The Quinntesssential Questions Podcast with Paul Quinn

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Aditi Nair, Head of HR, Barclays Asia-Pacific. From growing up across 9 schools as an Indian Army daughter to leading HR for one of the world's most prestigious banks, Aditi shares her unconventional journey and reveals the uncomfortable truth: hard work alone won't get you promoted.She discusses why she got the role before she was ready, the SODES Model for strategic networking, and why 60-70% of HR professionals are women but most HR heads are men. Aditi opens up about the visibility trap women face in business, the power of advocacy over merit, and the structured approach to building influence that took her from compensation specialist to regional HR leader.Whether you're navigating corporate politics, building your professional network, or trying to break through the glass ceiling, this conversation offers battle-tested wisdom on career advancement, strategic relationships, and what it really takes to succeed in Asia-Pacific's competitive business landscape.WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bADITI NAIRLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aditi-mahadevan-nair-a7762a4/LISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulquinnofficial/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulquinnofficial/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_careers/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Introduction: The Truth About Getting Promoted(1:53) Meet Aditi Nair: Head of HR, Barclays Asia-Pacific(3:39) Growing Up in the Indian Army: 9 Schools, Adaptability & Resilience(7:13) Choosing Accounting Over Engineering: Going Against the Grain in India(9:56) The MBA That Found Her a Career and a Husband(12:44) Who You Marry Is Your Most Important Career Decision(13:05) First Job: Joining an Indian Telecom Giant(13:42) Joining Citibank: 17.5 Years at the Best Training Ground in Banking(15:37) What Citi Really Taught Her: Risk, People & Accountability(17:28) First Role at Citi: HR Business Partner for Consumer & Wealth(19:13) Engagement & Retention: It's Not Just About Keeping People Happy(19:59) Stay Interviews: Why Exit Interviews Are Already Too Late(21:48) Sponsorship vs Mentorship: The Critical Difference Nobody Talks About(28:05) Moving to Singapore: Leading 50+ Nationalities(30:39) Heading Global Markets HR: She Got the Role Before She Was Ready(31:54) Build Visibility & Influence First: The Pay Rise Will Follow(32:20) The SODES Model: A Structured Approach to Building Your Networks(33:00) The Five Networks: Strategic, Operational, Developmental, External & Social(46:51) The Three E's: 70% Experience, 20% Exposure, 10% Education(48:53) How to Network Internally Without Breaking Rank and File(51:21) Women in HR: Why 60-70% Are Women But Most Heads Are Men(53:19) The Visibility Trap: Being Too Loud vs Being Invisible(1:06:16) What Separates Good From Great HR: Moral Courage & GritDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#HR #Leadership #CareerDevelopment #WomenInBusiness #Networking #Sponsorship #Barclays #Citibank #AsiaPacific #PaulQuinn #QuinntessentialQuestions

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Tim Alden, Founder of SingCoast Yachts and 35-year veteran of the Asian luxury yacht industry. From learning the trade in Hong Kong to surviving the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis that destroyed his business overnight, Tim shares his transformation journey from a letter at boarding school age 9 to building a yacht empire across Southeast Asia.He discusses resilience through market crashes, dealing with ultra-high-net-worth clients, navigating dangerous waters in Malaysia, and why UHNI are often easier to work with than middle managers. Tim also opens up about his experience as a Ferretti dealer, the Monaco boat show circuit, and the realities of maritime operations across Asia.Whether you're in luxury sales, navigating a business crisis, or building relationships with high-net-worth clients, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on resilience, sales psychology, and building authority in competitive markets. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a yacht industry veteran."WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bTIM ALDENLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyalden/Website: https://www.singcoastyachtcharters.com/LISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulquinnofficial/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Introduction(2:01) Meet Tim Alden - 35 years in Singapore(3:01) British Army childhood - Germany to Hong Kong(4:01) The boarding school letter that started everything(5:49) Choosing Hong Kong over boarding school(7:21) Hong Kong - The best boating destination(9:26) Early apprenticeship and learning the trade(11:34) Red Sea delivery adventure(15:44) Breaking down in the Suez Canal(20:26) Navigating the Red Sea crisis(23:43) Pirates and dangers at sea(26:26) Land sales in North America - Texas and Arizona(29:31) 1997 Asian Financial Crisis - Everything collapses(33:00) Rebuilding after the crash(36:40) Fort Lauderdale boat show and recovery(40:27) Death of Tim's father and family reflections(46:23) Paul's father's unfulfilled American dream(52:51) Dealing with ultra-wealthy clients(54:50) Why UHNI are easier than middle management(56:58) Yacht ownership costs - Why chartering makes sense(59:28) COVID charter experience(1:02:14) Philippines rescue decision at sea(1:05:47) The importance of doing the right thing(1:07:11) SingCoast Yachts - The future vision(1:08:08) White glove concierge service model(1:09:02) World-class service standards(1:11:03) Montblanc pens and celebrating wins(1:13:21) The Omega Speedmaster - 25 years of memories(1:15:53) Closing thoughtsDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#LuxuryYachts #Entrepreneurship #AsianFinancialCrisis #Singapore #HighNetWorth #BusinessResilience #YachtIndustry #LuxurySales #Monaco #SoutheastAsia

