Thriving Minds with Alberto Zandi

What happens when the dream job nearly breaks you?This week on Thriving Minds, Alberto sat down with Celebrity Chef, Thomas Straker, the chef, founder, best selling author, and digital powerhouse behind the Straker’s restaurant group and global ‘All Things Butter’ brand.From burnout in fine dining to millions of views on Instagram, Thomas reveals the full story of how he rebuilt his relationship with food, found freedom through content, and became one of the most watched, and talked about, chefs on the internet.In this raw and revealing conversation, he opens up about self-worth, criticism, building a business, and staying grounded when the spotlight finds you.You’ll learn:🟠 What the world of fine dining gets completely wrong🟠 How Thomas built a viral food brand while running restaurants🟠 Why content is every founder’s unfair advantage🟠 The truth about burnout, ego, and starting over🟠 How to stay true to your vision, even when others doubt youThis isn’t just a story about restaurants.It’s a story about reinvention.Follow Thomas:⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasStraker⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thomas_straker/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@UCDci5O1KG2SqFr79vWbuCJQ ⁠⁠https://uk.linkedin.com/in/thomas-straker-58034280#ThrivingMinds #ThomasStraker #ChefLife #RestaurantBusiness #EntrepreneurJourney #FoodCreators #HospitalityMindset #CookingPassion #Resilience #SuccessMindsetVisit the Thriving Minds website:https://thrivingmindsshow.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your gut is running the show, not your brain?This week on Thriving Minds, Alberto sat down with Dr. Megan Rossi, one of the world’s leading gut health experts, bestselling author, and founder of The Gut Health Doctor. With 70-80% of your immune system based in the gut, and powerful links to mood, memory, energy, and inflammation, your gut health may be affecting you more than you think.In this expert-led, myth-busting episode, Megan breaks down how your microbiome works, the truth about probiotics, and the small daily changes that can transform your health from the inside out.You’ll learn:How gut health impacts your skin, sleep, anxiety, and immune systemThe biggest gut health myths most people still believeHow to know if your gut is in trouble, and how to repair itThe truth about probiotics, antibiotics, and the microbiomeSimple ways to eat and live for long-term gut healthThis is more than digestion, this is the foundation of your health.Follow Dr. Megan Rossi & The Gut Health Doctorhttps://theguthealthdoctor.com/https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthdoctor/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-megan-rossi-4214408ahttps://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@theguthealthdoctor⁩  https://www.tiktok.com/@theguthealthdoctor#ThrivingMinds #MeganRossi #BioAndMe #GutHealth #Microbiome #Nutrition #Wellbeing #Entrepreneurship #HealthyLiving #Mindset Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you outgrow the identity the world gave you?This week Alberto sat down with Caspar Lee, one of the first YouTubers to build global fame, make millions, and become an online legend.After achieving success most dream of by his early twenties, Caspar walked away from the internet spotlight and rebuilt himself, from burnout and identity loss to business, clarity, and purpose.Now a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of several companies, Caspar reveals the personal and professional lessons behind his pivot from content creator to entrepreneur.This episode dives into the rise, the crash, and the rebirth, and what it really means to evolve.You’ll learn:How Caspar built YouTube global success before 25, and what he’d do differently nowThe truth about fame, burnout, and mental health behind the scenesWhat it really takes to go from creator to successful entrepreneurHis biggest business mistakes, and how he turned them into winsHow to reinvent yourself when the world won’t let you changeThis isn’t just a story about going viral, it’s about going inward and forward in life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do we feel anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected, even when life looks fine on the outside?This week, Alberto sat down with Jamie Clements, world leading and pioneer breathwork expert, mental health advocate, and founder of The Breath Space.They explore why so many people today feel stuck in survival mode, and how reconnecting with the body through breath can transform not just your mind, but your entire life.Jamie shares how breathwork helps regulate anxiety, unlock emotion trapped in the body, and create space for clarity, healing, and self-trust.Whether you're facing burnout or simply want to reconnect with yourself, this episode offers a practical path forward.You’ll learn:How to use