An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
Celebrating Wins: Don’t get so caught up in your big vision that you forget to activate and celebrate the smaller wins. Accumulating daily small victories has been proven to be much more powerful and impactful than attempting to accomplish huge tasks with limited time.
Despite strides towards equality, women remain underrepresented in leadership and management roles across various sectors. In this series, we would like to discuss the barriers to female advancement in these areas and explore actionable strategies for change. We are talking with accomplished women leaders, executives, and pioneers who have navigated these challenges successfully, to hear their experiences, tactics, and advice to inspire and guide the next generation of women toward achieving their full potential in leadership and management roles. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jonathan Keim.
BBC Capital describes Jonathan’s life as resembling a permanent vacation, while Lonely Planet hails him for making the best vegan food in Bali. Jet Stars Airline recommends that if you only have one hour in Bali, it’s best spent enjoying his brand of ice cream. His photography was awarded Best in Show at the Southern Oregon Fine Art competition, and he claimed first place at the National Australia Poetry Slam in Townsville, Queensland.
Jonathan played a pivotal role in launching Robbins-Madanes Training and the Coaching Institute, which together have trained over 15% of the global population of certified coaches. He currently serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Robbins-Madanes Training.
As a Master Level Trainer of Strategic Intervention, Jonathan guides and facilitates transformative experiences through powerful live and online coaching programs. He empowers individuals to unlock their potential, improve relationships, advance their careers, discover their purpose, and turn their dreams into actionable plans.
Outside of business, Jonathan is passionate about dance, healthy living, practicing presence, and fostering positive change.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
I started attending Tony Robbins’ live events at the age of 14, and I remember being pretty shocked by what I experienced. I never saw adults in business attire dancing on top of chairs and screaming or crying in a group setting. The experience sparked a heightened sense of awareness in me. I grew compassionate for all of the pain and suffering I witnessed accumulated in all types of people throughout their lives. Whether they are rich or poor, men or women, from every race and ethnicity, I learned that everyone accumulates pain that requires healing.
Attending Tony’s events gave me the feeling of relief and clarity that I now had options and tools to proactively prevent some of the life challenges I had witnessed. I became aware of my ability to navigate my life, my relationships, and my destiny more consciously. From that point forward, my vision for the future was transformed. I was determined to turn my dreams into action plans and live a life full of adventure.
I attended more of Tony’s events in the following years and experienced major spiritual breakthroughs. My transition from 14 to 18 years allowed me to accumulate enough hardship to arrive at Date With Destiny, ready for some healing, and that’s exactly what I received. I clearly understood that these events were giving me opportunities to grow in ways that my friends were not receiving, and I didn’t take that lightly.
At 22, I became the first employee of Robbins Madanes Training. I created the admissions and customer service departments, designed the backend systems, wrote the scripts, and actively communicated with prospective and current students. Over the following year, I experienced the prestige of my position by having people of all ages come to me for personal and professional support.
I could have kept riding the wave I was on, standing on the shoulders of giants, but I held a limiting belief and a deep yearning for more that took power over my future. I asked myself, “How can I coach others when I haven’t yet lived the life of my dreams?” Looking back, I realize that this wasn’t true. I had all I needed to be successful and impactful, but we’re not always guided by what’s true and or not. Sometimes, we’re guided by the yearning of our spirit, and the path of the spirit is the path I chose. So, after two years with Robbins Madanes Training, I had a moment of profound awakening while meditating on the cliffs of Hope Ranch, Santa Barbara. I heard a voice while meditating that said, “You’re not free.” I responded rebelliously, “Yes, I am,” and the voice replied, “prove it.”
Within the hour, I gave my thirty-day notice and bought a one-way ticket to Southeast Asia. From there, I started the first brand of vegan ice cream in Bali, Indonesia, and spent the following ten years living a life of grand adventure. With all of this experience and more, I returned to Robbins Madanes Training, quickly working my way up the ladder to serve in the position I am today, the Chief Marketing and Enrollment Officer.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
While I was living in Bali, Indonesia, I would occasionally go and participate in a Malukat Water Purification Ceremony with Ida Resi Alit, the High Priestess of Hindu Dharma. In 2017, she held her first ceremony in Los Angeles, California, and this was the first time a high-level priest from her lineage ever held a ceremony in the USA. After her ceremony, we were on our way to dinner, sitting in the backseat of a car together, and I asked her, “What’s your vision? What’s your goal out here in America?” She responded that she wanted to share her blessing with everyone.
“Everyone?” I asked, amused. She confirmed, “Yes, I want to share my blessing with everyone in the world.” “That’s awesome!” I responded enthusiastically, showing my support, and then she asked me a question that changed my life forever. She asked, “Will you help me? Will you be my manager?”
In Hindhu Dharma, a high priestess is regarded as a Queen. She even wore a gold crown. She was at the top; she had no manager. She was in charge of maintaining the balance between the world of the spirit and the world of man for a very large region in Bali. She was responsible for upholding thousands of years of tradition through ceremonies, guidance, and spirituality.
Among all the high priestesses of the history of Bali, none had as unique a background story as Ida Resi Alit. She broke all of the rules and requirements to become a high priestess. A role typically only given to men from a specific caste, but she was not from the right caste, or the “right” gender, and she hadn’t been chosen by a teacher as one usually should. Her incredible spiritual gifts and ability to heal set her apart from the crowd, and she eventually surrendered to and accepted her responsibility as a high priestess.