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Kanukai Jackson, Commonwealth Gold Medalist & Former Cirque du Soleil Head Coach. From winning 2 Commonwealth golds to spending 15 years touring the world with Cirque du Soleil, Kanukai shares his transformation journey and the philosophy that knockdowns aren't negatives—they're opportunities.He discusses resilience, elite performance, career transformation, and why winning gold felt like relief instead of joy. Kanukai also opens up about competing through 22 surgeries, learning to act and show emotion on stage, and developing his own performance act that he sold to Cirque du Soleil.Whether you're navigating career transitions, building resilience, or pursuing elite performance, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on mental toughness, strategic pivots, and long-term success. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a Commonwealth Champion."WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bKANUKAI JACKSONLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanukai-jackson-6b73ab2/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gymjacko/LISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulquinnofficial/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction(02:01) Kanukai's Career Overview - From Gymnastics to Cirque du Soleil(04:22) Making the National Team at Age 12(06:36) Coach Said He'd Never Amount to Anything(07:14) 22 Surgeries - Dealing with Constant Injuries(08:14) "Knockdowns Aren't Negative - They're Opportunities"(24:00) Sydney Olympics Rejection - Nearly Retired, Then Came Back(26:47) 2002 Commonwealth Games - Winning Gold Felt Like Relief(28:46) Competing Through European Championships with Broken Shoulder(35:57) Joining Cirque du Soleil - 15 Years as Performer & Head Coach(48:45) Learning to Act and Show Emotion on Stage(50:24) 7 Years Touring Across US, Canada, South America & Japan(1:10:47) 85 Consecutive Chin-Ups During Competitive CrossFit(1:16:00) Developing & Selling His Own Straps Act to Cirque(1:28:27) The Politics of Youth Sports & Developing Young AthletesDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#Gymnastics #CirqueDuSoleil #CommonwealthGames #Resilience #ElitePerformance #MentalToughness #CareerTransition #HighPerformance #PaulQuinn #QuinntessentialQuestions

From Ugandan refugee to London lawyer to Singapore's legal recruitment elite — Ashish's journey is anything but ordinary.In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast with Paul Quinn, we sit down with Ashish, a 27-year veteran of Singapore's legal recruitment scene who built his career entirely by accident.From arriving in Singapore in the pouring rain in 1999 with no job, to becoming the only man in an office full of "female killers," to surviving 9/11 layoffs and building his own business — Ashish shares the unfiltered truth about resilience, relationships, and what it really takes to succeed in recruitment.What You'll Learn:▶️ How he fell into recruitment at age 17 (his mum came upstairs crying)▶️ Why he qualified as a lawyer but never practiced a single day▶️ The "gusto" moment that changed his Singapore career forever▶️ Building personal brand over company loyalty in recruitment▶️ How the cricket club became central to his life and network▶️ What Dead Poets Society taught him about "Carpe Diem"▶️ The truth about ethical recruitment and long-term placements▶️ Why 46% of his placements come from referrals▶️ How to survive and thrive through major setbacks (9/11, recessions)▶️ Balancing family life with three daughters and being an empty nesterThis conversation is a masterclass in resilience, relationship-building, and the long game of career success from someone who has lived through Uganda's expulsion, London's legal trenches, and Singapore's transformation.ASHISHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-raivadera-0546a21/Company: https://www.mlaglobal.com/enLISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulquinnofficial/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction1:48 27 Years in Singapore: The Accidental Journey3:16 Arriving in Singapore: "What Have We Done?"5:26 The Cricket Club That Changed Everything8:44 Growing Up Ugandan Asian in Leicester10:44 From Medicine to Economics: The Pivot14:44 York University and Finding His Path16:39 The Robert Walters Summer That Planted Seeds23:13 Nottingham Forest, Brian Clough & Sports Obsession26:15 The Decision to Come to Singapore31:04 Building Community Through Cricket41:35 9/11: Losing Everything and Bouncing Back51:50 Starting His Own Business at 361:03:25 The Art of Executive Search1:05:11 If He Could Start Again: Advice to His Younger Self1:07:35 Dinner with Steve Jobs, Bill Gates & Nelson Mandela1:08:54 Sales Training: What Really Works1:22:24 The Service That Sets Him Apart1:24:22 Dead Poets Society: Carpe Diem Changed Everything1:25:58 How He Recharges: Cricket, Family & Community1:26:58 Top Footballers & Cricket Players1:28:31 Gary Lineker: The Complete Package1:29:22 Productivity Hacks (Or Lack Thereof)Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#LegalRecruitment #ExecutiveSearch #Singapore #UgandanAsian #CareerAdvice #Resilience #9/11Story #Recruitment #LegalIndustry #CareerPodcast #PaulQuinn #QuinntessentialQuestions #RefugeeStory #EntrepreneurJourney #BusinessSuccess

From watching his grandfather battle dementia for 17 years to becoming one of the world's youngest professional adventurers, Louis Alexander's journey is nothing short of extraordinary.At just 26 years old, Louis is a three-time Guinness World Record holder—recognised as the first and only person in history to complete both marathons on all Seven Continents AND marathon swims in all Seven Seas in 633 consecutive days. But his story begins with heartbreak, a living room conversation with his mum, and a mountain he failed to climb.In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast with Paul Quinn, we sit down with Louis Alexander to uncover the truth behind the headlines. From running 17 marathons in 17 consecutive days through the worst UK storm in 30 years, to swimming in 31°C water with severe dehydration, to stopping mid-marathon to watch a brown bear emerge from hibernation in Alaska—Louis shares the brutal reality of chasing impossible dreams.You'll discover:▶️ How his grandfather Captain Rick's unfulfilled dream of climbing Kilimanjaro sparked a 633-day world record journey▶️ Why he ran 17 marathons in 17 consecutive days (and the devastating reason behind that number)▶️ What it's like to face the worst storm in 30 years on day 2 of your career-defining challenge▶️ The truth about cold-water swimming without a wetsuit in the San Francisco Bay (Alcatraz)▶️ How he went from sending thousands of rejected cold emails to speaking at Eton College and 10 Downing Street▶️ His mission to raise £1 million for dementia research and achieve 10 world records by age 30▶️ Why stopping to appreciate a bear matters more than beating your personal record💡 Louis doesn't just chase records. He chases meaning. And that changes everything.