The Human CEO Podcast

Authentic Leadership & Business Transformation: Penny McCormick's Journey at MyHealthChecked

Episode Summary

In this conversation, Amy interviews Penny McCormick, CEO of MyHealthChecked. Penny shares her journey from marketing to leading a healthcare PLC, navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic, and her philosophy on leadership, change management, and personal health empowerment.

About My Health Check

Founded in November 2019, MyHealthChecked is a PLC headquartered in Cardiff that delivers at-home wellness tests to consumers primarily through retail partnerships. The company started with COVID PCR testing (becoming the first over-the-counter COVID PCR test available in Boots) and has since expanded to offer over 30 different tests ranging from lateral flow wellness tests to DNA and blood tests. With a small executive team of nine members and a strong, diverse board, MyHealthChecked has successfully navigated significant market changes.

Leadership During COVID-19

Penny describes the whirlwind of leading during the pandemic, when she had to:

• Completely pivot the business direction from female health to broader wellness testing
• Build a supply chain and operational infrastructure at breakneck speed
• Manage remote working while still enabling critical in-person collaboration
• Handle unprecedented customer service demands during travel testing surges

She emphasizes the importance of embracing ambiguity, making decisions with limited information, and maintaining open communication with the team when everything is being done "for the first time."

On Leadership Philosophy

Penny's leadership approach centers on:

• Creating psychological safety for team members to ask questions and challenge ideas
• Understanding that resistance to change isn't binary—people process change differently
• Looking beyond the questions being asked to understand the underlying concerns
• Empowering teams while maintaining clear direction
• Learning continuously and improving through self-reflection

Career Journey

Rather than following a predetermined career path, Penny describes making intentional decisions at key moments that led to her current role. Starting in journalism and PR, she moved into marketing where she discovered her passion for the commercial side of business. Her time at BBI International (now BBI Group) was formative, where she worked with entrepreneurial leaders who instilled a commercial mindset and eventually rose to become a managing director.

Mentors and Influences

Penny credits several key influences:

• Previous leaders who demonstrated transparent communication and empowerment
• Amber Rudigal (board member and creator of Pregnancy Plus app), who demonstrated lean business operations, creative problem-solving, and generosity in supporting others, particularly women

Recommended Reading

While cautioning against putting too much pressure on oneself from leadership books, Penny highly recommends "The Chimp Paradox" by Steve Peters as a simple, accessible framework for understanding behavior and managing anxiety, especially useful in helping team members during uncertain times.

The Future of Healthcare

Penny sees healthcare evolving toward:

• More accessible services outside traditional healthcare settings
• Greater consumer choice and autonomy in health management
• Initiatives like Pharmacy First that distribute healthcare delivery
• Retail partnerships leveraging trust and accessibility (noting that 80% of UK residents live within 10 minutes of a Boots store)

Personal Philosophy on Health

Penny emphasizes:

• Making intentional choices every day for long-term independence and quality of life
• Prevention rather than reaction to health issues
• Living fully while maintaining independence for as long as possible

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The Human CEO Podcast explores leadership journeys and philosophies of remarkable executives across industries.

Creating Award-Winning Culture with Amy Burdett

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Human CEO, we welcome back Amy Burdett, Head of People and Culture at Premier Education Group. Amy shares the remarkable journey of transforming workplace culture, embedding meaningful values, and achieving award-winning recognition. From strategic culture changes to balancing productivity with well-being, this episode is packed with insights for leaders looking to build an authentic and high-performing workplace.

Key Topics Discussed

✔️ The Evolution of Culture – How Premier Education reassessed and redefined its core values to reflect who they are today.
✔️ Creating a Culture Code – The importance of listening to employees and capturing what truly makes a workplace thrive.
✔️ The Power of ‘Lagom’ – How a Swedish philosophy transformed productivity, work-life balance, and employee engagement.
✔️ Scaling Culture in a Franchise Model – The challenges and successes of aligning culture across 80+ franchise businesses.
✔️ The Role of Psychological Safety – How open and honest conversations shaped a culture where employees feel heard and valued.
✔️ Recognition & Impact – The awards, achievements, and business growth that followed their cultural transformation.
✔️ Future Ambitions – What's next for Premier Education, including AI integration and continued growth.

Standout Moments

🎙️ “Culture isn’t just words on a wall—it has to be embedded in everything you do.”
🎙️ “We went from knowing we were doing great things to actually celebrating and communicating them.”
🎙️ “People work better when they understand their role in the bigger picture. That’s where transparency is key.”

