Meet the Makers 🎙️

In this first episode Victor B introduces himself and the story behind Ambition Makers. He shares the inspiration behind the podcast, the challenges faced, and the mission to inspire and empower listeners. This episode sets the tone for the series and invites the audience to join the Ambition Makers community.

Transcript

Hello everyone. Welcome to the very first episode of Ambition Makers. My name is Victor and I'm happy to begin this journey with you. Before I dive in, I want to take a moment to wish you all a very happy new year. May this year be filled with opportunities, health and prosperity to fulfill your dreams. This podcast

has been a dream of mine for quite some time. I wanted to create a space where we explore ambition, dreams, aspirations, and grow through inspiring stories, conversations with incredible guests and with meaningful insights. Now, I have to share something with you. This is completely new territory for me. I'm not a content creator or a podcaster by trade.

My background is in business, technology, innovation, coaching, and I have worked as an executive in leadership positions across different businesses, industries and countries, and not necessarily behind the microphone. But what drives me to do this is the belief that stories, connections and meaningful conversations have the power to inspire and change lives. Ambition makers

isn't about perfection, it's about authenticity, growth and building something together. This project has a deeply personal meaning to me. My son, Alex, has been a major driving force behind its creation. At just 16 years of age, Alex is not only our youth advisor and creative contributor to this podcast, but he is

also a constant inspiration with his insights and unique perspectives of life. Since he was a toddler, Alex has challenged me with his inquisitive questions about life and the world around him. I have welcomed these moments as opportunities for growth and at times they have been a bit challenging. These challenges have pushed me to reflect and strive to do better as a person.

and as a dad. While you won't hear Alex hosting this podcast, his ideas and experiences profoundly shaped the themes, topics and direction of it. Alex and I share a unique bond. We have both lived in different countries, met people from different backgrounds and experienced firsthand how ambition and dreams truly are universal.

Those experiences have shaped our vision for this podcast. And it's to create a space where ambition feels personal, relatable, and most important, achievable. For me, it's about connecting those dots through my work across different businesses, industries, cultures, and people. I have learned that ambition and dreams are not just about

big ideas. They are about persistence, adaptability, and finding inspiration in the most unexpected places. Ambition Makers is here to share those lessons, not just from my experiences, but from people that I have met all over the world who have carved their own unique paths. So whether you're a teenager like Alex, figuring out your next steps, or someone like me who explore various opportunities and still dreams big in his life, this podcast is for you. It's actually for anyone ready to take that next step towards their goals. One thing I have always believed is that every person we meet and every place that we have lived has taught us something valuable. And through ambition makers, we want to create a space where

Those lessons are shared either by me or by my guests and that we celebrate them. This podcast isn't just about us. It's about building a community of dreamers and doers. So as we dive into the first episode, we will talk about why we're doing this, what we hope to achieve and how our global experiences have shaped this mission.

And most importantly, we will share how you can join us on this journey. And Ambition Makers is for us the first step on a larger mission. One that we hope it will inspire, empower, and create opportunities through our work and through the creation of a nonprofit organization called Apilia. Thank you for being here with us today and

Let this journey begin.

Victor (06:16)
So as we dive into this first episode of Ambition Makers, I want to take a moment to share the story behind why this podcast exists and how it connects to a much bigger vision. It's been a journey shaped by both personal experiences and the perspectives I have gained from living, learning and working in different parts of the world. Growing up,

I never imagined I would live in multiple countries and work across such diverse businesses and industries. Each place came with its own challenges, opportunities and lessons. And moving to a new country always meant starting over, adjusting to a new culture, learning a new way of thinking, and connecting with people from completely different backgrounds.

But those experiences taught me something invaluable. That ambition and dreams may take different forms, but they are universal. I have had the pleasure to work with people who came from all walks of life. Some had everything they needed to pursue their goals. Others started with very little.

What inspired me most was seeing how ambition and determination could push people beyond their circumstances. It wasn't about just having big dreams. It was about taking small, consistent steps, even when the odds were stacked against them. And that's one of the reasons why Ambition Makers is so personal to me. It's not just a podcast.

It's a platform that I would like to explore what drives people to dream. What pushes them through the challenges and what drives them to achieve their goals. It's also deeply influenced by someone as you know, very special to me, which is my son, Alex. And Alex has shown an incredible curiosity and commitment to understanding what helps people succeed.

And while you won't to hear from him, his perspective and input have and will shape a lot of what we do and what we build going forward.

Growing up, Alex has moved between countries and attended international schools and met people from vastly different cultures and backgrounds. He's seen how opportunity, or the lack of it, can shape someone's path. And honestly, watching Alex navigate these experiences has been a huge inspiration for me.

makes me realize that creating a space like Ambition Makers isn't just something I want to do, it's something I needed to do. And this podcast is about amplifying those voices, sharing their stories, and building up a community where ambition is celebrated and nurtured. And at the same time, this podcast is just the beginning. It's about

that bigger vision that Alex and I have been working together. We started the journey to create this nonprofit organization called Apilia. Well, this foundation is still in the process of being set up. The mission, it's clear, where Alex wants to empower young people, particularly those from underserved communities,

by providing free access to education, coaching, mentorship, and opportunities to unlock their potential. Living in different countries and working with people from diverse backgrounds have opened our eyes to the differences in access to resources. And we have seen firsthand how some people have everything they need to succeed, while others don't even know where to start.

And that's why the foundation is so important to us and why this podcast is a crucial first step. Through ambition makers, we hope not only to share stories, but also inspire action. And for us, creating this space where you with all walks of life can come and connect, learn and grow together.