breathwork to regulate stress and calm the nervous systemThe truth about trauma stored in the body (and how to release it)Why most people breathe incorrectly, and how to fix itThe link between your breathing, your emotions, and your energyWhat a daily breathwork practice looks like (and how to start simply)#ThrivingMinds #JamieClements #Breathwork #Mindfulness #MentalHealth #CalmMind #StressRelief #Wellbeing #SelfGrowth #ConsciousLiving Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do some people stay stuck while others live their best lives?This week, Alberto sat down with Roxie Nafousi, aka Manifestation Queen. Roxie is a leading self-development coach, bestselling author, and the woman behind the global manifestation movement.In this powerful and practical conversation, Roxie breaks down the psychology of manifestation, and how you can use it to finally move forward, and achieve all your goals, no matter where you're starting from.They explore the emotional patterns that hold us back, the habits that help us thrive, and the mindset shifts that lead to real change.Whether you're chasing clarity, healing from the past, or building a new version of yourself, this episode is a toolkit for transformation.You’ll learn:Why manifesting is a real tool and not wishful thinkingThe 7 proven steps to successful manifestationThe science behind gratitude, and journaling exercisesHow to handle setbacks and move forwardHow to stay consistent when motivation fadesRoxie's Books: Confidence: https://amzn.eu/d/dCPlpwb Manifest: https://amzn.eu/d/8cfBxQ7 Follow Roxie:https://roxienafousi.com/https://www.instagram.com/roxienafousi/https://www.tiktok.com/@officialroxienafousihttps://twitter.com/Roxie_Nhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/roxienafousi7 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if burnout isn’t a time issue, but an energy one?This week, Alberto sat down with Tam Kaur, self-made entrepreneur, investor, and a powerful voice for ambitious women navigating business, identity, and burnout.Tam shares how chasing success nearly broke her, the rejection that made her stronger, and the cost of trying to prove your worth to a world that misunderstands you.They explore the hidden struggles of high performers, setting boundaries without guilt, and how to protect your peace without losing your ambition.Tam also opens up about what it really takes to grow a personal brand from scratch, what content converts, how she monetizes authentically, and how she protects her mental health behind the scenes.This episode is about more than hustle, it’s about healing, clarity, and becoming unshakable.You’ll learn:How to build unshakable confidence from rejectionWhy burnout isn’t a weakness, it’s a warningHow to grow your audience and stay authenticThe mindset shift that separates dreamers from doersHow to succeed without losing yourselfFollow Tam:⁠https://www.instagram.com/tamkaur/⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/tamkaur⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@tamkaur_⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/tamxkaur/#TamKaur  #ThrivingMinds  #ConfidenceJourney  #HealingOutLoud  #BurnoutRecovery  #FemaleCreators  #MindsetGrowth  #EmotionalResilience  #AuthenticityOnline  #UKContentCreators Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if burnout isn’t a time issue, but an energy one?This week Alberto sat down with Simon Alexander Ong, globally acclaimed life coach, bestselling author of Energize, and trusted advisor to elite entrepreneurs and high-performers.They talked about the real reasons so many of us feel stuck, tired, or unfulfilled, even when everything looks “successful” from the outside.Simon shares how we can change the game by managing our energy instead of just our time, how to make brave career pivots, and what he’s learned from coaching top 1% performers around the world.This is a masterclass on clarity, purpose, and taking back control.You’ll learn:How to break free from burnoutHow to find clarity in my life or careerHow to stay motivated and consistentHow to reconnect with your core valuesHow to set goals that actually lead to fulfilmentFollow Simon:IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/simonalexandero⁠YT: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/SimonAlexanderOng⁠X: ⁠https://x.com/SimonAlexanderO⁠FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/simonalexanderong.official/⁠ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you risk everything to be truly seen?In this deeply personal conversation, Alberto speaks with Varada Sethu, leading actress and star of Andor and Hard Sun, about the emotional cost of chasing success in an industry that often overlooks people like her.Born in India and raised in Newcastle, Varada opens up about growing up between cultures, never feeling like she belonged, and the struggles that nearly pushed her to walk away from