Leap Academy with Ilana Golan

At age 12, Russell Brunson was inspired to become an entrepreneur after watching an infomercial about making money. Over the years, he faced massive personal and professional setbacks, from losing 60% of his staff to battling infertility, financial struggles, and nearly going to jail. But instead of giving up, he turned each failure into a lesson, tweaking his approach and ultimately co-founding the multi-billion-dollar company, ClickFunnels. In this episode, Russell shares with Ilana how he transformed his toughest setbacks into the foundation of his thriving business, offering powerful lessons on resilience, success, and the impact of authentic relationships.Russell Brunson is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and digital marketing expert. He is widely recognized as the co-founder of ClickFunnels, a leading marketing software company that helps businesses worldwide boost conversions and drive sales.In this episode, Ilana and Russell will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (01:54) The Infomercial That Turned Him Into a Young Entrepreneur(05:29) What Wrestling Taught Him About Overcoming Failure in Business(07:55) Launching His First Business, The Potato Gun(09:52) Russell’s Rollercoaster Journey to His First Million(14:25) Key Lessons from His Toughest Year(21:27) The Birth of ClickFunnels(26:61) Finding Fulfillment in Helping Others Succeed(28:58) Leading ClickFunnels Through Its First Major Crisis(34:18) How Serving Tony Robbins Led to Lifelong Mentorship(37:32) Building Lasting Relationships with the Dream 100 Strategy(42:45) The Emotional Story of Russell’s Fertility Journey(44:38) Why Vulnerability in Business Can Lead to Unlikely Success (46:51) Tips for Building a Winning Team That Drives Your Success(49:58) Turning Your Pain into an AssetRussell Brunson is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and digital marketing expert. He is widely recognized as the co-founder of ClickFunnels, a leading marketing software company that helps businesses worldwide boost conversions and drive sales. Over the past 19 years, he has built a community of over a million entrepreneurs and authored New York Times bestsellers, including DotCom Secrets and Expert Secrets. Connect with Russell:Russell’s Website: www.russellbrunson.com Russell’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellbrunson/ Russell’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/russellbrunson Resources Mentioned:Russell’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@russellbrunsonThe 12 month millionaire Droplets: Vincent James's Unmissable Revelations by Vincent James: https://www.amazon.com/month-millionaire-Droplets-Unmissable-Revelations/dp/B0CXJGPXNN Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty: The Only Networking Book You'll Ever Need by Harvey Mackay: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Well-Before-Youre-Thirsty/dp/0385485468 Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Known for seizing “big, scary opportunities,” Bryan Power has defined his career by embracing risk, adapting to change, and staying focused under pressure. After turning down a promotion at Google for a new challenge at Square, he quickly realized he was in over his head. But it was in facing that discomfort head-on, that he experienced his most significant growth moments. In this episode, Bryan joins Ilana to discuss the importance of tackling challenging opportunities, the practices that lead to career growth, and his unique approach to leadership.Bryan Power is a certified executive coach with over 20 years of experience in human resources management. Having worked with top companies like Google, Yahoo!, Square, and Nextdoor, he specializes in guiding leaders through growth, high-stakes transitions, and fast-paced environments.In this episode, Ilana and Bryan will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (00:22) His Journey to Silicon Valley (01:31) Big, Scary Opportunities that Drove His Growth(03:45) Bryan’s Annual Growth Reflection Ritual(05:29) Transitioning from Google to Square(08:40) The Weight of Leadership in Today’s World(10:18) How COVID-19 Impacted the Way We Work(12:37) The Pros and Cons of Remote Work(16:52) Why Adversity Makes the Best Leaders(20:05) How Bryan’s Background Influenced His Success(22:46) Bryan’s Secret to Landing Your Dream Job(25:57) Key Skills Every New Leader Must Master(29:54) Building Trust in Your First 90 Days at a New Job(34:41) Nextdoor’s Success in Digital Community Building(39:37) Career Lessons Bryan Wishes He Had Learned SoonerBryan Power is a certified executive coach with over 20 years of experience in human resources management. Having worked with top companies like Google, Yahoo!, Square, and Nextdoor, he specializes in guiding leaders through growth, high-stakes transitions, and fast-paced environments. Bryan has a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams across North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia. His expertise