home sleep testing. Under his leadership, the company has earned recognition five times on the Inc. 5000 list. In this episode, Ilana and Vick will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (02:03) Growing Up with an Entrepreneurial Father (04:35) Leaving College To Chase Entrepreneurship (06:32) Losing Both Parents and Transitioning to Healthcare (10:45) Exiting the Radiology Business with Almost Nothing (15:34) Being Divorced, Broke, and Starting All Over (19:30) Building Blackstone Medical Services from Scratch (23:27) Achieving Success After Years of Losing Money (31:27) How Vick Manages His Career Without Burning Out (33:07) Investing in Identity and Personal Growth (36:06) Addressing Sleep Issues and Health Solutions (38:18) The Power of Tenacity and Refusing To Quit Vick Tipnes is a self-made entrepreneur, author, and mentor, best known as the founder and CEO of Blackstone Medical Services, a leading provider of home sleep testing. Under his leadership, the company has earned recognition five times on the Inc. 5000 list. Vick is also the founder of Tipnes Capital and Tipnes Health and the author of Did You Sell Your Soul?, where he shares insights on overcoming obstacles, staying focused, and achieving life goals. Connect with Vick: Vick’s Website: vicktipnes.com  Vick’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vicktipnes  Vick’s Instagram: instagram.com/vicktipnes  Resources Mentioned: Vick’s Book, Did You Sell Your Soul?: It's Never Too Late to Change Your Story: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1662903766  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.  Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

John Demsey didn’t become a powerhouse in the beauty industry by a mere stroke of luck; he built that influence on retail floors, taking on scrappy roles while learning the business in ways no MBA could ever teach. This helped him scale MAC Cosmetics into a global cultural movement, shape some of the most iconic beauty brands of our time, and ultimately rise to Group President of Estée Lauder Companies. In this episode, John joins Ilana to reveal how to build a career from the ground up, reinvent after setbacks, and lead with the kind of creativity that transforms industries. John D. Demsey is the former Executive Group President of Estée Lauder Companies, where he helped build and scale iconic brands like MAC Cosmetics, Tom Ford Beauty, and more into a multi-billion-dollar global powerhouse. In this episode, Ilana and John will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (02:38) His Early Exposure to Fashion and Design (06:36) Choosing Stanford Over the Ivy Leagues (09:26) Getting Started in the Beauty Industry (15:35) The Power of Learning Every Role in the Business (24:11) Joining Estee Lauder and Moving to LA (28:42) Building MAC Cosmetics into a Global Powerhouse  (36:02) How John Landed Celebrity Endorsements (42:56) Working with Tom Ford and Revolutionizing Fragrances (52:58) Navigating Controversy and Reinventing Himself (1:01:17) His New Ventures and Future Plans John D. Demsey is the former Executive Group President of Estée Lauder Companies, where he helped build and scale iconic brands like MAC Cosmetics, Tom Ford Beauty, Smashbox, Clinique, and Jo Malone London. Over his 30-year career at Estée Lauder, he played a pivotal role in expanding the company into a multi-billion-dollar business across both established and emerging markets. He is the author of Behind the Blue Door, a visual memoir capturing his bold lifestyle, vibrant career, and personal journey. Connect with John: John’s Instagram: instagram.com/jdemsey  John’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-demsey  Resources Mentioned: John’s Book, Behind the Blue Door: A Maximalist Mantra: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0865654344  LEAP E57 with Dan Ariely: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/surviving-lies-rumors-and-digital-hate-dan-arielys/id1701718200?i=1000678512628  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.  Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

