Play It By Your Rules

Meggi Rombach
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Play It by Your Rules (formerly Leadership Insights) This podcast is a call to mindful rebellion - an invitation to live and lead with more freedom, flow, and fun, especially at midlife. I sit down with leaders, experts, adventurers, and changemakers who’ve dared to break the script and rewrite the rules - not for the sake of rebellion alone, but to realign with what truly matters. These raw, real conversations explore bold career moves, life pivots, and the inner work of letting go of “shoulds.” You’ll hear stories of courage, clarity, and conscious risk-taking - plus practical tools to help you think braver, lead wiser, and live bolder. Whether you’re at a crossroads or simply ready to play bigger on your own terms, this space is for you. ✨ Hosted by Mechthild (Meggi) Rombach — Freedom Catalyst for Midlife Leaders | Coach | Speaker | Workshop Creator 🌐 Learn more: mindset-mastery.ch

  1. Jun 22

    E41 - PIBYR: Not a Crisis. A Second Act. What Midlife Is Actually Doing to Your Body - and Why That's Good News

    Not a Crisis. A Second Act. What Midlife Is Actually Doing to Your Body - and Why That's Good News. With Tamara Koval — Gynecologist, Longevity Advisor, Founder of Longevity for Her What if the hormonal changes of midlife are not something to manage around — but something to move with? Tamara Koval is a gynecologist by training, a serial career reinventor by choice, and the founder of Longevity for Her on Substack. She has been in clinical practice in Europe, worked in the pharmaceutical industry, advised government agencies in the US, and built her own company — all driven by one belief: that the second act of a woman's life (and a man's) is not a decline. It is a different kind of power. In this conversation, we go into the biology, the psychology, and the practical reality of what midlife hormonal changes actually look like — and why most workplaces and most leaders have no script for it. What we cover: Why perimenopause starts in your 30s — and what the first signs actually look like The cortisol-sleep-weight-mood cycle: why it is all connected, and what to address first What the research says about hormone therapy — and why the message changed after 2023 The alcohol question: why two glasses hit differently now, and what to do about it The 12-hour intermittent fasting hack you are probably already doing without knowing it Why resistance amplifies suffering — and how acceptance breaks the cycle Bore-out and menopause: the surprising connection between hormonal transition and disconnection from work What Tamara means by unlearning smallness — and why the second act can be the most powerful chapter yet   Quick-Fire Burst: One belief she had to drop Obedience A place that cracked something open Zurich One thing she had to unlearn Smallness Her non-negotiable right now Independence. Sovereignty. Boldest risk that paid off Reinventing herself. Multiple times. One word for leadership in this chapter Kindness — understanding the position of others The ripple she hopes her story creates Permission — to be beautiful, wise, and powerful in this stage   Resources mentioned: Tamara Substack: Longevity for Her: https://longevitylounge42.substack.com/p/you-dont-need-a-tribe-to-live-long Meggi free Recalibration Baseline Assessment: https://meggi-pjyicln1.scoreapp.com/ If this episode landed — share it with someone who needs to hear it.

    52 min
  2. E40 - PIBYR: Don’t Ask AI for Answers. Use It to Find Your Why.

    May 25

    E40 - PIBYR: Don’t Ask AI for Answers. Use It to Find Your Why.

    We’re getting very good at asking technology for answers. But what if a more powerful way to use AI isn’t to let it think for us - but to let it guide our thinking? To help us sit with better questions. In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with entrepreneur, impact investor, and author Florian Kemmerich to explore a different conversation about AI - one that is less about productivity and automation, and more about reflection, vocation, and understanding ourselves better. Florian believes one of the biggest opportunities of AI isn’t replacing human thinking. It’s helping us think more deeply. Through his work and his new venture, he is using AI to help people - particularly young people entering the world of work, but also people in midlife asking “what’s next?” - discover their vocation: the place where personal calling, strengths, and profession come together to create meaningful contribution. Finding your vocation isn’t about being handed answers. It’s about becoming more conscious of your motivations, and unique contribution - so you can build a working life that is not only more fulfilling, but also more relevant in a rapidly changing world. This conversation explores purpose, education, identity, experimentation, and how we can use technology to become more intentional - not less. We covered: Why the future may require more self-awareness, not just more knowledge The difference between a career, a job, and a vocation How AI can support reflection instead of replacing thinking Why experimentation matters when exploring your next chapter How education and work may evolve in a rapidly changing world Practical Takeaways: Use AI to ask yourself better questions, not to get quick answers Treat your career as an experiment rather than a fixed path Pay attention to what gives you energy and meaning Build self-awareness before seeking external validation Focus on contribution and curiosity, not only credentials This episode is for leaders, parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone at a crossroads - especially if you’re wondering what comes next and want to stay intentional in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms. AI can help us process more information and recognize patterns faster. The deeper work of discovering your why still belongs to us. Explore More: 🔗 Learn more about Florian and his work: On Vocation 🚀 Explore Florian’s AI-powered vocation platform: Vocating AI 🎓 Join the vocation challenge: Vocating Challenge Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    53 min
  3. E39 - PIBYR: Turn Down the Volume: The Leadership Skill Nobody Taught You

