Two visibility experts on losing themselves, the 1,000 true fans strategy, and why you don't need millions of followers

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The irony is almost too perfect: two women who built careers teaching others how to be visible completely disappeared when they became mothers.

Amanda Delosa and Carlii Lyon, former international publicist to Miranda Kerr, speaker, and author of "Courage to Be" both know how to build powerful personal brands. They've done it for celebrities, politicians, and business leaders.

But when they stepped away for maternity leave, they experienced what so many ambitious women face: overnight invisibility, disappeared colleagues who they thought were friends, and a complete identity crisis.

The Personal Brand Paradox:

Throughout this conversation, they argue both FOR and AGAINST building big social media followings. Because here's what they've learned through their own journeys and working with clients:

Some of the most powerful people in the world operate in closed networks. You'll only know their names in certain circles. They have immense influence despite having no social media followers.

But also? A lawyer who made 14.5 million views by making a salad at her desk and turned it into a national practice with eight additional lawyers on her team.

So which approach is right?

What you'll discover:

• Why the "1,000 True Fans" strategy often beats having millions of followers

• How to build a powerful personal brand as an introvert who values privacy

• The harsh reality: when invitations stop and everyone disappears during maternity leave

• How two personal brand experts lost themselves completely (and rebuilt)

• The Facebook group challenge that could change your network

The vulnerable truths: Carlii shares her journey from high school dropout to Miranda Kerr's publicist, moving to New York in her mid-20s, then choosing to step away completely when she had two babies 21 months apart. Three years later, she was sitting on the couch, depressed, wondering who she'd become.

Amanda opens up about relocating interstate, having Ariella, and feeling invisible for the first time in her life - despite knowing exactly how to build visibility.

What they learned:

• You don't need to choose between big reach and deep connections

• The power of "making space for grace"

• Why being intentional matters more than being everywhere

• How to add value without burning out

• The cosmic filter of people who disappear (and why it's actually a gift)

This episode isn't about telling you there's one right way to build a personal brand. It's about giving you permission to do it YOUR way - whether that's building a TikTok empire or cultivating a powerful closed network of 1,000 true fans.

Perfect for: Ambitious women navigating maternity leave, career transitions, or anyone trying to figure out how to stay visible without losing themselves in the process. Also, for introverts who hate social media but know they need to build their brand somehow.

It's honest. It's nuanced. And it proves that even the experts struggle with the very thing they teach.

What if your 40s aren't the beginning of decline, but actually your most powerful decade yet?

In this conversation, Amanda sits down with Belle Donaghey, third-generation owner of the American Donut Kitchen - a 75-year-old family legacy business. Belle went from wanting to be a coroner to running a multi-million dollar empire, and she's living proof that midlife is when women truly come into their power.

Belle shares her journey of transforming from someone who used to react quickly and please everyone, to embracing what she calls "midlife permission" - the freedom to stop apologising for who you are and what you want.

You'll discover:

• Why "curious not furious" became her life-changing mantra

• How she went from feeling intimidated as the only woman at business tables to thriving among elite entrepreneurs

• The real reason women don't invest in themselves (and why that needs to change)

• Why brick-and-mortar businesses can actually give you MORE freedom than online ventures

• How to get comfortable being uncomfortable - and why it's essential for growth

• The art of saying "no" as a complete sentence

Key moments include:

• Belle's revelation about why women put themselves at the bottom of their priority list

• Her strategy for tackling 100+ problems by focusing on just the top 3

• Why she believes there's no glass ceiling for female entrepreneurs

• The worst advice she almost took (and why she's glad she didn't listen)

This isn't just about business growth - it's about personal evolution, embracing all parts of who you are, and realising that your most confident, successful self might just be waiting for you in your 40s.

Perfect for ambitious women ready to stop shrinking and start owning their power.

Everyone glorifies extreme discipline. "Trust the process." "Do whatever it takes." "More is better." But what if that mindset is actually destroying your health?

In this eye-opening episode, Amanda sits down with her personal trainer Steph Duque - a 5x gold medal winning bodybuilder and Colombia's Person of the Year in Sport - who learned the hard way that extreme discipline comes with a devastating cost.

After a grueling 26-week competition prep, Steph didn't just win 5 gold medals. She also lost her period for over a year, watched her hair fall out, developed eating disorders, and gained 14kg in just 8 months after her victory. The "stage body" that everyone admired? It lasted just 10-12 weeks before her body crashed and demanded help.

You'll discover:

• The real cost of extreme discipline on your hormones and mental health

• Why "trust the process" can be dangerous (and the red flags every woman must know)

• How to spot coaches who care about your whole life vs. those who just want results

• The aftermath of transformation that Instagram never shows you

• Why 70% of Steph's clients are overwhelmed moms who've forgotten to put themselves first

• How to train and eat for longevity, not just short-term goals

This isn't anti-fitness or anti-goals. It's about finding sustainable ways to achieve what you want without sacrificing your health, relationships, or sanity in the process.

Bonus content: Steph also shares her journey from university lecturer to fitness coach, including the workplace harassment that changed everything and why boundaries are the skill they never taught us.

If you're tired of feeling like you need to be more disciplined, this episode will give you permission to find a better way - one that actually works for the long term.

Perfect for ambitious women who want to achieve their goals without burning out.

In this raw, honest episode, Amanda Delosa sits down with Lauren Dunn, reality TV star, founder of A Bit of Fun podcast, and fierce advocate for survivors, for a conversation about what it really takes to break the silence on abuse and live in your truth when the world wants you quiet.