acting. From rejection and typecasting to finding her voice and rebuilding confidence, this episode explores what it truly means to stay true to yourself when the world tells you otherwise.In this episode, you’ll learn:How to build confidence when you don’t fit inWhat it really takes to succeed as an actorThe truth about auditions, rejection & typecastingHow to thrive through self-doubtWhy identity and culture shape every creative journeyFollow Varda:https://www.instagram.com/varadasethu#VaradaSethu #ThrivingMinds #ActingFromWithin #QuietPower #ImposterSyndrome #SouthAsianVoices #EmotionalIntelligence #CreativeJourney #SelfWorth #WomenInFilm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do relationships fall apart, even when two people love each other?Today, Alberto sits down with Dr. Victoria Shalet, a globally renowned relationship therapist who has spent years helping couples navigate intimacy, conflict, and connection. Drawing on her deep experience, Victoria shares why love fades, what truly breaks relationships apart, and how to rebuild trust and closeness.Alberto and Victoria explore why couples repeat the same arguments, and how unresolved wounds shape the way we fight. They discuss why passion turns into distance, how blame and defensiveness keep us stuck, and what it takes to move from conflict to genuine understanding.In this interview, you’ll learn:How to stop having the same argument again and againHow broken trust can truly be rebuiltWhy passion fades and how to bring it backThe real reasons couples fight (and it’s not what you think)How to know if a relationship can be saved or if it’s time to let goLove does not end because it disappears, but because it is left unattended. This conversation is a reminder that lasting relationships are not about avoiding problems but about learning how to face them together.#VictoriaShalet #ThrivingMinds #RelationshipsMatter #TherapyTools #RelationalHealing #EmotionalIntelligence #CouplesTherapy #BurnoutRecovery #FoundersInLove #InnerWork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we break free from stress?In this powerful conversation, stress and anxiety expert Alice Law reveals the hidden cost of burnout, the emotional patterns behind chronic anxiety, and the science of becoming mentally free.After losing her father and burning out under the weight of high-pressure expectations, Alice didn’t just learn about stress, she lived it. What followed was a deep personal reinvention, during which she studied a wide range of stress-related practices, a journey that now informs her work as one of the world’s leading stress and performance mentors.In this episode, Alice shares:What exactly is stress, and how to tell when it’s becoming unhealthyThe biggest causes of stress in modern life?How does stress affect health, work, and relationshipsWhat are the quickest and most effective ways to calm down when feeling overwhelmedHow to build long-term resilience so that stress impacts you less in the futureWhen should one seek professional help for stress, and how to know you can’t manage it aloneHow to manage stress at work when the pressure just keeps increasingSmall daily habits that make the biggest difference in lowering stress?Follow Alice:https://www.instagram.com/alicelaw._LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alice-law-a6aa7547/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unstressable_alice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you keep going when everyone says no?India Amarteifio knows what it means to be rejected. Before becoming Queen Charlotte in Netflix’s global hit Bridgertonprequel, she spent years auditioning, getting knocked down, and questioning everything, including herself.In this emotionally honest conversation, India reveals the truth about the acting industry: the pressure, the insecurities, the resilience it takes to survive, and the mental cost of chasing a dream in the public eye.You’ll learn:🟠 How India dealt with hundreds of rejections before her first major role🟠 The mindset shift that changed everything🟠 The reality of being a rising star in the age of social media🟠 Why many actors lose themselves, and how she holds on to who she is🟠 The balance between ambition, vulnerability, and emotional healthThis isn’t a fairytale. It’s the real story behind one of the UK’s most exciting rising stars, told with clarity, courage, and vulnerability.#indiaamarteifio #indiaamarteifiointerview #indiaamarteifiotea #indiaamarteifiosinging #indiaamarteifio2025 #bridgerton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What’s the real game behind the world's most followed sport?Guido Fienga has sat at the very heart of football power. As former CEO of AS Roma and of Al-Nassr, he has dealt with world-class players, fan revolts, multi million-euro transfers, and the media storm that surrounds elite clubs. But in this rare, introspective interview, he reveals the side of football no one sees.In this episode Guido reveals:🟠 What happens behind closed doors when a club is in crisis🟠 The emotional cost of leadership in football🟠 What makes great players🟠 Behind-the-scenes with Mourinho and Cristiano🟠 Leadership in high-pressure environments🟠 The truth about business of football🟠 Lessons for success beyond footballThis is a masterclass on power, pressure, and purpose, told through the lens of a man who’s lived it.