🎧 WATCH THE OUR OTHER EPISODEs:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785LOUIS ALEXANDERInstagram https://www.instagram.com/louisalexanderexplorer/?hl=enEmail: louis@louisalexander.orgWebsite: https://www.louisalexander.org/FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paulquinnofficialFOLLOW THE QUINNTESSENTIAL QUESTIONS Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/TIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:20 - Growing Up in London: 5 Schools, 15 Houses00:03:55 - Captain Rick: 17-Year Dementia Battle00:06:17 - Kilimanjaro at 19: The Mountain That Humbled Him00:11:19 - From Temporary Mortuary Worker to Professional Adventurer00:13:32 - 17 Marathons in 17 Days: Honoring His Grandfather00:15:11 - Day 2: Worst Storm in 30 Years Hits00:17:33 - Patrons: Lennox Lewis and Adventure Legends00:29:43 - Swimming the Seven Seas: 10km Across All Seven00:33:09 - Alcatraz with No Wetsuit: Everyone Thought I Was Crazy00:35:47 - Alaska: Stopping to Watch a Brown Bear00:49:41 - Australia: 8 Marathons in 8 Cities in Under 7 Days01:00:13 - 10 Downing Street: Changing Government Policy01:02:30 - "My Goal: Become One of the Greatest Modern Day Adventurers"01:04:07 - The Mission: £1M for Dementia ResearchDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Matthew Pellino, Boxing/MMA Coach, Entrepreneur, and Owner of Foxgloves Fight Gym in Singapore. From moving to Malaysia at 19 and taking over coaching within a month, to coaching Sean Strickland at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, to cornering Eric Kelly's knockout of UFC Hall of Famer Jens Pulver in Manila, Matt shares his transformation journey and philosophy on building champions.He discusses measuring coaching success by performance bonuses not records, working with extremely high-level athletes, and why Singapore has zero prize fighters. Matt also opens up about his biggest regret—stopping fighting too early—and shares powerful lessons about youth mentorship, refusing to hire amateur coaches, and building the "Home of Heavy Hands" with his wife River. Whether you're an aspiring coach, combat sports athlete, or entrepreneur building something from scratch, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on results-driven coaching, authentic community building, and why you don't want to work for no one at 29. WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bMATTHEW PELLINOInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/newjabcity/?hl=enFoxgloves Fight Gym: https://foxglovesfightgym.com/LISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulquinnofficial/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction & Hook: $750K in bonuses(01:40) Matt's Christmas training & loud coaching voice(02:21) Dad was an American football coach - origins of loud coaching(03:03) Who is Matt Pellino: Entrepreneur, MMA coach, 15 years coaching(03:25) Growing up in Florida: Most competitive football state(08:43) Moving to Malaysia at 19 years old alone(09:07) Taking over gym coaching within one month with Luke Russo(09:47) Knocking out UFC Hall of Famer Jens Pulver in Manila(51:48) Vegas success: $750K in UFC performance bonuses explained(53:34) How Foxgloves came about: Wife's idea & "sag" philosophy(55:22) The poisonous plant story behind Foxgloves name(56:42) "Home of Heavy Hands" - building gym culture(1:13:42) Why Singapore has zero prize fighters(1:15:09) Refusing to hire amateur coaches - protecting quality(1:17:02) Boxing ring in pool 24 floors up: March 28th at Dashi Sky PoolDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#SeanStrickland #UFC #Boxing #MMA #ONEChampionship #JensPulver #EricKelly #JoanneCalderwood #FoxglovesBoxingGym #Singapore #CombatSports #MartialArts #Coaching #Entrepreneurship #PaulQuinn #QuinntessentialQuestions

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Kevin Iole, legendary combat sports journalist and 2025 International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee. From being the first person in his family to go to college in Pittsburgh to covering the greatest fights in boxing and MMA history for 46 years, Kevin shares his extraordinary journey through the world of combat sports.He discusses meeting Muhammad Ali ("like I saw God"), sitting ringside when Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield's ear, why Mayweather-Pacquiao was "our Ali-Frazier" moment for modern journalists, and the heartbreak of covering seven fighters who died in the ring. Kevin also opens up about hanging up on Mike Tyson (thinking it was a prank call), surviving a plane crash with Bob Arum en route to covering De La Hoya vs Vargas, being confronted by Steve Jobs at an Apple Store, and finding Diego Corrales dead two years to the day after his greatest triumph.Whether you're a combat sports fan, aspiring journalist, or anyone pursuing a non-traditional career path, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on storytelling, resilience, and witnessing history firsthand. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a Boxing Hall of Fame Journalist".WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bKEVIN IOLE LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-iole-526b75200/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keviniole/?hl=en Website: keviniole.comLISTEN ON YOUTUBE, APPLE & SPOTIFYYouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestionsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqFOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulquinnofficial/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction(08:46) Meeting Muhammad Ali: "Like I Saw God"(18:14) Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Call(24:20) Diego Corrales vs Castillo & Finding Him Dead(50:58) Tyson-Holyfield Ear Bite & Greatest Fights(53:19) Mayweather-Pacquiao: "Our Ali-Frazier Moment"(58:01) Hanging Up on Mike Tyson (Thought It Was Fake)(01:06:21) Surviving Plane Crash with Bob Arum(01:17:41) Steve Jobs Confrontation at Apple Store(01:23:41) Jim Murray & Kevin's Boxing MemorabiliaDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Danial Lee Rocka, Naval Diver veteran turned rapper, actor, and life coach. From training combat divers in Singapore's elite forces for 10 years to serving 7 months in detention barracks for marijuana possession, Danial shares his transformation journey and the turning point that changed everything.He discusses reading 70 self-help books in prison that nobody else touched, why he chose to record music instead of becoming a security guard the day he was released, and his mission to provide free creative education to troubled youth. Danial also opens up about working with the son of a chief of police struggling with drugs, discovering that troubled youth come from wealth AND poverty, and why attention matters more than money.Whether you're navigating a career transition, seeking redemption after