Barb Ashcroft
Author, Mentor and Thought Leader
ABOUT BARB
Barb is the result of someone who was alwayshungry to learn and then implement principles of personal development. It has made her a 'HUB', where people value her wisdom, and expertise to help them navigateLife's Highway. As an entrepreneur, she helps folks 'Find Renewed Purpose' and 'Joy in the Journey'. Her passion is helping people navigate loss and lessen grief illiteracy.
BIO and Recent Projects
Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjashcroft
Getting Your Shenanigans in Order:
https://BarbAshcroft.ca/workshops
Patreon Community: Free 30 day access pass https://patreon.com/compassioninaction
Experience:
40 plus years as an entrepreneur Team Leadership with Top Awards Natural Health training in a vast array ofmodalities
Author:
‘When your Bucket List Springs a Leak’
Contact Details:
Mobile: +1 250 951 2554
Office: +1 250 752 5499
Email: ashcroftbarb@gmail.com
Web: www.barbashcroft.ca
Book Recomendation:
Brónagh Davidson - Mother, memory-keeper and founder of My Pregnancy Journals, created from the heart to help others cherish their motherhood journey.
Brónagh is the founder of My Pregnancy Journals, a mother of two, and a passionate advocate for meaningful memory-keeping during motherhood. Inspired by her own pregnancies and the desire for a more thoughtful, heartfelt way to document the journey, she created a journal that blends practical tracking with emotional reflection. Each page is designed with intention—from milestone logs and medical notes to spaces for letters and photos—making it a keepsake to treasure for years. When she's not designing journals, Brónagh is at home in Ireland with her husband Karl and their daughters, Brónadh Beag and Saoirse.
Website: http://www.mypregnancyjournals.com/
Discount Code: 10% off with code THRIVE10
Socials: Follow My Pregnancy Journals on Instagram
YouTube: Follow Brónagh's My Pregnancy Journals journey on YouTube.
On this months episode we talk with serial Tech Founder Ammar Akhtar, Founder of Final Rentals. What a great story from growing up in Pakistan, to Dubai and now Wales!
BIO:
Ammar Akhtar is an award-winning tech entrepreneur, and the founder & CEO of Final Rentals, a global car rental platform that brings together independent car rental companies under one powerful brand. With operations in over 55 countries, Ammar is on a mission to level the playing field for small businesses in the mobility sector.
A passionate advocate for innovation and ecosystem equity, Ammar shares his insights on global stages—including TED—highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by entrepreneurs from underserved regions. A proud member of the ACRA and Fintech Wales and featured in Entrepreneur UK, he continues to champion community-driven growth and digital transformation across the world.
You can find Ammar here on LinkedIn
Ammar's book recommendation:
'Titan: The life of John D. Rockefeller' - Ron Chernow
This month I've had the pleasure of listening to Donna Kennedy on the Think2Thrive Podcast. Her story is incredibly inspiring and I am sure you are going to love it!
Donna Kennedy (BA Psych (hons), MHGC, MNLP) is an 8 times bestselling author, psychologist, mentor and highly sought after professional speaker. She regularly features in national and international media as an expert in the area of personal development and she has given seminars to thousands of people and companies all over the world. Her work has also been published and cited in international journals by leading organisations and faculties.
Despite challenges endured in her youth, Donna has become a confident successful woman who says yes to life, embraces opportunity and enhances the lives of all who come in contact with her. Her approach is unique and solution-focused. She does what it takes to get you results. Join Donna’s program and level up your life!
If you'd like to find out more about Donna you can find her here:
In this months episode I am honorred to have with me on the show Leslie Flowers!
Throughout her career, LESLIE FLOWERS has demonstrated remarkable versatility, adaptability, and resilience in inspiring and motivating aspiring and emerging leaders to excelin their lives and professions. Her lifelong passion for learning kickstarted an intellectual and emotional journey that has taken her through corporate publishing, entrepreneurship, board service, women’s empowerment, and immersioninto professional development, focusing on human performance and achievement.
Leslie differentiates as an advisor and educator through her speaking, mastermind facilitation, broadcasting, writing, and instructional design, in which she integrates Dr. Napoleon Hill’s foundational treatise on personal improvement,“Think and Grow Rich.” She is the architect of “The 12 Laws of Achievement,” a proven, repeatable success framework for unlocking leadership potential, increasing self-awareness, and driving extraordinary results through goal setting, visualization, and collaboration.
