Leading from Presence (Not Pressure) with Stef Mandirola

Discover why high performance is a biological state, not just willpower, and how Female CEOs can avoid burnout by leading from presence. In this episode, we sit down with Stef Mandirola, a former aerospace COO who traded the high-stakes world of multi-million pound global operations for the disciplined path of Zen.As the founder of HASU, Stef bridges the gap between centuries-old Japanese tradition and modern stress physiology. We dive into:The Corporate Trench to Zen: Stef’s personal battle with burnout and how it led her to coach executive teams to perform from a state of presence rather than pressure.Challenging "Push Through" Culture: Why relying on willpower is a biological dead end and how to tap into your natural physiology for sustainable success.The Discipline of Presence: Practical insights into moving away from reactive leadership and toward a centered, high-performance state.Prevention over Cure: Understanding the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) score and how early life conditioning can unknowingly drive us toward adult burnout.Whether you are navigating the pressures of the boardroom or looking to reclaim your energy, Stef’s "Surface to Soul" approach offers a masterclass in performing at your peak without sacrificing your well-being.