extends to board-level work, where he has developed executive compensation strategies, company-wide cash/equity incentives, and benefits programs.Connect with Bryan:Bryan’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bryanpower Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Andrew Lacy stumbled into entrepreneurship after failing to land a tech job. His first company did so well that he eventually sold it to Disney. Believing he had business all figured out, he launched another company, only to realize that success wasn’t guaranteed. For his next venture, Prenuvo, Andrew took a more thoughtful approach, but investors repeatedly rejected the idea. Determined to make it work, he bootstrapped and secured loans to launch a clinic in Silicon Valley. Today, Prenuvo is revolutionizing preventive healthcare. In this episode, Andrew shares valuable insights on reinventing yourself, making bold career changes, and pushing through setbacks to bring innovative ideas to life.Andrew Lacy is an Australian serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and the founder/CEO of Prenuvo, a pioneering health tech company using whole-body imaging for early disease detection, including cancer.In this episode, Ilana and Andrew will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (00:35) From Lawyer to Accidental Tech Entrepreneur(06:44) Lessons from His First Business(13:19) The Pains and Gains of Having a Co-founder(14:59) Starting a Company, Again?(17:24) Cultural Differences in Entrepreneurship(19:57) Tough Truths About Building a Startup(22:44) The Health Scan That Birthed Prenuvo(28:33) Dealing with Investor Rejection(35:11) The Future of Healthcare with Prenuvo(36:35) A Surprising Fact About Andrew(37:56) His Hack for Aspiring EntrepreneursAndrew Lacy is an Australian serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and founder/CEO of Prenuvo, a pioneering health tech company using whole-body imaging for early disease detection, including cancer. He envisions a future where healthcare is more affordable and accessible, and where people embrace health screenings as tools for long-term wellness. Andrew also co-founded Tapulous, a key player in the early iPhone app ecosystem, later acquired by Disney. He has held leadership roles at McKinsey and Disney.Connect with Andrew:Andrew’s Website: https://andrewlacy.com/Andrew’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewllacy/ Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Dan Ariely didn’t just accept the hand life dealt him. He turned it into something powerful. After a traumatic burn accident that scarred 70% of his body, he struggled to find his place in the world. This journey led him to study human psychology and behavior, focusing on how people cope with pain and trauma. Later, when false rumors spread about him on social media, Dan chose to understand and empathize with the “misbelievers.” In this episode, Dan joins Ilana to share his journey from personal trauma to professional triumph, exploring how lies, rumors, and "misbelief" take root and affect lives, and what he’s learned by going through it all firsthand.Dan Ariely is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics at Duke University. His personal experience as a burn survivor has influenced his approach to understanding human behavior. His latest book, Misbelief, explores how false beliefs form and how to challenge them.In this episode, Ilana and Dan will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (00:28) The Story Behind the Iconic Half Beard(04:46) Turning Personal Pain into Professional Purpose(09:07) From Burn Victim to Social Scientist(14:49) Confronting Death Threats and Conspiracy Theorists(17:54) How Stress Fuels Misbelief(25:05) How Online Hate Turns to Moral Outrage(31:50) Navigating Trust, Risk, and Failure in Leadership (37:51) How Technology Is Making Us Worse(41:07) Dan’s 45-Minute Work Ritual for Better Productivity(43:43) Life Lessons on Finding Your True StrengthsDan Ariely is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and Professor of Psychology & Behavioral Economics at Duke University. Known for his research on irrational behavior and decision-making, he’s advised companies like Google, Apple, and governments worldwide. His books Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth About Dishonesty, have been translated into 30+ languages, and his work inspired NBC’s The Irrational. As a burn survivor, Dan’s personal experience has influenced his approach to understanding human behavior. His latest book, Misbelief, explores how false beliefs form and how to challenge them.Connect with Dan:Dan’s Website: https://danariely.com Dan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danariely Resources Mentioned:Dan’s Book, Misbelief: What Makes Rational People Believe Irrational Things: https://www.amazon.com/Misbelief-Rational-People-Believe-Irrational/dp/0063280426 Dan’s Book, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone--Especially Ourselves: