66:Ambition in Action: Jodi Herman’s Bold Success

🎙 Rise and Thrive Conversations for Greatness with John Merkus, The Positive Change Guy

🔥 From breaking barriers to building empires—this episode is packed with powerful lessons on resilience, ambition, and making your own luck. 🔥

In this episode, I sit down with an extraordinary leader who started from humble beginnings and worked her way to the top of the tech industry. Jodi Herman’s story isn’t just about career success—it’s about courage, taking bold action, and seizing opportunities when they come knocking (or when you chase them down yourself!).

Jodi was one of the first eight employees at Optus when it launched in Australia, played a pivotal role in Sprint International, and later took a massive leap—buying the very company that once hired her. From navigating high-stakes boardroom deals in New York to making game-changing career moves, her journey is a masterclass in turning fear into fuel.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to stand out and get hired—Jodi’s unconventional banana cake job interview story will make you rethink how you present yourself! ✅ Overcoming fear and taking action—why Jodi’s mindset of “feel the fear and do it anyway” changed everything. ✅ Creating your own opportunities—how Jodi made bold career moves that led her across the world. ✅ The power of relationships in business—how networking, mentorship, and curiosity helped her rise. ✅ Resilience and optimism—why her upbringing shaped her into the powerhouse leader she is today.

💡 PLUS: I share my own take on fear, mindset shifts, and what I’ve learned about expansion versus hesitation.

🚀 This is more than a career story—it’s a playbook for anyone ready to step up, take risks, and create their own success!

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired!

📩 Did this episode spark something in you? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Message me on Instragram or share your biggest takeaway on social media and tag me.

Subscribe, leave a review, and let’s keep thriving together!

💬 Join the Conversation!

What’s one insight from this episode that resonated with you? Drop a comment or share your thoughts on social media with #RiseAndThrive #GreatnessUnlocked #LeadWithHeart

🚀 Hit play now, and let’s rise and thrive together!

✨ Stay Inspired and Keep Thriving  ✨

📲 Explore Fluid Reality Mindset App: www.johnmerkus.com

🔗 Follow us on social media and share your favourite moments. We’d love to hear how you're implementing these tools in your life!

https://www.youtube.com/@riseandthrivejohn

https://www.Instagram.com/jmerkus

https://www.facebook.com/groups/288565440476587/

https://twitter.com/johnmerkus

Other bits:

https://www.johnmerkus.com

Merko Motivation Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zOOEieBv2g1cZxIe7uFRV?si=7618a9b7596341cd

Legal Stuff

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of John Merkus, or used by John Merkus with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of the John Merkus, which may be requested by contacting [e-mail].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The