This is a community of dreamers, doers and thinkers. And it's more about than just ambition. It's about the courage to take the next step, whether it may be. So as we continue with today's episode, I'll be diving deeper into the goals of the podcast and the connection to our foundation.

And my hope is that through these conversations, you will feel inspired to reflect on your journey and you can share your story too.

What makes this podcast unique is the incredible range of perspectives that my guests will bring. These are people who have navigated many industries, life stages and challenges. And their stories will be source of both inspiration and actionable insights. Each guest is someone who has dare to dream.

They have faced obstacles and have taken bold steps towards their goals. And I believe that their experiences, whether in business, education, personal growth, or creative ventures will shine a light on what ambition looks like in different contexts. From youth leaders to seasoned professionals, entrepreneurs, and change makers.

Our guests will help us explore the many dimensions of ambition, dreams and resilience.

And finally, one of the driving forces behind these is the power of community. Ambition doesn't come in isolation. It thrives when we share ideas, learn from each other, and support one another. That's why this platform isn't just about sharing stories. It's about creating connections. And through Ambition Makers, we're starting conversations

that align with the values of the Apelea foundation.

So as we begin this journey with Ambition Makers, I want to give you a glimpse of what's coming this season. This is very exciting. And this podcast is structured around six main categories that really capture the heart of what we are about.

The first one is youth inspiration.

The second one is career development. The third one is education. The fourth one is personal growth. The fifth one is skill development. And the last one is inspiration. And these categories reflect the different stages of growth and ambition that so many people experience, whether they are just starting out or looking to redefine

their life and their goals. They also come from hours of brainstorming with Alex whose insights as a young person navigating today's decision-making and challenges have been invaluable in shaping these themes. So I will break down one by one and I will start with youth inspiration.

This category is particularly close to my heart because it highlights young people who are already making an impact in their communities or industries. For example, we will hear from a young entrepreneur who turned his passion from gaming into a thriving tech startup. We will also feature stories of teens tackling environmental issues and creating social change in their communities.

These are the kinds of stories that remind us that ambition and impact don't have to wait until adulthood.

The second category is career development. And it's another crucial topic where we will be diving into and exploring how to choose a career path that truly aligns with your skills, interests, and passions. How to network effectively. How to turn setbacks like rejection into opportunities for growth.

very excited to share some of the tools and strategies I have learned as I have been working towards my International Career Development coaching certification. For instance, we will talk about real life examples of people who have pivoted their careers, like moving from corporate roles to creative or entrepreneurial pursuits. The next category, it's education.

And here is about more than just the traditional learning. It's about the lifelong growth. We will explore non-traditional ways to learn like online courses, mentorship, coaching, and skill building workshops. And one episode will feature stories of people who found success through unconventional educational paths.

showing that learning doesn't stop when you graduate. The next category, it's personal growth. And here is where we will dig into the mindset and resilience. And in this category, we will cover topics like overcoming self-doubt, finding your purpose, and turning failures and rejections into opportunities for reinvention.

For instance, we will hear from a guest who faced a major life setback, but used it as catalyst to build a fulfilling new career.

The next category is skill development and it ties the practical tools that helps people to thrive. We will have episodes focused on everything from time management, effective communication to creative skills like storytelling or public speaking. In one episode, we will break down how to pitch an idea, whether it's for a business or a creative

project or even a job interview. And the final category is inspiration, which ties everything together. This category will feature stories from people who have achieved incredible things against the odds. Like someone who went from living in a small rural town to building a global nonprofit

One thing I'm especially excited about this is the lineup of guests we will have. These are people from diverse backgrounds and industries and walks of life. And each one of them has a story to tell. And we will learn not just about their successes, but also

their challenges and how they have faced them and the lessons they have learned. And through those stories, I hope that we will have a wide range of perspectives that will inspire, motivate, connect us and empower us as a community to take the next steps. And while I'll be facilitating and guiding the conversations,

Alex contributions remain at the heart of the project. And he will continue to drive questions and observations and ideas to be behind the scenes and his perspectives will definitely help us navigate and understand the youth perspective. Lastly, this podcast is again, more than conversation. And I cannot stress this enough.

It's about all of you helping me build a community. And through ambition makers, we hopefully will be laying the groundwork for something even bigger, which is the Apilia Foundation.

So as we come to the end of this very first episode, I want to take a moment to thank you for joining me. This is the beginning of a very exciting journey, not just for this podcast, but for something much bigger. And this is my first step and our first step to create something meaningful. Your support is fundamental. It's essential to us in making this vision a reality.

by listening to us, by tuning in and sharing this podcast with others and engaging through our social media. You are and will be helping us grow the community. But if you would like to get and help us go further, there are even more ways to get involved. And we invite you to visit our website at ambitionmakers.com.

to learn more about our journey and that you stay updated with upcoming episodes and how you can be part of our mission.

And if you believe that we are, building is something important that touches your values and your purpose, we invite you to consider supporting us on Patreon. Every contribution goes towards producing this podcast and more importantly, laying the foundation for the Apelia Foundation. Your support will help us cover everything from

recording, editing, and inviting inspiring guests so we can bring valuable insights to our listeners.

Thank you for being here on my first episode. And this is just the beginning. And I'm so happy that you're going to come along the ride. Remember, every dream starts with a single step. And let's keep dreaming big, building connections and supporting one another as we turn those ambitions into reality. I'll see you next week for another episode. And until then,

Keep striving, keep learning, and let those ambitions become a reality. Thank you.