What My Heart Condition Taught Me About Burnout, Work-Life Balance & Career Reinvention

After being made redundant with two young kids, Elizabeth Willetts couldn’t find a flexible, senior role, so she created one. She founded Investing in Women — a platform helping women find flexible, part-time and meaningful work. In this episode, Maria Hvorostovsky talks to Elizabeth about how recruitment is changing, why flexible working is the key to closing the gender pay gap, and why ‘you cannot be diverse and inclusive if you don’t embrace flexible work.’ We explore how flexibility creates better workplaces for everyone, the emotional cost of ‘doing it all,’ and what job sharing, part-time leadership, and hybrid work really look like in practice. We also discuss how women can build wealth while staying in the workforce — and hear Elizabeth’s most unpopular opinion about women’s careers.00:18 – Founding Investing in Women01:36 – The Myth of Flexibility When You Work for Yourself02:51 – How to Create Real Flexible Work Opportunities06:17 – Job Sharing: How It Actually Works08:28 – The Future of Work, AI & the Gig Economy14:48 – How Flexibility Can Close the Gender Pay Gap16:24 – Spotting Red Flags in Companies Before You Join24:48 – Flex: Building a Career Around Your Life25:30 – Why Knowing What You Want Is a Career Superpower30:07 – CVs & Cover Letters That Stand Out38:07 – LinkedIn Tips That Get You Hired44:22 – Will Recruiters Be Replaced by AI?54:48 – What’s Next for Investing in WomenAbout Elizabeth WillettsElizabeth Willetts is the Founder of Investing in Women, a UK-based recruitment platform and job board connecting employers with talented women and parents seeking flexible, part-time, and remote work. Elizabeth is a leading advocate for gender equality, flexible working, and closing the gender pay gap. Through Investing in Women, she’s reshaping the UK employment landscape by helping organisations attract, hire, and retain diverse talent while promoting careers that support modern family life and caregiving responsibilities.Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-willettsIG: https://www.instagram.com/investinginwomencareers/Website: https://investinginwomen.co.uk/Follow host Maria HvorostovskyIG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/📖 Be the first to get Anatomy of a Leader Diary: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3M

Join the waitlist get Anatomy of a Leader Diary: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3MHow did Jane Means go from wrapping gifts at her kitchen table to working with Chanel and Dior? In this episode of Anatomy of a Leader, host Maria Hvorostovsky speaks with the “Queen of Gift-Wrapping” about building a luxury business from scratch, going viral on social media, and creating sustainable designs for high-profile clients. Jane shares lessons on resilience, creativity, and success without stress.00:00 Intro00:13 Starting a Gift Wrapping Business02:12 Viral Success and Social Media Impact03:16 Challenges and Sustainable Gift Wrapping05:41 Wrapping for Celebrity & VIP Clients08:12 Maintaining Quality and Team Dynamics17:20 The Ultimate Gift Wrapping Challenge TV Show20:22 Navigating Tough Feedback with Kindness21:23 Family Dynamics and Gift Wrapping Humor22:08 The Art of Understated Gift Wrapping25:09 Sustainability in the Wrapping Industry27:33 Balancing Work and Personal Life30:12 The Journey of Hiring and Business Growth32:36 Reflecting on Positivity and Life Lessons33:33 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs37:10 Proving Doubters WrongJane MeansIG:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/janemeans⁠Pinterest: ⁠https://www.pinterest.co.uk/janemeans⁠ 🎁 Special Offer for Anatomy of a Leader viewers: Get 20% OFF your order at ⁠https://www.janemeans.com⁠⁠  with code MARIA at checkout.Follow Maria HvorostovskyIG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvorostovsky/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mariahvorostovsky/Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/Artwork and video by https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com/ 📖 Become a founding member of Anatomy of a Leader Diary sign up here: https://bit.ly/4qkvC3M