https://www.amazon.com/Honest-Truth-About-Dishonesty-Everyone-Especially/dp/0062183613 NBC Show: The Irrational: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16288838/ Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Howard Behar went from making $300,000 a year to working at Starbucks for a third of that. Driven by his passion for the business, he rose to become president of Starbucks North America and later the founding president of Starbucks International, helping grow the company from 28 to over 15,000 stores worldwide. Despite these achievements, Howard faced a deep depression after retiring, prompting him to reevaluate his life’s purpose. He realized that his true calling is to serve and uplift others, with or without a formal title. In this episode, Howard chats with Ilana about redefining purpose after retirement, finding identity beyond titles, and why he believes in putting people before profits. Howard Behar is a speaker, advisor, mentor, bestselling author, former president of Starbucks North America, and founding president of Starbucks International. He champions the philosophy that businesses should focus on people rather than products.In this episode, Ilana and Howard will discuss:(00:00) Introduction to Howard Behar(01:12) Howard's Rock Bottom Moment(02:31) Rediscovering Life's Work(06:29) Childhood and Family Background(08:27) Lessons from the Family Grocery Store(09:40) Joining Starbucks(14:25) The People-Centric Philosophy(17:39) Reviving the 'We' Culture at Starbucks(25:51) The Four Rules of Leadership(26:06) Listening to Your Team(26:43) The Birth of the Frappuccino(30:15) Overcoming Challenges as a Leader(37:29) The Importance of Core Values(43:11) The Six P's of Success Howard Behar is a speaker, advisor, mentor, bestselling author, former president of Starbucks North America, and founding president of Starbucks International. He champions the philosophy that businesses should focus on people rather than products. His impactful leadership principles include memorable lessons like, “The person who sweeps the floor should choose the broom.” He is the author of It’s Not About the Coffee and The Magic Cup, and he continues to share his insights globally with leaders and students.Connect with Howard:Howard’s Website: http://howardbehar.com/Howard’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-behar Howard’s Email: hb@howardbehar.comHoward’s Phone: 206-972-7776Resources Mentioned:Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness by Robert K. Greenleaf: https://www.amazon.com/Servant-Leadership-Legitimate-Greatness-Anniversary/dp/0809105543Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

In a world that imposes expectations, Lisa Bilyeu is all about defying them. Raised in a traditional Greek Orthodox family, her path was set: get married and raise a family. But after eight years as a stay-at-home wife, she could no longer ignore the inner voice telling her she was meant for more. So, she co-founded Quest Nutrition with her husband and built a billion-dollar business. In this episode, Lisa talks to Ilana about setting ambitious goals, trusting your decisions, and finding self-worth without needing external validation.Lisa Bilyeu is a renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author, and co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a multi-billion-dollar company. Her mission is to use content creation to empower women to break free from limiting beliefs and unlock their full potential.In this episode, Ilana and Lisa will discuss:(00:00) Introduction (01:56) The Drip Effect: How Beliefs Shape Us (04:54) Breaking Free from the “Velvet Handcuffs” (06:26) The Trap of People-Pleasing and Toxic Gratitude (09:08) Learning Leadership Through Trial, Error, and Rap Music (10:00) From Housewife to Entrepreneur(17:30) Handling Your Emotions in Business (24:30) How Lisa Tackles Online Hate with Grace (31:40) Crafting a Clear Mission Using the “Who, What, Why” Method (37:30) Lisa’s No-BS Guide to Success (40:03) The Importance of Practice (44:45) Why I Chose My Mission Over Motherhood (01:01:23) The Tough Moment That Empowered Her (01:06:49) The Reality of HappinessLisa Bilyeu is a renowned entrepreneur, best-selling author, and co-founder of Quest Nutrition, a multi-billion-dollar company that transformed the health and wellness industry. She is also the founder and host of Women of Impact, co-founder of Impact Theory, and bestselling author of Radical Confidence. Lisa’s mission is to use content creation to empower women to break free from limiting beliefs and embrace their full potential.Connect with Lisa:Lisa’s Website: https://lisabilyeu.com/Lisa’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LisaBilyeu Lisa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeuResources Mentioned:Lisa’s Book, Radical Confidence: 11 Lessons on How to Get the Relationship, Career, and Life You Want: https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Confidence-No-BS-Lessons-Becoming-ebook/dp/B09JPHK9C3Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Convinced