Mindset Booster

How do you know when to push through and when to walk away?
On Mindset Boosters, Umar talks with Ghalib Salam about getting back into competitive sports in his 40s, going from shorter triathlons to Ironman and ultramarathons, and returning to finish a race after missing a cutoff.
Ghalib shares how the same discipline shapes his approach to business deals, from managing cash flow and getting partners aligned to knowing when it’s time to cut your losses.

What if better business results start with the state of mind you bring into the room?
In this episode of the Mindset Boosters Podcast, Umar Hameed sits down with Deri, creator of Ultra States and Freedom Founders, to explore how leaders can move beyond stress, build trust, and create the conditions for stronger performance.
They discuss accessing flow, learning from people outside your industry, aligning sales and marketing, and putting the right people in the right roles. Deri also shares how simple breathing practices and deliberate transitions can help you lead more effectively at work and be more present with your family.
A practical conversation for founders, sales leaders, and anyone who wants to accomplish more while connecting more deeply with the people who matter.

What happens when AI can do more work than ever before, yet human connection becomes more valuable than ever?
In this episode, Umar Hameed sits down with Mark Goldfinger, executive leader at Mind Space and a former WeWork executive who helped drive expansion across China, Europe, and international markets.
Mark shares what he learned leading teams across cultures, building high-performance organizations, and creating environments where innovation happens naturally.
You'll discover:
• Why collaboration is becoming MORE important in the age of AI
• The surprising reason people are returning to the office
• Lessons from scaling businesses across the U.S., U.K., China, and India
• How great leaders create cultures where employees challenge ideas openly
• Why the best salespeople aren't selling—they're solving problems
• The leadership mindset that builds trust, accountability, and performance
• How accidental conversations can lead to breakthrough innovations
• The real difference between managing people and leading people.
Mark also shares stories from his time helping grow WeWork internationally, including a powerful lesson about leadership, culture, and adapting to different markets.
One of the biggest takeaways:
"The best leaders aren't the smartest people in the room. They're the conductors who help great people perform at their highest level."
Whether you're a CEO, entrepreneur, sales leader, founder, or someone navigating the future of work, this conversation offers practical insights on leadership, innovation, workplace culture, and building organizations that thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Why do we hesitate even when we know exactly what to do?
Harvard-trained psychiatrist and brain researcher Dr. Srini Pillay joins Umar Hameed to explore the neuroscience behind confidence, creativity, imposter syndrome, and meaningful change.
You’ll discover why unfocused time can unlock better leadership, how expectations shape the brain, and why fear of success may keep talented people stuck. Dr. Pillay also shares CIRCA, a practical five-step method for calming overwhelm, shifting attention, and moving forward:
• Chunk it down
• Ignore mental chatter
• Reality-check your thoughts
• Check what you can control
• Aim your attention toward the solution
This thought-provoking conversation will help you understand how your beliefs shape your reality, and how to become a creator within chaos.

In this episode of the Mindset Boosters Podcast, Umar sits down with venture capitalist and entrepreneur Shambhavi Mishra for a wide-ranging conversation about building bigger, thinking differently, and staying human in an increasingly AI-driven world.
Shambhavi’s message is simple:
Be uncomfortably ambitious. Think bigger. Be useful. And don’t lose the human connection.
In this episode:
Why Canada needs more entrepreneurial ambition
What founders can learn from India, the U.S., and global markets
The role of honesty and courage in leadership
How to build trust and stronger networks
Why people still invest in people
How AI can improve productivity without replacing human connection
Why the next generation needs both IQ and EQ

Stop Playing Small: Mindset, AI, and Ambition is a conversation about leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and what it takes to build something meaningful.