• Leap Academy with Ilana Golan

  • By: Ilana Golan
  • Podcast

Leap Academy with Ilana Golan

By: Ilana Golan
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  • Summary

  • The Leap Academy Podcast with Ilana Golan is all about honest and inspiring conversations about what it really takes to leap to bigger things, amazing careers, and craft the life you want. Stories and tips you won't find anywhere else. Ilana speaks with some of the world's most influential people, experts, and thinkers who created incredible careers, massive impact, built a reputation, and an extraordinary life. Together we discover the untold truths, the emotions, and important lessons that enabled them to reinvent themselves & leap. We take our audience on a journey that will not only inspire but also teach concrete lessons on how to leap careers: fast-track to leadership, jump to entrepreneurship, build a personal brand, portfolio career, and much more.
    © 2024 The Leap Academy with Ilana Golan
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Career Success Economics Personal Development Personal Success
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Episodes
  • Gil Shwed: Building Check Point into a $20B Empire and Defining the Future of Cybersecurity

    Gil Shwed: Building Check Point into a $20B Empire and Defining the Future of Cybersecurity
    Feb 20 2025
    Gil Shwed built Check Point into a $20 billion cybersecurity giant, but it all began with a flaw he spotted as a programmer in the Israeli military. Tasked with connecting classified networks, he uncovered a vulnerability, and the idea for a firewall was born. A few years later, he launched Check Point, betting on internet security before the web even existed. At 26 years old, he took the company public despite his doubts. Three decades later, he stepped down as CEO, having reshaped cybersecurity forever. In this episode, Gil joins Ilana to share how he built a problem-solving mindset, landed game-changing deals, scaled a startup from nothing, and led a multibillion-dollar company for 30 years. Gil Shwed is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Check Point Software Technologies, one of Israel's largest tech companies and the world’s top cybersecurity firm. He was the CEO for 30 years, the longest of any CEO on Nasdaq, and still helps guide the company today. In this episode, Ilana and Gil will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:32) Early Programming Passion (02:17) Gaining Problem-Solving Skills in the Military (06:25) The Security Flaw That Inspired Check Point (07:45) How Early Jobs Shaped His Path to Check Point (12:26) Realizing the Need for Firewalls Ahead of Time (15:12) Raising Capital Without VC Funding (17:47) Convincing Companies to Adopt Firewalls (21:06) Closing a $1M Deal After 100 Days of Hustle (28:34) Why Gil Reluctantly Took Check Point Public (33:03) The Secret to His Leadership Success (36:03) Navigating Market Changes and Stress (41:08) How Gil Stays Ahead in Business (44:05) Stepping Down as CEO After 30 Years (49:00) Minimizing Risks in Business (52:13) Building a Startup That Lasts Gil Shwed is the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Check Point Software Technologies, one of Israel's largest tech companies and the world’s top cybersecurity firm. He saw early on how important cybersecurity would be as the world became more connected, helping Check Point grow into a leader in the industry. Gil was the CEO for 30 years, the longest of any CEO on Nasdaq, and still helps guide the company today. Connect with Gil: Gil’s Website: https://www.checkpoint.com/ Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training
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    57 mins
  • Too Broke for Bankruptcy: How Michael Hyatt Rebuilt Success Without Sacrificing His Life

