Ilana

And again, you raise your hand to opportunities, but they're not the opportunities you want. So that's what, you know, and I was just like, okay, so what is happening? Fast forward, I can tell you, and it took me a few decades to find this out, no pressure. But what I realized is that this like whole stuckness area right there at the corner,

And again, you raise your hand to opportunities, but they're not the opportunities you want. So that's what, you know, and I was just like, okay, so what is happening? Fast forward, I can tell you, and it took me a few decades to find this out, no pressure. But what I realized is that this like whole stuckness area right there at the corner,

And it's a circle that every high achiever will go through. So we work really, really hard, and then we get stuck. And then we work really, really hard to prove ourselves, and we get stuck again. And what I realized, there's other people up the mountain, right? They become these impactful leaders. They come in the room. They command the room. They have the executive presence.

And it's a circle that every high achiever will go through. So we work really, really hard, and then we get stuck. And then we work really, really hard to prove ourselves, and we get stuck again. And what I realized, there's other people up the mountain, right? They become these impactful leaders. They come in the room. They command the room. They have the executive presence.

They become this indispensable leader. They have the seat at the table. They're called to all the coolest meetings. And they have the authority. They have the reputation. And why them? And when they do have all of that, guess what?

They become this indispensable leader. They have the seat at the table. They're called to all the coolest meetings. And they have the authority. They have the reputation. And why them? And when they do have all of that, guess what?

What's happening to them is that they're in this kind of a hidden market and they're getting all these opportunities because all of them are in some kind of hidden market opportunities. I'm not getting them. They co-found companies. They invest in companies. They become executives. They get on board. They get advisory. I'm like, what am I missing? Because I can outwork them.

What's happening to them is that they're in this kind of a hidden market and they're getting all these opportunities because all of them are in some kind of hidden market opportunities. I'm not getting them. They co-found companies. They invest in companies. They become executives. They get on board. They get advisory. I'm like, what am I missing? Because I can outwork them.

Why am I not getting the chance? So that drove me nuts. Now, I want to take you back. Also, there was a pivotal moment. And this is a pretty emotional story. I've never shared it this way. Is that interesting for you guys? Do you want to hear with a pivotal moment? Okay. So meet Lil Ilana was my mom.

Why am I not getting the chance? So that drove me nuts. Now, I want to take you back. Also, there was a pivotal moment. And this is a pretty emotional story. I've never shared it this way. Is that interesting for you guys? Do you want to hear with a pivotal moment? Okay. So meet Lil Ilana was my mom.

When I became a mom, 2007, the first kid, 2009, the second kid, my mom gave basically all her career and gave up on it for me. And the first kid, it kind of looked normal, right? Like, I'll settle on my career. I'll put it to the side because all I'm trying to do is be a mom. Did it again for the second kid. And at some point when she was about five months old, it started nagging me.

When I became a mom, 2007, the first kid, 2009, the second kid, my mom gave basically all her career and gave up on it for me. And the first kid, it kind of looked normal, right? Like, I'll settle on my career. I'll put it to the side because all I'm trying to do is be a mom. Did it again for the second kid. And at some point when she was about five months old, it started nagging me.

This can't be it. I love them to the moon and back, but this can't be all my life. My mom wasn't feeling well, and we flew to Israel. I had one more week for my maternity leave. So I figured I'll just hop to Israel and see what's going on. About three days later, she collapses in the hospital. We start realizing that she has a tumor, and it's actually not just a tumor.

This can't be it. I love them to the moon and back, but this can't be all my life. My mom wasn't feeling well, and we flew to Israel. I had one more week for my maternity leave. So I figured I'll just hop to Israel and see what's going on. About three days later, she collapses in the hospital. We start realizing that she has a tumor, and it's actually not just a tumor.

It's a cancer that went from her lungs all the way to her brain. It's all over the body, and we're essentially counting the minutes. And for me, you know, I still remember holding her hand. And it's basically just me and her. I'm an only child. And I remember holding her hand. And I was trying to figure out, like, does she have regrets? But I didn't have the, you know, I couldn't really ask this.

It's a cancer that went from her lungs all the way to her brain. It's all over the body, and we're essentially counting the minutes. And for me, you know, I still remember holding her hand. And it's basically just me and her. I'm an only child. And I remember holding her hand. And I was trying to figure out, like, does she have regrets? But I didn't have the, you know, I couldn't really ask this.

And I didn't feel like I could. And I kind of, like, regret a little bit not asking some more questions. But at that point, like, I was holding her hand and it felt not enough. Like, I knew she was really appreciating that I love her. but is this really all there is to her life? And the funeral was really small. I mean, it was just like a few family members and some of my friends that showed up.

And I didn't feel like I could. And I kind of, like, regret a little bit not asking some more questions. But at that point, like, I was holding her hand and it felt not enough. Like, I knew she was really appreciating that I love her. but is this really all there is to her life? And the funeral was really small. I mean, it was just like a few family members and some of my friends that showed up.

But at that point, I made a promise that this can't be all there is to my life. And losing my mom became the biggest thing, the fuel that I needed to kick myself in the butt and just do more. And there's this beautiful quote, I don't even know who this is, but scariest day of your life is the day you die when the person you are meets the person you could have become. And that to me

But at that point, I made a promise that this can't be all there is to my life. And losing my mom became the biggest thing, the fuel that I needed to kick myself in the butt and just do more. And there's this beautiful quote, I don't even know who this is, but scariest day of your life is the day you die when the person you are meets the person you could have become. And that to me