How do you turn a corporate career—and a life-shaking loss—into purpose and impact? In this episode, Mary K Dunn shares her remarkable path from sales executive to life coach and speaker.

With over 20 years in the corporate world, Mary thought she had it all figured out—until life called her in a new direction. Through coaching, public speaking, and a deeply personal story of grief and healing, she discovered the power of listening, presence, and purpose-driven work.

Whether you’re a founder, leader, or someone navigating change, Mary’s insights into communication, emotional resilience, and the “messy middle” will leave you reflecting on what truly matters.

🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The surprising truth about leadership and fulfillment
• Why asking others about your strengths is crucial
• The role of trial and error in building purpose
• How trauma and loss can shape legacy
• Practical habits for mental and physical wellbeing
• What it really means to lead with intention

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⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

01:15 - Corporate career beginnings

03:10 - Discovering life coaching

05:20 - Balancing family and career

07:00 - Redefining success

09:40 - Health habits and mental clarity

13:00 - Fun, friendship, and fitness

15:00 - Grief, trauma, and showing up

20:00 - Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

22:30 - Where to find Mary K Dunn

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

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What happens when you reach the top of your career… and realize it’s not what you want?
In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner talks with Rachel Platt, founder and CEO of Platinum HR Consulting, about walking away from a successful corporate career to build something more meaningful.

Rachel shares her journey from Chief People Officer to entrepreneur, the lessons she learned about leadership, and why defining company values early isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. She opens up about building a life rooted in purpose, family, and well-being, and the powerful mindset shifts that helped her find joy again in her work.

👉 If you’re a founder, executive, or people leader navigating culture and growth—this one’s for you.

🔑 What you’ll learn in this episode:
•How to pivot out of a high-level corporate role
•The truth about HR leadership in Fortune 500s
•Why values should guide early-stage hiring and growth
•How Rachel defines health and balance in her life
•The power of saying no to clients who don’t align

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
01:00 – Rachel’s background and clients
04:00 – Lessons from decades in corporate HR
06:30 – Leaving the CPO role
09:00 – What family and health mean to her
15:00 – Redefining balance and harmony
20:00 – Becoming an entrepreneur
23:00 – Advice for founders and how to connect

Learn more about Plattinum HR Consulting:

www.PLATTinumconsulting.com

Connect with Rachel:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/royvella/

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

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What happens when you walk away from the “dream job”? In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner talks with Sarah Walton—former Nike executive turned founder of Better Meant—about how burnout, parenting, and the pursuit of freedom reshaped her definition of success.

Sarah left corporate life without a plan and ended up building a thriving company that helps others find agency, happiness, and true work-life balance. Her story is a powerful reminder that fulfillment often starts with listening to what you really want.

🔍 What you’ll get from this episode:
•What led Sarah to leave Nike with no backup plan
•The surprising start of Better Meant and her first clients
•How to reconnect with your health—mentally and physically
•Why gritty founders win (and what most get wrong)
•Her advice for anyone stuck in a job that “should” be enough
•Tools for finding purpose and designing a life you love

🔔 Subscribe for more powerful conversations with founders

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Meet Sarah Walton
02:10 - Quitting Nike without a plan
04:20 - What family means now
06:50 - Health, values, and energy
08:30 - The surprising birth of Better Meant
13:45 - When it stopped being “just a project”
17:15 - What freedom looks like today
20:50 - Her #1 advice to aspiring founders
22:30 - How to connect with Sarah

Learn more about Better Meant:

https://www.bettermeant.co/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/bettermeant/

Instagram @bettermeant.co

Connect with Sarah:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahwaltoncoach/

LinkedIn

linkedin.com/in/leogestetner

Website

leogestetner.com/leo

Subscribe Now!

youtube.com/@afounderslife?sub_confirmation=1