The Quest for Success

Hosted by Dylan Pathirana and Jamitha Pathirana

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

124

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

Welcome! Thanks for joining us on this journey. We are a father and son duo on the quest to find the formula to success, and understand what success means to different people. Our goal is to take a deep dive into people's stories and interview people from a range of backgrounds in this quest for success. About us: Jam is an experienced founder with over 18 years of experience. He is passionate about helping businesses overcome their supply-chain challenges and achieve success. He is in his final year of the Harvard OPM program where he is deepening his knowledge and network. Dylan is a renewable energy engineer turned entrepreneur, currently working on building a community based equipment rental platform. He recently completed the Stanford ignite program, a business and entrepreneurship course where he found his love for the startup hustle. Together, we are on the quest, the quest for success!

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 9, 2026Episode 12559 min

The Zero to One Mindset That's Changing Sri Lanka | Jeevan Gnanam

He inherited a family legacy. Then he rebuilt it from zero to one. In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Jeevan Gnanam, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur and third-generation business leader, for an honest conversation on purpose, legacy, and what it takes to build a genuine entrepreneurial ecosystem in a country most investors overlook. Jeevan shares his early influences and the pressure of carrying a family legacy forward, reflecting on the lessons in humility and discipline he learned from his grandfather. He opens up about recognising problems and building ventures from a young age, and what it actually took to rebel against old mindsets within his own family and community in order to create new opportunities. He speaks candidly about the zero to one mindset, the importance of visualisation, and why getting others to genuinely buy into a vision is the most important skill any founder can develop. The conversation moves into Sri Lanka's evolving startup ecosystem, the unique talent and investment potential the country holds, and how artificial intelligence is giving Sri Lanka a rare opportunity to scale and innovate rapidly on the global stage. Jeevan also shares his vision for building a vibrant innovation district that brings creatives, investors and entrepreneurs together in one place, along with the personal challenges of balancing family, faith and business. This episode is a powerful reminder that legacy isn't something you simply inherit. It's something you have to earn, question, and ultimately rebuild in your own image. What we cover: Jeevan Gnanam's background and early influences Defining success and purpose Family legacy and the pressure of being a third-generation entrepreneur Recognising problems and building ventures from childhood Rebelling against old mindsets and creating new opportunities The importance of continuous evolution in business Sri Lanka's talent and investment potential Convincing family and community to innovate The zero to one mindset and the power of visualisation Communicating vision and leadership in startups Bringing entrepreneurial thinking into legacy businesses The role of AI and Sri Lanka's tech future Building a vibrant innovation district Balancing family and business life The importance of faith and purpose Learning from failure and resilience Legacy, impact, and how Jeevan wants to be remembered "Success is fulfilling your purpose and serving others." Jeevan Gnanam "AI gives us an opportunity to scale and innovate rapidly." Jeevan Gnanam "I want to be remembered as someone who gave back and made a difference." Jeevan Gnanam Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Jeevan Gnanam's background 02:29 Defining success and purpose 04:16 Early influences and family legacy 07:15 The pressure of being a third-generation entrepreneur 10:40 Recognising problems and building ventures from childhood 13:36 Rebelling against old mindsets and creating new opportunities 16:10 The importance of continuous evolution in business 17:27 Sri Lanka's talent and investment potential 20:13 Convincing the family and community to innovate 22:32 The zero to one mindset and visualisation 27:26 Communicating vision and leadership in startups 28:13 Bringing entrepreneurial thinking into legacy businesses 35:28 The role of AI and Sri Lanka's tech future 40:57 Building a vibrant innovation district 45:11 Balancing family and business life 48:27 The importance of faith and purpose 49:58 Learning from failure and resilience 52:52 Legacy, impact, and how Jeevan wants to be remembered Connect with Jeevan Gnanam: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeevangnanam/ #QuestForSuccess #JeevanGnanam #Entrepreneurship #SriLanka #AI #StartupEcosystem #Purpose #Innovation #Leadership #FamilyBusiness #Investment #Tech #SuccessMindset #Podcast #Inspiration Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

