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/

Buy the book: https://amzn.to/3WLo8cX This week I welcome back Alison Cork— lifestyle expert, author and former food critic transformed her life by losing five stone and reclaiming her health. Inspired by her journey, she wrote “Fit and Fabulous Over 50” to show you how to rewire your second act! If you want practical health tips or motivation to make the most of your second act (or even your first act), then this episode is for you. Alison joins me to talk about: - The key to breaking cravings - How to stop relying on treats for comfort - The one food you should stop eating immediately - Why meal planning is the secret source to success Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 04:12 - Starting Alison at Home and Rebranding 09:56 - Rethinking Diet and Exercise 18:44 - How to Break Your Cravings 21:57 - Why Do We Want Treats? 24:48 - How to Eat 1,000 Calories a Day 27:40 - Stop Eating This Immediately 29:45 - Meal Planning is Essential to a Healthy Diet 33:12 - We’re Out of Balance 40:34 - Writing Fit & Fabulous Over 50 46:28- Confidence Won’t Just Happen 47:13 - Drinking Less and Staying Strong 52:36 - The Struggles of Being a Working Mother 01:02:04 - Advice for Being Fabulous Over 50 Alison Cork: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisoncork_home/ X: https://x.com/AlisonCork?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Website: https://www.nwew.co.uk/ Website: https://alisonathome.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com
LEAVE A REVIEW:

If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

Meet Mary Ann Sieghart. She’s the former Assistant Editor of the Times, Ted speaker and author. She’s here to expose why women are not taken as seriously as men and show us how to close that gap for good. If you care about understanding and dismantling the biases that hold women back—and creating a more equal and fair world—this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:55 - The Authority Gap in a Nutshell06:19 - Why do we Still Underestimate Women's Intelligence?08:51 - How do we Address this Bias?15:11 - Nature vs. Nurture19:13 - Is Gender Equality Dangerous to Men?22:49 - Online Misogyny35:17 - Why Don’t Men Notice Their Biases?39:31 - How to Reduce Unconscious Bias42:20 - Closing the Authority Gap 54:44 - Why Do Women Have to be Warm?58:21 - What Trump’s Re-election Means for Women01:02:15 - Why Men Think They’re Oppressed01:06:35 - Why Care About Closing the Authority Gap?Mary Ann Sieghart is the author of the best-selling book The Authority Gap: Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men, and What We Can Do About it and a Founding Partner of The Authority Gap Consultancy. A former Assistant Editor and columnist at The Times for 20 years, she gained a wide following for her writing on politics, economics, feminism, and life. Mary Ann has presented numerous BBC Radio 4 programs, including Start the Week and Profile, and chaired The Brains Trust on BBC2. A Visiting Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, she also serves as Visiting Professor at King’s College London’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. She has chaired the Social Market Foundation, sits on several boards, and was Chair of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2022 judges.Buy the books:The Authority Gap: Mary Ann Sieghart - https://amzn.to/3DZEM1X Of Boys and Men: Richard E. Reeves - https://amzn.to/4gZXQMh Mary Ann Sieghart:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-sieghart-17a27891/?originalSubdomain=ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/masieghartwriter/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.maryannsieghart.com/Maria Hvorostovsky:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycareerwithmaria

IG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleaderTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvoX: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovskyPodcast filmed, edited and produced by:https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.comNeed help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com

LEAVE A REVIEW:

If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

BUY THE BOOKS:

The Crazy Busy Cure - https://amzn.to/3W7WuGB

Badly Behaved People - https://amzn.to/3DUSKlx

Happy New Year, my fellow leaders!

The holiday season can leave us feeling overwhelmed, and as we dive into 2025, let’s ditch the phrase, “I’ve been crazy busy,” for good.

I’m thrilled to bring you this conversation with Zena Everett—a leadership coach, dynamic speaker, and author of Mind Flip, The Crazy Busy Cure, and Badly Behaved People. Zena’s here to share her wisdom on reclaiming your time and navigating the challenges of dealing with badly behaved people in your life.

If you’re tired of endless to-do lists, struggle to set boundaries, or feel drained by workplace drama, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive.

