#17 From Gas Station Cashier to CEO: Shirin Behzadi’s Inspiring Path

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Shirin Behzadi, whose extraordinary life journey is nothing short of cinematic. As a teenager, Shirin fled post-revolution Iran alone, narrowly escaping imprisonment and persecution before arriving in the US with virtually nothing. Her early days were spent working at a gas station, but she held tight to a bold vision: to one day become the CEO of a major company—a dream she ultimately achieved.

Shirin’s resilience carried her through every twist along the way: earning a degree, rising through the corporate ranks, and ultimately serving as CEO of a billion-dollar franchise company. But life had another curveball for her—a diagnosis of a brain tumor that required a grueling 10-hour surgery and a difficult road to recovery. Rather than slowing her down, this experience deepened her strength, purpose, and commitment to doing good through business.

Today, Shirin is the author of the forthcoming book, "The Unexpected CEO," a board member, advisor, investor, and a fierce advocate for resilience, authenticity, and value-based leadership. In this conversation, she opens up about the trauma of growing up in revolutionary Iran, the lessons learned through adversity, and the practical steps we can take to cultivate hope and courage when life’s challenges seem insurmountable.

Get ready to hear a story about grit, belief, and what it truly means to heal and lead from a place of compassion.

What Listeners Will Learn:

• Shirin Behzadi’s remarkable journey escaping post-revolution Iran and navigating the trauma of arbitrary arrests as a teenager.
• How Shirin rebuilt her life from scratch in the United States, starting as a gas station cashier and ultimately becoming the CEO of a billion dollar company.
• Shirin faced a life-threatening brain tumor, endured extensive surgery and recovery, and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose and resilience.
• The power of adversity as a superpower and how Shirin transformed obstacles into growth opportunities throughout her career.
• Listeners will also learn why belief, a strong sense of intention (“knowing”), and authentic vision are key to overcoming life’s hardships—no matter how daunting.
• Practical advice for building resilience, finding your personal “North Star,” and how to take actionable steps toward hope and healing—even in the face of overwhelming challenge.
• How to both seek and offer community support in times of crisis, and why “healing by moving” is a powerful lesson for anyone on a difficult journey.

Key Moments:

(00:00) Life Lessons from a Busy Childhood

(06:26) Government Control Through Intimidation in Iran

(11:11) Resilience Through Adversity

(15:48) Departure from Home at Seventeen

(18:23) Choosing Resilience Over Adversity

(20:32) From Gas Station to CEO in the U.S.

(25:25) Overcoming Surgery with Confidence

(28:55) Believe: Transforming Adversity Into Power

(30:31) Understanding Personal Trauma's Impact

(34:43) Embracing Resilience Through Trauma

(38:22) Flipping Low Odds Into Opportunities

(41:13) Finding Hope in Crisis

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