September 2, 2026Episode 1241 hr 20 min

Why Great Cities Aren't Measured By Their Skyscrapers | Dr Sarath Mataraarachchi

"To assess a city, look at the street level, not the skyline." In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Dr Sarath Mataraarachchi, an urban planner and academic whose life spans Sri Lanka and Australia, for a thoughtful conversation on what actually makes a city great, and why the answer has almost nothing to do with height, density or spectacle. Dr Sarath shares his early childhood and influences growing up in Sri Lanka, his education and early career in land economics and town planning, and the formative years he spent working alongside informal settlements, where he witnessed firsthand the impact of poverty on how communities live and grow. He reflects on what he learned from international experience, particularly in Australia, and how those lessons have shaped his thinking on empowering local authorities and genuinely engaging communities in the decisions that shape their own neighbourhoods. The conversation explores the real challenges facing Sri Lankan urban development, the role of mentorship in shaping his career, and his belief that a great city is ultimately one where people want to come and belong. Dr Sarath also shares his vision for the future of smart cities and sustainable urban environments, his hopes for Colombo and Sri Lanka more broadly, and the unique assets he believes Sri Lanka holds that the rest of the world often overlooks. This episode is a compelling reminder that the health of a city, much like the health of a life, is measured not by what impresses from a distance, but by what actually happens on the ground, every single day. What we cover: Dr Sarath's early childhood and influences in Sri Lanka What success means in the context of urban planning Education and early career in land economics and town planning Experiences with informal settlements and community life The impact of poverty on city development Lessons learned from international experience, including Australia Challenges in Sri Lankan urban development The importance of local authority empowerment The role of community and mentorship in planning What makes a city great and why street level matters most The future of smart cities and sustainable development A vision for Colombo and Sri Lanka's urban future Overcoming obstacles and implementing real change The unique assets and qualities of Sri Lanka Core traits of a successful life and leadership Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Dr Sarath's background 00:28 What success means to Dr Sarath 00:36 Early childhood and influences in Sri Lanka 00:41 Education and initial career in land economics and town planning 01:10 Experiences with informal settlements and community life 01:37 The impact of poverty and community stories 01:41 Understanding town planning and its purpose 01:49 Learning from international experiences and Australia 02:17 Challenges in Sri Lankan urban development 02:35 The importance of local authority empowerment 02:42 The role of community and mentorship in planning 03:11 What makes a city great and the importance of street level 03:40 The future of smart cities and sustainable development 03:47 Vision for Colombo and Sri Lanka's urban future 04:10 Overcoming obstacles and implementing change 04:39 The assets and unique qualities of Sri Lanka 05:09 Core traits of a successful life and leadership 05:33 Closing thoughts and message to listeners #QuestForSuccess #SarathMataraarachchi #UrbanPlanning #SriLanka #Australia #CityDevelopment #SustainableCities #Community #PlaceBasedPlanning #UrbanJustice #SuccessMindset #Podcast #Inspiration #SmartCities #Colombo Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