THE ART OF RESULTS
Embracing a heart-centered, multidisciplinary approach, Leslie seamlessly articulates the complexities of success principles and universal law, distilling them into easily comprehensible terms. She believes success hinges on persistence andconsistent achievement, and an intense, flowing feeling of confidence is a byproduct. Her strength is getting people to redirect their belief systems, dispel old myths, form new neural pathways, and visualize a life of abundance.
THE TRAILBLAZER MINDSET
Leslie has been at the vanguard of the women’s leadership movement and remains a proactive crusader in helping women collapse the wage gap and achieve sustainable successin a male-dominated business environment. She goes beyond women’s typical work/life balance struggles, encouraging them to change their narratives and providing them with the tools to break the glass ceiling and reach unprecedented performance and achievement levels.
CREDENTIALS
Leslie is a 2008 LifeSuccess-certified business consultant and coach (LSC), supplementing her extensive training in leadership, visualization, medication, and self-suggestion. and 2009 Siebold-certified speaker (CS). She is a gold-standard line editor, the author of nine books (six Amazon bestsellers),and the recipient of multiple awards in continuing education.
CORE VALUESHonesty |Integrity | Authenticity | Empathy | Perseverance | Creativity | Positivity
To schedule an exploratory conversation, contact Leslie at leslie@pathsofchange.com or via LinkedIn DM.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lflowers/
Maree Piplovick from Portland, Oregon USA, supports working women in mid-life to break free from the clutches of burnout and reclaim their joy, focus, and zest for life.
Maree transformed her own experience of burnout through powerful holistic techniques that reignited her passion for living. She is now dedicated to helping her clients enhance their well-being through accessible, experiential, and simple self-care techniques.
She personalizes transformative experiences that empower her clients to recharge, relax, and take control of their own wellness as they embark on a profound journey of self-discovery and inner peace.
Her journey from despair to rejuvenation embodies the strength, resilience, hope, and possibilities she offers to her clients.
Here also is a link to a recent article that Maree has published.
Maree's Book Recomendations:
'Ask and it is Given' - Esther Hicks
'You can heal your life' - Louise Hay
If you would like to connect with Maree, please see her links below:
Phone: +1 503-805-4977
Growing up Karl did what his parents and society told him. He went to school, got good grades, then went onto college. He achieved a degree in electrical engineering and got a safe secure job. He did all this by the age of 20.
Fast forward 4 years he felt stuck. Stuck, not in his job, which had flown him across the world to places such as Japan, United States, Taiwan and China, the Netherlands and which had him working on some of the most advanced machines in the semiconductor industry, but stuck in his own personal life.
He was getting paid well but had very little to show for it, except for some materialistic items, "Spending" was his middle name, he would buy things to fill the void in his life that he dared to go in.
Until one day he met a person online. She introduced him to two books to listen to when he was on a job assignment in Japan.
Little did he know these two books would open up the door to a whole new world that he knew existed but didn’t fully know and understand. One of these books was so powerful it stopped him dead in his tracks when he was crossing a street in a suburb of Japan. The other book was a personal financial book that has educated him on money and wealth.
During his travels and journey of entrepreneurship he's picked up a few core principles from the different people he's met and cultures he's been involved in.
Once such thing was a proverb, a Chinese one. “ If someone gives you something and you benefit from it, you have a moral obligation to share it with others” .
Accolades and Achievements:
Karl has 12+ years experience as a professional semiconductor engineer working in places such as the USA, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan, China and Taiwan.
In 2024 he set up another business in the field of EHS. Karl helps his clients get more financially educated through his many courses.
He is a precious metals investor investing in gold and silver since 2018 and an international property investor.
Karl is a qualified NLP Master Practitioner.
He runs a Facebook group called Cashflow Club Ireland with over 3K members and an Instagram page with 6K followers and has been endorsed and recognised by Robert Kiyosaki.
Karl is a best selling author, a loving husband to my wife Bronagh ( Bron- na) and a doting father to his 2 daughters Brónadh ( Bro-na) and Saoirse.
If you were inspired by Karls story you can connect with him on the links below:
Where to find Karl:
This months guest was Doug Dane, a very successful coach, Keynote Speaker, Author and Influencer. Doug worked with the one and only Bob Proctor for many years right up to Bob's passing in 2022, when he was Head of Sales for the Proctor Gallagher Institute.
Below a short Bio in his own words:
Doug was thriving in his career, but outside of work, his relationships were unraveling, and his confidence seemed to crumble with each setback. At 40, he knew he had to hit the reset button on his life.