that technology was the future of advertising, David Jones set out to build Brandtech. But again and again, investors rejected his model, doubting the potential of AI and digital technology in an industry where traditional models worked so well. Despite countless ‘no’s,’ David pressed on, believing he could redefine the industry. And that's exactly what he did. Today, he leads a billion-dollar company that blends tech and creativity to reshape advertising. In this episode, David shares actionable advice on staying resilient in the face of doubt, innovating in a traditional industry, and building a brand that stands out.David Jones is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of The Brandtech Group, a pioneering digital and Gen AI marketing company. He is also the co-founder of One Young World, a global organization empowering young leaders to drive social and environmental change.In this episode, Ilana and David will discuss:- His 180° shift from sports to advertising- The audacious cold call that got his foot in the door- Climbing to the top by breaking every rule- Finding courage by imagining the worst- Stepping back to leap forward- Taking Australia’s digital ad scene by storm- Defying naysayers to bring AI to ads- Going from countless ‘no’s’ to billions in revenue- Why he’s all-in on empowering young leaders- How Brandtech is using AI to reinvent ads- The business case for ‘doing good’ in the world- Using your privilege to make an impact- Turning vision into action- How excellent storytelling creates opportunities- And other topics… David Jones is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and founder of The Brandtech Group, a pioneering digital and Gen AI marketing company. Previously, he became the youngest global CEO in advertising history, leading Havas and Havas Worldwide, and was the only British CEO of a publicly traded French company. In 2009, he co-founded One Young World, a global organization empowering young leaders to drive social and environmental change. He also collaborated on Kofi Annan's TckTckTck Campaign for climate justice and has advised numerous high-profile leaders.Connect with David:David’s Website: https://thebrandtechgroup.com/David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjonesoyw/David’s Twitter: https://x.com/davidjonesOYWResources Mentioned:David’s Book, Who Cares Wins: Why Good Business is Better Business: https://www.amazon.com/Who-Cares-Wins-business-Financial/dp/0273762532 One Young World: https://www.oneyoungworld.com/ Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Harley Finkelstein didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. He had no choice. With his father out of the picture, he had to pay for university and support his mother and sisters. So, he turned to his go-to problem-solving tool: entrepreneurship. Starting a t-shirt business changed his life, eventually leading him to Shopify, where he became one of their first merchants and later, its president. In this episode, Harley shares his incredible journey, highlighting key lessons on how entrepreneurship can solve real-life problems and the power of adapting quickly in a fast-changing world.Harley Finkelstein is the President of Shopify. He is also an entrepreneur, lawyer, and investor. He is one of the “Dragons” on CBC’s Next Gen Den and has been recognized among Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 and Fortune’s 40 Under 40.In this episode, Ilana and Harley will discuss:- His early roots in entrepreneurship- The t-shirt business that changed his life- How he set himself apart by overdelivering- Entrepreneurship as a tool for problem-solving​- Why you must thrive in rapid change to stay relevant- Embracing ‘founder mode’ by focusing on the details- Why the future of entrepreneurship is limitless- How he became one of the first Shopify users- How Shopify built a mission-aligned culture- Finding your life’s work- And other topics… Harley Finkelstein is an entrepreneur, lawyer, and President of Shopify. He is an advisor to Felicis Ventures and a notable investor. He has been recognized as Canadian Angel Investor of the Year and among Canada's Top 40 Under 40. As one of the "Dragons" on CBC's Next Gen Den, Harley brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to the forefront. His leadership extends beyond Shopify, having been on the Board of Directors for the C100 and the CBC. He’s also a proud member of the Order of Ottawa and currently serves on the board of Operation Hope, focusing on financial literacy empowerment.Connect with Harley:Harley’s Website: http://harleyf.com/about/Harley’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harleyf/?originalSubdomain=caHarley’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/harleyFLeap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

