Anatomy of a Leader with Maria Hvorostovsky

Two heart surgeons looked at the same heart and gave me opposite advice. One said plan surgery. The other said wait.At 42, in the best shape of my life, I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse with severe regurgitation. And suddenly I had to answer a question I never expected to face:👉 Do I operate now — or can I safely wait?This is Part 2 of my heart story.In this episode, I break down exactly how I chose my heart surgeon in London, what criteria I used, and what I learned navigating the NHS, private healthcare, and multiple surgical opinions.If you’ve been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse, mitral regurgitation, or told you “might need surgery,” this episode is for you. In this episode:• What severe mitral valve prolapse actually means• Why two top surgeons gave completely opposite advice• The difference between repair vs replacement• Why “minimally invasive” doesn’t always mean what you think• The exact criteria I used to shortlist surgeons• How many surgeries is “enough”?• Why bedside manner mattered less to me than technical mastery• The red and green flags I noticed• What finally made my decision clearI’m not a doctor. This is not medical advice. This is my lived experience navigating high-stakes medical decisions as someone who researches leaders for a living.I’m a headhunter. I assess excellence for a living. Choosing a heart surgeon felt like the most important search of my life. And what I discovered about expertise, confidence, ego, craft, and decision-making surprised me.Chapters:00:00 Two surgeons. Opposite advice.00:35 What mitral valve prolapse with severe regurgitation means01:02 How Serious Is Mitral Valve Prolapse?01:39 Surgery or Live With It?02:19 NHS vs Private: Getting Seen Faster02:46 Palpitations, Anxiety & A&E04:14 The Cardiologist Determines Your Surgeon04:50 Using ChatGPT to Shortlist Specialists06:19 How to Choose A Surgeon 09:44 Bedside Manner vs Technical Mastery11:07 When One Name Keeps Coming Up11:26 Surgeon #1: Plan the Surgery12:25 Surgeon #2: You Can Wait13:23 50/50 — What Do I Do?13:51 The Third Opinion Changed Everything15:08 Why I Chose HimKey topics:Mitral valve prolapseSevere mitral regurgitationMitral valve repair vs replacementMinimally invasive heart surgeryWhen to operate on mitral valveHeart surgery at 40Choosing a cardiac surgeonNHS vs private healthcare UKFollow Maria Hvorostovsky:IG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/If this helped you, subscribe and share it with someone navigating a diagnosis.These conversations make it less lonely.My name is Maria Hvorostovsky.This is Anatomy of a Leader.

I never thought heart disease would be part of my story. At 42, in the best shape of my life, I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and severe regurgitation. What started as a strange episode during a workout turned into months of fear, waiting, uncertainty, and eventually heart surgery. This is Part 1 of My Heart Story. In this episode of Anatomy of a Leader, I share what it was really like to be diagnosed with a heart condition at 42 — from early symptoms and medical tests to the emotional impact of living with uncertainty while raising young children and running a business. This is the beginning of a deeper series about fear, vulnerability, healing, and what happens when your body forces you to slow down and listen.This is not medical advice. This is my real story — shared in the hope that it helps someone feel less alone, recognise symptoms earlier, or feel brave enough to get checked.In this episode I talk about: – Mitral valve prolapse diagnosis – Heart palpitations and symptoms – ECG and echocardiogram experience – Waiting for cardiology appointments – Anxiety and fear after diagnosis – Exercising with a heart condition – Women’s heart health being underdiagnosed – Why “being strong” can make illness lonelier00:00 Thought Heart Disease Was an Old Man’s Problem00:51 I Was Physically Fit & Healthy01:20 The Workout That Changed Everything01:56 Why I Nearly Ignored The Symptoms03:14 Going To The GP03:45 ECG Referral & Experience06:11 Echo Referral & Experience 09:03 Hearing “Mitral Valve Prolapse”09:50 Waiting, Fear & Not Knowing13:00 Anxiety vs Heart Condition13:23 Tachycardia, A&E & Health System14:21 Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse 16:12 Exercise Regularly & Monitor17:49 Exercising With A Heart Condition18:39 Loss Of Control & Trust20:38 Women’s Heart Health Being Missed23:10 What I Wish I’d Known25:15 If You’re Ignoring Symptoms — Please ListenFollow Maria Hvorostovsky:IG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/If you’re living with a heart condition, supporting someone who is, or ignoring symptoms because life feels too busy — this episode is for you.💗 Subscribe for honest conversations about leadership, health, emotions and real life.💬 Leave a comment if you’ve experienced something similar or have any questions — I read them all.