Once he started looking back, everything came into focus.
He saw a direct line from his childhood experiences to the constant struggles he faced as an adult. By confronting and understanding his past, Doug finally broke free from old patterns and was able to move forward with a new sense of confidence and clarity.
Today, he’s living proof that true success isn’t just about career accomplishments—it’s about feeling fulfilled in every part of your life.
Doug transformed from the inside out, and now he’s here to help you do the same.
From the end of the episode here are Doug's four Book recommendations:
1. Think and Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
2. The Four Agreements - Don Miguel Ruiz
3. The Untethered Soul - Micheal A. Singer
4. Psycho Cybernetics - Dr. Maxwell Maltz
And not to forget Doug's own book (follow the link to get your own copy):
Mistaken Identity - Doug Dane
And if you want to follow or find out more about Doug, please see the below links:
Thanks Doug it was a real pleasure for me and I am sure the listeners will love it!
Adrian
Permelia Parham has been divinely guided to create The Healing Institute an online worldwide hub connecting clients searching for alternate health solutions to holistic practitioners.
Permelia inspires her team of professional holistic practitioners to create a proactive wellness community supporting their clients and each other.
The Healing Institute’s moto is Service with Love.
Permelia is a Certified Body Code/Emotion Code Practitioner assisting her clients to increase their health by releasing negative emotions trapped in the subconscious.
As a Certified Energy Practitioner, Permelia aids her clients to Realign Beliefs and Heal Past Lifetime Energy.
Brigitte is a company & personal brand identity strategist, owner of BridgetBrands, operating globally.
Her focus lies in empowering corporations and entrepreneurs worldwide to craft and refine distinctive brand identities, cultivate cultures rooted in shared values, and deliver exceptional client experiences, guiding them toward their brand’s radiant future so that they attract the recognition and clients they truly deserve.
Additionally, Brigitte specializes in bolstering the executive presence of executives, ensuring their impact is felt with crystal clarity and unwavering confidence, navigating the complexities of the modern business landscape with ease and grace.
In her book “Significant Women: Leaders Reveal What Matters Most”, an international bestseller, she reveals how she got into her sweet spot of making brands shine.
If you would like to connect with or find out more about Brigitte, please see the links below:
Email: bb@bridgetbrands.com
Dr Hans Parge's background is in biomedical research and pharmaceutical drug discovery. His basic training was in X-ray crystallography and structural biology. He did his PhD in Trinity College Dublin and postdoctoral work in Berlin at the Free University , the University of Edinburgh and the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla.
His work at The Scripps Institute involved the atomic structural analysis of proteins, the molecules of life. In 1993 he left Scripps and went to a start up company that was pioneering X-ray Crystallography to inform pharmaceutical drug discovery.
In 2009 Dr. Hans took early retirement and moved into the world of wellness, prevention and youthful aging. He now helps people die young as late in life as possible
And his mission is to educate, measure, monitor and raise public health awareness and Skin Carotenoid score.
If you would like to contact Hans you can find him on LinkedIn here.
You can find out more about the Healthy Neighbourhoods Project here.
Hans' book recommendations:
'The Courage to Be' - Paul Tillich
'Drive' - Daniel Pink
Here, you can find out more about Professor John Nolan, from the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, and the role of carotenoids plays in your overall health.
Welcome back to the Think2Thrive 'unplugged' by Quantum Leap Consulting Podcast. In this episode we meet with Arturs Zantmans.
Arturs is a passionate Mobility Professional who has over 20 years of experience in the car rental/mobility industry. He really has had a fascinating career to date and is predicting major changes in the industry in the near future.
This has been a great episode and we are sure you will love it!
Arturs is an experienced professional with 20+ years in car rental and tech sectors.
He is an expert in optimizing business performance and driving revenue growth.
Arturs has a proven track record in sales, new business development, partner management, e-commerce, and B2B segment growth.
Above all else Arturs is passionate about technology's role in shaping the future of mobility.
If you would like to connect with Arturs please see his LinkedIn Below:
On this amazing episode we speak with Tara Pilling, a successful entrepreneur and founder of Diamond Mind Consulting. To find out more about Tara please see below:
Tara Pilling, a renowned Mindset Consultant, Best-Selling Author, and Healer, embarked on her transformative journey in 1995, following a family tragedy at the age of 21. Determined to find holistic healing beyond conventional methods, she immersed herself in yoga, meditation, and alternative therapies, experiencing profound personal growth.
