The Leader Unmasked Podcast

#10 Sam Bramwell The ADHD Leader

The Leader Unmasked: Sam Bramwell on Embracing Authenticity with ADHD   Feeling like you’re hiding your real self to keep up in a corporate world? Struggling to balance ADHD with leadership demands?   In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox sits down with Sam Bramwell to explore her journey from corporate masking to authentic coaching. Sam shares how a spontaneous casino meeting in 2016 sparked a friendship, and how she went from suiting up at Microsoft—juggling people-pleasing and perfectionism—to launching a business that helps ADHD leaders thrive. Her story of shedding the armour and writing Enough is Enough offers hope for anyone in the “silent middle” quietly battling overwhelm.   Tune in and subscribe for more heartfelt insights on leading as your true self.Here are three reasons to give it a listen: * Hear how Sam swapped corporate perfectionism for a business that supports ADHD leaders. * Get tips on managing the ups and downs of ADHD while staying authentic in leadership. * Learn about Sam’s book Enough is Enough and how it’s helping others reflect and grow. Resources: * Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacoxcoaching/] * Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast [https://theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com/] * Explore coaching at Paseda360 [https://paseda360.com/] Episode Highlights: [00:02:28 - 00:03:31] Corporate Armour: Sam recalls arming up at Microsoft with suits and a people-pleasing mask, hiding her ADHD-driven intensity. [00:03:31 - 00:04:19] The Mask’s Weight: She opens up about the toll of perfectionism and self-criticism, performing for others while feeling unfulfilled. [00:39:31 - 00:40:08] Coaching Rewards: Sam shares the joy of seeing clients blossom, a stark contrast to the invisible results of her corporate sales days. [00:40:08 - 00:41:19] Book Journey: She reflects on co-authoring Enough is Enough, a milestone that boosted her confidence despite ADHD challenges.   Three Powerful Quotes: [00:03:55] “That mask was a mixture of people pleaser and perfectionist… a deep people pleaser.” [00:39:31] “I really felt for such a long time… that I was good for nothing.” [00:41:02] “Sometimes with ADHD we don’t always finish elegantly… but it’s wonderful to share it with people.”   Enjoy This Podcast?   Authenticity changes everything. If Sam's story on The Leader Unmasked struck a chord, subscribe and share it with someone who might need it. Leave a review and tell us how finding your passion has helped—your words help others find us. Got questions? Reach out to Angela on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.   Thanks for listening! For more episodes, check out theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com.   Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean.   To unmasking your brilliance, Angela.

#9 Lee Robinson Acting Enterprise Change Director, Compass Group

The Leader Unmasked: Lee Robinson on Leading with Authenticity   Tired of running from your true self to prove your worth? Wondering if slowing down could lead to something better?   In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox chats with Lee Robinson, Acting Enterprise Change Director at Compass Group, about his journey from masking with extreme running to embracing a purposeful life. Lee opens up about using ten marathons in ten days as a shield from personal and professional challenges, only to discover stillness was the real strength. From high-pressure roles to mentoring with honesty, his story shows how letting go of the mask transforms leadership. If you’re in the “silent middle” quietly battling stress, this is a down-to-earth listen to inspire change.   Tune in and subscribe for more real stories on leading as yourself.Here are three reasons to give it a listen: * Hear how Lee turned running ten marathons into a lesson about masking, not resilience. * Get insights on finding purpose by stepping back from the grind, even in tough roles. * Learn Lee’s thoughts on guiding others—especially the next generation—through uncertainty. Resources: * Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacoxcoaching/] * Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast [https://theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com/] * Explore coaching at Paseda360 [https://paseda360.com/] Episode Highlights: [00:01:42 - 00:02:33] The Running Mask: Lee reveals how running ten marathons was a way to avoid facing deeper issues, using it as a badge of honour. [00:03:24 - 00:04:31] The Shift to Stillness: He reflects on realising extreme efforts stemmed from a scarcity mindset, and how pausing helped him find value. [00:04:53 - 00:05:20] Home Challenges: Lee hints at personal struggles at home, adding depth to his journey of unmasking over the past year. [00:35:31 - 00:37:13] Looking Ahead: Lee shares advice for young people to be generalists, embrace AI’s impact, and find purpose in a changing world.   Three Powerful Quotes:   [00:02:08] “Running was the mask for me… it was more about what I was running from.” [00:04:06] “I was never just really taking enough time to be still… you need to understand what you really value.” [00:35:56] “The need for authenticity in human humanness is going to be a prized asset in the future.”   Enjoy This Podcast?   Authenticity changes everything. If Lee's story on The Leader Unmasked struck a chord, subscribe and share it with someone who might need it. Leave a review and tell us how finding your passion has helped—your words help others find us. Got questions? Reach out to Angela on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.   Thanks for listening! For more episodes, check out theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com.   Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean.   To unmasking your brilliance, Angela.