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 05:08 - Get Rid of Pointless Meetings 10:10 - What Happens When You’re Too Busy for Too Long 18:15 - Crazy Busy vs. Good Busy 25:23 - Chase Antelopes, Not Field Mice 35:12 - Do You Ever Not Follow Your Own Advice? 35:53 - Time Blocking 42:23 - What is the New Book About? 45:24 - What Personalities are in the Book? 48:47 - Understanding the Person Behind the Work Face 55:23 - Are We Scared of Getting to Know People? 57:51 - Slowing Down is Important Zena Everett is a leadership coach, speaker, and author specialising in productivity and career success. Her career began as a recruitment entrepreneur, and after selling her business in 2007, she pursued a master’s degree in organisational psychology and career management, followed by advanced coaching qualifications, including studies at MIT Sloan School of Management. She has written two books: Mind Flip, focused on career management, and The Crazy Busy Cure, a guide to tackling modern productivity challenges, which was a bestseller and nominated for the Business Book Awards 2022. Her new book: Badly Behaved People, is about recognising challenging personality types and learning how to deal with them. Zena Everett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenaeverett/?originalSubdomain=uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenaeverett1/ Website: https://www.zenaeverett.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com

LEAVE A REVIEW:

If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

🎄✨ Merry Christmas, everyone! ✨🎄 Wishing you a holiday season filled with warmth, love, and joy. Whether you’re celebrating big or keeping it cosy, we hope your Christmas is full of special moments with the ones you love. This week, I sat down with my little elves - my kids! - to chat about all things festive. We talked about the house hierarchy, what they would do if they were in charge of Christmas, and whether they would let elves have a day off. So grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and join us for a cosy Christmas chat! Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT AND GIVE IT THE THUMBS UP

https://form.typeform.com/to/eDtmkFff: Join the waitlist for Anatomy of a Leader events. Gen Z isn’t the problem—it’s the way we manage them. We’ve heard it all: Gen Z is lazy, entitled, and lacks work ethic. But are they really the issue, or have we just not figured out how to lead them effectively? This week, I’m excited to welcome back Heather Elkington—leadership coach, TEDx speaker, and social media powerhouse—who is reshaping the way we manage the next generation of talent. After our first conversation, Heather and I knew we had only scratched the surface. In this episode, we dive into: 1. Why the term “manager” needs a rebrand (and how to lead without the “Karen” vibe) 2. The 5-step framework for emotional intelligence in leadership 3. How to handle tough conversations that spark real growth 4. Why Gen Z can spot inauthentic leadership from a mile away If you’re a leader struggling to connect with your team, an ambitious manager ready to level up, or a Gen Z professional seeking leadership that truly gets it, this conversation is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 05:28 - You’re Already a Leader 08:59 - Gender Disparity in the Workplace 20:51 - Gen Z and the Future of Work 27:09 - What Will Get Your Team Engaged Again? 31:58 - Managing Employees’ Expectations 35:34 - Helping Your Employee Grow 44:44 - Giving Your Team Independence 52:59 - Tips for Having Difficult Conversations 01:02:25 - Gossip and Emotional Intelligence 01:08:16 - Aligning Your Team with Core Values Heather is the founder of Fresh Leadership World, a company which educates managers on creating empowered, high-performing teams where every individual feels valued and capable. She’s spent the last 10 years leading fast-growing and effective SaaS companies like GoProposal and Sage, where she was Director of Operations. Heather Elkington: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/heather-elkington Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipheather/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leadershipheather Website: https://www.freshleadershipworld.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com
LEAVE A REVIEW:

If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

https://form.typeform.com/to/eDtmkFff: Join the waitlist for Anatomy of a Leader events. Meet Aigul Ahmetshina. She’s a Kazan-born opera star and the youngest mezzo-soprano to perform Carmen at the Royal Opera House. Aigul is here to show you that no dream is too big. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:01 - How it All Started 18:06 - Building a Technique and Finding Her Voice 19:12 - Facing Doubts and Feeling Guilty 24:03 - What Kept You Pursuing Opera? 27:57 - Opera Lets You Express Your Feelings 31:12 - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone 33:42 - Nearly Changing Professions 36:13 - Getting Into a Car Accident 38:56 - Auditioning for the Young Artist Program 44:17 - Finding the Right Manager 51:06 - The Benefits of Therapy 54:17 - Give Yourself Time to Feel Sorry for Yourself 57:13 - Performing is Personal 59:04 - Post-Performance Rituals 01:00:38 - Learning to Find Balance 01:05:52 - Creating a Better World Through Art 01:09:15 - Why Carmen is So Popular 01:16:00 - Resolving Conflict 01:20:34 - Misconceptions About Opera Singers 01:21:23 - Treat People Like Human Beings 01:30:47 - What’s Next? 01:33:38 - Advice for Aspiring Opera Singers If you have a seemingly impossible dream you’re hesitant to pursue, or are simply an opera enthusiast and want to hear Aigul’s story, then this episode is for you! Aigul Akhmetshina: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aigul_akhmetshina_mezzo/?hl=en X: https://x.com/ak_mezzo?lang=en Website: https://aigulakhmetshina.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com
LEAVE A REVIEW:

If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.