On June 19th, 2025, my heart was stopped. And restarted. I had robotic heart surgery to repair a valve, but what it healed went far beyond the physical. This short video is about what breaks us open… and how we begin again.This is not just a story about surgery, it’s about identity, rebirth, and the quiet strength it takes to come back different.Regular programming will resume in September, as I gather strength and take time to rest and be with my family.Pre-order Anatomy of a Leader Diary here: https://stan.store/mariahvo/ 📖Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/anatomyofaleader ☕️FOLLOW ME:IG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleader/IG: https://www.instagram.com/mycareerwithmariaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvoWebsite: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/

Pre-order Anatomy of a Leader Diary here: https://stan.store/mariahvo/ 📖Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/anatomyofaleader ☕️—-Work-life balance is a lie.In this episode, I open up about my recent health challenge - a heart condition called mitral valve prolapse - that forced me to completely rethink how I work, live, and lead. I share how the Anatomy of a Leader brand is evolving and what I’ve learned about slowing down, listening to your body, and making aligned decisions after two decades in executive search and leadership.If you’re navigating burnout, reinvention, career change, or leadership challenges, this episode is for you.—-Follow me:IG:   / mycareerwithmaria  LinkedIn:   / mariahvo  TikTok:   / maria_hvo  IG:   / anatomyofaleader  Website: https://www.anatomyofaleader.com/—-What’s inside:Why work-life balance is a mythHow my heart condition (MVP) changed everythingWhy I’m closing HVO SearchWhat’s next for Anatomy of a LeaderThe story behind the Anatomy of a Leader Diary - pre-order now! https://stan.store/mariahvo/How I’m applying lessons from Slow Productivity by Cal NewportBehind-the-scenes of creating this podcast with Felipe, my husbandA shoutout to Bill Bailey’s “Thoughtifier” show—-Resources mentioned:Anatomy of a Leader Diary: https://stan.store/mariahvo/Slow Productivity by Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/4kk1rpT Bill Bailey’s “Thoughtifier” trailer by Felipe Meggio:    • Bill Bailey Thoughtifier Show Intro  —-Thank you for watching and supporting! Please like, subscribe, and comment - I’d love to hear: 💬 What’s keeping you stuck in your career right now? 💬 What leadership topics do you want me to cover next?—-We breathe.We inhale and exhale.We work and we rest.We live and we lead.This is Anatomy of a Leader. Thank you for being here.

Buy the book: https://amzn.to/3WLo8cXThis week I welcome back Alison Cork— lifestyle expert, author and former food critic transformed her life by losing five stone and reclaiming her health. Inspired by her journey, she wrote “Fit and Fabulous Over 50” to show you how to rewire your second act!If you want practical health tips or motivation to make the most of your second act (or even your first act), then this episode is for you.Alison joins me to talk about:- The key to breaking cravings- How to stop relying on treats for comfort - The one food you should stop eating immediately- Why meal planning is the secret source to successTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction04:12 - Starting Alison at Home and Rebranding09:56 - Rethinking Diet and Exercise18:44 - How to Break Your Cravings 21:57 - Why Do We Want Treats?24:48 - How to Eat 1,000 Calories a Day27:40 - Stop Eating This Immediately29:45 - Meal Planning is Essential to a Healthy Diet33:12 - We’re Out of Balance40:34 - Writing Fit & Fabulous Over 5046:28- Confidence Won’t Just Happen47:13 - Drinking Less and Staying Strong52:36 - The Struggles of Being a Working Mother01:02:04 - Advice for Being Fabulous Over 50Alison Cork:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisoncork_home/ X: https://x.com/AlisonCork?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Website: https://www.nwew.co.uk/ Website: https://alisonathome.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvoX: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovskyPodcast filmed, edited and produced by:https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.comNeed help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.comLEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