What happens when a kid who didn’t speak English and didn’t touch a computer until 15 goes on to lead some of the biggest AI and automation programmes in the world? Meet Danilo McGarry — a global AI expert, automation pioneer and digital transformation leader who has worked across organisations like Citigroup, UnitedHealth Group, Royal Bank of Canada and Alter Domus, helping companies redesign how work is done using artificial intelligence. From growing up in Brazil to becoming one of the most recognised voices in AI leadership, Danilo’s story is about resilience, obsession with learning, and refusing to accept how things have always been done. In this conversation, we go far beyond buzzwords. We talk about how AI is really being used inside companies, why culture matters more than technology, how automation is reshaping jobs and leadership, and what executives must understand if they want to survive the next decade. We also explore the human side of artificial intelligence — anxiety, burnout, biology, sleep, emotional intelligence, and what it actually means to stay human while machines become more powerful. This is not a hype conversation. This is about execution, responsibility, leadership under pressure, and building a future where AI amplifies people instead of replacing them.We Discuss:00:00 – Danilo McGarry on AI & Leadership03:25 – Danilo’s personal story: from Brazil to AI expert12:10 – Using automation to outperform humans in work21:40 – The chaotic banking story & leadership lessons32:15 – Why culture must lead AI adoption42:00 – The 5 pillars of AI transformation58:30 – The biggest myths about AI & singularity1:10:20 – How to manage anxiety in a rapidly changing world1:22:45 – The future of jobs, freelancing & gig economy1:38:10 – The future of hiring: beyond resumes1:50:00 – Why sleep, biology & humanity matter2:00:00 – Danilo’s final advice on execution with AIAbout Danilo McGarry: Danilo McGarry is a globally recognised AI expert, automation leader and digital transformation advisor, consistently ranked among the Top 20 Most Influential People in Artificial Intelligence worldwide. He has led large-scale AI and automation programmes across major organisations including Citigroup (Head of AI & Machine Learning), UnitedHealth Group (enterprise automation leadership), Royal Bank of Canada, JPMorgan, BNP Paribas and Alter Domus, delivering measurable business impact across finance, healthcare and enterprise technology.Danilo is also a Strategic Adviser on AI to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in the UK and a sought-after keynote speaker on AI, leadership, future of work and digital transformation. His work and insights have been featured in publications including WIRED, Financial Times, Bloomberg and Computer Weekly, and he advises governments and global companies on how to adopt AI ethically, practically and at scale.YT: https://www.youtube.com/@aimcgarryIG: https://www.instagram.com/aimcgarry/🎧 Listen now to a deep, practical conversation on AI on Anatomy of a Leader.Follow host Maria HvorostovskyIG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/

What happens when extreme ambition meets an unregulated nervous system?In this episode of Anatomy of a Leader, Maria sits down with John Skelton — co-founder of cult concept store LN-CC, former buyer at Selfridges and Harrods, and founder of mental health project Hearted — to explore what really happens behind high-performance careers.John shares how he rose fast inside the fashion industry, helped reshape menswear, tripled turnover at Harrods, and built one of London’s most influential retail concepts — while accumulating pressure, burnout, and emotional overload.This is a conversation about: Extreme talent. Extreme pressure. Identity collapse. Addiction as coping. And the slow, uncomfortable work of rebuilding capacity. Not a comeback story. A reconstruction story.In This Episode, We Cover:00:00 What extreme success does to your nervous system02:07 How John rose through Selfridges and helped reshape menswear at Harrods25:31 The creation of LN-CC and the reality behind building a cult retail brand43:53 Addiction as self-soothing rather than weakness50:34 Why “white-knuckling” recovery doesn’t work51:51 How fitness, discipline, and self-awareness helped John rebuild from the ground up54:33 The long timeline of recovery — and why quick fixes don’t work59:11 Why high performers often avoid emotional processing01:03:51 Reconnecting with his children after years apart01:17:17 The philosophy behind his new project Hearted01:21:47 What leadership looks like when you stop performing and start rebuildingWhy This Conversation MattersWe live in a culture that rewards speed, output and visibility — while ignoring emotional capacity. John’s story exposes the hidden cost of that model. It’s about what happens when identity becomes fused with achievement. When performance replaces presence. When ambition outruns regulation. And when rebuilding becomes the real work.This episode is for anyone who has:Built success but felt emptyBurned out silentlyUsed work, substances or distraction to copeHit a personal breaking pointOr is rebuilding after collapseAbout John SkeltonJohn Skelton is a fashion industry veteran, co-founder of LN-CC, former buyer at Selfridges and Harrods, and the founder of Hearted — a project focused on emotional recovery, mental health awareness and honest storytelling.IG: https://www.instagram.com/_h_e_a_r_t_e_d_/🎧 Listen now to one of the most raw conversations yet on Anatomy of a Leader.Follow host Maria HvorostovskyIG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/

