Mark Jones shares the moment his life changed in Aisle 10 at Bunnings.

What started as a routine weekend errand quickly became a frightening wake-up call. A panic attack brought on by years of pressure, stress, exhaustion, and a belief that he simply had to keep going.

But this conversation is about much more than burnout.

Mark opens up about the signs he ignored, the internal pressure so many leaders carry, and the dangerous stories we tell ourselves when we are under stress. Stories like “I can’t stop,” “I have to hold it together,” and “people are relying on me.”

Together, we explore why high-performing leaders often miss the warning signs until their body forces them to pay attention.

We also unpack the practical side of recovery and resilience. From sleep, exercise, and discipline through to the power of self-talk, identity, and rewriting the inner narrative that shapes how we lead and live.

Mark also shares insights from his book The Story Code for Leaders, including his “mirror moment” exercise and the four-step framework he developed after his own breakdown.

This is an honest and deeply human conversation about leadership, mental health, pressure, self-awareness, and what it really takes to sustain yourself in demanding roles.

If you have ever felt overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or trapped in the cycle of “just keep going,” this conversation will resonate.

https://www.markjones.au/

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What does it take to lead with impact when the world won’t stop changing?

Holly Ransom (author of The Leading Edge) shares how to lead with courage and mattering while navigating constant change. Learn practical habits and decision steps for leading from the edge, building influence, and creating future-ready teams.

Key takeaways:

1) How to make courageous choices that signal organizational values;

2) Small actions that increase mattering and staff buy-in;

3) Tactical approaches to lead through uncertainty. Ideal for emerging and experienced leaders seeking actionable leadership tools.

A sharp, energising conversation with insights from Holly’s own journey and her conversations with leaders like Barack Obama and Richard Branson.

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Host Sadhana Smiles talks with Robyn Djelassi about fractional leadership and what it means for businesses navigating growth, change or reset. Learn how fractional people leadership balances human-centred and commercial priorities, why fundamentals like clarity and accountability still matter, and who can benefit from fractional executives. Ideal for leaders updating people strategies during change.

Show notes:

Guest: Robyn Djelassi
Topic: Fractional leadership, organisational capability, leadership fundamentals

Listen and subscribe:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-fit-leadership/id1665791866

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