#thrivingminds #cristianoronaldo #romafc #josemourinho #football Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if everything you believed about health, medicine, and nutrition was wrong?Dr. Aseem Malhotra, one of the world’s most outspoken cardiologists, joins Alberto to expose what he calls one of the biggest deceptions in modern health care.In this episode, Dr. Malhotra takes us on a wellness journey.This episode will show you:🟠 How to Keep the Heart Strong🟠 Nutrition for Heart Health🟠 Warning Signs & Early Detection🟠 Stress, Sleep & Lifestyle Factors🟠 Medications & Interventions that Actually WorkIf you've ever struggled with diet, weight, energy, or trust in medical advice, this episode is your wake-up call.Follow Dr. Malhotra:https://www.instagram.com/lifestylemedicinedoctorhttps://www.youtube.com/@UC94PuG9g2_lvYgTFSzyyfvgBooks by Dr Malhotra:A Statin-Free Life - https://amzn.eu/d/73ajmXEThe Pioppi Diet - https://amzn.eu/d/h9v9PYJJoin the Metabolicr Reset:https://www.metabolicreset.co#bigpharma #bigpharmaandmentalhealth #thrivingminds #30andthriving #forbs #cardiology Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He’s the world’s most respected body transformation coach and fitness book author.He’s built a global empire in fitness.And he’s about to tell you why your workouts, diet, and mindset are failing you.Nick Mitchell, founder of Ultimate Performance, has trained royalty, celebrities, elite athletes, and billionaires. But in this episode of Thriving Minds, he gives you what most trainers won’t: brutal honesty.You’ll learn:🟠 How to Work Out for Maximum Results🟠 Nutrition for Muscle Gain & Fat Loss🟠 The Best Rest & Recovery Methods🟠 Supplements That Actually Work🟠 How do you stay motivated and consistent long-termThis isn’t just a fitness episode.This is a mental and physical wake-up call.Follow Nick:https://www.instagram.com/heynickmitchell/https://sg.linkedin.com/in/nick-mitchell-a69b3a1ahttps://x.com/HeyNickMitchell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30.She built one of the UK’s most inclusive, values-driven talent agencies.And then she walked away.In this episode of Thriving Minds, Chloë Downes opens up for the first time about why she gave it all up, at the peak of success, to rebuild a life defined not by accolades, but by alignment.This is a conversation about ambition, burnout, late-diagnosed Asperger’s, the healing power of solo travel, and redefining success on your own terms.You’ll learn:Why many founders build companies that don't serve who they really areHow solo travel can become a tool for transformation and clarityWhat Chloe’s diagnosis taught her about identity and emotional safetyWhy walking away can be the bravest, most strategic decision you ever makeThis episode isn’t about quitting, it’s about choosing yourself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s one of the world’s leading researchers on love, relationships, fatherhood, and the science of human connection.Dr. Anna Machin, evolutionary anthropologist at Oxford, joins Thriving Minds to reveal how our relationships shape our health, our happiness, and our success.In this deeply insightful episode, you’ll learn:Why love is more than romance, and why it’s essential to your longevity and resilienceWhat are the neurochemicals that underpin loveThe critical role fathers play in shaping emotionally secure, successful childrenHow your attachment style influences your friendships, your business, and your self-worthWhat modern tech is doing to our ability to truly connect, and how to reclaim intimacyWhy and how investing in love might be your most powerful professional decisionThis is 20+ years of groundbreaking research, distilled into practical insights for every entrepreneur, parent, and human being who wants to thrive. Follow Dr Machin:https://www.instagram.com/dr_amachin/https://uk.linkedin.com/in/anna-machin-552751123https://www.facebook.com/anna.machin.71/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She’s one of the UK’s leading brain and longevity doctors, trusted by world-class CEOs, athletes, and high performers.But before Dr. Tamsin Lewis became the expert, she was the patient.After suffering a traumatic brain injury and falling into a coma, Dr. Tam rebuilt her health, using the very science she now shares with clients globally.In this episode of Thriving Minds, she reveals what most people get completely wrong about aging, health, and recovery, and exactly what you can do to take