    Too Broke for Bankruptcy: How Michael Hyatt Rebuilt Success Without Sacrificing His Life
    Feb 18 2025
    After the crash of his company, Michael Hyatt was determined to rise again. Returning to his old publishing firm, he took on a failing division and turned it into the most profitable. His hard work paid off with a massive bonus check. But when he rushed home to celebrate, his wife was in tears. He had put his all in at work, at the cost of his family. That moment changed everything. Instead of choosing between work and life, he found a way to win at both. Now, through Full Focus, he helps others do the same. In this episode, Michael joins Ilana to share how he rebuilt after failure, set healthy work boundaries, and redefined success to thrive in work and life. Michael Hyatt is a bestselling author, leadership expert, and founder of Full Focus, helping leaders succeed without sacrificing their personal lives. Through his books and coaching, he helps high achievers lead with vision, set boundaries, and create lasting impact. In this episode, Ilana and Michael will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:49) How Philosophy Shaped His Business Mindset (03:21) Why His Fast-Growing Company Crashed (06:40) The Key to Overcoming Business Failure (11:44) Succeeding at Work, Losing at Home (14:49) Balancing Family, Work, and Life’s Demands (23:36) Rest as the Key to Peak Performance (28:24) The Power of Peer Support in Leadership (31:07) Becoming CEO and Navigating Crisis (36:43) From CEO to Building a Personal Brand (42:39) Why Retirement Was Never an Option (43:58) Building a Personal Brand That Lasts (46:42) Finding Purpose Beyond Work (49:46) Creating a Legacy That Matters (52:07) Overcoming Personal Challenges and Trauma (54:27) The Importance of Therapy and Seeking Help Michael Hyatt is a bestselling author, leadership expert, and founder of Full Focus, helping leaders succeed without sacrificing their personal lives. As former CEO of Thomas Nelson, he led its turnaround and acquisition by HarperCollins. Realizing success shouldn’t come at the cost of family, he developed the Double Win philosophy, proving you don’t have to choose between work and life. Through his books and coaching, he helps high achievers lead with vision, set boundaries, and create lasting impact. Connect with Michael: Michael’s Website: https://fullfocus.co Michael’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaelhyatt Resources Mentioned: Michael’s Book, Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less: https://www.amazon.com/Free-Focus-Productivity-System-Achieve-ebook/dp/B07F3DM7C1 Michael’s Book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World: https://www.amazon.com/Platform-Get-Noticed-Noisy-World/dp/140023803X The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal by Jim Loehr: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Full-Engagement-Managing-Performance/dp/0743226755 Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • How I Lost My Company and Built a $500M Business Instead | Brandon Dawson

    How I Lost My Company and Built a $500M Business Instead | Brandon Dawson
    Feb 13 2025
    At 29 years old, Brandon Dawson was on top of the world. He had taken his company public, stood on the American Stock Exchange floor, and rang the bell. He felt unstoppable until his private equity investors sold his company against his will. Most people would have quit, but Brandon learned from this setback, cracked the code to scaling, and went on to build and sell his next company for $151 million. Today, he helps business owners do the same through Cardone Ventures, a $500 million business he co-founded. In this episode, Brandon joins Ilana to share insights on scaling a business against all odds, why 97% of businesses fail, and how to be in the top 3%. Brandon Dawson is an entrepreneur, scaling expert, and co-founder of Cardone Ventures. With over 30 years of experience, he helps businesses scale using data-driven strategies, navigate breakpoints, and avoid common pitfalls. In this episode, Ilana and Brandon will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (01:47) From College Dropout to Top Sales Performer (03:45) Selling Everything to Start a Business (05:48) Getting Kicked Out of His Own Company (09:08) Surviving the Early Years of Entrepreneurship (12:31) Turning Leadership Failures into Billion-Dollar Lessons (16:08) The $151 Million Exit That Made Employees Millions (21:57) Scaling a Family Business Without the Chaos (25:22) Staying Unstoppable in the Face of Hate (32:12) Why Most Entrepreneurs Fail and How to Avoid It (39:41) Making Data-Driven Decisions in Business Brandon Dawson is an entrepreneur, scaling expert, and co-founder of Cardone Ventures. As CEO of Sonus Corporation, he grew it to over 1,400 locations and raised $58 million before investors took control and sold the company against his wishes. He later founded Audigy Group, scaling it from $500,000 to $35 million before selling it for $151 million. With over 30 years of experience, Brandon helps businesses scale using data-driven strategies, navigate breakpoints, and avoid common pitfalls. Connect with Brandon: Brandon’s Website: https://bdawson.com Brandon’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandonmdawson Resources Mentioned: Brandon’s Book, Nine-Figure Mindset: How to Go from Zero to Over $100 Million in Net Worth: https://www.amazon.com/Nine-Figure-Mindset-Zero-Million-Worth/dp/B0C8G8CTQC The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John C. Maxwell: https://www.amazon.com/Levels-Leadership-Proven-Maximize-Potential/dp/1599953633 The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John C. Maxwell: https://www.amazon.com/21-Irrefutable-Laws-Leadership-Anniversary/dp/0785288376 Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996 Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck--Why Some Thrive Despite Them All by Jim Collins, Morten T. Hansen: http://amazon.com/Great-Choice-Uncertainty-Luck-Why-Despite/dp/0062120999 Leap Academy: Ready to make the LEAP in your career? There is a NEW way for professionals to Advance Their Careers & Make 5-6 figures of EXTRA INCOME in Record Time. Check out our free training today at leapacademy.com/training
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    46 mins

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