mistakes, or working with at-risk youth, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on resilience, personal branding, and refusing to let your past define your future.WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bDANIAL LEE ROCKAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/leerocka/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leerocka/?originalSubdomain=sgWebsite: https://leerocka.com/LISTEN ON YOUTUBE, APPLE & SPOTIFYYouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestionsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqFOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/KEY MOMENTS:(00:00) Cold Open - Naval Diver to Purpose(01:52) Introduction - Final Podcast of the Year(03:16) Three Names: Wayne Lee, Danial, Lee Rocca(07:36) 10 Years as Naval Diver(08:15) 7 Months in Detention - The Turning Point(13:00) DMX Influence(20:57) Live Rap Performance(33:10) Reading 70 Books in Prison(42:44) First Day Out - Recording First Song(44:01) F.I.S.H. Framework for Life Coaching(53:13) Muhammad - Dedication to Deceased Friend(58:02) Biggest Acting Role - Prison Documentary(01:22:25) Troubled Youth from Different Backgrounds(01:23:38) Chief of Police's Son Story(01:27:36) Nonprofit - Free Creative Education(01:29:00) A Rising Tide Raises All ShipsDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Vincent Ming, CEO of a global multifamily office in Singapore. From working in Taiwan's Defense Department at 23 to leading a firm serving billionaire families, Vincent shares his unconventional journey through IT, academia, and private banking.Vincent discusses his unique path of working for over 10 years before pursuing his PhD, spending 20 years in private banking, and why he believes AI will fundamentally change the wealth management industry. He opens up about taking three years to feel comfortable in front office roles, the conflict of interest in traditional banking, and why the future belongs to "family bankers" rather than product pushers.Whether you're navigating a career transition, considering further education mid-career, or working in financial services, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on preparation, leadership, and building genuine client value in an AI-driven world. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a CEO."WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bVINCENT MING LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vincent-ming-68008252/LISTEN ON YOUTUBE & APPLEYouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestionsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction(02:18) Who is Vincent Ming - Entrepreneur, Banker, Professor(03:04) Growing Up in Taiwan(03:32) Family of PhDs - Vincent Was First(04:21) First Job: Taiwan Defense Department(05:26) Sent to Dallas, Texas at Age 23(06:20) Taiwan's First Aircraft Design Project(08:42) Self-Funding 5-Year PhD While Working(10:36) Theory Meets Practice Philosophy(11:44) KPMG Consulting & Entrepreneurship(12:21) Software Startup - Early Chinese NLP(13:03) Intel Investment & NASDAQ Prep(13:50) Year 2000 Dot-Com Crash(15:08) Business Risk Manager - Second Person Globally(15:33) Covering 170+ People Across Asia(18:09) "I'm Too Entrepreneur"(18:49) Introvert vs Extrovert in Banking(20:56) Taiwan Desk - Big Challenge(23:50) CEO Aspirations - Preparation Over Goals(25:10) Building Teams & Platform Skills(27:27) What Makes a Good Private Banker(29:03) Hiring for Determination Over Credentials(31:38) Private Banking Reality - 20-30 Clients for Life(35:43) Why I Left Banking(37:17) Global Multifamily Office - Serving Billionaires(38:35) No Products to Push(39:43) Opening Up Asian Market(41:39) Asia vs West Wealth Management(42:44) Generational Wealth Transfer Challenges(46:11) AI Will Take 50% of Banking Jobs(51:34) Asian Wealth Management Differences(59:56) Determination & Values in Hiring(01:01:23) Most Underrated Leadership Skill - Trust(01:06:12) Blockchain & Tokenized Assets(01:07:15) CEO KPI - Bouncing Back from Challenges(01:08:14) Leadership: Trust and Inspire(01:09:14) Sustainable Change Comes from Inside(01:13:26) AI is Already Here(01:14:46) Guest Lecturing - AI, Blockchain, Fintech(01:15:52) Philosophy & Logic Thinking(01:16:48) Daily Practice - Reprioritizing ScenariosDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

ADHD, Dyslexia & the Power of Difference.From teaching at the same school she attended for 17 years, to leaving a classroom she "couldn't walk past for five years," to discovering that "you don't rise to the level of your goals—you fall to the level of your systems."In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Dr. Vicki Rogers, Educational Psychologist and Founder of Champion Coaching & Consulting. From struggling as a third culture kid to earning degrees from Colorado State, Durham University, and Stanford, Dr. Rogers shares her transformation journey and the profound realization that led her to pioneer executive functioning coaching.She discusses why executive functioning skills aren't sexy but deliver immediate results, how she "cheated her contract" by teaching skills schools don't cover, the truth about what makes smart kids scattered, why systems matter more than goals or motivation, and her direct coaching philosophy: "You gotta want it more than me."Whether you're a parent with a "smart and scattered" kid, an educator frustrated by curriculum constraints, or a professional struggling with task initiation and organization, this episode offers science-based strategies that work across the entire learning spectrum.DR. VICKI ROGERSLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vicki-rameker-rogers-195ba2106/?originalSubdomain=sgWebsite: https://www.ChampionMyLife.comLISTEN ON YOUTUBE, APPLE & SPOTIFYYouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestionsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqFOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction montage01:36 - Meet Dr. Vicki Rogers03:05 - Starting private practice before "coaching was a thing"03:32 - "I could switch lanes but couldn't intersect lanes"04:54 - What is executive functioning?08:42 - Third culture kid background11:03 - Building econometrics model on resilience15:35 - "Not the sharpest tack in the box, but I learned habits"16:10 - Systems over goals - James Clear quote16:50 - Students demanding the training17:31 - Leaving school - crisis of conscience17:50 - "Couldn't walk past my classroom for five years"18:32 - Knowledge economy evolution: Libraries to AI19:50 - How kids learn now has changed24:35 - "Not sexy but super effective"30:21 - "You gotta show up" - minimal expectation30:40 - "You gotta