With certifications and experience as a practitioner in diverse modalities such as Body Talk, EFT, kinesiology, Access Consciousness, Ayurveda, Meditation, and Yoga, Tara’s expertise is vast and deep. She has trained with and been mentored by industry giants like Tony Robbins and Robin Sharma. As a personal student and leader within the Bob Proctor legacy, Tara discovered her true potential through Proctor's guidance, propelling her to greater success and impact.
Living in the stunning landscapes of BC, Canada, with her husband and two teenagers, Tara is dedicated to helping others unlock their full potential. She values Waldorf education, anthroposophy, and the joy of lifelong learning. In her leisure time, she enjoys nature, land and water sports, and traveling.
Tara’s philosophy is simple yet profound: "Get your mind right, align with Universal Laws, and the world will follow your lead. It truly is an inside job." Join Tara to discover how to shape your reality and lead with love.
If you would like to contact Tara, please see her links below:
Mark is a transformational Life, Leadership & Executive coach, and a corporate wellbeing coach & consultant.
He is also a passionate keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, twice toastmasters’ national champion, and provides training in mindset and skills for public speaking.
Mark had a successful 20-year corporate career, before moving into coaching and speaking full time. He is very well versed in the pressures and challenges that people face trying to be their best in their professional lives, and the impact this can have on personal lives.
As a transformational coach and speaker, Marks mission is to help people live their best lives, whether that is reaching goals, getting clarity on next steps in life, dealing with stress and being overwhelmed, to pivoting from negative to positive habits, Mark facilitates the steps needed to make this a reality.
His philosophy on coaching is the need to ‘come back home to ourselves’ – to the space where we can live authentically true to ourselves.
That’s where life really begins..
To find out more about Mark or to follow him, here are his links:
Book a Call here
Marks Book Recommendations:
'Anam Cara' - John O'Donoghue
'Gilead' - Marilynne Robinson
Pat Slattery, a name synonymous with entrepreneurial success, has carved an extraordinary path through the world of business from a remarkably young age. Born with a vision and a relentless drive for achievement, Pat's journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
Leaving the confines of traditional education behind at 14yrs old, Pat embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, demonstrating a remarkable level of determination and self-belief.
His first milestone came at the tender age of 19 when he purchased his first property. This early success served as the foundation for a future filled with groundbreaking achievements.
In 1998, Pat ventured into international markets by acquiring his first property in Spain. This move marked the beginning of a dynamic and thriving entrepreneurial presence on the Iberian Peninsula. Pat has consistently demonstrated a keen eye for identifying opportunities and capitalizing on them, propelling him to the pinnacle of business success.
Throughout his career, Pat has been the driving force behind multiple highly successful hospitality companies in Spain. His innovative approach to the industry has allowed him to not only establish but also sustain his presence in a competitive and ever-evolving market. His establishments have become synonymous with excellence and are cherished by customers from around the world.
In addition to his hospitality ventures, Pat's diverse business portfolio includes the creation of a robust security company, providing safety and peace of mind to countless individuals and organizations. His waste management company, responsible for processing waste for multinational pharmaceutical companies, has made a substantial impact on the sustainability and efficiency of the industry.
Pat's dynamic entrepreneurship extends into the digital realm, as he has owned an online marketing company, pioneering strategies for the digital age.
His influence is not limited to the business world; he has also made a significant mark on the field of education through his seminar company and business networking organization. These initiatives have provided a platform for countless entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and grow.
One of Pat's most enduring legacies is his commitment to mentorship. Over a span of 28 years, he has selflessly shared his wealth of knowledge and experience with thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners. His guidance has been instrumental in helping others realize their full potential and achieve their dreams.
Pat Slattery's reputation extends far beyond the business world. He is a world-renowned and sought-after speaker, captivating audiences with his inspiring stories and valuable insights. His role as a business mentor has earned him accolades and respect on a global scale.
In the world of entrepreneurship, Pat Slattery stands as a testament to the boundless possibilities that determination, vision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence can achieve.
His journey from humble beginnings to international acclaim serves as an inspiration to aspiring business leaders everywhere.
Pat Slattery is a name synonymous with success, innovation, and the unwavering belief that greatness can be achieved through hard work and passion.