    May 11

    E39 - PIBYR: Turn Down the Volume: The Leadership Skill Nobody Taught You

    Many high performers are so used to functioning under pressure that they no longer realize how much stress they’re carrying - until their body forces them to pay attention. In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with Dr. Lizette Warner - executive coach, keynote speaker, healthcare executive, and former Chief Science Officer - to explore the hidden cost of chronic stress in high performers. After being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, Lizette began examining not just the stress she felt in the moment - but the long-term, chronic stress running in the background of her life. That discovery became an obsession: why are smart, capable leaders so good at adapting to pressure… that they stop noticing the damage it causes? This conversation dives into nervous systems, emotional awareness, chronic stress, and what Lizette calls “turning down the volume” — not to do less, but to increase capacity, clarity, and sustainable performance. Because over-adaptation may look productive from the outside. Until the body starts setting boundaries for you. We covered: Why high performers often normalize unhealthy levels of stress How chronic stress quietly impacts focus, memory, emotions, and leadership The difference between hustle and true capacity Why regulated leaders create calmer, stronger teams How “closing loops” reduces cognitive load and nervous system overwhelm Practical Takeaways: Audit your energy levels throughout the day - notice what drains or fuels you Build small “volume-down” rituals like walking, pausing, or resetting between meetings Close loops intentionally: clear tasks, notes, and mental tabs before moving on Stop confusing constant activation with high performance Prioritize capacity, not just productivity - sustainable energy changes everything This episode is for high achievers, people pleasers, and leaders who are used to coping brilliantly - but are starting to wonder about the long-term cost of always pushing through. Because leadership is about learning how to regulate, recover, and lead without losing yourself in the process. Explore More: 🔗 Follow Dr. Lizette Warner on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizettewarner/ 🧠 Subscribe to Lizette’s LinkedIn newsletter: Your Growth Down to a Science 🎤 Interested in Lizette’s “Turn Down the Volume” workshop or keynote work? Connect with her directly on LinkedIn. Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    51 min
  4. E38 - PIBYR: The Best Leaders Don’t Pretend to Know. They Get Curious.

    Apr 27

    E38 - PIBYR: The Best Leaders Don’t Pretend to Know. They Get Curious.

    What if leadership isn’t about having the right answers - but asking better questions? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with entrepreneur, speaker and curiosity champion Tyler Chisholm to explore why curiosity may be one of the most underrated leadership skills of our time. Tyler argues that the best leaders don’t perform certainty. They practice curiosity. And in a world shaped by uncertainty, rapid change, AI, and career reinvention, that may be a serious competitive advantage. Together we explore how curiosity helps us challenge old conditioning, run courageous experiments, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively - including a powerful idea Tyler shares: “The meaning of my communication is the result I get.” In other words: communication isn’t what you intended. It’s what landed. That insight opens up a radically more curious way of leading, listening, and speaking up. This conversation is playful, practical, and surprisingly deep - moving from leadership behaviours and team dynamics into mindset, identity, and what it means to experiment your way into the next chapter, rather than trying to have it all figured out. We covered: Tyler’s three levels of curiosity: self, relational, and strategic Why the best leaders ask better questions instead of pretending to know How curiosity creates courage, psychological safety, and better communication Why experimentation often beats certainty in times of change How curiosity can turn career crossroads into possibility Practical Takeaways: Run small curiosity experiments - ask more questions before chasing bigger answers Notice which “version of you” shows up - and choose consciously Use curiosity, not judgment, in tough conversations (“Tell me more…” is powerful) Create more space for ideas in teams - without attachment to who said what Treat your next chapter less like a decision to get right - and more like a series of experiments to explore This episode is for leaders, high achievers, and anyone at Basecamp wondering what comes next - and sensing the answer may not lie in pushing harder, but in getting more curious. Because courage doesn’t always begin with a leap. Sometimes it begins with a question. Explore More: 🔗 Connect with Tyler and explore his work: https://www.tylerchisholm.com/ Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    47 min
  5. E37 - PIBYR: Your Problem Isn’t Your Pitch. It’s Your Clarity.