Together, they share their own stories of navigating toxic relationships, people-pleasing, childhood conditioning, and the cost of speaking up,  especially as women in the public eye.

They unpack the myth of the “perfect victim,” the hidden impact of childhood conditioning, the dark side of “rage bait” reality TV, and the real work it takes to heal, help others, and stay unapologetically bold in a world that wants to keep women quiet.

This episode is a rally cry for anyone who’s ever doubted their strength, and proof that when women share their truth, they set others free too.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER & SUPPORT RESOURCES This episode discusses domestic violence and abuse. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, you are not alone — help is available:

🇦🇺 1800RESPECT (Australia): 1800 737 732 | www.1800respect.org.au 💙

Polished Man: Support the movement to end violence against women and children: www.polishedman.com 🌐 For international listeners: If you are outside Australia, please reach out to your local crisis helpline or emergency services.

If you ever feel unsafe, please call your local emergency number immediately.

What does it really take to rebuild your identity—and your income—after becoming a mum?
In this episode, Amanda chats with UGC creator and mum of two, Dani Slade, who is building a six-figure business working less than 20 hours a week from home. Together, they explore the creative chaos of entrepreneurship, why traditional career paths never fit, and how to design work that lights you up and fits around family.
They also get honest about the pressure of motherhood, the reality behind Instagram highlight reels, and what it means to stay true to yourself when you’re doing it all—without doing it perfectly.

Dr. Kristy Goodwin joins Amanda for a hard-hitting conversation about the hidden cost of constantly being “on.” They dive deep into the digital load—the unseen mental toll of our always-connected lives—and why so many ambitious women are running on empty.

This episode dismantles hustle culture, challenges the myth of balance, and offers powerful tools to reclaim your clarity and energy in a tech-driven world. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel exhausted despite doing “all the right things,” this one’s for you.

What happens when you realise the version of you that once had it all together no longer fits? In this deeply resonant episode, Amanda sits down with author, writer, and speaker Hollie Azzopardi for an unfiltered conversation about navigating identity loss, childhood trauma, postpartum truth bombs, people-pleasing, and why nervous system regulation isn’t just breathwork—it’s boundaries, breakfast, and bravery.

From the serendipitous moment Amanda discovered Hollie’s book Saying Yes To You to the shared stories of invisible grief and radical self-acceptance, this episode is a reminder that reinvention begins with honesty—and healing starts when we stop pretending.

In this powerful episode, Amanda shares her deeply personal journey from sexual disconnection to awakening—a story she’s never told publicly before.

Joined by sexual empowerment educator Katy Bampton, they dive into the unspoken truths around female pleasure, trauma, and the power that comes from reconnecting with your body.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your sensuality or unsure what’s normal when it comes to sex and desire—this episode is for you.

It’s time to stop settling and start remembering what it feels like to be fully alive.

In this episode, Amanda sits down with beauty industry powerhouse and founder of Hadrill Hair, Emilly Hadrill, for a raw and refreshing conversation about what it really takes to rebuild yourself from the inside out.

They unpack the emotional and practical realities of balancing motherhood with ambition, navigating public reinvention, and finding the courage to walk away from relationships that no longer align. Emilly opens up about the heartbreak that cracked her open—and how it ultimately led her to the love, life, and confidence she never thought possible.

This conversation is a reminder that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, one brave choice at a time.

If you’re navigating change, craving deeper self-trust, or figuring out how to be both mother and woman, this one’s for you.

Before the guests, the experts, and the conversations that change everything, there’s this story.

In the very first episode of NXTSZN, Amanda Delosa is interviewed by her husband, entrepreneur Jack Delosa, in a raw and personal conversation about identity and reinvention.

In this deeply personal conversation, Amanda and Jack explore the seasons that shaped her—from childhood trauma and people-pleasing tendencies to career obsession, postpartum anxiety, and the moment she realised she could no longer live out of alignment with who she truly was.

Amanda shares the emotional turning points that led her to motherhood, breakdown, healing, and ultimately the creation of NXTSZN—a movement for women in transition, and a podcast unlike anything she could find when she needed it most.

They also preview the first three guests and explain why this show doesn’t just talk about transformation—it lives it.

This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the real story behind the movement.

Welcome to NXTSZN.

Chapters

(00:00) - Introduction

(02:12) - The Beginning

(05:46) - The Parental Relationship

(10:26) - Doing The Inner Child Work

(13:28) - The Journey to Today

(17:16) - Becoming 'unstuck'

(18:53) - Amandas NXT SZN

(22:42) - Postpartum Depression

(38:14) - Returning to Heart

(42:58) - The Podcast

(46:53) - What Makes This Show Different?

(51:53) - A Cheat Sheet for Men

(52:55) - The Fire Inside

I see you and want you to know that the next chapter of your life starts now.

The woman you’re meant to be will cost you the woman you are today. NXTSZN is the podcast for

ambitious women who refuse to settle—women who are ready to embrace their full potential

without compromise, guilt, or waiting for permission.

This is your space for raw conversations, unfiltered truths, and the mindset shifts you need to

reinvent yourself on your terms. Whether you’re navigating career moves, motherhood, relationships,

or personal growth, NXTSZN gives you the motivation, strategies, and tools to step into your power

and own your next chapter.

This is your next season. Let’s make it extraordinary.