August 26, 2026Episode 12359 min

Why Compassion Beats Passion - Scott Chapman AM

He turned a $2 million fundraising auxiliary into a $62 million healthcare provider, without being a doctor or a pilot. In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Scott Chapman AM, former CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Victorian Section), for an honest conversation on leadership, impact, and what it actually takes to lead one of Australia's most trusted organisations through crisis after crisis. Scott shares his early life and influences, his unexpected path from teaching into leadership, and the moment he joined the Royal Flying Doctor Service in a role far removed from medicine or aviation. He walks us through how he built genuine conviction around fundraising, the discipline required to grow an organisation responsibly, and the leadership principles that carried him through some of the most difficult periods imaginable, including devastating bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation explores the hardest part of leading a resource-limited organisation: deciding what not to do. Scott reflects on impact-driven leadership, the long-term thinking required even when it demands short-term sacrifice, and why authenticity and trust are the real foundations of any lasting relationship, with donors, staff, or communities. He also opens up about legacy, recognition, retirement, and what success actually means to him after a career spent in service of others. This episode is a powerful reminder that some of the most important leadership lessons come not from titles or credentials, but from a genuine commitment to impact. What we cover: Scott Chapman's early life and influences Defining success and career beginnings The unexpected path from teaching to leadership Joining the Royal Flying Doctor Service Building conviction in fundraising Leading through bushfires and COVID-19 Deciding what not to do with limited resources Legacy and long-term impact in nonprofit work Recognition, retirement, and evaluating new opportunities Final reflections on success and leadership Some of our favourite quotes: "Impact-driven leadership is about action and results." "Curiosity fuels innovation and cross-pollination." "Authenticity and trust build strong relationships." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 02:46 Defining Success and Early Influences 04:43 Career Path from Teaching to Leadership 08:52 Joining the Royal Flying Doctors Service 12:49 Building Conviction in Fundraising 18:06 Leading Through Crises: Bushfires and COVID-19 26:28 Deciding What Not to Do 40:43 Legacy and Impact 45:16 Recognition and Retirement 47:18 Evaluating Opportunities 51:35 Defining Success and Legacy 54:36 Final Reflections and Key Traits #QuestForSuccess #ScottChapman #RoyalFlyingDoctorService #Leadership #CrisisManagement #Nonprofit #Fundraising #Legacy #ImpactDrivenLeadership #LongTermThinking #Authenticity #AustralianCharity #BusinessPodcast #Inspiration Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

August 19, 2026Episode 1221 hr 10 min

Why This Olympian Chose Purpose Over Prize Money | Rhydian Cowley

He collapsed with heatstroke at the World Championships. A year later, he won an Olympic bronze medal. In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Rhydian Cowley, a three-time Australian Olympic race walker, for an honest conversation about resilience, reinvention, and building a life around a sport most people barely understand. Rhydian shares his journey from his early upbringing and the influence of his parents, through years of steady, largely unrewarded training, to the mental breakthrough that finally unlocked his potential. He walks us through his experience across three Olympic Games, including his performance at Rio 2016, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the moment everything clicked at Tokyo. He also opens up about the pressure of competing in an entirely new Olympic event, the mixed relay at Paris 2024, and what it actually felt like to win bronze alongside teammate Jemima Montag. The conversation goes well beyond the track. Rhydian talks candidly about balancing elite sport with a full-time career, the mental strategies that kept him grounded through pressure and setbacks, and why he believes success is a mindset that changes with circumstances rather than a fixed destination. He also shares how he's used his platform for climate advocacy, winning the BBC Green Sport Athlete of the Year award, and his ongoing work in conservation with Bush Heritage Australia. This episode is a powerful reminder that consistency, not flashiness, is what actually carries people through the long game, whether that's an Olympic career or anything else worth building. What we cover: Rhydian Cowley's early upbringing and his parents' influence What success means to Rhydian and how that definition has evolved Balancing elite sport with study and a professional career The road to Rio 2016 and lessons from his first Olympics The differences between the 20K and 50K race walk events Breaking through at Tokyo after years of plateauing Winning Olympic bronze in the mixed relay at Paris 2024 Mental strategies for handling pressure and staying grounded Transitioning into a mentoring role for younger athletes Using his platform for climate advocacy and sustainability His work at Bush Heritage Australia Missing the Commonwealth Games and reframing setbacks Knowing when to retire and what comes next "Success is a mindset that changes with circumstances." "Consistency in training is more valuable than flashiness." "Supporting teammates can be a huge motivator." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest, Rhydian Cowley 00:29 What success means to Rhydian 03:15 Early upbringing and how his parents shaped him 05:14 When he realised race walking was his sport 07:45 Balancing elite sport with study and work 14:02 First Olympic qualifier and the road to Rio 2016 17:54 Learning from the Rio Olympics experience 19:35 Differences between the 20K and 50K race walk events 21:18 Mindset when results don't go your way 22:58 Breaking through in Tokyo and realising untapped capacity 24:59 What race walking training looks like 26:04 How his approach changed over time as a veteran athlete 28:43 Paris 2024 mixed relay bronze with Jemima 33:05 Pressure of competing in a new Olympic event 34:22 How winning an Olympic medal felt 36:11 Transitioning into a mentoring role for younger athletes 38:10 Mental strategies for handling pressure and staying grounded 40:39 The team behind an individual sport 42:21 Family and friends supporting races in person 44:12 How long race walkers can stay competitive 45:08 Winning the BBC Green Sport Athlete of the Year award 50:07 Work at Bush Heritage Australia and conservation efforts 53:45 A normal week balancing training, work, and life 55:31 Missing the Commonwealth Games and reframing setbacks 59:53 Advice for young athletes aspiring to become Olympians 61:32 Knowing when to retire 64:30 What's next in his athletic and personal life 65:50 Final question: does he feel successful? 66:30 Host reflection on Rhydian's core traits 68:35 Closing remarks and farewell #QuestForSuccess #RhydianCowley #Olympian #RaceWalking #MentalResilience #SportsPsychology #ClimateAdvocacy #Mindfulness #Leadership #Sustainability #SuccessMindset #Podcast #Inspiration #TeamAustralia #Paris2024 Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