#8 Sue Wesby CEO Sandacre Group

The Leader Unmasked: Sue Wesby on Embracing Authenticity   Feeling boxed in by a corporate career that doesn’t fit? Wondering if midlife can bring a fresh start?   In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox chats with Sue Wesby, CEO and founder of Sandacre, a property investment firm built on ethics and values. Sue opens up about her 15 years at Barclays Bank, where progression was rigid and impersonal, and her later stints in pharmaceuticals, contrasting that with her leap into property investing in 2021. She shares how shedding corporate expectations let her flourish, finding passion and purpose later in life.   For leaders in the “silent middle” wrestling with burnout or self-doubt, Sue’s story is a nudge to chase what lights you up. Tune in and subscribe for more real insights on leading as your true self.Here are three reasons to give it a listen: * Hear how Sue left behind corporate constraints to build a values-driven property business with Sandacre. * Pick up ideas on rediscovering passion and purpose, even in midlife, to beat burnout. * Learn from Sue’s experience inspiring others, especially young people, to carve their own path. Resources: * Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacoxcoaching/] * Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast [https://theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com/] * Explore coaching at Paseda360 [https://paseda360.com/] Episode Highlights:   [00:01:25 - 00:03:30] Corporate Roots: Sue recalls her time at Barclays, where career steps were pre-set, offering solid training but little personal freedom. [00:04:19 - 00:05:03] A New Outlook: She reflects on how age and passion helped her care less about others’ views, sparking the courage to try property investing. [00:30:34 - 00:31:21] Inspiring Others: Sue talks about challenging the education system’s limits, encouraging young people to explore entrepreneurship over traditional paths. [00:32:06 - 00:32:37] Open Doors: Sue mentions her approachable nature, inviting people to her property open days for a cuppa and a chat.   About the Guest:   Sue Wesby is the CEO and founder of Sandacre, a property investment firm grounded in ethics and values, where she’s become a leading light in the industry. After 15 years at Barclays Bank—where progression was automatic but impersonal—she moved into pharmaceuticals and later ran her own commercial vehicle business. Post-2008 financial crash, she left corporate life in 2021 to dive into property, a passion that now defines her. Sue’s journey from corporate rigidity to authentic leadership speaks to the “silent middle”—leaders quietly pushing through pressure—and her open, inspiring approach motivates others, especially younger generations, to rethink their paths.   Enjoy This Podcast?   Authenticity changes everything. If Sue Wesby’s story on The Leader Unmasked struck a chord, subscribe and share it with someone who might need it. Leave a review and tell us how finding your passion has helped—your words help others find us. Got questions? Reach out to Angela on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook.   Thanks for listening! For more episodes, check out theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com.   Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean.   To unmasking your brilliance, Angela.

#7 Haley Heath Leader and Transformational Coach

The Leader Unmasked: Hayley Heath on Shedding the Corporate Mask   Feeling trapped in a role that drains you, even if it looks successful from the outside? Ready to let go of the pressure to perform?   In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox sits down with Hayley Heath, an IT leader turned transformational coach, to explore her journey from hiding behind a mask to embracing her true self. Hayley opens up about 24 years in corporate life—leading teams in male-dominated settings—where she masked her unhappiness with a smile, battling anxiety and exhaustion daily.   Training with Paseda360 sparked her shift, and now she’s thriving as a coach, planning retreats and courses on self-trust. If you’re a leader in the “silent middle” juggling stress and self-doubt, this chat offers hope and practical steps to live authentically.   Tune in and subscribe for more stories that inspire you to lead as your real self.Here are three reasons to give it a listen: * Hear how Hayley moved from corporate burnout to finding joy by dropping her mask. * Pick up insights on managing anxiety and overthinking as a leader in a tough environment. * Learn about Hayley’s plans to help others build self-awareness and trust through coaching. Resources: * Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacoxcoaching/] * Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast [https://theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com/] * Explore coaching at Paseda360 [https://paseda360.com/] Episode Highlights: [00:01:48 - 00:02:47] The Hidden Struggle: Hayley reveals how she hid her unhappiness behind a smile, feeling pressured to achieve and suppress her personality in corporate roles. [00:03:44 - 00:05:12] Daily Masking: She describes the anxiety of putting on a mask each morning, dreading meetings, and holding back her true voice while leading teams. [00:05:37 - 00:06:26] Exhaustion and Relief: Hayley shares how her passion for teams kept her going, but the drive home was her only decompression, leaving her with little social life. [00:37:00 - 00:38:17] A New Path: Hayley talks about her exciting future—retreats, a self-trust course, and moving to full-time coaching—embracing the unknown with enthusiasm.   Three Powerful Quotes: [00:02:12] “I was very unhappy inside… I didn’t really feel like I experienced a lot of joy in life.” [00:04:48] “I would feel a lot of anxiety… I would often hold back, and it became draining.” [00:35:30] “Knowing that you’ve got a choice and it’s your choice to make has made a massive difference.”   About the Guest:   Hayley Heath is an IT leader turned transformational coach who’s turned her corporate struggles into a force for good. After 24 years in senior management and C-suite roles, often in male-dominated settings, Hayley masked her true self—smiling through anxiety and exhaustion—until training with Paseda360 opened her eyes. Now, she facilitates Paseda courses and is building a coaching career, with plans for retreats and a self-trust course. Her journey from corporate burnout to authenticity speaks to the “silent middle”—leaders quietly battling pressure—and her wisdom helps others find their voice. As a soon-to-be master practitioner, Hayley’s passion for empowering people shines through.   Enjoy This Podcast?   Authenticity is the key to great leadership. If you learned something new from Rob Regan’s story on The Leader Unmasked, hit subscribe and share it with your colleagues and friends! Post a review and share your thoughts online—tell us how embracing authenticity has inspired you.   Your feedback helps more leaders find us.   Have questions? Contact Angela through LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacoxcoaching/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/angelacoxcoaching/], or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/angelacoxcoaching/].   Thanks for listening! For more updates and episodes, visit theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com [https://theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com/].   Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean.   To unmasking your brilliance, Angela