want it more than me"32:00 - Self-efficacy definition32:35 - "When that's hit, we are at ground zero"33:00 - "My smart and scattered kid is not scattered anymore"34:00 - Adding executive functioning coach to org chart01:18:00 - Favorite quote - systems over goals01:26:00 - Resilience is a practice, not a notionDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Judit Pach, Former Ambassador of Hungary to Singapore and Indonesia, now Energy Advisor. From never wanting to be a diplomat as a child to becoming Ambassador at age 30, Judit shares her remarkable journey of unexpected opportunities and strategic reinvention.She discusses authentic leadership built on vulnerability, the reality of diplomatic life, and why reaching the top of her diplomatic career meant facing 20-25 years with no new challenge.Judit opens up about the breaking point moment sitting on her office floor crying ("I will never be able to do this"), sixfolding trade numbers between Indonesia and Hungary, securing a $300 million electronic tolling system export and announcing a $700 million euro investment, and why "I either do the change right now or later it will be even harder" led her to transition from public service to the private sector.Whether you're navigating career transitions, building authentic leadership, or questioning when success means choosing the harder path, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on resilience, knowing when to reinvent, and why embracing what makes you different can become your greatest strength. LISTEN TO OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqJUDIT PACH Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judit-pach/WATCH ON YOUTUBEhttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81b&si=0UZgaCu0Ewdmmzj- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavq Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/ FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/ Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/ CAREER COACHING Website: https://quinntessentialca.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/ TIMESTAMPS:(02:38) Introduction(03:38) Career Journey(07:58) Being Selected as The Ambassador(09:53) Ambassadors: The Epitome of Generalists(12:46) Studying Economics & International Relations(15:28) Difference Between The President & Prime Minister in Hungary(17:28) Rethinking Your Wardrobe(20:03) Tackling Ageism(25:39) Improving Memory(27:28) Optics & Perception(31:53) Becoming The Chief of Staff(37:28) Seeking Counsel(39:38) Things To Do Differently(44:41) Role in Singapore(47:43) Women in Diplomacy(49:38) Becoming a Master in Big Settings(52:28) Going To The Private Sector(56:53) Mental & Physical Fitness Journey(01:03:31) Joining The Sustainability Sector(01:06:59) Advisory Work & Projects(01:08:07) Rapid Fire QuestionsDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#Diplomacy #Ambassador #CareerTransition #Leadership #Authenticity #Hungary #Singapore #Indonesia #PublicService #EnergySector #WomenInLeadership #InternationalRelations #TradeNegotiation #CareerReinvention

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with John Currie, COO with 37 years in banking and Chair of the Board at Pangdemonium Theatre.From washing cash covered in butcher's meat at age 17 in small-town Galashiels, Scotland to leading 500-person teams processing 150 million calls annually, John shares his remarkable journey of ground-up leadership.He discusses authentic leadership built on experience, process optimization where one second equals 22 jobs saved, and why "the worst case is you end up back where you were" became his risk philosophy. John opens up about the homophobic warning that sparked his LGBT advocacy ("Just to warn you, Barrie's gay"), creating safe spaces that multiply from one person to 600 people filling a theatre, sponsoring Pink Dot Singapore, and becoming Chair of Pangdemonium Theatre while maintaining his COO role.Whether you're building your career from the ground up, leading diverse teams, or balancing multiple passions, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on authentic leadership, corporate courage, and the power of creating safe spaces. ───────────────────────────LISTEN TO OUR OTHER PODCASTS: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavq───────────────────────────JOHN CURRIELinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-currie-aaa9159/ Pangdemonium Theatre: https://www.pangdemonium.com/───────────────────────────LISTEN ON YOUTUBE & APPLEYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785───────────────────────────FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/───────────────────────────FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/───────────────────────────CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/───────────────────────────TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Introduction(10:55) Sales philosophy: People buy people first(16:24) Creating safe spaces - the Heathrow Express breakthrough(21:11) Sponsoring Pink Dot Singapore(21:49) Tango production: 600 people from the LGBT community(22:38) Becoming Chair of Pangdemonium Theatre(27:48) "Make the main thing the main thing"(29:39) Moving to Singapore: "Worst case is you end up back where you were"(36:25) Imposter syndrome and personal growth(44:33) His children: Photographer and pediatric nurse(01:04:54) "I should have been a roadie"(01:10:41) How he and his wife recharge(01:12:39) Commitment to time - cigars and presence───────────────────────────Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.───────────────────────────#Leadership #COO #LGBTQ #Banking #Theatre #Singapore #Scotland #CareerAdvice #ProcessOptimization #Diversity #Inclusion #PrideAdvocacy #GroundUpLeadership #PaulQuinn #QuinntessentialQuestions #careerarchitect #careeradvice