August 12, 2026Episode 1211 hr 16 min

The Accidental Cricketer - The Untold Story of Dimuth Karunaratne

He never wanted to play cricket. He became Sri Lanka's most successful Test opener. In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Dimuth Karunaratne, former Sri Lanka Test captain and one of the country's most respected cricketers, for an honest conversation on humble beginnings, resilience, and what it actually takes to lead a national team. Dimuth shares how cricket wasn't even his plan, starting the sport almost by chance before moving to St. Joseph's College and slowly earning his place through hard work, rejection, and persistence. He opens up about his mother's advice during the hardest years, the breakthrough innings that changed everything, and the pressure of proving himself at every level, from school cricket to Sri Lanka's youth teams to the international stage. The conversation explores what it took to become an opener, the mindset that carried him through setbacks, injuries and being overlooked, and the lessons he picked up from senior players who shaped his hunger for the game. Dimuth also reflects on his path to the Sri Lanka captaincy, what leadership actually looked like under pressure, and how he knew it was time to retire. This episode is a powerful reminder that the biggest careers are rarely planned. They're built one decision, one setback, and one opportunity at a time. What we cover: Dimuth's early life and family influence Starting cricket almost by chance The importance of environment and a positive mindset The breakthrough innings that changed everything Rejection, hard work, and his mother's advice Learning from senior players and building hunger His first Sri Lanka call-up and overcoming injury Proving himself on tour in Australia Becoming Sri Lanka's Test captain Leadership lessons from captaincy Knowing when to retire Life after cricket and coaching aspirations "Surround yourself with positive people." Dimuth Karunaratne "Trust your journey and keep targets in mind." Dimuth Karunaratne "Live in the moment and enjoy the game." Dimuth Karunaratne Chapters : 0:00 Welcome and introducing Dimuth Karunaratne 0:58 What success means to Dimuth 1:59 Early life and family background 3:11 Starting cricket by chance 5:02 Moving to St. Joseph's and growing as a player 8:36 The breakthrough innings that changed everything 11:28 Pressure, expectations, and earning his place 13:05 Path from school cricket to Sri Lanka youth teams 15:46 Becoming an opener 19:08 Early dreams and chasing the Sri Lanka jersey 23:05 Hard work, rejection, and his mother's advice 26:08 Learning from senior players and building hunger 32:27 Why environment matters 35:24 First Sri Lanka call-up and the England tour injury 39:43 Debut ODI and first test opportunities 41:46 Proving himself in Australia 44:37 Learning from overseas experiences 50:38 Favourite batting partners 51:44 Becoming Sri Lanka captain 59:34 Captaining through performance and leadership 61:58 Retirement and knowing when to stop 66:42 Life after cricket 68:13 The biggest lesson from his career 70:18 Looking back on success 74:13 Closing thoughts #QuestForSuccess #DimuthKarunaratne #Cricket #SriLanka #TestCricket #Leadership #Resilience #Captaincy #Motivation #PersonalDevelopment #SuccessMindset #SportsPodcast #Inspiration #CricketLegend #SriLankaCricket Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

