Anatomy of a Leader with Maria Hvorostovsky

Maria Hvorostovsky
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Welcome to Anatomy of a Leader - a video podcast that shows you there are many faces of leadership, that perfection doesn’t and shouldn’t exist and that making mistakes (or taking detours) can often lead to deep insights about your superpowers. My name is Maria Hvorostovsky. I’m a headhunter and Founder of HVO Search. I help ambitious leaders hire the most hard to find, high potential C-Suite talent. Each week let me take you on a journey to discover what leadership really 🖋🕊 LinkedIn/ Insta: @mariahvo WORK WITH ME: www.hirewithmaria.com

  1. Two Surgeons. Opposite Advice | Mitral Valve Prolapse at 42 (Pt 2)

    6D AGO

    Two Surgeons. Opposite Advice | Mitral Valve Prolapse at 42 (Pt 2)

    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 means 01:02 How Serious Is Mitral Valve Prolapse? 01:39 Surgery or Live With It? 02:19 NHS vs Private: Getting Seen Faster 02:46 Palpitations, Anxiety & A&E 04:14 The Cardiologist Determines Your Surgeon 04:50 Using ChatGPT to Shortlist Specialists 06:19 How to Choose A Surgeon 09:44 Bedside Manner vs Technical Mastery1 1:07 When One Name Keeps Coming Up 11:26 Surgeon #1: Plan the Surgery 12:25 Surgeon #2: You Can Wait 13:23 50/50 — What Do I Do? 13:51 The Third Opinion Changed Everything 15:08 Why I Chose Him Key topics: Mitral valve prolapse Severe mitral regurgitation Mitral valve repair vs replacement Minimally invasive heart surgery When to operate on mitral valve Heart surgery at 40 Choosing a cardiac surgeon NHS vs private healthcare UK Follow 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.

    17 min
  2. Fit at 42. Then Diagnosed | Mitral Valve Prolapse (Pt 1)

    FEB 3

    Fit at 42. Then Diagnosed | Mitral Valve Prolapse (Pt 1)

    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 lonelier 00:00 Thought Heart Disease Was an Old Man’s Problem 00:51 I Was Physically Fit & Healthy 01:20 The Workout That Changed Everything 01:56 Why I Nearly Ignored The Symptoms 03:14 Going To The GP 03:45 ECG Referral & Experience 06:11 Echo Referral & Experience 09:03 Hearing “Mitral Valve Prolapse” 09:50 Waiting, Fear & Not Knowing 13:00 Anxiety vs Heart Condition 13:23 Tachycardia, A&E & Health System 14:21 Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse 16:12 Exercise Regularly & Monitor 17:49 Exercising With A Heart Condition 18:39 Loss Of Control & Trust 20:38 Women’s Heart Health Being Missed 23:10 What I Wish I’d Known 25:15 If You’re Ignoring Symptoms — Please Listen Follow 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.

    27 min
  3. AI Will Replace Average Leaders — Here’s How to Stay Relevant | Danilo McGarry | Anatomy of a Leader

    JAN 27

    AI Will Replace Average Leaders — Here’s How to Stay Relevant | Danilo McGarry | Anatomy of a Leader

    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 & Leadership 03:25 – Danilo’s personal story: from Brazil to AI expert 12:10 – Using automation to outperform humans in work 21:40 – The chaotic banking story & leadership lessons 32:15 – Why culture must lead AI adoption 42:00 – The 5 pillars of AI transformation 58:30 – The biggest myths about AI & singularity 1:10:20 – How to manage anxiety in a rapidly changing world 1:22:45 – The future of jobs, freelancing & gig economy 1:38:10 – The future of hiring: beyond resumes 1:50:00 – Why sleep, biology & humanity matter 2:00:00 – Danilo’s final advice on execution with AI About 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/@aimcgarry IG: https://www.instagram.com/aimcgarry/ 🎧 Listen now to a deep, practical conversation on AI on Anatomy of a Leader. Follow host 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/

    1h 44m
  4. From LN-CC to Hearted: John Skelton on Extreme Success, Addiction & Rebuilding Life

    JAN 20

    From LN-CC to Hearted: John Skelton on Extreme Success, Addiction & Rebuilding Life

