You know that feeling when you’re catching up with an old friend over coffee, the kind of chat where you laugh a little, tear up a little, and leave feeling just a bit more grounded? That’s exactly the kind of conversation I had with Leisa Bacon.
Leisa and I go way back to our early days as assistant brand managers at Procter & Gamble, but since then, she’s gone on to do incredible things—most recently as the director of audiences at the ABC.
She’s smart, thoughtful, and someone I’ve always admired—not just for her career journey, but for how she carries herself through the messy, beautiful business of life.
In this episode, Leisa shares a story that has shaped her – one that starts in the heart of Fish River Canyon in Africa, long before GPS or Google Maps.
Imagine a group of friends, armed with nothing but dog-eared guidebooks, hiking through one of the most unforgiving landscapes on earth, learning in real time how quickly things can go sideways when water runs low and temperatures soar.
What unfolded wasn’t just a story of genuine survival, but a powerful lesson in resilience, leadership, and the kind of growth that only comes when you’re completely tested, and there are life or death stakes.
But Leisa’s journey doesn’t stop in the canyon. We also explore her path at the ABC, where she stepped into a leadership role that required building bridges, earning trust, and learning how to lead with influence instead of authority. It’s honest, inspiring, and full of the kind of insight that sticks with you.
Whether you’re navigating a tricky work challenge or just trying to figure out your next step, Leisa’s story is a beautiful reminder that growth is deeply challenging in the moment, but the self-insight and resilience is worth it.
My three favourite quotes from Leisa’s story are:
“Nothing good in life comes from playing it too safe.”
“In a crisis, you actually need a plan. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you need a plan.”
“You think these things are hard, but you can do them. Your body is capable of so much more than you think.”
So, grab your coffee, settle in, and join us for a conversation that’s part adventure tale, part career wisdom, and 100% heart.
The world doesn’t need more stories of success; it needs honest conversations about hard challenges, vulnerability, and proof that trials can ultimately become triumphs.
That’s why the Uncomfortable Growth® Uncut podcast was born. It’s a reminder that struggle and success are intrinsically linked, that growth is rarely easy, and that the moments we feel most uncomfortable are where our greatest breakthroughs lie