To connect with Pat, or indeed to find out more about his mentorship please go to his website here
If you wish to contact him directly you can do it on pat@patslattery.com
To find Pat on LinkedIn see here
Or Facebook see here
Time Stamp for Episode:
01:35 Introduction
02:15 Self Development Journey Begins
05:51 Early Years
19:40 'Polish your Shoes'
37:00 Thomond Park
39:01 Early Influences
45:19 Attitude for Success
51:00 'Be Shameless' Money isn't evil
1:04:00 Expectations
1:21:00 Mr. Positivity
1:25:39 Final Thoughts 'Be Patiently Persistant'
Earl Nightingale V (March 12, 1921 – March 25, 1989) was an American radio speaker and author, dealing mostly with the subjects of human character development, motivation, and meaningful existence. He was the voice during the early 1950s of SkyKing, the hero of a radio adventure series, and was a WGN radio program host from 1950 to 1956. Nightingale was the author of The Strangest Secret, which economist Terry Savage has termed "…one of the great motivational books of all time.
After the war, Nightingale began work in the radio industry, which eventually resulted in work as a motivational speaker. During the autumn of 1949, Nightingale was inspired while reading Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. Quoting from the Earl Nightingale official website: "When he was 29, Earl's enlightenment had come to him as a bolt out of the blue while reading, Think and Grow Rich. It came when he realised that the six words he read were the answer to the question he had been looking for! That, 'we become what we think about'. He realized that he had been reading the same truth over and over again, from the New Testament...to the works of Emerson. 'We become what we think about.' 'As ye sow, so shall ye reap.
To find out more about Earl's life and teachings see the Nightingale Conant website
As a founding partner and head of Sales and Marketing at Advanced Car, one of the largest car rental companies in Lebanon, Shady is responsible for driving customer satisfaction and building strong relationships with major companies, car rental booking engines, travel agencies, and NGOs.
With a fleet of over 1200 cars and a CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) of 94%, Shady and his team are committed to providing their customers with the highest quality standard and the most competitive rates.
In this interview Shady shares his life journey to date. From growing up in Lebanon during a difficult time, to the frequent interruptions to business brought about by the unsettled nature of the region.
Shady inherited his fathers persistence and resilience which along with a winning attitude and mindset has helped to build one of the largest car rental companies in Lebanon.
Join us as we listen to and learn from Shady's story!
Chapter:
00:00 Introduction to Shady
07:25 Shady's Father
24:30 Israeli War in Lebanon
37:40 'Kia Caren's' Rent a Car
50:20 Comfort Zone
106:10 Personal Development and Books Recommendations
Shady's Personal Book Recommendations:
'Unfu*k Yourself: Get out of your head and into your life' Gary John Bishop
'Stop Doing that Sh*t: End Self-Sabotage and Demand your life Back'
Gary John Bishop
Want to know more about Shady Younis:
In this Episode, Adrian will delve into Goals, the reason behind having goals in the first place and then how to decide what you really want!
For many people, they feel a sense of overwhelm when it comes to trying to decide what their goals are, or they are not thinking about it at all. As a species, we are goal seeking. We need to be aiming for something.
There is a natural law that states, 'if you are not growing you are dying', and that is the reason you need to have something to aim for. The reason for goals is to force you to grow, to learn, to pull something out from inside of you that you didn't even know existed. And it is with this growth, that causes you to gain.
If you liked this episode, please let us know and a follow would be amazing. You can find out more about Quantum Leap Consulting and Adrian on our website here or you can see more on Linktree here.
In this, our first interview, we meet Emmanuel Scuto, the CEO and Founder of WeYield, a company that specialises in Revenue Management for both small independent Car Hire companies as well as the major international brands known all over the world.
With over 20 years of experience in the Car Rental Industry, and prior to that within the Hospitality Industry, Emmanuel is extremely experienced in revenue management and is on a mission to change how the Car Hire industry manages this massively complex topic.
During this interview we delve into Emmanuel's background, from when he grew up, his early life and education, career and then the transition into entrepreneurship.
Emmanuel shares his thoughts on success, what that means to him, how he has built a successful company, despite some 'ups and downs'. He also shares some of his own mindset/motivational experiences.
With WeYield, Emmanuel is also an experienced PodCaster in his own right with The Revenue Machine, but we have had the privilege of been his first time on the other side of the mic!
So sit back, relax and enjoy....I am sure you are going to love it!
If you want to find out more about WeYield, Emmanuel and Car Rental Revenue Management, please see the links below:
Emmanuel on LinkedIn
WeYield on LinkedIn
The Revenue Machine Podcast
In this episode, we are introduced to our host Adrian, and what the podcast will be all about.
Looking forward to sharing our first interview in the next episode