After being made redundant with two young kids, Elizabeth Willetts couldn’t find a flexible, senior role, so she created one. She founded Investing in Women — a platform helping women find flexible, part-time and meaningful work. In this episode, Maria Hvorostovsky talks to Elizabeth about how recruitment is changing, why flexible working is the key to closing the gender pay gap, and why ‘you cannot be diverse and inclusive if you don’t embrace flexible work.’ We explore how flexibility creates better workplaces for everyone, the emotional cost of ‘doing it all,’ and what job sharing, part-time leadership, and hybrid work really look like in practice. We also discuss how women can build wealth while staying in the workforce — and hear Elizabeth’s most unpopular opinion about women’s careers.00:18 – Founding Investing in Women01:36 – The Myth of Flexibility When You Work for Yourself02:51 – How to Create Real Flexible Work Opportunities06:17 – Job Sharing: How It Actually Works08:28 – The Future of Work, AI & the Gig Economy14:48 – How Flexibility Can Close the Gender Pay Gap16:24 – Spotting Red Flags in Companies Before You Join24:48 – Flex: Building a Career Around Your Life25:30 – Why Knowing What You Want Is a Career Superpower30:07 – CVs & Cover Letters That Stand Out38:07 – LinkedIn Tips That Get You Hired44:22 – Will Recruiters Be Replaced by AI?54:48 – What’s Next for Investing in WomenAbout Elizabeth WillettsElizabeth Willetts is the Founder of Investing in Women, a UK-based recruitment platform and job board connecting employers with talented women and parents seeking flexible, part-time, and remote work. Elizabeth is a leading advocate for gender equality, flexible working, and closing the gender pay gap. Through Investing in Women, she’s reshaping the UK employment landscape by helping organisations attract, hire, and retain diverse talent while promoting careers that support modern family life and caregiving responsibilities.Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-willettsIG: https://www.instagram.com/investinginwomencareers/Website: https://investinginwomen.co.uk/Follow host Maria HvorostovskyIG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/📖 Be the first to get Anatomy of a Leader Diary: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3M

Join the waitlist get Anatomy of a Leader Diary: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3MHow did Jane Means go from wrapping gifts at her kitchen table to working with Chanel and Dior? In this episode of Anatomy of a Leader, host Maria Hvorostovsky speaks with the “Queen of Gift-Wrapping” about building a luxury business from scratch, going viral on social media, and creating sustainable designs for high-profile clients. Jane shares lessons on resilience, creativity, and success without stress.00:00 Intro00:13 Starting a Gift Wrapping Business02:12 Viral Success and Social Media Impact03:16 Challenges and Sustainable Gift Wrapping05:41 Wrapping for Celebrity & VIP Clients08:12 Maintaining Quality and Team Dynamics17:20 The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge TV Show20:22 Navigating Tough Feedback with Kindness21:23 Family Dynamics and Gift Wrapping Humor22:08 The Art of Understated Gift Wrapping25:09 Sustainability in the Wrapping Industry27:33 Balancing Work and Personal Life30:12 The Journey of Hiring and Business Growth32:36 Reflecting on Positivity and Life Lessons33:33 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs37:10 Proving Doubters WrongJane MeansIG:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/janemeans⁠Pinterest: ⁠https://www.pinterest.co.uk/janemeans⁠ 🎁 Special Offer for Anatomy of a Leader viewers: Get 20% OFF your order at ⁠https://www.janemeans.com⁠⁠  with code MARIA at checkout.Follow Maria HvorostovskyIG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/ 📖 Become a founding member of Anatomy of a Leader Diary sign up here: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3M

