When Osian was born after only 23 weeks, he had to fight through countless medical complications. For his mother, Georgina, it was an exhausting time filled with uncertainty, pushing her to her limits as a parent and caregiver.

Despite this, Georgina focused on creating a life filled with love, joy, and connection for Osian. She embraced her role with determination, learning complex medical care and ensuring her son felt loved and supported every single day.

Sadly, Osian’s short life ended in March 2023, but Georgina has kept his memory alive through Osian’s Fishes, a fundraising scheme to help hospitals acquire more cot soothers for babies spending weeks or months in hospital.

Reasons to listen

• Learn how to transform adversity into meaningful action by hearing how Georgina channeled personal tragedy into multiple projects that help others.
• Discover how to maintain strength and purpose while facing extreme uncertainty and emotional challenges.
• Understand how focusing on love and connection, even in the most difficult circumstances, can provide clarity and direction when navigating life's toughest moments.

Resources

• Osian’s Fishes fundraiser
• Osian’s Fishes Facebook page
• Connect with Georgina via LinkedIn

Failing to prepare and adapt can lead to dangerous situations, like getting lost in treacherous conditions. These outcomes can be life-threatening and make it difficult for us to reach safety.

Arno de Jong faced that when taking his friend on a winter hike in the Alps. They encountered more snow than Arno had expected, which posed a risk of avalanches and made navigation difficult.

In his conversation with Sally-Anne, Arno recounts his adventure, how he dealt with the fear and led his friend to safety, and what his encounter can teach others.

Reasons to listen

• Hear an inspiring story of partnership, decision-making, and overcoming fear in high-stakes situations.
• Discover how to effectively assess and adapt to unpredictable conditions in challenging environments.
• Learn about the importance of having contingency plans and being ready to adapt to changing circumstances.

Highlights

• [00:01:21] A simple winter hike
• [00:05:03] Breaking in to escape the cold
• [00:14:48] A steep and icy climb
• [00:25:35] Arno's risk assessment grid
• [00:29:11] Post-adventure analysis
• [00:33:00] What Arno learned
• [00:37:43] Mountains speak, wise men listen
• [00:40:35] What "fearless forward" means for Arno
• [00:44:24] What we’ve learned

Resources

• Connect with Arno via LinkedIn
• AlpAdventures
• Connect with Sally-Anne via LinkedIn

At some point in our lives, we all get scared. Scared of making the wrong decision of not being a good parent or that everyone will figure out. We're just making it up as we go. I'm Sally-Anne Airey and I've spent years helping leaders like you work through stress, fear, and uncertainty. As the Navy's first serving mother and award-winning author, I'm now bringing my ideas on courageous, compassionate leadership to my new podcast.

Fearless Forward. It's for founders, leaders and business owners who feel like they're constantly fighting uphill and not finding the balance they need to be effective at work and present at home. In every episode, I'll share strategies drawn from real life stories to help you lead with courage and vulnerability.

You'll learn how to embrace your humanity, transform your fear into lasting purpose. And lead your team through the tough times while still making space for your family. This isn't another talk show where insight is buried in an hour of friendly chatter. Each episode will equip you with clear ideas and techniques you can apply immediately in your own life. You'll hear from leaders you haven't heard from before. Founders, thinkers and change makers who've faced their own tough transitions and come out stronger. People who've rebuilt careers after burnout or found new paths when the old ones crumbled. If you are ready to find balance and lead with courage and compassion, follow the podcast@fearlessforward.org.