    Apr 13

    E37 - PIBYR: Your Problem Isn’t Your Pitch. It’s Your Clarity.

    What if your problem isn’t your pitch - but your clarity? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with speaker, coach, and former teacher Danny Brassell, who has built a highly successful speaking and coaching business after multiple career pivots - and one major life setback that changed everything. From losing everything financially to rebuilding through speaking, Danny shares a simple but powerful shift: communication isn’t about impressing people - it’s about serving them. Because before you say anything, you need to know: Who do you help? And what problem do you solve? This is where many people get stuck. Instead of getting clear, they try to say more - listing experiences, achievements, and credentials - hoping something will land. But without clarity, it doesn’t. This conversation is practical, energising, and directly relevant for anyone navigating a career transition, preparing for interviews, or figuring out how to communicate their value in a way that actually connects. We covered: Why most people struggle with messaging - and why it’s not their pitch The “5 C’s” of a powerful message: clarity, connection, content, call to action, and close How to build trust quickly using RAP: relatable, authority, purpose Why sharing failures connects more than listing achievements How everyday stories create stronger impact than “impressive” ones Practical Takeaways: Get clear before you communicate - clarity beats cleverness Stop selling yourself - focus on helping the other person Build a “story bank” from your everyday experiences Prioritise connection - people need to see themselves in you Practice deliberately - confidence comes from repetition This episode is for anyone at Basecamp - successful, experienced, and now asking: How do I position myself for what’s next? Because the goal isn’t to say more. It’s to say what matters - clearly. Explore More: 🎁 Free Well-Crafted Story Guide (Danny’s framework to build powerful stories): https://freestoryguide.com Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    43 min
  6. E36 - PIBYR: From High Achievement to Real Fulfillment: Why Rest, Boundaries & Mindset Matter

    Mar 29

    E36 - PIBYR: From High Achievement to Real Fulfillment: Why Rest, Boundaries & Mindset Matter

    What if the reason you feel stuck or exhausted isn’t a lack of ambition — but a lack of alignment, recovery, and conscious thinking? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with Dorota Kosiorek — AI startup leader, certified brain coach, and creator of Strategic Off-Season — to explore how high achievers can move beyond constant doing into more intentional, fulfilling ways of working and living. Dorota operates in two worlds: leading high-performance teams in tech, while coaching ambitious professionals to rethink success, mindset, and energy. Her approach blends neuroscience, elite sports psychology, and real-world leadership — with a strong focus on something most high performers overlook: strategic rest. This conversation dives into why so many successful people keep chasing “more” — and how to break that loop without losing your edge. We covered: Why high achievers lose sight of their “why” — and keep chasing more The hidden loop of performance, recognition, and burnout How subconscious patterns, self-talk, and confidence shape decisions Why boundaries are hard — and essential for sustainable success How to use AI intentionally without outsourcing your thinking Practical Takeaways: Reconnect with your “why” — you may already have what you’re chasing Build awareness of patterns — change starts with noticing Set boundaries early — protect your time, energy, and focus Focus on discipline over motivation — consistency beats intensity Prioritise recovery and small mindset shifts (e.g. “I get to”, “yet”) This episode is for high achievers, leaders, and ambitious professionals who are successful on paper — but want more clarity, energy, and fulfillment in how they work and live. Because real performance isn’t about doing more. It’s about thinking better, choosing consciously, and knowing when to pause. Explore More: 🔗 Follow Dorota Kosiorek on LinkedIn: https://dorotakosiorek.com/contact/#book-a-consultation 🧠 Take Dorota’s free self-assessment for high achievers (reflection across key areas): https://elite-mind-assessment-dk.lovable.app/  ✍️ Read Strategic Off-Season on Substack: https://substack.com/@thestrategicoffseason Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    50 min
  7. E35 - PIBYR: When Your Body Says No: A Leadership Wake-Up Call