control of your biology.You’ll learn:The truth about biological age vs. chronological ageHow to test and improve your inflammation, stress, and sleepThe critical hormones you’re likely ignoringWhat IV drips, cold plunges, and supplements actually do (and don’t do)How to create a lifestyle that supports longevity, not just lifespanThis is not theory. This is a masterclass from someone who’s lived it, and guided thousands through it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to build one of the most iconic hospitality brands in the world, and what happens when you walk away?In this episode I sit down with Martin Kuczmarski, the former COO of Soho House, who was the mastermind behind the scale of the brand into a global lifestyle empire known for its exclusivity, culture, and community. From launching clubs across three continents to defining the playbook for modern hospitality, Martin was the man behind the operations of one of the world’s coolest brands.But success came with a price.In this raw and revealing conversation, Martin opens up about the pressure, burnout, and the personal identity shift that comes with leaving the top. He shares why he walked away, and how that decision led him to create something new on his own: The Dover, one of London’s most successful restaurants.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🟠 The unseen realities of scaling a lifestyle brand🟠 Why operational excellence alone doesn’t build culture🟠 How burnout forced him to rethink success🟠 The emotional toll of leadership, and what it really costs🟠 How he’s applying 20+ years of experience to build London’s trendiest restaurant, The Dover🟠 What he’d do differently if he had to start all over againThis episode is about brand-building, leadership, reinvention, and the freedom to start over, no matter how high you’ve already climbed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if everything you thought you knew about sleep was wrong?In this episode of Thriving Minds, I sit down with Dr. Guy Leschziner, world-renowned neurologist and leading sleep expert, to uncover the science, psychology, and habits behind truly restorative sleep.Whether you’re 25, 35, or 55, this conversation will change the way you sleep. You’ll learn how to finally wake up refreshed and energised, no matter your lifestyle.We explore:🟠 Why you feel tired even after 8 hours of sleep🟠 The real causes of insomnia and poor sleep quality🟠 What to eat (and not eat) to improve sleep🟠 How light, anxiety, social media, and overstimulation sabotage your rest🟠 The definition of real sleep hygiene, and how to master it🟠 What your brain actually needs to shut down and recover🟠 The link between sleep, memory, hormones, stress, and moodThis isn’t a conversation about pillow sprays and bedtime routines, it’s a deep dive into the emotional, neurological, and biological drivers of sleep that most people have never heard of.If you want to sleep better, feel sharper, and finally understand your body’s rhythms, this is your blueprint.Listen now and start sleeping like a baby.To watch or listen to the full episode on your favourite streaming channel click here:https://tm.lnk.to/ThrivingMindsDC!Acast#thrivingminds #sleeping #sleepingbetter #wellbeing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I was successful on paper. But inside, I felt like I was crumbling."At 27, Phoebe Cleary Rudd had checked all the boxes, an impressive career in finance, a dream apartment, a busy social life. But when burnout hit, it hit hard. She found herself crying on the kitchen floor, disconnected from her purpose, unsure what she was chasing anymore.This deeply honest conversation reveals how Phoebe rebuilt her confidence, walked away from a career that looked perfect from the outside, and founded The Sauce, a bold, disruptive media brand that’s redefining the hospitality space.We talk burnout, entrepreneurship, imposter syndrome, and the hidden emotional costs of building success in your twenties. This isn’t just a business story, it’s a blueprint for anyone trying to reconnect with themselves, their ambition, and a life they actually want to live.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why burnout happens even when “everything looks good on paper”How Phoebe pivoted from finance to launching a media company from scratchThe real cost of perfectionism and people-pleasingHow to navigate imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and competitive pressureThe entrepreneurial lessons no one teaches you: from co-founder dynamics to finding your nicheWhy being recognised on Forbes 30 Under 30 didn’t fix the internal strugglesHow to build a business that reflects who you actually areWhether you’re 25, 35, or 55, this episode will leave you rethinking how you define success, and give you the tools to rebuild your confidence, your clarity, and your next chapter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.