August 5, 2026Episode 1201 hr 25 min

What It Really Takes to Build a Business Across Continents | Ben Evans

"Purpose is about building better lives." That philosophy has guided Ben Evans from his early years in Tasmania all the way to becoming CEO of COVA Group. In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Ben Evans for a conversation on leadership, purpose, and what it actually takes to build a business that spans continents. Ben shares his journey from an engineer working in the trades to leading COVA Group through some of the most turbulent periods in recent business history, including the Global Financial Crisis and COVID-19. He reflects on how his early years in Tasmania shaped his values, how his personal definition of success has evolved over time, and the pivotal decision to expand the business into Asia, a move that reshaped the company and taught him hard lessons about managing multicultural teams and building a truly global culture. The conversation explores what it takes to lead through crisis, why communication becomes even more critical during turbulent times, and how Ben has balanced honouring the legacy of a long-standing business while still pushing for innovation. He also shares his perspective on the qualities that make a high-performance team, the role of authenticity and relationships in doing business across cultures, and where he sees engineering and digital transformation heading in the years ahead. This episode is a genuine look at what leadership actually requires when the stakes are high, the markets are unfamiliar, and the pressure to hold onto what matters most has never been greater. What we cover: Ben Evans' early years and influences growing up in Tasmania How his personal definition of success has shifted over time The transition from trades and engineering into leadership Leadership lessons from the GFC and COVID-19 The decision to expand into Asia and what it taught him Managing multicultural teams and building a global culture Balancing legacy and innovation in a long-standing business The role of purpose in guiding major business decisions Lessons learned from major projects and negotiations What it takes to build a high-performance team The future of engineering and digital transformation Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Ben Evans' background 02:34 What does success mean to Ben Evans? 04:18 The shift in Ben Evans' personal definition of success 07:59 Early years and influences from Tasmania 12:04 Transition from trades to engineering and leadership 16:50 Deciding to expand into Asia 22:20 Leadership lessons from navigating turbulent times 35:42 The journey of Asia expansion and key lessons learned 50:40 Building a global culture and managing cross-cultural teams 01:08:12 The future of engineering and digital transformation 01:20:53 Reflections on success and legacy Connect with Ben Evans: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benevanscova/ #QuestForSuccess #BenEvans #Leadership #Engineering #BusinessGrowth #AsiaExpansion #Purpose #Success #Mentorship #Innovation #Culture #PersonalDevelopment #COVAGroup #BusinessPodcast #Inspiration Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

