#128 “Success Is Freedom” Sarah Willingham on Work, Family & Being Present

29/09/2025 1h 18min Temporada 8 Episodio 128
#128 “Success Is Freedom”  Sarah Willingham on Work, Family & Being Present

Listen "#128 “Success Is Freedom” Sarah Willingham on Work, Family & Being Present"

Episode Synopsis

What does true success really mean? In this inspiring conversation, I sit down with Sarah Willingham, entrepreneur, investor, former Dragon on BBC’s Dragons’ Den, and co-owner of the Brighton i360.Sarah opens up about:✨ Why she believes success is freedom, the ability to meander through life on your own terms.✨ The heartbreaking loss of her soulmate during Covid and what he taught her about presence, happiness, and living fully.✨ Her bold decision to take her four children out of school for three years to travel the world and why she calls it the best decision of her life.✨ The challenges of entrepreneurship in hospitality, surviving Covid, and leading through tough times.✨ Why she doesn’t believe in a career path but instead a life path building businesses and choices around lifestyle, values, and family.✨ The lessons she’d tell her 20-year-old self (and why polishing basil leaves became her metaphor for life).This raw and honest conversation shines a light on redefining success away from money, fame, or status, and instead towards balance, freedom, and presence.If you’ve ever felt trapped by society’s blueprint for life, Sarah’s story will inspire you to carve your own path and embrace the beauty of just being.⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Defining success: freedom & presence06:00 Curiosity, chaos & why Sarah loves variety13:30 The flawed dictionary definition of success17:00 Walking, nature & recalibrating from adrenaline26:00 Diarising “nothing” & finding presence28:30 Taking kids out of school to travel the world39:00 Challenging the education system53:00 Finding her “thing” in business1:01:00 Entrepreneurship, resilience & the WHY1:07:30 Surviving hospitality during Covid1:10:30 Balance, chaos & polishing basil leaves1:14:20 Advice to her 20-year-old self1:17:00 What does a life well lived look like?🎧 LISTEN TO MORE DIFFERENT HATS EPISODES:👉 https://www.different-hats.co.uk/podcast🔗 Connect with Sarah WillinghamWebsite: https://sarahwilligham.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahwillingham/💡 If this episode resonated with you, please like, share, and comment below. Your support helps us spread this important message and change the narrative around success and mental health.SPONSORED BY:Preston Insurance: https://prestoninsurancebrokers.co.uk/ - Episode SponsorSearch Seven www.searchseven.co.ukNostos Hove  www.nostos-hove.co.ukRivervale  www.rivervale.co.ukPlus X https://www.plusxinnovation.com/PRODUCED BY: H2 Productions: https://h2productions.co.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

More episodes of the podcast Different Hats Podcast