#6 Coral Horn Founder Pink Link Ladies & The EVAs

The Leader Unmasked: Coral Horn on Authenticity and Empowering Women in Business   Struggling to fit into a male-dominated corporate world? Tired of putting on a front just to get by? In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox chats with Coral Horn, founder of Pink Link Ladies and the Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs). Coral opens up about her time in sales, where she felt out of place amid football chats and being left out at lunch, and how she left it all behind to start her own business 16 years ago. Now, she creates spaces where women can connect, collaborate, and support each other without pretending to be someone they're not. It's a down-to-earth conversation about finding your tribe, staying true to yourself, and why authenticity makes everything easier. If you're a leader feeling the quiet strain of the "silent middle," this one's for you. Listen in and see how dropping the mask can change things for the better. Don't forget to subscribe for more real talks on leading as yourself. Here are three reasons to give it a listen: * Hear how leaving a toxic corporate setup let Coral build something genuine and supportive for women in business. * Get tips on overcoming isolation and burnout by surrounding yourself with people who lift you up. * Learn from Coral's experience running Pink Link Ladies and the EVAs, where belonging and real connections are key. Resources: * Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacoxcoaching/] * Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast [https://theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com/] * Explore coaching at Paseda360 [https://paseda360.com/] Episode Highlights: [00:02:24 - 00:04:20] Corporate Struggles: Coral talks about feeling like an outsider in sales teams, where male colleagues dominated conversations and left her on the sidelines. [00:05:14 - 00:06:20] Undermined Moments: She recalls being publicly challenged on ideas that had been agreed upon, just for laughs, and how it made her realise she needed to leave. [00:06:20 - 00:07:16] Making the Leap: Coral explains the decision to quit corporate life for her own business, knowing it wasn't good for her mental health long-term. [00:32:35 - 00:35:54] Lifting Others Up: Coral shares advice on letting go of the mask to find your people, plus updates on the EVAs finalists and upcoming events.Three Powerful Quotes: [00:03:09] “It was quite male-dominated… the conversations were all about football and golf… you just didn’t feel part of it.” [00:05:38] “Why are you doing that? They thought it was funny… it was difficult trying to fit into that environment.” [00:33:11] “Just let it go. Be yourself. People will love you more for that… you’ll find your right tribe.” About the Guest: Coral Horn, founder of Pink Link Ladies and the Enterprise Vision Awards (EVAs), is all about helping women in business be themselves and support each other. After years in corporate sales feeling like she didn't fit in—dealing with exclusion and undermining—she started her own ventures 16 years ago. Today, Pink Link Ladies connects women for collaboration, and the EVAs celebrate their achievements in a welcoming space. Coral's path from isolation to building real communities hits home for leaders in the “silent middle” who are pushing through unseen struggles. Her focus on sustainability and inclusivity shines through in events like the upcoming House of Commons gathering. Enjoy This Podcast?   Authenticity is the key to great leadership. If you learned something new from Rob Regan’s story on The Leader Unmasked, hit subscribe and share it with your colleagues and friends! Post a review and share your thoughts online—tell us how embracing authenticity has inspired you.   Your feedback helps more leaders find us.   Have questions? Contact Angela through LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelacoxcoaching/], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/angelacoxcoaching/], or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/angelacoxcoaching/].   Thanks for listening! For more updates and episodes, visit theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com [https://theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com/].   Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean.   To unmasking your brilliance, Angela