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Jacob "Stitch" Duran, the world's most famous cutman, featured in Creed I, II, III, Rocky Balboa, and the upcoming Sundance documentary "Fields to the Garden."From growing up in migrant camps with an address of "CPC Number 12, California Banking Company" to working Mike Tyson's corner for the Jake Paul fight in front of 60 million viewers, Stitch shares his incredible journey from farm worker to Hollywood to the biggest stages in combat sports.He discusses learning Muay Thai in Thailand at 19 (without even knowing what Thailand was), becoming a cutman, working 30+ years with Mike Tyson, earning Vladimir Klitschko's trust ("you can call me son"), learning from Emanuel Steward and the meaning of "one more round," appearing in the Creed trilogy when Sylvester Stallone called him by name, the Kevin James slap that wasn't in the script, working the biggest cut in combat sports history, and returning to the migrant camps with mariachis where everyone cried because "my story was their story."Whether you're an athlete, entrepreneur, or anyone who's overcome impossible odds, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on perseverance, mastery, authenticity, and never forgetting where you came from. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of the world's most famous cutman."━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81b━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━JACOB "STITCH" DURANInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/stitchduran/Documentary "Fields to the Garden": Sundance Film Festival, January 22-28, 2025Website: https://cutmanforhire.com/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━LISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro Teaser(01:35) Introduction(02:40) Growing up in migrant camps - "CPC Number 12"(04:14) Documentary "Fields to the Garden" - Sundance 2025(05:34) Fields to Madison Square Garden(08:13) Thailand at 19 - discovering Muay Thai(11:01) Becoming a cutman(14:22) Working with Randy Couture(19:04) "One more round" - people associate me with this worldwide(21:21) Vladimir Klitschko: "You can call me son"(34:15) Cutman products and techniques(43:38) The biggest cut ever - Marvin Eastman vs Vitor Belfort(48:08) Mike Tyson and the Jake Paul fight(59:22) Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar - the fight that changed UFC(1:04:35) Movies: Play It to the Bone, Ocean's 11, Rocky Balboa(1:09:35) Creed trilogy - Sylvester Stallone calls him by name(1:11:00) Kevin James slap - Here Comes the Boom(1:15:48) Caesars Palace and outdoor fights(1:17:50) Emanuel Steward - the greatest trainer of all time(1:21:50) Returning to migrant camps - "My story was their story"━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━#StitchDuran #Boxing #UFC #MMA #MikeTyson #JakePaul #Klitschko #RockyBalboa #Creed #EmanuelSteward #Cutman #MuayThai #CombatSports #PaulQuinn

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Sophie Gollifer, Radio Presenter at Gold 905 FM and two-time national athlete who made Singapore sports history as Sports School's first-ever national champion. From becoming a Singaporean citizen at 13 to make history, to navigating a pivotal career transition at 16, to building a thriving broadcasting career while competing at HYROX World Championships—Sophie shares her journey of discipline, reinvention, and sustainable high performance.She discusses elite athletic training, the mental health foundation of fitness, pivoting careers with purpose, balancing motherhood with demanding goals, and why waking up at 4:30 AM daily (with her husband's support) enables everything she does. Whether you're navigating a career transition, managing multiple priorities, or building sustainable high-performance habits, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on discipline, resilience, and doing what matters most.WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bSOPHIE GOLLIFER Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiegollifer/?hl=enLISTEN ON YOUTUBE, APPLE & SPOTIFY YouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestions Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqFOLLOW PAUL QUINN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/ Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHING Website: https://quinntessentialca.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Introduction (02:09) Who is Sophie Gollifer - Gold 905, mother of three (02:28) Mixed heritage - British, Guyanese, Singaporean (03:27) Growing up in the UK on government benefits (06:32) Dad became banker in London (08:05) Family of five siblings (08:48) Moving to Singapore at age 9 (15:46) Singapore Sports School - pioneer batch (21:38) Becoming Singaporean citizen at 13 (27:20) Winning Sports School's first national title (32:30) Career pivot at 16 (41:47) Representing Singapore in national rugby (1:04:51) Gold 905 Breakfast Club and 4:30 AM routine (1:10:20) HYROX World Championships in Nice (1:11:04) Marathon training with husband (1:12:33) CrossFit training philosophy (1:21:26) Balancing motherhood with ambitious goalsDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Pauline Howard, interior designer and cookbook author. From being disowned by her Sindhi in-laws to designing luxury homes for billionaires like Vijay Mallya, Pauline shares her remarkable journey across decades and multiple countries.Born in India, raised in Singapore, Pauline discovered her Eurasian identity while navigating a multicultural childhood. When she married outside her husband's Sindhi community, his wealthy family disowned them—he lost everything. Pauline learned to cook out of necessity, opened her own interior design firm in Hong Kong, and built a career working with some of the world's most elite clients.Pauline discusses learning to cook to please her mother-in-law, the moment her father-in-law rejected her, working on Vijay Mallya's estates, and why food is like design—both are creative acts. She also opens up about moving through depression in Thailand, the importance of cooking with love, and how her grandchildren now cook from her book.Whether you're navigating cultural identity, recovering from rejection, building a business, or wanting to preserve family traditions, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on resilience, reinvention, and leaving a legacy.LISTEN TO OUR OTHER EPISODES:https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqPAULINE HOWARDCookbook: "A Singapore Girl Cooks Abroad"LISTEN ON YOUTUBE & APPLE PODCASTSYouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestionsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(02:19) Introduction(04:30) Moving To Singapore At Age Seven(06:12) Falling In Love With Singapore(10:10) Singaporean Food(14:05) Deciding To Write A Book(15:49) Sense of Identity(18:54) Favourite Meals Growing Up(20:03) Moving To Hong Kong(22:34) From Friendship To Business(24:32) Being An Interior Designer To Vijay Mallya(27:32) Getting Remarried(30:21) Finding The Right One(33:21) When You Marry An Englishman(34:15) The Sindhi Community & Their Flavours(37:02) Philosophy & Approach To Interior Design(38:26) Vijay Mallya's House In London(42:05) Living In Thailand(47:15) Learnings About Love & Marriage(52:32) Moving To Australia(59:32) Change & Compromise(01:00:34) 'A Singapore Girl Cooks Abroad'(01:02:42) GrandchildrenDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with UK Shyam, Singapore's National 100m Record