On June 19th, 2025, my heart was stopped. And restarted. I had robotic heart surgery to repair a valve, but what it healed went far beyond the physical. This short video is about what breaks us open… and how we begin again.This is not just a story about surgery, it’s about identity, rebirth, and the quiet strength it takes to come back different.Regular programming will resume in September, as I gather strength and take time to rest and be with my family.Pre-order Anatomy of a Leader Diary here: https://stan.store/mariahvo/ 📖Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/anatomyofaleader ☕️FOLLOW ME:IG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mycareerwithmariaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvoWebsite: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/

Pre-order Anatomy of a Leader Diary here: https://stan.store/mariahvo/ 📖Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/anatomyofaleader ☕️—-Work-life balance is a lie.In this episode, I open up about my recent health challenge - a heart condition called mitral valve prolapse - that forced me to completely rethink how I work, live, and lead. I share how the Anatomy of a Leader brand is evolving and what I’ve learned about slowing down, listening to your body, and making aligned decisions after two decades in executive search and leadership.If you’re navigating burnout, reinvention, career change, or leadership challenges, this episode is for you.—-Follow me:IG:   / mycareerwithmaria  LinkedIn:   / mariahvo  TikTok:   / maria_hvo  IG:   / anatomyofaleader  Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/—-What’s inside:Why work-life balance is a mythHow my heart condition (MVP) changed everythingWhy I’m closing HVO SearchWhat’s next for Anatomy of a LeaderThe story behind the Anatomy of a Leader Diary - pre-order now! https://stan.store/mariahvo/How I’m applying lessons from Slow Productivity by Cal NewportBehind-the-scenes of creating this podcast with Felipe, my husbandA shoutout to Bill Bailey’s “Thoughtifier” show—-Resources mentioned:Anatomy of a Leader Diary: https://stan.store/mariahvo/Slow Productivity by Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/4kk1rpT Bill Bailey’s “Thoughtifier” trailer by Felipe Meggio:    • Bill Bailey Thoughtifier Show Intro  —-Thank you for watching and supporting! Please like, subscribe, and comment - I’d love to hear: 💬 What’s keeping you stuck in your career right now? 💬 What leadership topics do you want me to cover next?—-We breathe.We inhale and exhale.We work and we rest.We live and we lead.This is Anatomy of a Leader. Thank you for being here.

Buy the book: https://amzn.to/3WLo8cXThis week I welcome back Alison Cork— lifestyle expert, author and former food critic transformed her life by losing five stone and reclaiming her health. Inspired by her journey, she wrote “Fit and Fabulous Over 50” to show you how to rewire your second act!If you want practical health tips or motivation to make the most of your second act (or even your first act), then this episode is for you.Alison joins me to talk about:- The key to breaking cravings- How to stop relying on treats for comfort - The one food you should stop eating immediately- Why meal planning is the secret source to successTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction04:12 - Starting Alison at Home and Rebranding09:56 - Rethinking Diet and Exercise18:44 - How to Break Your Cravings 21:57 - Why Do We Want Treats?24:48 - How to Eat 1,000 Calories a Day27:40 - Stop Eating This Immediately29:45 - Meal Planning is Essential to a Healthy Diet33:12 - We’re Out of Balance40:34 - Writing Fit & Fabulous Over 5046:28- Confidence Won’t Just Happen47:13 - Drinking Less and Staying Strong52:36 - The Struggles of Being a Working Mother01:02:04 - Advice for Being Fabulous Over 50Alison Cork:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisoncork_home/ X: https://x.com/AlisonCork?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Website: https://www.nwew.co.uk/ Website: https://alisonathome.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvoX: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovskyPodcast filmed, edited and produced by:https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.comNeed help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.comLEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

Mary Ann Sieghart, an accomplished journalist and author of 'The Authority Gap,' tackles the ongoing bias against women in her enlightening discussion. She reveals why women are often underestimated, citing issues like infantilization and interruptions. Sieghart explores societal norms affecting perceptions and proposes actionable solutions to reduce unconscious bias. The conversation touches on online harassment and the challenges women face in leadership roles, urging a cultural shift towards genuine gender equality.