July 29, 2026Episode 1191 hr 11 min

From Paralympian to PhD: Hannah Macdougall's Journey of Resilience

In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Dr Hannah Macdougall, a dual Paralympian turned researcher, for a deeply thoughtful conversation on mindset, resilience, and what it really takes to build a well life, not just a well-performing one. Hannah shares her journey from her early influences and family, through to her Paralympic debut at the Athens 2004 Games, and the years of training, setbacks, and self-discovery that followed. She opens up about the neuroscience behind obsessive versus harmonious passion, the role gratitude and self-talk played in her own resilience, and how she navigated grief, perfectionism, and the pressure of elite competition. The conversation moves beyond sport into Hannah's PhD research on athlete well-being, her work bringing mindfulness and mental health support into Melbourne Football Club, and her advocacy for inclusive language and systemic change in how we talk about and support athletes. She also shares practical, evidence-based tools for resilience and self-compassion that apply far beyond the world of elite sport. This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn't only measured in medals. It's measured in how well you know yourself, how you treat yourself when things go wrong, and how deliberately you choose to keep growing. What we cover: The neuroscience of obsessive versus harmonious passion Early influences and overcoming challenges as a young athlete The journey to the Paralympics and the Athens 2004 experience Redefining success in sport and in life The role of gratitude and self-talk in resilience Transitioning out of elite sport and into new chapters Navigating grief and holding onto joy Early awareness of being different and self-acceptance Training the brain to focus on the positive Managing perfectionism and the drive for excellence Handling setbacks and being benched Inclusive language and systemic change in sport "Success in sport and life requires both." "You need to temper your drive with harmony." "Bring kindness into your self-talk." Resources mentioned: The Resilience Project by Hugh van Cuylenburg Melbourne Football Club: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/ Dr Rory Darkins' work on breath and well-being: https://rorydarkins.com Lee Rath's Pain Play Lab: https://painplaylab.com Connect with Dr Hannah Macdougall: LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/hannahmacdougall Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanmacdougall06/ Website: https://hannahmacdougall.com.au/ Chapters: 00:00 The brain science behind passion and mindset 00:28 Hannah's early influences and overcoming challenges 01:36 Her journey to the Paralympics and Olympic debut 02:19 Redefining success in sport and life 03:05 The influence of gratitude and self-talk 04:22 Transitioning out of elite sport and new passions 06:36 The impact of grief and resilience 12:46 Early awareness of being different and acceptance 15:40 Training the brain to focus on the positive 22:06 Setting goals as a young athlete 24:47 The experience of competing in Athens 2004 30:56 The drive for excellence and managing perfectionism 39:45 The realities of training and sport life 42:31 Handling setbacks and being benched 47:45 The importance of grief, joy, and living in the moment 01:01:15 Practical advice for inclusion and systemic change 01:02:27 Supporting athletes' mental health at Melbourne Football Club 01:07:34 Reflections on success and future plans #QuestForSuccess #HannahMacdougall #Paralympian #AthleteWellbeing #Resilience #MentalHealth #Mindset #Inclusion #SportsScience #SuccessMindset #Podcast #Wellbeing #Inspiration #DisabilityInclusion #WomenInSport Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