Holder (10.37s, 2001-2023) and Teacher at Raffles Institution. From joining athletics at 16 with no competitive background to breaking C. Kunalan's record and holding it for for 22 years, Shyam shares his remarkable journey from late starter to national legend.He discusses starting track at an age considered "ancient" in sprinting, training with makeshift equipment when resources disappeared, competing at the Asian Games alongside World Championship athletes like Nobuharu Asahara, and why becoming the first full-time athlete to study at NUS presented both opportunities and challenges. Shyam also opens up about the difficult decision to transition from athletics to education, and shares his admiration for humble champions like Frankie Fredericks and the dominance of Michael Johnson's 19.32 world record.Whether you're an athlete navigating career transitions, a sports enthusiast who appreciates technical excellence, or someone interested in the parallels between high performance and intellectual pursuit, this conversation offers insights on resilience, mentorship, and knowing when your next chapter begins. Let's explore what it takes to be the fastest man in Singapore. WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS:https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqUK SHYAMLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/u-k-shyam-852239189/?originalSubdomain=sgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/u.k.shyam1037/?hl=enLISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHING Website: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(01:59) Introduction (03:10) Growing Up Singapore & Falling in Love with Sports (04:40) Journey into Track (05:14) Carl Lewis, Ben Johnson, Linford Christie (08:20) Studying at Raffles Junior College (10:38) Neurological Pathways & Getting Constant Reps In (11:58) Shanti Pereira (13:09) Crossing Paths with Mr. Kunalan (13:46) Pietro Mennea (17:39) Roger Bannister (18:07) Training Regime (20:52) Breakthrough (21:20) Sebastian Keitel (23:48) Importance of a Coach(27:25) Weight Fluctuation (30:36) Breaking the National Record (31:12) Kishane Thompson(31:33) Noah Lyles (32:49) Darren Campbell(34:40) Linford Christie (36:32) Personal Bests in Training (38:56) Trayvon Bromell, Marcell Jacobs, Asafa Powell (40:52) Donovan Bailey (41:30) Nobuharu Asahara (42:52) Talent & Environment (43:30) Justin Gatlin (44:01) Ryan Bailey & Yohan Blake (46:00) Mechanics of Speed (48:01) Ground Contact & Force (49:15) Retiring Prematurely (50:10) Joseph Schooling (51:15) Studying at NUS as a Full Time Athlete (53:01) Timothy Yeo(56:21) Media Backlash (59:31) Becoming an Educator (01:01:43) The Importance of Letting Go (01:06:13) Masters in Strategic Communications (01:07:15) Writing a Book (01:11:00) Rapid Fire QuestionsDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Dion Jensen, Founder of the Lion Academy, Protecting Women Global, and Success for Soldiers. From being born in Changi, Singapore as an Army brat in 1974 to serving in Bosnia with the New Zealand Army, to protecting the British consul general in northern Iraq where six armed intruders burst through the door at 2 AM, Dion shares his transformation journey from warrior to the world's first Suicide Solution Summit creator.He discusses trauma recovery, crisis leadership, organizational wellbeing, and why most suicides today aren't about trauma, they're about value and identity. Dion also opens up about losing his closest mate 18 years ago which sent him into a PTSD spiral, and the powerful moment he performed a haka with Gandhi's people in Malaysia's Gujarati community.Whether you're a veteran struggling with transition, a corporate leader trying to genuinely support your people's mental health, or someone navigating your own dark moments, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on the mirror framework (looks, language, likability, legitimacy), the suicide math equation (when value of being dead exceeds value of being alive), the think-feel-do triangle, and why adaptability is the most underrated skill in business today. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a Human Strategist and Crisis Leadership Expert."WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bDION JENSEN:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrdionjensen/?originalSubdomain=nz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrdionjensen/ Website: https://dionjensen.com/LISTEN ON YOUTUBE, APPLE & SPOTIFYYouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestionsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqFOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(01:09) Introduction(02:58) PTSD Spiral(03:39) Speaking Journey(05:44) Starting The Lion Academy(07:54) Maori Culture & Movies(11:38) Environment Shapes You(13:25) Beauty of Growing Within the Military(15:28) Trauma & Fear(18:10) Following his Father's Footsteps(19:59) Natural Calling(23:05) Vivid Memories as a Soldier(25:28) Kids are a Society's Marker(27:00) Identity & Creating Value(27:45) Legality of Suicide in Singapore(31:32) Challenges & Telltale Signs(32:11) Mental Health Compass(36:10) Inner Mana & Empowerment(38:22) Darkest Time(43:18) Writing The Good News Book(44:36) Misconceptions around PTSD(47:00) Protecting the British Counsel General in Northern Iraq(48:51) Carrying Residual Experience(54:08) Rebranding to the Confidence Coach(59:25) Culture & Nuance(01:04:27) Insecurities(01:05:15) Advice for Young People(01:08:49) Three-Pronged Approach(01:11:45) Making Peace with the Mirror(01:14:44) 'Selfish' as a Positive Word(01:18:48) Rapid Fire QuestionsDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#MentalHealth #CrisisLeadership #PTSD #TraumaRecovery #SuicidePrevention #Veterans #Leadership #CorporateWellbeing #Singapore #NewZealand

