In this episode of Fit to Lead, I talk about one of the most important principles in my life and work: leadership starts with you. Before we can inspire or lead anyone else — our crew, our colleagues, our family — we have to show up for ourselves first.

I share a real moment from my own week when flights, meetings and family life collided and left me absolutely exhausted. The easy option would have been to skip my workouts, eat whatever was convenient, and let the chaos take over. But instead, I reminded myself of something I tell my clients all the time: how you show up for yourself sets the tone for everything else.

So I booked myself into a 5 a.m. training class — even though it felt crazy — and once I finished it, everything shifted. I felt organised, grounded and fully ready to lead my day, my team and my family. That one choice created momentum.

In this episode, I share simple ways you can lead yourself daily, even when life is chaotic: picking one small habit each day, giving yourself mindful moments, starting the morning with gratitude, creating movement wherever you are, building awareness through reflection, and protecting your energy with small resets.

Leading yourself first is about integrity, self-trust and consistency. When you show up for you, the ripple effect touches everyone around you — your family, your friends, your team, and your own future self.

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