    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 system 02:07 How John rose through Selfridges and helped reshape menswear at Harrods 25:31 The creation of LN-CC and the reality behind building a cult retail brand 43:53 Addiction as self-soothing rather than weakness 50:34 Why “white-knuckling” recovery doesn’t work 51:51 How fitness, discipline, and self-awareness helped John rebuild from the ground up 54:33 The long timeline of recovery — and why quick fixes don’t work 59:11 Why high performers often avoid emotional processing 01:03:51 Reconnecting with his children after years apart 01:17:17 The philosophy behind his new project Hearted 01:21:47 What leadership looks like when you stop performing and start rebuilding Why This Conversation Matters We 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 empty Burned out silently Used work, substances or distraction to cope Hit a personal breaking point Or is rebuilding after collapse About John Skelton John 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 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/

    1h 31m
  5. Women’s Careers Are Broken – And How to Fix Them | Elizabeth Willetts – Investing in Women

    11/18/2025

    Women’s Careers Are Broken – And How to Fix Them | Elizabeth Willetts – Investing in Women

    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 Women 01:36 – The Myth of Flexibility When You Work for Yourself 02:51 – How to Create Real Flexible Work Opportunities 06:17 – Job Sharing: How It Actually Works 08:28 – The Future of Work, AI & the Gig Economy 14:48 – How Flexibility Can Close the Gender Pay Gap 16:24 – Spotting Red Flags in Companies Before You Join 24:48 – Flex: Building a Career Around Your Life 25:30 – Why Knowing What You Want Is a Career Superpower 30:07 – CVs & Cover Letters That Stand Out 38:07 – LinkedIn Tips That Get You Hired 44:22 – Will Recruiters Be Replaced by AI? 54:48 – What’s Next for Investing in Women About Elizabeth Willetts Elizabeth 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-willetts IG: https://www.instagram.com/investinginwomencareers/ Website: https://investinginwomen.co.uk/ Follow host 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/ 📖 Be the first to get Anatomy of a Leader Diary: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3M

    58 min
  6. From Kitchen Table to Chanel, Without the Stress w/ Jane Means

    10/21/2025

    From Kitchen Table to Chanel, Without the Stress w/ Jane Means

    Join the waitlist get Anatomy of a Leader Diary: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3M How 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 Intro 00:13 Starting a Gift Wrapping Business 02:12 Viral Success and Social Media Impact 03:16 Challenges and Sustainable Gift Wrapping 05:41 Wrapping for Celebrity & VIP Clients 08:12 Maintaining Quality and Team Dynamics 17:20 The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge TV Show 20:22 Navigating Tough Feedback with Kindness 21:23 Family Dynamics and Gift Wrapping Humor 22:08 The Art of Understated Gift Wrapping 25:09 Sustainability in the Wrapping Industry 27:33 Balancing Work and Personal Life 30:12 The Journey of Hiring and Business Growth 32:36 Reflecting on Positivity and Life Lessons 33:33 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 37:10 Proving Doubters Wrong Jane Means IG:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/janemeans⁠ Pinterest: ⁠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 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/ 📖 Become a founding member of Anatomy of a Leader Diary sign up here: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3M

    44 min
  7. The Day My Heart Was Stopped - Maria Hvorostovsky

    07/20/2025

    The Day My Heart Was Stopped - Maria Hvorostovsky

    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/mycareerwithmaria LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/

    5 min
  8. What My Heart Condition Taught Me About Burnout, Work-Life Balance & Career Reinvention

    06/03/2025

    What My Heart Condition Taught Me About Burnout, Work-Life Balance & Career Reinvention

    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 everything Why I’m closing HVO SearchWhat’s next for Anatomy of a Leader The 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 Newport Behind-the-scenes of creating this podcast with Felipe, my husband A 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.

    16 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Anatomy of a Leader - a video podcast that shows you there are many faces of leadership, that perfection doesn’t and shouldn’t exist and that making mistakes (or taking detours) can often lead to deep insights about your superpowers. My name is Maria Hvorostovsky. I’m a headhunter and Founder of HVO Search. I help ambitious leaders hire the most hard to find, high potential C-Suite talent. Each week let me take you on a journey to discover what leadership really 🖋🕊 LinkedIn/ Insta: @mariahvo WORK WITH ME: www.hirewithmaria.com

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