Why You Should Listen

If you’re a leader, HR professional, or business owner looking to create a workplace culture that drives engagement, retention, and business success, this episode is for you. Amy’s insights show that cultural transformation is not just possible but necessary for long-term growth.

Resources & Links

🔗 Premier Education Group Website

Leadership Lessons from Man's Best Friend: How Dogs Shaped Danny Nelis-Rouse’s Approach at Tug-E-Nuff

In this episode of The Human CEO Podcast, we explore the unique and inspiring leadership journey of Danny Nelis-Rouse, Managing Director of Tug-E-Nuff.

From a corporate career in call centers to running a family business focused on dog training toys, Danny’s story is a testament to the unexpected ways our furry companions can teach us about leadership, resilience, and building meaningful connections.

Key Takeaways:

• Lessons from Tiddly: How Danny’s first dog, Tiddly, profoundly influenced his understanding of customer needs and reshaped Tug-E-Nuff’s direction toward the broader dog training market.
• Empowering Leadership: Insights into Danny’s leadership style, focused on education, empowerment, and creating tools for success, whether for employees, partners, or customers.
• Overcoming Challenges: Navigating reputational challenges and learning to trust his instincts in making bold decisions for the business.
• Community and Connection: The importance of fostering a sense of community within the Tug-E-Nuff team, its extended network of dog trainers, and their customers.
• Innovation and Growth: How customer feedback and a passion for dogs continue to drive Tug-E-Nuff’s product development and global expansion.

Danny also discusses the critical balance between giving back and achieving business goals, sharing how Tug-E-Nuff invests in educational resources and personalised support to build lasting relationships. From his early days working alongside his mother in a backyard shed to managing a global brand, Danny’s journey offers inspiration for leaders who want to combine purpose, passion, and community impact.

Resources:

• Visit Tug-E-Nuff: tugenuff.com
• Access the Free Power of Play Course: Available on the website
• Follow Tug-E-Nuff on Amazon and social media for updates

 

Intentional Leadership with Mark Rampolla

In this episode of The Human CEO, we welcome Mark Rampolla, co-managing partner and co-founder of Ground Force Capital, a firm specializing in growth-stage investments in health, wellness, and sustainability-focused consumer brands. Mark is also the executive chairman of ZICO, the coconut water brand he founded, sold to Coca-Cola, and later reacquired.

Mark shares his journey as a founder, investor, and leader, reflecting on the importance of values, intentionality, and adaptability in business and leadership.

Key Topics Covered:

• Ground Force Capital’s Mission: Investing in growth-stage consumer-facing companies in food, beverage, and tech-enabled supply chains that promote health, wellness, and sustainability.
• The Role of Values in Leadership: Mark discusses the importance of shared values in guiding decisions and behaviors, both in his investment firm and portfolio companies.
• Intentionality in Business: How being intentional yet flexible has shaped Mark’s career and decisions, from launching ZICO to leading Ground Force Capital.
• Leadership Challenges Today: Insights on navigating profitability, economic shifts, and operational efficiency in a complex global landscape.
• Lessons in Letting Go: Mark shares how he learned to step back, empower others, and focus on his "zone of genius" to enable business growth.
• Personal Reflection and Growth: The value of meditation, thought time, and self-awareness in achieving balance and clarity as a leader.

Quotes from the Episode:

• "Most of my life has been about intention with non-attachment to the outcome."
• "Values come to life through the behaviors we exhibit. When tough decisions arise, values guide the way."
• "Activity alone doesn’t deliver results. Sometimes the best way to lead is to get out of the way."
• "Great leaders know what they know, what they don’t know, and they’re intentional about surrounding themselves with the right people."

Resources Mentioned:

• Books:
  • The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership – A guide to radical communication and conscious team building.
  • Letting Go by David R. Hawkins – Exploring the power of surrender in leadership and life.
• Mark Rampolla’s LinkedIn: Mark Rampolla

What’s Next for Mark:

Mark shares insights into leadership challenges across Ground Force Capital’s portfolio and his ongoing mission to foster conscious, value-driven leadership.

Tune in to learn from Mark’s wealth of experience as a founder, investor, and leader navigating today’s business landscape.

The Human CEO: Kiki McDonough on Leadership, A Little Bit of Luck, and 40 Years of Fine Jewellery

Show Notes:
In this episode of The Human CEO, we sit down with Kiki McDonough, founder of her eponymous fine jewellery brand, as she reflects on nearly 40 years in business. Starting in 1985 with no prior experience designing fine jewellery, Kiki shares her journey from a blank sheet of paper to building an internationally recognised brand celebrated for its coloured gemstones and timeless designs.

