Welcome to Quiet Bold…

A collection of reflections on careers, leadership, ambition and creating a working life that feels like your own.

A space for those who don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to create meaningful change.

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Explore all episodes of the podcast on Spotify. Whether you're here to learn, reflect, or just enjoy; our audio newsletter offers stories of courageous choices, life lessons and quietly bold leadership…

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Blog
The courage to be yourself
The courage to be yourself

The exhaustion of constantly performing a version of yourself can be enormous. Occasionally, the mask is heavier to carry than the crown.

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The power of the pause
The power of the pause

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to simply be still? Life has a habit of convincing us that every spare moment needs filling. Another email. Another meeting. Another scroll. For many high performers, one of the biggest misconceptions is believing the answer to most things is to push harder.

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On authenticity, identity and having the courage to create a life that feels like your own.

For high performers, doing more isn't always the answer. Sometimes space is where the next idea begins.

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Blog
Is being ‘too busy’ blocking your opportunities?
Is being ‘too busy’ blocking your opportunities?

We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. It’s often worn like a badge of honour, but it can also become a quiet barrier - one that people rarely talk about.

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Imposter syndrome and a DJ playlist called “The Gabby Mix”
Imposter syndrome and a DJ playlist called “The Gabby Mix”

How often do we create limitations for ourselves that quietly prevent us from reaching our full potential? Reflections about overcoming imposter syndrome, with some tips from the book The Courage to Be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga.

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When busyness becomes a badge of honour, is it quietly getting in the way of opportunities?

What if the limitations holding us back aren't always external, but the stories we tell ourselves?

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Blog
Fighting fire with fire
Fighting fire with fire

In an age of individualism…of “I don’t need anyone-ism”, what happens when independence becomes isolation. Who is in your 'village' to help you fight the fires life throws?

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The fear of flying
The fear of flying

Bold doesn't always have to mean climbing Mount Everest. Sometimes it's simply boarding the plane despite our fears. It's walking into a room where everyone seems more accomplished than you and choosing curiosity over comparison. It's trusting that today's seemingly insignificant paragraph becomes tomorrow's body of work.

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BBLs and the illusion of control
BBLs and the illusion of control

Firstly, Brazil was amazing…and no, I did not go there to get a BBL (Brazilian butt lift). But the trip almost did not happen because of what I now term my own BBL (Brazil, boilers and life-lessons).

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A magic fairy ‘night’ mother
A magic fairy ‘night’ mother

A reflection about there being no 'Magic fairy night mother' . Consistency and time lead to the ultimate 'magic' results.

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The grass is greener…in a terrarium
The grass is greener…in a terrarium

Listening to South African jazz (Jimmy Dludlu, Caiphus Semenya, Hugh Masekela) and missing home. The music reminded me how powerful art and creativity are, and how good it feels to make something from scratch. The importance of inviting creativity into our lives to help us thrive.

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Life and perspective

Blog
Is it ever too early to learn how to negotiate for the life you want?
Is it ever too early to learn how to negotiate for the life you want?

“You don’t get what you deserve in life; you get what you negotiate.”

So many of us - especially in medicine, leadership, and other high-achieving environments, are conditioned to believe that if we simply work hard enough, recognition and opportunity will naturally follow. But often, they don’t. But having the conversation matters. Because when you advocate for yourself, you begin taking ownership of both your present reality and the direction of your future.

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Hunting for hidden opportunities - channelling Oxóssi
Hunting for hidden opportunities - channelling Oxóssi

A reflection about re-imaging ourselves as divine hunters - seekers of opportunity, abundance, and purpose in the forests of our own lives?

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Career and negotiation

Time, freedom and balance

Blog
Pause. Skills. Set-up. Dream
Pause. Skills. Set-up. Dream

I must admit, December was busy. Really busy. There wasn’t much space for pause. Lots of work…so much so that I received an email this month informing me that I was December’s leader for top use of our handheld phone access Power Chart Touch.

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Financial verse time freedom
Financial verse time freedom

Over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about time freedom and what it means to me.  How do I jump off the hamster wheel where the more you want, the faster you have to spin? Like a never-ending Psycle class.

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Leadership and confidence

Blog
Lessons from Barry's: On Showing Up, Consistency, and Growth
Lessons from Barry's: On Showing Up, Consistency, and Growth

Barry’s Bootcamp has become a surprisingly meaningful part of my life. A story about proving to yourself that you can do hard things by consistently showing up.

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All reflections

The power of the pause
Start here Barbara Onen Start here Barbara Onen

The power of the pause

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to simply be still? Life has a habit of convincing us that every spare moment needs filling. Another email. Another meeting. Another scroll. For many high performers, one of the biggest misconceptions is believing the answer to most things is to push harder.

Read More

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