When 19-year-old Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen walked into a bank hoping to secure a loan to buy a property, she was denied on the spot. That “no” pushed her into investing and ultimately led her to co-found Female Invest, a global platform empowering women to take control of their financial futures. In this episode, Anna joins Ilana for a raw, honest conversation about the reality of fundraising as a female founder, from enduring 107 rejections to breaking global crowdfunding records and facing the backlash that followed. She shares what it truly takes to scale a mission-driven company, rise above bias, and empower women financially on a global scale. Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen is an entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Female Invest, a financial education platform that has empowered women across more than 100 countries. She’s a leading voice in closing the financial gender gap through education, representation, and access. In this episode, Ilana and Anna will discuss: (00:00) Introduction  (02:51) Her Early Interest in Finance and Investing (05:15) Turning Down McKinsey to Build Female Invest (09:10) Challenges and Misconceptions in Entrepreneurship (11:07) Launching a Facebook Group That Grew Like Wildfire (13:35) Why Money for Women Is Deeply Political (15:29) Bootstrapping to Success After Near Bankruptcy (22:14) Anna’s Y Combinator Experience (25:02) The Reality of Fundraising as a Female Founder (30:35) Raising $24M After 107 Rejections (34:01) Facing Backlash, Anxiety, and Hate (38:08) The Biggest Financial Mistakes Women Make (44:12) Lessons and Advice for Founders Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen is a Danish entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Female Invest, a financial education platform that has empowered women across more than 100 countries. A Forbes 30 Under 30 recipient, she helped bootstrap Female Invest from a small Facebook group into one of the most engaged financial communities in the world. Anna is also the bestselling author of Girls Just Wanna Have Funds and a leading voice in closing the financial gender gap through education, representation, and access. Connect with Anna: Anna’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anna-hartvigsen-46352611a  Anna’s Instagram: instagram.com/anna.hartvigsen  Resources Mentioned: Female Invest: https://www.femaleinvest.com  Anna’s Book, Girls Just Wanna Have Funds: A Feminist's Guide to Investing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0744077303  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities.  Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training

Brian Tracy was fired from washing dishes, cars, and floors, and began to believe that “washing things” might be his destiny. But when he learned that the top 20% in any field earn 80% of the money, he committed to becoming one of them. That decision transformed him from a broke high school dropout into a global authority on success, speaking to millions across 84 countries and writing more than 80 bestselling books. In this episode, Brian shares the principles and habits that turned his life around, from the one skill that made him ten times richer to the $1.50 notebook that can make you a millionaire. He breaks down the secret to wealth and how to stay laser-focused on your biggest goals. Brian Tracy is the Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International. He is a prolific businessman, renowned speaker, and bestselling author of over 80 books, including his latest, The 32 Unbreakable Laws of Money and Success. In this episode, Ilana and Brian will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:37) From Washing Floors to Mastering Sales (06:57) MMM Principle: The Key to Making More Money (10:58) Financial Lessons from Business Giants (15:17) The Golden Triangle of Leadership (18:25) Activating the Superconscious Mind (24:30) The Goal-Setting Exercise That Built Millionaires (33:21) Hiring Your Dream Team with the 3x3x3 Method (42:28) Crushing Financial Fears and “Excusitis” (48:36)  The Unbreakable Laws of Money and Success (1:01:22) How to Actually Learn About Money (1:05:21) The Seven Steps to Increase Productivity and Income Brian Tracy is a renowned speaker, bestselling author, and the Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International. He trains individuals and organizations to achieve their personal and business goals more effectively. Brian has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution, and management consulting. He has authored over 80 books, including bestsellers, Eat That Frog and The Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires, and the latest, The 32 Unbreakable Laws of Money and Success. Connect with Brian: Brian’s Website: https://www.briantracy.com/  Brian’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/brian-tracy-international Resources Mentioned: Brian’s Books: The 32 Unbreakable Laws of Money and Success: Transform Your Life and Unlock Your Unlimited Potential: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1523007001  Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time: https://www.amazon.com/dp/162656941X  The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires: How to Achieve Financial Independence Faster and Easier than You Ever Thought Possible: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0369307534  Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1585424331  Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW WAY for professionals to fast-track their careers and leap to bigger opportunities. Check out our free training today at https://bit.ly/leap--free-training