Key Highlights:

• The Early Days: How a surprising request led Kiki to create jewellery that empowered women to buy for themselves.
• Shifting Buying Behaviours: Kiki explains how women’s habits have evolved—from waiting for gifts to confidently purchasing their own jewellery.
• Leadership Philosophy: While Kiki doesn’t consider herself a traditional leader, she reflects on the importance of empathy, common sense, decisiveness, and discipline in running a business.
• Economic Challenges: How the current economic uncertainties are impacting SMEs and why more attention needs to be given to small businesses.
• The Human Connection: From her fond memories of a childhood “toy shop” to her joy in seeing customers leave with smiles, Kiki celebrates the human element of business.
• Key Influences: The role of Margaret Thatcher’s ‘can-do’ atmosphere in the 1980s and Kiki’s creative roots in a family of jewellery experts.

Memorable Moments:

• Kiki’s realisation of her success: spotting someone wearing her jewellery in the crowd at Wembley Stadium.
• “I’ve never put ‘back in 5 minutes’ on my door”—a testament to Kiki’s discipline and commitment to her customers.
• Celebrating 40 years: Kiki shares plans to revisit designs from her archives and expand further into the UK and US markets.

Books Mentioned:

• Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier
• Never by Ken Follett

Leadership Wisdom:

Kiki’s approach to leadership emphasizes empathy, optimism, and the courage to make quick decisions—even when they might not always be right. Her lessons are a powerful reminder for business leaders to remain focused, adaptable, and connected to their teams.

Listen as Kiki McDonough candidly shares her journey of resilience, creativity, and passion for bringing joy to customers—one piece of jewellery at a time.

🎧 Tune in to hear Kiki’s full story and what’s next for her business as she approaches this incredible milestone.

Website: www.kiki.co.uk

 

 

Audacity, Leadership, and the Courage to Rise with Angus Nelson, Executive Coach and Leadership Mentor

Episode Overview:
In this episode, Amy sits down with Angus Nelson to explore the transformative journey of leadership, resilience, and personal growth.

Angus shares his incredible story of redemption, his path to becoming an executive coach, and the lessons he’s learned working with over 1,000 leaders across industries. With raw honesty and actionable insights, Angus discusses the power of courage over confidence, how imposter syndrome can serve as a catalyst for growth, and why audacity is essential for leaders navigating today’s challenges.

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Key Topics Covered:

1. Angus’s Journey to Coaching:

   • From running an arts-driven youth center to facing personal and professional collapse.
   • How a moment of crisis became a turning point for healing and self-discovery.
   • Transitioning to leadership coaching and building a practice that serves entrepreneurs and executives.

2. The Courage to Lead:

   • Why courage, not confidence, is the key to stepping into the unknown.
   • Distinguishing between internal stories that hold us back and those that propel us forward.
   • How Angus reframes imposter syndrome as an invitation to rise to new challenges.

3. The Modern Leader’s Struggle:

   • Managing the overload of information in today’s uncertain world.
   • Developing mental resilience and personal power to navigate ambiguity.
   • Balancing empathy, authenticity, and vulnerability in leadership.

4. Overcoming Challenges and Building Character:

   • Lessons from failure: why resilience is built in hard times.
   • How leaders can rewrite old narratives to unlock their potential.
   • Practical advice for navigating transitions and finding alignment in life and work.

5. Books and Influences:

   • Wild at Heart by John Eldredge – Understanding purpose and ambition.
   • The Prosperous Coach by Rich Litvin – Foundational coaching principles.
   • Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell – Delegation and building effective teams.
   • 10X Is Easier Than 2X – Expanding your thinking to achieve greater outcomes.
   • Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz – Shaping identity and self-belief.

6. Audacity and the Power of Action:

   • The importance of taking bold steps in life and leadership.
   • Lessons from Angus’s move to Portugal and the courage required to embrace uncertainty.
   • Why the world needs leaders who are willing to fully step into their potential.

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Memorable Quotes:

• “Courage, not confidence, is what takes you forward. Confidence comes from what you’ve already experienced.”
• “Life prepares you for what life is preparing for you.”
• “If you have an invitation to the party, you belong at the party.”
• “You are way more powerful than you think you are. The world is dying for people like you to wake up.”