    Mar 16

    E35 - PIBYR: When Your Body Says No: A Leadership Wake-Up Call

    Many leaders spend years climbing the mountain of success. They work hard, take on responsibility, and build careers that look impressive from the outside. But at some point, the pace becomes unsustainable. Energy drops, pressure builds, and something inside begins to question whether the current path still makes sense. In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, Meggi speaks with Rachael Edmondson-Clarke, founder of ellevar, about the moment many high-performing leaders quietly reach - the moment when the body finally says “no.” After years climbing the corporate ladder, Rachael experienced a sudden collapse that forced her to stop and reconsider how she was living and leading. What followed was not a dramatic career leap, but a deeper process of reflection, recalibration, and redefining what sustainable leadership really means. Together they explore why so many experienced leaders ignore the warning signs for too long - and why the moment that feels like a breakdown can actually become the start of a more conscious next chapter. We Covered The moment Rachael’s body forced a pause after years of pushing through pressure and responsibility Why many high-performing leaders ignore early warning signs of burnout How external success can quietly disconnect us from our own needs and signals Why sustainable leadership starts with learning to lead ourselves first How moments of breakdown can become turning points for a more conscious way of working and leading Practical Takeaways Pay attention to early signals from your body and energy before they become crises Build pauses and reflection into your leadership practice Redefine success in a way that supports both impact and wellbeing This episode is for leaders and high performers who have climbed far in their careers — and are beginning to question whether the pace, pressure, or expectations are still sustainable. Because sometimes the moment that feels like a breakdown… is actually the beginning of a different way of leading. Explore More 🔗 Connect with Rachael Edmondson-Clarke on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-edmondson-clarke/ Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    48 min
  8. E34 - PIBYR: From Burnout to Purpose: A New Model of Conscious Leadership

    Mar 2

    E34 - PIBYR: From Burnout to Purpose: A New Model of Conscious Leadership

    What if the real leadership crisis isn’t strategy - but consciousness? In this episode of Play It By Your Rules, I sit down with executive coach and adventurer Martin Palethorpe to explore what happens when high achievement stops feeling meaningful. At just 27, Martin hit what he calls an early midlife crisis. He was outperforming his peers, climbing fast in the tech world, earning well - and quietly feeling empty. Instead of pushing harder, he paused. What followed was a five-year reinvention that led him from corporate executive to conscious leadership coach, guiding leaders for the past 25 years. This is a deep conversation that moves between boardrooms and inner worlds. We talk about conditioning, intuition, stress, ego, and even spirituality - alongside very real leadership pressures, performance demands, and health challenges. While these themes are often kept separate, this episode shows they belong together. Conscious leadership isn’t about choosing between results and reflection. It’s about integrating both. Because leading well externally requires clarity internally. We covered: Why success can feel hollow - even when everything looks right on paper The difference between climbing the mountain because you want to - or because you think you should How hidden beliefs about achievement, money, and hard work shape our decisions Why midlife often becomes the moment of truth The role of retreats and intentional disconnection in breaking the hamster wheel Intuition vs. mental noise - and how to tune into deeper wisdom Why passion is not indulgent, but intelligent Conscious leadership and the ripple effect it creates in organizations Health, stress, and why addressing root causes matters Spirituality beyond religion - and why inner work is pragmatic, not “woo” Practical Takeaways: Audit your “why” before chasing the next promotion Notice what consistently lights you up - energy is data Shift how you show up before you change what you do Build regular reflection into your leadership practice Address root causes - in stress, health, and performance This episode is for leaders and high achievers who feel successful - but not fully alive - and sense there must be a deeper, more conscious way to lead without abandoning ambition. Because conscious leadership isn’t softer. It’s braver. Explore More: 🧭 Curious about your current leadership consciousness? Take Martin’s free Quality of Mind Indicator and reflect on where mental noise may be limiting clarity, energy, and impact. 🔗 Follow Martin Palethorpe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinpalethorpe/ Your life. Your rules. For more freedom, flow, and fun.

    48 min
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About

Play It by Your Rules (formerly Leadership Insights) This podcast is a call to mindful rebellion - an invitation to live and lead with more freedom, flow, and fun, especially at midlife. I sit down with leaders, experts, adventurers, and changemakers who’ve dared to break the script and rewrite the rules - not for the sake of rebellion alone, but to realign with what truly matters. These raw, real conversations explore bold career moves, life pivots, and the inner work of letting go of “shoulds.” You’ll hear stories of courage, clarity, and conscious risk-taking - plus practical tools to help you think braver, lead wiser, and live bolder. Whether you’re at a crossroads or simply ready to play bigger on your own terms, this space is for you. ✨ Hosted by Mechthild (Meggi) Rombach — Freedom Catalyst for Midlife Leaders | Coach | Speaker | Workshop Creator 🌐 Learn more: mindset-mastery.ch

Information

  • Creator
    Meggi Rombach
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Play It By Your Rules