S1 Ep. 01: Unstoppable Momentum: Bernadette McClelland on Change, Risk and leadership - Part 1

What if bankruptcy, being bedridden, and losing everything were actually the best things that ever happened to you? In this kickoff episode of Season 1, host Carrie Hunter sits down with global keynote speaker, best-selling author, and leadership expert Bernadette McClelland to reveal the surprising truth about resilience, reinvention, and what it really takes to lead under pressure.You'll hear Bernadette's candid story of rebuilding from rock bottom, why she champions "antifragility" over just bouncing back, and the lessons learned from walking the Camino solo and ziplining in Africa. Together, they dive into what most leaders get wrong under stress, how curiosity and asking “why” fuel true growth, and the hidden power of decision-led leadership in sales and beyond.Key highlights include: embracing life’s hardest moments, how humor can help us through adversity, breaking free from the trap of external validation, and practical strategies for stepping off the relentless timeline and leading with self-trust.Notes from the Interview: The two books Bernadette mentioned during this episode were: 1) Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto) by Nassim Nicholas Taleb 2) The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work.The movie Bernadette mentioned during the episode was: 1) The Way a 2010 drama film directed, produced and written by Emilio Estevez, who stars alongside his father Martin Sheen.Connect with Bernadette McClellandSales Leader of Influence WebsiteBernadette's WebsiteInstagramCheck out ⁠Bernadette's WIP StoryTimestamped episode overview:00:00: Bernadette’s introduction and unexpected teaser for the episode02:00: The younger Bernadette—curiosity, validation, and lessons from childhood07:14: The “blessings of bankruptcy”—resilience, antifragility, and starting over13:31: Leadership under pressure—reactive behavior, decision-making, and pausing19:57: What does “decision-led revenue” really mean? Everyday examples and leadership24:07: Why leaders second-guess themselves—bringing our younger selves into the boardroom27:05: Living too much on the timeline—how to find the gap and step off the pressure31:21: Wrap-up, parting advice, and preview of part 2Check out Bernadette's WIP Story