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Connect with Angus Nelson:

• Website: angusnelson.com
• LinkedIn: Angus Nelson
• Instagram: @angusnelson

About the Host:
Amy Stephenson is a people and culture expert, passionate about helping leaders create impactful, human-centered organizations. Learn more at https://recruithuman.co.uk.

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Don’t Miss Angus’s upcoming book, Confidence Comes Later: How Certainty Is Getting in Your Way, releasing next year!

Subscribe & Review:
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to The Human CEO podcast and leave a review to help more leaders discover the insights shared in each episode.

The Human Element in Leadership with Blair La Corte

Episode Overview: In this episode, Amy sits down with Blair, a coach to over 60 CEOs worldwide, to discuss leadership, human connection, and the power of personal and professional growth. Blair reflects on his unique career journey, the lessons learned from diverse industries, and the importance of thinking from the "human back out" rather than the "business back in." They dive into topics ranging from stress and resilience to the science of wellness and leadership as a sport.

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Key Topics Covered:

1. Blair’s Current Work:

   • Coaching over 60 CEOs from around the world.
   • Emphasizing learning as a two-way process in coaching.
   • Insights from a diverse group of leaders across 40 industries.

2. Blair’s Journey:

   • Growing up with entrepreneurial parents and learning the art of problem-solving.
   • Career transitions across eight industries, including aviation and tech.
   • Lessons in adaptability and understanding entrepreneurs.

3. Leadership Philosophy:

   • Leadership as a sport: balancing the highs and lows.
   • The importance of curiosity, vulnerability, and resilience.
   • How "sometimes you're earning, sometimes you're learning."

4. Human Connection and Biology:

   • Insights into Dunbar’s Number and tribal connections.
   • The role of stress, recovery, and the parasympathetic nervous system in growth.
   • How kindness and small acts of connection build stronger teams and communities.

5. Coaching for the Future:

   • Building antifragility: balancing stress and recovery for optimal performance.
   • The significance of authenticity and being your true self as a leader.
   • Reframing challenges and fostering cognitive dissonance to spark creativity.

6. Health and Longevity:

   • Key takeaways from Blair’s work with the Buck Institute for Research on Aging.
   • Why prevention and personalized wellness are critical for leaders.
   • Simple strategies for maintaining health: moving regularly, monitoring glucose, and personalized diets.

7. Blair’s Book Recommendations:

   • Homo Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari.
   • Tribal by Sebastian Junger.
   • The Age of Scientific Wellness by Nathan Price and Leroy Hood.

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Memorable Quotes:

• "Leadership is about learning and giving back—if you're not growing as a leader, you're not truly leading."
• "Think from the human back out, not the business back in."
• "Sometimes you're earning, sometimes you're learning—just avoid burning."

If you enjoyed this episode subscribe for more or head over to YouTube to watch the episode.

 

Unlocking Performance: Personal Leadership, Goal Harmony, and Ultra Marathons with Dave Callan

In this episode of The Human CEO, Amy Stephenson welcomes Dave Callan, an accomplished leader and founder of Onto Coaching, who has transitioned from a successful corporate career to empowering others as a performance coach. With a background spanning executive roles at global giants like Manchester United, Team Sky/Ineos, and Travel Counsellors, Dave shares his unique perspective on leadership, goal alignment, and personal growth. He explores how his experiences in high-pressure environments have shaped his coaching philosophy and why stepping out of your comfort zone is critical to success.

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Key Topics Discussed:

• Dave’s Career Journey:
  Insights from his leadership roles in renowned organizations, including Manchester United, where he experienced the legendary culture instilled by Sir Alex Ferguson, and Team Sky/Ineos under the visionary leadership of Sir Dave Brailsford.

• Transition to Coaching:
  Dave explains how self-reflection and a passion for helping others led him to launch Onto Coaching, where he supports executives and high performers in unlocking their untapped potential.

• The Importance of Personal Leadership:
  Dave defines personal leadership as taking accountability for your own direction and aligning your mindset and behaviors to your goals.

• Goal Harmony vs. Team Harmony:
  Drawing from his experiences in elite sports and business, Dave highlights why shared goals often matter more than perfect team cohesion.

• Lessons on Feedback:
  The transformative power of radical candor—how being direct and caring when delivering feedback helps individuals and teams thrive.

• The Role of Endurance Challenges in Growth:
  Dave shares how participating in ultra-marathons and other endurance events has helped him develop resilience and foster reflection, which he applies to his coaching practice.

