16 Law School Rejections to King's Counsel — Winston Sayson

16 Law School Rejections to King's Counsel — Winston Sayson

16 law school rejections. One yes. That one yes built a 30-year career. Winston Sayson, KC went from immigrant teen in Surrey to one of British Columbia's most decorated Crown prosecutors — and the first Filipino-Chinese Canadian ever appointed King's Counsel. But the title is only half the story. In this episode of Starborn Labs, Winston sits down with us to talk about the part that doesn't make the résumé: imposter syndrome, the invisible weight of secondary trauma, and what three decades of prosecuting violent crime actually costs a person. He opens up about the mask of invincibility most lawyers wear, the moment it cracked, and what he found on the other side — humility, service, and a re-defined idea of success that has nothing to do with awards or status. If you're a young lawyer, a first-generation immigrant, or anyone who's been told no and is trying to figure out whether to keep going — this conversation is for you. ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 — Introduction to Winston Sayson 01:06 — First Filipino-Chinese Queen's Counsel 01:44 — Wisdom from mistakes 02:49 — Rejected by 16 law schools 05:55 — Battling imposter syndrome 06:43 — Preparing for racism 09:16 — The cost of fitting in 10:51 — Caring beyond the law 13:37 — Beyond material wealth 14:53 — Awards have shelf value 16:25 — Pride vs. healthy ego 19:17 — Motivated by service 21:09 — Arrogance on a cruise 22:34 — The price of service 24:41 — The invincible mask cracks 26:47 — Remembering what's normal 28:43 — Work defined my world 29:52 — Retirement: a new purpose 31:01 — Joy in serving others 32:23 — Courage to share truth 33:28 — The core belief: love 35:02 — The power of humility 36:26 — Uncle's humility and impact 38:26 — Advice for young generations 41:06 — Advice for legal professionals 41:51 — Advice to younger Winston 42:53 — Host's reflection on service 🎙 ABOUT WINSTON SAYSON, KC Winston Sayson is a retired senior trial Crown Counsel with the BC Prosecution Service, where he served for over 30 years prosecuting violent and sexual crimes against children and vulnerable victims. He is the first Filipino-Chinese Canadian appointed King's Counsel in British Columbia, a 2023 Top 25 Canadian Immigrant honoree, and a recipient of the King Charles III Coronation Medal. 🎧 ABOUT STARBORN LABS Starborn Labs is a podcast about the conversations that build people — entrepreneurs, immigrants, athletes, and operators talking honestly about what success actually costs and what it actually gives back. Hosted by Ignacio Guerrero and Javier Cantillana. #WinstonSayson #KingsCounsel #ImposterSyndrome #StarbornLabs #FilipinoCanadian #CrownCounsel #ImmigrantStory #LawCareer #SecondaryTrauma #FirstGenerationImmigrant

He Faced 9/11 — Then Summited Everest Twice | Manuel Pizarro

Manuel Pizarro was a law enforcement officer when 9/11 reshaped his life. Four years later, he became the first Canadian to summit Everest solo without support from Camp 6 — then did it again two years later. In this episode, Manuel opens up about what the mountain actually demands of you, surviving 12 hours near the summit when things went wrong, the emotions climbers bury on the way up, and how September 11th gave him a reason to climb in the first place. Starborn Labs Podcast #Everest #MountEverest #911 #LawEnforcement #ManuelPizarro #Survival #Mountaineering #FirstResponder

Claudia Dagnino: The Counsellor Who Made a Paralyzed Man Walk

What happens when a patient is told by doctors they'll never walk or talk again — and then they do? In this episode, Ignacio sits down with Claudia Dagnino, a Registered Clinical Counsellor based in Vancouver with over 18 years of experience and a Master's in Counselling Psychology. Claudia is the only practitioner in Canada certified in Rapid Resolution Therapy (RRT), a Certified SP Hypnosis Practitioner, and a Yoga Therapist who has worked with Vancouver Coastal Health, Battered Women Support Services, and first responders across BC. She shares the story of a client doctors had written off — and how he walked and talked again. We unpack why traditional counselling often fails trauma survivors, what Rapid Resolution Therapy actually does, and why mind-body healing isn't mysticism but measurable change. In this conversation: — The case that defied medical consensus — Why most therapy is too slow to work — Rapid Resolution Therapy, explained — Trauma, PTSD, and the first-responder epidemic — How to find a real counsellor, not a credential collector Learn more about Claudia: claudiadagnino.com [http://claudiadagnino.com] Follow Starborn Labs for weekly conversations with people who operate outside the default.

