Leading Through Challenge: My Journey Navigating Business, Health, and Hope

In this deeply personal episode, Angela Connell-Richards, CEO of Vivacity and host of the RTO Superhero Podcast, opens up about her recent diagnoses of thyroid cancer and renal cancer — and how early detection, proactive care, and strong leadership systems have helped her navigate both business and health challenges with resilience and clarity.

Angela shares candid insights on:
 ✅ How she’s continued to lead Vivacity through her health journey
 ✅ The critical importance of not ignoring pain or symptoms — and why early health checks can save lives
 ✅ What this experience has taught her about vulnerability, delegation, and the real meaning of resilience as a business owner

This is more than a health update; it’s a message to every RTO leader and entrepreneur who’s ever faced personal or professional hardship: you are not alone, and you are stronger than you know.

🎧 Tune in now for an honest, heartfelt, and empowering conversation that reminds us all to prioritise what matters most — in business and in life.

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 Join host Angela Connell-Richards as she opens each episode with a burst of insight and inspiration. Discover why compliance is your launchpad to success, not a limitation. 

Wrap up with gratitude and guidance. Subscribe, leave a review, and join our community as we continue supporting your compliance journey in vocational education. 

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✉️ Email us at [e-mail]
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🖥️ Visit us at vivacity.com.au

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello superheroes.
Today I want to share somethingdeeply personal, something I've
been navigating quietly behindthe scenes, but now it's time to
bring you into the circle.
I've been diagnosed withthyroid cancer and renal cancer.
Before you worry, let mereassure you.

(00:23):
Cancer Before you worry, let mereassure you.
Both cancers are contained,treatable and under active
management.
I am working closely with anexcellent medical team and,
thanks to early detection, theoutlook is positive.
But I know word is starting tocirculate in the community and I
want you, my clients, listenersand peers to hear this directly

(00:45):
from me.
Many people have asked me Angela, how are you managing the
business whilst going throughall of this?
Here's the honest answer.
I've been preparing for thiskind of challenge for years,
even without knowing it.
Systems are everything Ourunicorn system, our compliance

(01:07):
automation, our standardoperating procedures.
These aren't just nice to haves, they're what vivacity allows
vivacity to run smoothly andeven when I need to step back
temporarily, empowered teammembers.
I've built a leadership teamthat knows how to step up, and

(01:28):
I'm so, so grateful for my team.
They're not just followinginstructions.
They believe in the mission,the vision and the work we do
for RTOs, prioritisation andfocus.
I've learned to be razor sharpabout where I put my energy.

(01:48):
There's no room for busy work.
I focus on the tasks that trulymove the needle and trust my
team with the rest Clearcommunication.
I've kept the lines open withmy staff, with my clients, with
my family.
Everyone knows what's happeningand where they can get support.

(02:09):
Running a business while facingcancer has shown me just how
resilient Vervacity is and howresilient I am, and I want you
to know we're not just surviving, we're thriving.
If I can share just one urgentmessage today, it's this Do not

(02:32):
ignore your health.
As business owners, we pushthrough pain, brush aside
symptoms and tell ourselveswe'll deal with it later.
But if it weren't for mydoctors acting quickly on
seemingly minor signs, Iwouldn't be in the fortunate
position that I'm in right now.
Get your regular health checks.

(02:53):
Speak up when something feelsoff.
Don't let your businessambitions silence your body's
signals.
Your health is not adistraction from your business.
It's the foundation that makesit possible.
Navigating this dual path ofhealth and business has reshaped
how I see leadership.

(03:15):
Vulnerability is not weakness.
Sharing what you're goingthrough builds trust and
connection.
Strength comes from systems andpeople.
You cannot carry everythingalone, nor should you try.
Clarity is everything.
When faced with the biggestchallenges, you quickly see what

(03:37):
really matters.
For me, that's my family, myteam and the incredible RTO
community that we serve.
If you're facing your ownchallenges health, financial,
emotional or otherwise I wantyou to know you are not alone.

(03:58):
Being a business leader doesn'tmean you have to be superhuman.
It means you need to know whento step back, when to ask for
help and when to trust thesystems you've put into place.
I'm walking this path rightalongside you, and Vivacity will

(04:18):
continue walking beside you,helping you navigate the new
standards, strengthen yourcompliance and grow your
organisation.
Let me leave you with this Bookthat health check.
Take the pain seriously, set upthe systems and team structures

(04:39):
that let your business thrive,even when you need to step back.
We are all superheroes here,not because we never face
challenges, but because we riseto meet them, and we do it
together.
Thank you for tuning in to thisRTO Superhero Podcast.
If today's episode resonatedwith you, please subscribe and

(05:03):
leave us a review.
And remember your greatestsuperpower isn't perfection,
it's resilience, honesty andheart.
Stay strong, stay compliant and, most of all, stay healthy.