July 22, 2026Episode 1181 hr 8 min

When Everyone Runs One Way, You Should Stop and Think - George Armoyan Jr

"When everyone runs one way, you should stop and think." That's the investing philosophy that has shaped one of Canada's most successful family businesses. In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with George Armoyan Jr., the next generation of the Armoyan family's real estate and investment empire, for an honest conversation about legacy, value investing, and the pressure of building on a name that already carries weight. George shares what it was actually like growing up inside a family business led by his father, one of Canada's most respected activist investors, and the deliberate choice not to walk straight into the top job. Instead, he earned his place from the ground up, learning the discipline of value investing along the way: buying distressed assets at a discount, always with a margin of safety, and making the real money on the buying side of a deal rather than the sell. The conversation dives deep into the family's approach to real estate development, including the major Montreal office-to-residential conversion project, the lessons learned navigating project turnarounds, and how the family sources deals that others walk away from. George also opens up about activist investing and corporate restructuring, the risk appetite required to invest in sectors like oil and gas during major market shifts, and what it genuinely feels like to share a name that opens doors while inviting constant scrutiny. This episode is a powerful reminder that legacy isn't something you're simply handed. It's something you have to build, earn, and continue, one deliberate decision at a time. What we cover: Family legacy and the pressure of succession Value investing and buying distressed assets at a discount The Montreal office-to-residential conversion project Activist investing and corporate restructuring Risk management and contingency planning in real estate Leadership and earning respect inside a family business Strategic deal sourcing and reading market shifts Investing in oil and gas during volatile markets Balancing family dynamics with professional relationships Building a legacy through continuous innovation Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and background of George Armoyan 02:04 Defining success: Family legacy and future growth 04:23 Overview of the family's real estate and investment history 12:20 Early life and lessons from growing up in a family business 19:32 Transition into the family business and earning respect 24:26 Key principles of value investing and deal sourcing 29:33 The Montreal office-to-residential conversion project 36:24 Lessons learned from project management and turnaround strategies 39:16 First deal that truly felt earned and recognized 42:08 Balancing family dynamics and professional relationships 44:02 Market insights and deal sourcing methodology 45:58 Investing in oil and gas during market shifts 47:26 Risk appetite and discomfort in investment decisions 49:01 The impact of sharing a name and legacy 49:58 Activist investing and corporate restructuring 56:42 Future vision and long-term legacy building 01:02:19 Personal interests and life outside of work 01:03:41 Reflections on success and ongoing pursuit of excellence Connect with George Armoyan Jr.: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-armoyan-656b62268/ #QuestForSuccess #GeorgeArmoyan #ValueInvesting #RealEstate #FamilyBusiness #ActivistInvesting #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #WealthBuilding #RealEstateDevelopment #InvestingTips #FamilyLegacy #SuccessMindset #BusinessPodcast #Inspiration Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

July 15, 2026Episode 1171 hr 9 min

He Backed More Than 250 Startups Then Walked Away | Michael Batko

He backed more than 250 startups worth $4.5 billion. Then he walked away. In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Michael Batko, the former CEO of Startmate and co-founder of Hourglass AI, for a deeply honest conversation about building ecosystems, backing founders, knowing when to leave, and redefining success on your own terms. Michael shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Poland and Austria to becoming one of the most influential figures in the Australian and New Zealand startup ecosystem. After studying in Vienna, Stockholm and London, and working at American Express, PwC and KPMG, he realised he "wasn't built for bureaucracy" and moved to Australia to start building. His first startup job came from a mate's Facebook post about a pet-sitting marketplace. Within a few years, he had joined Startmate as Head of Operations and was soon appointed CEO. Over eight years, Michael transformed Startmate from a scrappy accelerator into the engine room of the ANZ startup ecosystem, backing 228 companies with first cheques, making over 300 investments now worth $4.5 billion, and helping bring over 1,000 women and 2,000 students into startups. In December 2025, he made what he calls "the hardest decision" of his career and stepped down. The conversation explores his philosophy on backing founders ("back the hungry, not the proven"), his belief that luck is like a lightning bolt and you increase your odds by expanding your "surface area," the loneliness of leadership, his decision to leave Startmate at the top, and what he's building next with Hourglass AI, a company founded on the conviction that the businesses who win the next decade will be the ones with working AI systems in production now, not the ones reading about it. Michael also opens up about fatherhood, selling two businesses through LinkedIn posts (one in 10 days) and why he believes "being CEO" was never the goal, "building something epic" was. This is a conversation about what it means to dedicate yourself to other people's success, and what happens when you finally turn the lens back on yourself. What we cover: From Poland and Austria to the Australian startup ecosystem The corporate career that taught him what he didn't want First startup job at Mad Paws and scaling Expert360 Joining Startmate and "literally re-founding" it Backing over 250 companies and the philosophy behind first cheques The Heaps Normal investment and standing up to consensus Leading through loneliness and the weight of being CEO Why he stepped down at the top Hourglass AI and the execution gap in artificial intelligence Selling businesses through a single LinkedIn post Fatherhood and redefining success The "surface area of luck" framework Advice for founders and the future of the ANZ ecosystem Connect with Michael Batko: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/batkomichael/ Hourglass AI: https://thehourglass.ai/ Website: https://batko.ai Substack: https://batko.substack.com Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )

July 8, 2026Episode 11655 min

What a Serial Entrepreneur Learned About Living Longer | Tomaž Erjavec

What does it mean to truly succeed? For Tomaž Erjavec, the answer is simple: "Success is being alive and present." In this episode of The Quest for Success Podcast, Jam and Dylan Pathirana sit down with Tomaž Erjavec, a Slovenian serial entrepreneur who has spent his career building at the intersection of healthcare, technology, and longevity. From spotting his first business opportunity at age 11, to creating entirely new markets in European health tech, to exploring what it takes to live a longer, healthier, more meaningful life, Tomaž brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial depth and genuine self-awareness to the conversation. Tomaž shares the founding stories behind Doctrina and Oculus, the lessons learned from bootstrapping versus raising venture capital, and the cultural challenges of scaling startups across Europe. He opens up about the exit of Doctrina, his pivot into robotics and hospital disinfection, and what drew him into the world of longevity and health span. He also reflects on burnout, meditation retreats, the Harvard Business School experience, and why community is one of the most underrated drivers of a long life. This is a conversation about building businesses, yes, but more than that it is about building a life worth living. What we cover: Early childhood influences and the first sparks of entrepreneurship Creating markets where none existed in European healthcare Bootstrapping vs. venture capital: the real tradeoffs Scaling challenges and cultural differences across Europe AI, robotics, and the future of healthcare innovation Longevity, health span, and the lifestyle habits that matter most Why community is crucial for long-term health Lessons from Harvard Business School Avoiding burnout and finding balance Self-discovery through meditation and introspection What Tomaž wants to be remembered for Connect with Tomaž Erjavec: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomaze/ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Tomaž Erjavec 01:36 Defining success and personal fulfilment 02:42 Early influences and childhood in Slovenia 04:12 Early signs of entrepreneurship at age 11 05:06 First business ideas and family influence 07:31 Transition from nursing to business studies 08:30 Starting in healthcare with Doctrina 09:18 Identifying gaps in healthcare access 11:00 Creating markets in healthcare technology 12:47 Lessons from building Oculus and market creation 14:13 Fundraising journey: bootstrapping vs. venture capital 17:18 Scaling challenges and cultural differences in Europe 23:17 Understanding the business model of Doctrina 24:31 Leadership lessons and team management 28:41 The exit of Doctrina and subsequent ventures 29:44 Innovations in hospital disinfection with robotics 30:58 Evaluating new business opportunities 35:54 Getting into longevity and health span 37:40 Key lifestyle habits for longevity 40:24 The role of community in health and longevity 41:15 Exciting developments in AI and healthcare 43:17 Opportunities for innovation in health tech 44:17 Lessons from Harvard Business School 45:08 Avoiding burnout and maintaining balance 47:54 Self-discovery through meditation retreats 50:03 Values to instil in children 52:11 Reflections on his journey and success 56:11 Current focus: family, mentoring, and giving back 58:51 Advice for young entrepreneurs and risk-taking 59:09 What Tomaž wants to be remembered for 01:00:21 Involvement in diplomatic services 01:01:03 Hobbies and personal interests 01:01:59 Feeling successful and grateful 01:03:17 Traits of a successful life: learning, introspection, giving back 01:05:10 Final thoughts and gratitude #QuestForSuccess #TomazErjavec #Entrepreneurship #Healthcare #Longevity #Leadership #Innovation #Slovenia #HealthTech #StartupJourney #SuccessMindset #PersonalGrowth #AIInHealthcare #BusinessPodcast #Inspiration Follow us on all your favourite platforms: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuestforSuccessPod Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Quest-For-Success-Podcast/61560418629272/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thequestforsuccesspod/ Twitter: https://x.com/quest4success_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-quest-for-success TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thequestforsuccesspod Website : www.thequestforsuccesspodcast.com Please share this around to anyone you think will get value from it : )