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Books and Resources Mentioned:

1. Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins – A guide to unlocking personal power and shifting belief systems.
2. The Law of Attraction – On how mindset and positivity influence outcomes.
3. The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday – A daily exploration of Stoic principles for personal growth.

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Upcoming Challenge:
Dave discusses his upcoming multi-stage ultra-marathon in Namibia, a 250-kilometer, self-supported race across the desert. He explains how this extreme challenge reflects his commitment to growth and aligns with his mission to empower clients to push their boundaries.

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How to Connect with Dave Callan:

• LinkedIn: Dave Callan
  Dave works with high performers looking to break through stagnation, overcome limiting beliefs, and align their lifestyle for peak performance.

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Key Quote from the Episode:
"Empowering yourself and others starts with clarity of vision and the courage to step out of your comfort zone. That’s where growth truly happens." – Dave Callan

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Subscribe to The Human CEO for more inspiring conversations with leaders who are redefining success in their industries!

Transforming Lives and Business with Howard Trotter of Shelforce

In this powerful episode of The Human CEO Podcast, host Amy sits down with Howard Trotter, Business Manager at Shelforce, to share an extraordinary story of resilience, transformation, and inclusion. Shelforce, a company established in 1839 and part of Birmingham City Council, employs a workforce where 75% of team members have disabilities. Under Howard’s leadership since 2013, the business has gone from financial distress to becoming a thriving, award-winning enterprise with an annual turnover of £8.9 million and a profit exceeding £1 million.

Key Insights from the Episode:

• Transforming Perceptions: Shelforce overcame negative assumptions about employing people with disabilities by focusing on quality, efficiency, and fostering a culture of empowerment.
• A Winning Culture: Howard highlights the steps he took to revitalize Shelforce, including introducing lean manufacturing practices, improving profit and loss visibility, and fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.
• Leadership Through Inclusion: Shelforce’s hiring process challenges traditional methods by prioritizing paid work experience over interviews, creating opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities to succeed.
• Award-Winning Impact: From the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year to the King’s Award for Enterprise, Shelforce’s achievements reflect its resilience and commitment to excellence.
• The Power of Vulnerability: Howard shares how open communication, trust, and teamwork have built a family-like culture, enabling the business and its people to thrive together.

Recommended Resources:

• Book: Improving Business by Sid Johnson – A practical guide for leaders on managing people and driving business growth. Howard credits this book for shaping his leadership approach. Find the book here.
• Podcast Inspiration: Howard also draws leadership lessons from Andy Farrell, head coach of the Irish rugby team, who emphasizes family, culture, and understanding individual strengths to build a world-class team.

Memorable Moments:

• Howard’s reflection on winning the King’s Award for Enterprise and the life-changing impact it had on his team’s confidence and morale.
• Stories of resilience, including Shelforce’s journey from a £1.8 million loss to sustained profitability.
• Howard’s bold approach to leadership, including his challenge to the workforce to define their identity: "Are we a factory that employs disabled people or a factory that manufactures quality products?"

Why This Episode Matters:

Howard’s story is a testament to the power of inclusive leadership and what happens when businesses focus on their greatest asset—their people. This episode offers valuable lessons for leaders looking to drive transformation, create meaningful opportunities, and build a legacy of impact.

Connect with Shelforce:

• Website: Shelforce
• Social Media: Follow Shelforce on LinkedIn.

Enjoyed this episode?
Subscribe to The Human CEO Podcast and leave a review! Share it with your network to help us inspire leaders everywhere to build businesses that thrive through inclusion, resilience, and people-centered leadership.

 

Crafting Timeless Design and Leading with Creativity with Ben Rousseau

In this episode of The Human CEO, Amy Stephenson sits down with Ben Rousseau, founder of Rousseau Design, to dive into his 20+ year journey creating high-end, collectible design pieces. Ben’s work focuses on bespoke lighting and functional art for luxury homes and corporate spaces, blending art with utility.

 

He shares his philosophy on leadership, team dynamics, and fostering creativity in a small business setting. Ben also introduces his latest venture, the "Kiss My Art" project, which transforms a personal connection into unique artwork, and his timepieces, designed to redefine our relationship with time.

Key Highlights:

• Introduction to Rousseau Design 
• Leadership and Team Collaboration
• Creativity and Team Dynamics
• The “Kiss My Art” Project
• Time Pieces: Connecting with Time
• Upcoming Projects and Exciting Plans
• Connecting with Ben Rousseau

Tune in to hear more about Ben’s creative journey, his vision for redefining luxury design, and how he inspires creativity within his team.