From struggling in school because of his dyslexia to starting a magazine at just 15, Richard Branson has always found ways to turn his challenges into unique opportunities. Even his iconic airline started as a joke when he was stranded in Puerto Rico after his canceled flight. He hired a plane, wrote "Virgin Airlines" on a blackboard, and offered seats to other stranded passengers. Soon enough, Virgin Atlantic was born. In this episode, Richard shares his incredible journey with Ilana, highlighting key lessons on embracing risk, staying resilient, and using challenges to fuel growth and innovation.Sir Richard Branson is the founder of Virgin Group, spanning airlines, cruises, hotels, health, entertainment, and space travel. Known for his adventurous spirit and bold pursuits, he has not only transformed industries but also used his influence to champion global humanitarian causes.In this episode, Ilana and Richard will discuss:- Surviving British boarding school - Quitting school at 15 to launch a magazine- Partnering with people who share his vision- The joke that led to the creation of Virgin Airlines- Building the world’s largest independent record label- Facing risk with excitement, not fear- Tackling world problems as an entrepreneur- Saving hostages from Saddam Hussein's regime- Forming a peacekeeping council of global elders- Pushing through the toughest days- Dyslexia as a superpower for thinking differently- And other topics… Sir Richard Branson is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Virgin Group, which includes more than 40 Virgin companies operating in 35 countries. At just 15, he dropped out of school and started Student magazine, which focused on youth culture. He went on to launch Virgin Records, signing iconic artists like Mike Oldfield and the Sex Pistols. Known for his bold ventures, Branson started Virgin Atlantic in 1984 and Virgin Galactic in 2004. Through Virgin Unite, he leads philanthropic efforts by using business to drive positive change globally.Connect with Richard:Richard’s Website: https://www.virgin.com/branson-family/richard-branson Richard’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rbranson/ Richard’s Twitter: https://x.com/richardbransonResources Mentioned:Richard’s Audiobook: Losing and Finding My Virginity: The Full Story: https://www.amazon.com/Losing-Finding-My-Virginity-Story/dp/B0CW8BS7W7 Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training

Jeff Dudan started his first business in college, painting apartments to pay the bills. The business grew beyond his expectations, allowing him to support his younger brother and create jobs for other college athletes. Years later, he moved to South Florida to help with disaster recovery after Hurricane Andrew struck. Having learned to see opportunity in adversity, he started AdvantaClean, which eventually grew into a national franchise. In this episode, Jeff talks to Ilana about spotting hidden opportunities in crises and the mindset shifts that helped him build a successful franchise business to empower others.Jeff Dudan is a franchise executive and the CEO of Homefront Brands. He brings decades of experience in funding, building, and scaling franchises to help others succeed in the industry. As a published author and host of The Homefront Podcast, Jeff also appeared on CBS’s Undercover Boss.In this episode, Ilana and Jeff will discuss:- Starting a business in college  - Pushing past your limitations- Grabbing opportunities as they come- Building Homefront to help franchise owners- Lessons from his father’s business challenges- Setting clear roles to make partnerships work- Creating a unique franchise model- Figuring out the right time to start franchising- Leading franchisees with patience - Why businesses are high-class assets- Using real estate to fund his business- The CEO’s role in setting standards  - Saying “yes” to chances for visibility- Aligning your values with your business- And other topics…Jeff Dudan is the CEO of Homefront Brands, a published author, and a franchise executive with 25 years of experience building and scaling franchise businesses. He founded AdvantaClean in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew, growing it from a disaster recovery business to a franchise with over 240 locations before it was acquired. Jeff is a Forbes contributor and host of The Homefront Podcast, where he explores the world of franchising and leadership. He has also appeared on CBS’s Undercover Boss. He has worked with organizations like Novant Health, the IFA Franchisor Forum, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.Connect with Jeff:Jeff’s Website: https://jeffdudan.com/ Jeff’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffdudan/ Resources Mentioned:Jeff’s Episode on Undercover Boss: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6432766/ Jeff’s Books:Discernment: The Business Athlete's Regimen for a Great Life through Better Decisions: https://www.amazon.com/Discernment-Business-Athletes-Regimen-Decisions/dp/1544508506 Hey, Coach! https://www.amazon.com/Hey-Coach-Jeff-Dudan/dp/1511990570 Leap Academy:Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time.Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training