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Evonne Tan, Head of Private Bank at Barclays Private Bank Singapore. From navigating multiple career pivots across industries to becoming employee number one in building a private bank from scratch, Evonne shares her fearless transformation journey and her philosophy that shapes every decision she makes.She discusses overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing career pivots, building from scratch, and why she believes your 50s are the "golden age" for making impact. Evonne also opens up about being asked "what if you fail after two years?" during her interview and shares powerful lessons about building confidence through surmounting challenges, the importance of lifelong learning for bankers, and creating genuine client relationships.Whether you're considering a career pivot, building something from the ground up, or wondering if it's "too late" to take on ambitious challenges, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on fearless leadership, self-awareness, and living life forwards. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a Trailblazing Private Banking Leader".WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bEVONNE TAN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evonne-tan-27a8663b/ LISTEN ON YOUTUBE, APPLE & SPOTIFYYouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestionsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqFOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS: (01:52) Introduction (02:25) Leadership & Imposter Syndrome (04:17) Advocating for Yourself (06:18) Joining Barclays Private Bank at 50 (09:07) Decision Making Process & Support System (11:28) Past Aspirations (12:30) Evolution & Change of Mentality (15:30) Building a Diverse & Inclusive Team (17:32) Studying Sociology & Geography (23:02) Working in Hong Kong (27:15) FX Sales Background (30:59) Key Pivotal Moments (34:15) Entering Private Banking (38:24) Building the Barclays Private Bank Franchise (43:09) Creating Impact (46:10) Hiring the Right Talent (48:52) Entrepreneurial Journey (54:33) Visibility & Influence (57:05) Self Development (58:47) Leadership Culture Within Barclays (01:02:20) Non Negotiable Values (01:04:05) Rapid Fire QuestionsDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Amir Khan, professional MMA fighter and mindset coach. From being diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome at 13, to dropping out at 17 to pursue fighting in America, Amir shares his transformation journey to becoming a respected athlete with a 10-year career in ONE Championship.He discusses overcoming adversity, mental toughness, the brutal reality of weight cutting, and why his father quit his engineering career to become his full-time coach. Amir also opens up about pre-fight terror, competing at 70% capacity due to injuries, battling depression after losses, and his transition from professional fighting to entrepreneurship and mindset coaching.Whether you're facing your own challenges, building a business, or searching for purpose beyond your current circumstances, this conversation offers hard-won wisdom on turning pain into power, choosing the right environment, and why leaning into fear is the only path to growth. Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a Fighter".WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bAMIR KHANLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-khan-578564213/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amirkhanmma/?hl=enLISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.TIMESTAMPS:(02:05) Introduction & Being Diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome(05:07) Contender Asia & John Wayne Parr (06:44) Moving to the USA On His Own(09:29) Deciding on Louisiana As The Location (11:25) Abundance Mindset & Can Do Attitude (13:39) Finding A Community In The Right Way (15:57) Fights Before ONE Championship(17:06) Sage Northcutt (18:05) Wrestling In The USA (21:18) Tiger Woods (22:36) Amir’s Dad(24:55) The Pressure Of Getting Out There (27:37) Small Outcome (28:12) Breakdown of Training(30:09) Habits & Psychology (33:45) Weight Cutting(34:50) Fighting With An Injury(35:49) Best Three Career Victories (37:54) Retirement ⁠(39:40) Entrepreneurial Journey (41:40) Fear of Public Speaking(42:17) Mike Tyson ⁠(44:42) Rapid Fire Questions#AmirKhan #MMA #TourettesSyndrome #MentalHealth #OneChampionship #MixedMartialArts #FighterMindset #Entrepreneurship #MindsetCoach #SingaporeMMA #OvercomingAdversity #MuayThai #Wrestling #CombatSports #Transformation #PaulQuinn #QuinntessentialQuestions #Podcast #Motivation #Resilience

In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast, Paul Quinn sits down with Steven Okun, a seasoned public affairs and ESG expert who has spent 23 years at the intersection of business, government, and sustainability in Asia. From working on Bill Clinton's presidential campaign to winning the biggest aviation case in U.S. history for UPS, to pioneering ESG at KKR, Steven shares his transformation from White House operative to Asia power player.He discusses the moment he refused to return to Washington and chose to stay in Singapore, how he became the first global private equity person to do ESG in Asia (despite having to Google what it meant), why brutal honesty, even delivering bad news, builds lasting business relationships, and his "no dickhead policy" that actually works in corporate Asia. Steven also reveals the keys to winning presidential-level negotiations, why making yourself unique is the ultimate career strategy, and why getting life experiences matters more than chasing money early in your career.Whether you're navigating a career pivot, considering an expat move, or seeking inspiration to bet on yourself when the expected path doesn't feel right, this conversation offers over two decades of hard-won wisdom on career reinvention, cross-cultural strategy, and the courage to say "I don't think so." Let's explore what's "Inside the mind of a public affairs & ESG pioneer".WATCH OUR OTHER PODCASTS: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjbRIxrGYDGUA9niiF7U0IOMXBMeDf81bSTEVEN OKUN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenokun/ Website: https://www.apacadvisors.com/aboutLISTEN ON YOUTUBE, APPLE & SPOTIFY YouTube: https://youtube.com/@quinntessentialquestions Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqFOLLOW PAUL QUINN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-quinn-wp1/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/ Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHING Website: https://quinntessentialca.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/(02:50) Introduction (04:05) Deciding to Study Law (05:48) Being Part of the Clinton Administration (07:57) Presidents You Admire (09:02) Finding Your Calling (10:10) Getting Into Business (12:10) Transitioning from the Public to Private Sector (13:45) Coming to Singapore (18:45) Working at KKR (29:03) Courage to Pivot Careers (30:39) Most Interesting Projects (40:10) Keys to Victory (46:33) Starting APAC Advisers (51:25) Health & Fitness Routine (53:10) ESG & Sustainability (57:47) Advice for New & Emerging CEOs (01:12:15) Rapid Fire QuestionsDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#StevenOkun #PublicAffairs #ESG #UPS #KKR #PrivateEquity #ClintonCampaign #CareerAdvice #Singapore #AsiaExpat #GovernmentRelations #HenryKravis #BetOnYourself #MakeYourselfUnique #BusinessStrategy #CorporateAsia #Leadership #CareerPivot