Starborn Labs Ep 6: Building Community Through Real Estate & Mindset | Darcy Schlechtleitner

What does it really mean to serve your community through real estate? In this episode of Starborn Labs, we sit down with Darcy Schlechtleitner—founder and team lead of Rethink Real Estate Group at Stonehaus Realty—to explore the mindset, business philosophy, and family values behind building a real estate practice that puts people first. Darcy leads a dynamic, multilingual team fluent in nine languages, serving clients across Vancouver, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and the Lower Mainland. With a reputation for investing 99% more into each listing than the average realtor, she's redefining what client service looks like in an industry full of noise. In this episode, we discuss: - Why community service is the foundation of a lasting real estate business. - The mindset shifts required to lead a high-performing team - Balancing family, business, and personal growth as an entrepreneur - How to build trust and long-term relationships with clients - Why Darcy and her team call themselves the "un-Realtor Realtors" -Whether you're in real estate, entrepreneurship, or just figuring out how to build something meaningful while staying grounded in what matters—this conversation delivers real, unfiltered insights. About Darcy Schlechtleitner: Darcy is the founder and team lead of Rethink Real Estate Group at Stonehaus Realty. She leads a multilingual team across the Lower Mainland, known for exceptional staging, marketing investment, and a client-first approach that has earned her a reputation as one of the most trusted realtors in the Greater Vancouver area. Connect with Darcy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcy-schlechtleitner-9480b426/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darcy-schlechtleitner-9480b426/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darcysdoesrealestate [https://www.tiktok.com/@darcysdoesrealestate] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rethinkrealestategroup6342 [https://www.youtube.com/@rethinkrealestategroup6342] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rethinkrealestategroup/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/rethinkrealestategroup/?hl=en] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamrethink/ [https://www.facebook.com/teamrethink/] 🎙️ Subscribe to Starborn Labs for weekly conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and leaders building extraordinary lives. #StarbornLabs #DarcySchlechtleitner #RealEstate #RethinkRealEstate #VancouverRealEstate #BCRealEstate #CommunityFirst #Entrepreneurship #BusinessMindset #RealEstateAgent #WomenInBusiness #Leadership #FamilyAndBusiness #ClientService #Realtor #LowerMainland #NewWestminster #Coquitlam #Podcast #NewEpisode #RealEstateInvesting #MindsetMatters #ServantLeadership #BuildingCommunity #Starborn #PersonalGrowth #EntrepreneurLife #RealEstateLife #StonehausRealty #TeamRethink

How To Take Care Of Your Body When You Work Long Hours | Carolyn Dalton

The body keeps the score of every hour you sit. In this episode of Starborn Labs, we sit down with Carolyn Dalton, Stretch Therapist, Breathwork Facilitator, and Co-Founder & CEO of The Stretch Space in Vancouver, to explore the intersection of desk work, fascia, and the nervous system. While long hours at the computer are now the norm for entrepreneurs, founders, and knowledge workers, the physical and mental toll is often ignored until injury strikes. In this episode, we discuss: - The most common physical patterns Carolyn sees in people who work long hours at the computer. - Why fascia, posture, and breath matter more than you think. - How to use short movement and breath "snacks" during the workday. - A simple daily reset routine for your spine, hips, and shoulders. - The nervous system connection — how stress and sitting compound each other. - How to notice early red flags before they become chronic injuries. Whether you're a founder, creative, developer, or professional spending most of your day at a desk, this conversation offers actionable insights on how to take care of your body without sacrificing your productivity. About Carolyn Dalton: Carolyn Dalton is a Stretch Therapist, Breathwork Facilitator, and Movement Educator, and the Co-Founder & CEO of The Stretch Space, a stretch therapy and breathwork studio and training hub based in Vancouver, Canada. She works with dancers, athletes, and the general public to improve mobility, recover from injuries, and build healthier, more embodied relationships with their bodies. https://www.thestretchspace.com/ [https://www.thestretchspace.com/] #DeskWellness #StretchTherapy #MovementForLife #FasciaHealth #WorkFromHomeWellness #Vancouver #StarbornLabs #Wellness #Mobility #Breathwork #CarolynDalton