Your impact matters—but not at the cost of your wellbeing. The Scorecard shows you how to optimise stress so you can achieve more without burning out 👉 https://bit.ly/42hK3Ls

Everyone celebrates changemakers. Few talk about the cost of becoming one.

In this episode, Sarah Brook—CEO and founder of The Sparkle Foundation, ESG consultant, and TEDx speaker—shares the raw reality of turning survival into service. From illness, trauma, and overwhelming stress to building a global nonprofit, Sarah reveals what it truly takes to step into changemaker leadership.

If you’ve ever dreamed of making a difference but wondered what it demands, this conversation will give you honesty, hope, and practical insights.

About Sarah Brook: Sarah is a psychologist, award-winning charity leader, and one of the UK’s top nonprofit CEOs. She founded The Sparkle Foundation, bringing health, education, and empowerment to vulnerable communities in Malawi and beyond. Her story is proof that resilience can fuel change—and that anyone can step into the role of changemaker.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The real cost of becoming a changemaker

• Why stress and survival can spark leadership

• The lessons from building a movement under pressure

• How to balance suffering, service, and wellbeing

• Why you don’t need all the answers to make a difference

• How to turn challenge into contribution

  
  

This episode reminds us: the cost of becoming a changemaker is real—but so are the rewards.

​​Get involved with Sparkle Foundation Here: https://www.thesparklefoundation.org/

Timestamps

00:00-02:45 Meet Sarah Brooks

02:46-04:36 The Life Changing Moment

04:37-07:50 The Choice to Lead 

07:51-12:33 The Cost of Building a Movement

12:34-13:43 You Don’t Need All The Answers

13:44-20:24 Everyone Can Make a Difference

20:25-26:52 Reality of Navigating Challenges

26:53-29:26 The Power of Faith, Trust, Knowing

29:27-32:32 Belonging and Identity 

32:33-35:03 Pausing Time, Prioritising Health, Parenting

35:04-37:33 Become a Changemaker 

37:34-39:20 Impact Beyond What We See

39:20-44:42 Fulfilment and Success

44:43-46:20 Balancing Suffering, Service and Wellbeing

46:21-48:26 Dreams Come Back Around

48:27-52:18 Courage, Bravery and Resilience

52:19- 52:48 Final Thoughts

52:49-53:49 Meals on Me Sponsor

Be sure to follow Sarah here:

https://www.thesparklefoundation.org/

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