Meet Mary Ann Sieghart. She’s the former Assistant Editor of the Times, Ted speaker and author. She’s here to expose why women are not taken as seriously as men and show us how to close that gap for good. If you care about understanding and dismantling the biases that hold women back—and creating a more equal and fair world—this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction02:55 - The Authority Gap in a Nutshell06:19 - Why do we Still Underestimate Women's Intelligence?08:51 - How do we Address this Bias?15:11 - Nature vs. Nurture19:13 - Is Gender Equality Dangerous to Men?22:49 - Online Misogyny35:17 - Why Don’t Men Notice Their Biases?39:31 - How to Reduce Unconscious Bias42:20 - Closing the Authority Gap 54:44 - Why Do Women Have to be Warm?58:21 - What Trump’s Re-election Means for Women01:02:15 - Why Men Think They’re Oppressed01:06:35 - Why Care About Closing the Authority Gap?Mary Ann Sieghart is the author of the best-selling book The Authority Gap: Why Women Are Still Taken Less Seriously Than Men, and What We Can Do About it and a Founding Partner of The Authority Gap Consultancy. A former Assistant Editor and columnist at The Times for 20 years, she gained a wide following for her writing on politics, economics, feminism, and life. Mary Ann has presented numerous BBC Radio 4 programs, including Start the Week and Profile, and chaired The Brains Trust on BBC2. A Visiting Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford, she also serves as Visiting Professor at King’s College London’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership. She has chaired the Social Market Foundation, sits on several boards, and was Chair of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2022 judges.Buy the books:The Authority Gap: Mary Ann Sieghart - https://amzn.to/3DZEM1X Of Boys and Men: Richard E. Reeves - https://amzn.to/4gZXQMh Mary Ann Sieghart:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-ann-sieghart-17a27891/?originalSubdomain=ukInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/masieghartwriter/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.maryannsieghart.com/Maria Hvorostovsky:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycareerwithmariaIG: https://www.instagram.com/anatomyofaleaderTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvoX: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovskyPodcast filmed, edited and produced by:https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.comNeed help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.comLEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

BUY THE BOOKS: The Crazy Busy Cure - https://amzn.to/3W7WuGB Badly Behaved People - https://amzn.to/3DUSKlx  Happy New Year, my fellow leaders! The holiday season can leave us feeling overwhelmed, and as we dive into 2025, let’s ditch the phrase, “I’ve been crazy busy,” for good. I’m thrilled to bring you this conversation with Zena Everett—a leadership coach, dynamic speaker, and author of Mind Flip, The Crazy Busy Cure, and Badly Behaved People. Zena’s here to share her wisdom on reclaiming your time and navigating the challenges of dealing with badly behaved people in your life. If you’re tired of endless to-do lists, struggle to set boundaries, or feel drained by workplace drama, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 05:08 - Get Rid of Pointless Meetings 10:10 - What Happens When You’re Too Busy for Too Long 18:15 - Crazy Busy vs. Good Busy 25:23 - Chase Antelopes, Not Field Mice 35:12 - Do You Ever Not Follow Your Own Advice? 35:53 - Time Blocking 42:23 - What is the New Book About? 45:24 - What Personalities are in the Book? 48:47 - Understanding the Person Behind the Work Face 55:23 - Are We Scared of Getting to Know People? 57:51 - Slowing Down is Important Zena Everett is a leadership coach, speaker, and author specialising in productivity and career success. Her career began as a recruitment entrepreneur, and after selling her business in 2007, she pursued a master’s degree in organisational psychology and career management, followed by advanced coaching qualifications, including studies at MIT Sloan School of Management. She has written two books: Mind Flip, focused on career management, and The Crazy Busy Cure, a guide to tackling modern productivity challenges, which was a bestseller and nominated for the Business Book Awards 2022. Her new book: Badly Behaved People, is about recognising challenging personality types and learning how to deal with them. Zena Everett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zenaeverett/?originalSubdomain=uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zenaeverett1/ Website: https://www.zenaeverett.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

