Leaders in Disguise

Gary Parsons UK Ltd

Behind every successful leader is a story you rarely hear. Leaders in Disguise is the podcast that breaks the silence around mental health and wellbeing in leadership. Each fortnight, business leaders share their raw and honest stories - from burnout and breakdowns to resilience and recovery - offering a rare glimpse into what it really takes to lead under pressure. If you’re a founder, executive, or people leader who’s tired of the ‘always on’ culture, this podcast is for you. 🎧 Listen and subscribe at garyparsons.uk

  1. The Dark Side of 10x: The Finance Coach Who Walked Away from 'Success'

    07/29/2025

    The Dark Side of 10x: The Finance Coach Who Walked Away from 'Success'

    What if chasing 10x growth and entrepreneurial “success” is actually destroying your health, your happiness, and your business? In this eye-opening episode of Leaders in Disguise, finance coach Serena Humphrey reveals the hidden costs of hustle culture. After surviving three financial traumas in her twenties and suffering a total physical and mental collapse, Serena exposes why the relentless pursuit of more nearly broke her - and why she chose to walk away. This isn’t just a story about burnout. It’s a blueprint for redefining success, building intentional wealth, and leading with purpose (not pressure). What You’ll Discover: Why the 10x mindset and hustle culture are a fast track to burnout and chronic illnessThe emotional and ethical toll of making an entire workforce redundant in your twentiesHow surviving financial trauma redefined Serena’s ideas of wealth, security, and leadershipThe difference between chasing an exit fantasy and building sustainable, intentional wealthWhy performative success (cars, status, revenue milestones) is a trap - and how Serena’s viral LinkedIn post challenged the narrativeGrounded, practical advice for leaders feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck Subscribe for more powerful, unfiltered stories about the real cost of leadership and the courage it takes to redefine success. Have you ever felt trapped by the pressure to scale or “succeed”? Connect with Serena: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/serena-humphrey

    52 min
  2. Stage 4 Cancer: How This Leader Finds Joy in the Darkest Moments

    06/24/2025

    Stage 4 Cancer: How This Leader Finds Joy in the Darkest Moments

    In this deeply moving episode of Leaders in Disguise, Gary Parsons sits down with Julian Hall, founder of Calm People, who shares his extraordinary journey of leading with purpose while living with stage 4 bowel cancer. This isn't just a story about illness - it's about strength, authenticity, and finding joy in life's darkest moments. *Trigger Warnings* - Discussions of cancer diagnosis, family, friends, and similar. About Our Guest: Julian Hall - Founder of Calm People, resilience expert, and inspirational speaker who continues to lead and inspire others while navigating his cancer journey with remarkable grace and wisdom. Key Takeaways: How to maintain leadership authenticity during personal crisisPractical tools for emotional resilience (journaling, meditation, stress management)The power of community support and weekly connection ritualsRedefining success and legacy when facing mortalityWhy vulnerability is a leadership superpower, not weaknessFinding joy and laughter as healing tools Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "You can have a joyful relationship with cancer.""Every moment is a choice point. It's never too late to change.""Healer, heal thyself - my daughter handed me a journal.""I gave a keynote the day after chemo - because I still had something to give.""Leadership is about authenticity, not always inspiration.""My legacy is the values and behaviour I've passed on." Resources Mentioned: Calm People (Julian's company)Journaling for wellbeingMeditation and stress management techniquesWeekly connection rituals Support Julian's 42-mile fundraising walk for cancer research: https://www.calmpeople.co.uk/12-friends-3-causes-50k-to-raise-and-12-months-to-do-it/ Leaders in Disguise Leaders in Disguise explores the human side of leadership, unveiling untold stories of triumph and resilience while breaking the stigma around mental health and wellbeing in leadership. --- What did this conversation teach you about leadership or life? Drop a comment below - we read every one and would love to hear your thoughts on Julian's incredible journey.

    57 min
  3. Rewiring Your Brain for Recovery with Keira Smith

    06/10/2025

    Rewiring Your Brain for Recovery with Keira Smith

    In this powerful new episode, Gary Parsons is joined by hypnotherapist Keira Smith, whose story takes us from fitness industry burnout and depression to becoming a leader in trauma recovery and brain-based healing. Keira opens up about living with hidden trauma, the dangerous pressure of "being strong", her own near breakdowns, and how a different approach to healing - without reliving the past - changed her life and her work. You’ll hear a raw, honest conversation about shame, leadership pressure, and the cost of constantly serving others without asking for help. Gary and Keira explore why it can be so hard for leaders to show vulnerability, and why creating safe spaces and permission to be imperfect matters more than ever. We'll also cover: The toxicity of "grind" culture in the fitness world How trauma shows up in the body - and why talking isn’t always enough What “solution-focused hypnotherapy” really is Rebuilding a life after hitting rock bottom Invisible differences and the power of human connection Trigger Warning: This episode includes candid discussion of suicidal ideation, depression, and trauma. Please take care while listening. Guest: Keira Smith - Website: www.positivechangehypnotherapy.co.uk Host: Gary Parsons, Founder of Leaders in Disguise If this conversation moved you, please share it with someone who needs it. Every story we tell helps break the stigma around mental health and wellbeing in leadership.

    33 min

About

Behind every successful leader is a story you rarely hear. Leaders in Disguise is the podcast that breaks the silence around mental health and wellbeing in leadership. Each fortnight, business leaders share their raw and honest stories - from burnout and breakdowns to resilience and recovery - offering a rare glimpse into what it really takes to lead under pressure. If you’re a founder, executive, or people leader who’s tired of the ‘always on’ culture, this podcast is for you. 🎧 Listen and subscribe at garyparsons.uk