🎄✨ Merry Christmas, everyone! ✨🎄 Wishing you a holiday season filled with warmth, love, and joy. Whether you’re celebrating big or keeping it cosy, we hope your Christmas is full of special moments with the ones you love. This week, I sat down with my little elves - my kids! - to chat about all things festive. We talked about the house hierarchy, what they would do if they were in charge of Christmas, and whether they would let elves have a day off. So grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and join us for a cosy Christmas chat! Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT AND GIVE IT THE THUMBS UP

https://form.typeform.com/to/eDtmkFff: Join the waitlist for Anatomy of a Leader events. Gen Z isn’t the problem—it’s the way we manage them. We’ve heard it all: Gen Z is lazy, entitled, and lacks work ethic. But are they really the issue, or have we just not figured out how to lead them effectively? This week, I’m excited to welcome back Heather Elkington—leadership coach, TEDx speaker, and social media powerhouse—who is reshaping the way we manage the next generation of talent. After our first conversation, Heather and I knew we had only scratched the surface. In this episode, we dive into: 1. Why the term “manager” needs a rebrand (and how to lead without the “Karen” vibe) 2. The 5-step framework for emotional intelligence in leadership 3. How to handle tough conversations that spark real growth 4. Why Gen Z can spot inauthentic leadership from a mile away If you’re a leader struggling to connect with your team, an ambitious manager ready to level up, or a Gen Z professional seeking leadership that truly gets it, this conversation is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 05:28 - You’re Already a Leader 08:59 - Gender Disparity in the Workplace 20:51 - Gen Z and the Future of Work 27:09 - What Will Get Your Team Engaged Again? 31:58 - Managing Employees’ Expectations 35:34 - Helping Your Employee Grow 44:44 - Giving Your Team Independence 52:59 - Tips for Having Difficult Conversations 01:02:25 - Gossip and Emotional Intelligence 01:08:16 - Aligning Your Team with Core Values Heather is the founder of Fresh Leadership World, a company which educates managers on creating empowered, high-performing teams where every individual feels valued and capable. She’s spent the last 10 years leading fast-growing and effective SaaS companies like GoProposal and Sage, where she was Director of Operations. Heather Elkington: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/heather-elkington Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadershipheather/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@leadershipheather Website: https://www.freshleadershipworld.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com Need help HIRING – http://www.hirewithmaria.com LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.

https://form.typeform.com/to/eDtmkFff: Join the waitlist for Anatomy of a Leader events. Meet Aigul Ahmetshina. She’s a Kazan-born opera star and the youngest mezzo-soprano to perform Carmen at the Royal Opera House. Aigul is here to show you that no dream is too big. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 03:01 - How it All Started 18:06 - Building a Technique and Finding Her Voice 19:12 - Facing Doubts and Feeling Guilty 24:03 - What Kept You Pursuing Opera? 27:57 - Opera Lets You Express Your Feelings 31:12 - Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone 33:42 - Nearly Changing Professions 36:13 - Getting Into a Car Accident 38:56 - Auditioning for the Young Artist Program 44:17 - Finding the Right Manager 51:06 - The Benefits of Therapy 54:17 - Give Yourself Time to Feel Sorry for Yourself 57:13 - Performing is Personal 59:04 - Post-Performance Rituals 01:00:38 - Learning to Find Balance 01:05:52 - Creating a Better World Through Art 01:09:15 - Why Carmen is So Popular 01:16:00 - Resolving Conflict 01:20:34 - Misconceptions About Opera Singers 01:21:23 - Treat People Like Human Beings 01:30:47 - What’s Next? 01:33:38 - Advice for Aspiring Opera Singers If you have a seemingly impossible dream you’re hesitant to pursue, or are simply an opera enthusiast and want to hear Aigul’s story, then this episode is for you! Aigul Akhmetshina: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aigul_akhmetshina_mezzo/?hl=en X: https://x.com/ak_mezzo?lang=en Website: https://aigulakhmetshina.com/ Maria Hvorostovsky: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariahvo/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariahvo/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maria_hvo X: https://twitter.com/mhvorostovsky Podcast filmed, edited and produced by: https://www.londonbeautyphotographer.com LEAVE A REVIEW: If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts make sure to Follow, Rate, and leave a REVIEW.