What would you do if you were presented with such an honor? Well, to put it simply, I said “yes,” put everything in storage, and spent the next 6+ months traveling around the country together as her Mangku, a lower-level priest, telling her story, performing blessing ceremonies, and organizing incredible gatherings.
My time with her taught me many things, some of which cannot be put into words, only experienced. It was a challenging grassroots journey, a wild adventure, and a gift I will never forget.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly influenced your path to leadership?
One aspect of leadership is your ability to make difficult decisions and grow from the results. Leadership can be experienced in regard to your personal life, as well as playing an outward role, serving a larger purpose and community. The first pivotal moment in my career that significantly influenced my path to leadership was leaving Robbins Madanes Training in search of my own unique purpose. I not only left my job, I also left my country, my friends, and my family behind. I left everything searching for “more,” a greater understanding, and a greater purpose. This leap was a defining moment, changing my life for the better.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
From a very young age, I asked myself a similar question. How can I make the world a better place? For me, success is the result of making the world a better place versus the idea of becoming successful to then make the world a better place. Every project I’ve accepted into my career has been based on the central theme that the work was making a positive impact. Whether I’m building systems to enroll tens of thousands of life coaches, going on international spiritual tours, or providing a tropical island with a vegan alternative to their favorite dessert, I can safely say that everything I’ve accomplished has supported the mission of making the world a better place.
Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
When I was 17, I got my GED, skipped my senior year of high school, and moved across the country into an apartment in Pacific Beach, California, with housemates I found through a post on Craigslist. With the help of my grandmother, I started attending UCSD as a concurrent student, joined a fraternity, and lived a pretty wild life for a 17-year-old from a small Colorado mountain town.
At the end of the school year, I traveled north to visit my aunt and uncle, Magali & Mark Peysa, who were living in Ashland, Oregon. For the first time, as far back as I can remember, I felt safe, cared for, supported, and nourished at a very deep level. They invited me into their home and paid me to become a caretaker for their five children. I transferred from the University of California San Diego to Southern Oregon University to be closer to my family and continue my undergraduate education.
The love, stability, and certainty they provided me were transformational and inspiring. I learned what it meant to be a member of a loving household and what it meant to be responsible for a child’s life. Their ongoing support, guidance, and contribution to my adventures on the road less traveled both initiated my journey into adulthood and helped make me the man I am today.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
The book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda had an incredible impact on my life. It helped me loosen my grip on my construction of reality and allowed for more alternative experiences to take place. It was a book that helped me explore my purpose and question my cultural conditioning. It introduced me to so many new potential experiences of reality that I felt encouraged to participate in an exploration of my own.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
My favorite Life Lesson Quote is, “Everything happens for you, not to you.” Like countless others, I’ve had my fair share of challenges, but the quality of your life isn’t determined by how many challenges you’ve faced. Instead, it’s defined by how you respond to them. The belief that “everything happens for you, not to you” puts you into a position of power, acceptance, gratitude, and a path of personal growth. Instead of being consumed by your reaction to an event taking place, this quote activates a quest for greater knowledge, growth, and understanding. It provides a proactive stance to make your life better no matter your circumstances. The personal development industry is focused on learning from your past, maximizing your present, and setting clear goals for your future. When you embody the belief that “everything happens for you, not to you,” you can effectively and powerfully refocus your thoughts toward a destination that is ultimately more fulfilling.
In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from leadership and management?
Robbins Madanes Training doesn’t entertain the belief that there is anything holding women back from roles in leadership and management. We believe that this is, in fact, the age of women in leadership positions. This fact is reflected by the 52 women running businesses on the Fortune 500 list (an all-time high). Equally impressive, another female candidate is receiving massive support while running for the presidential office in the USA. Today, there are 29 countries with female leaders. It’s time to drop the belief that women are being held back from leadership and management, and it’s time to start reinforcing more important, higher, and accurate truths.
What women are experiencing now is a shift in focus. Women are recognizing how much they are needed in the workforce, and in light of this recognition, women are proudly rising to the occasion. To help get them there, women seek higher education levels, like Robbins Madanes Training. We train women to achieve leadership and management goals by teaching them the strategies and tools needed for these positions. Tools like The Triad that help our students shift their language, focus, and physiology are fundamental for accessing higher levels of achievement and accelerating their paths to leadership and management.
It’s time to reinforce a new mindset. Women can achieve anything they set their minds to. In light of this, one must ask themselves the right questions to reach their goals. The questions we ask ourselves and the answers we settle on truly differentiate us. Don’t settle for an answer that doesn’t feel empowering. If you see limitations, ask yourself, “How can I break through?”
Can you share a few reasons why more women should become leaders and managers?
Tony Robbins defines a leader as “someone who can influence the thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors of other human beings.” To influence someone’s thoughts, feelings, emotions, and behaviors, one must first understand them. Women tend to score higher than men on empathy and emotional intelligence tests, which gives them the edge in leadership and management positions.
Leadership is reserved for those who hold a vision that challenges the status quo. Women, by nature, challenge the status quo. They deeply understand how life can be improved in areas men neglect; it is inherent to their nature. Instead of the old way of asking yourself, “Can I become a leader or manager,” you now need to ask yourself, “Why must I become a leader or manager?” That fundamental shift in questions will reveal all of the answers you need.
We all bring incredible gifts to the table, some of which we’re born with and others discovered on our unique path. The gifts that are nurtured are the ones that carry enough weight to inspire change. The gifts we focus on developing are the ones that will help us rise to achieve our ambitions, whether it’s an executive position, or something greater.
Can you please share “5 Things We Need To Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership and Management”?
The five things we need to increase women’s engagement in leadership and management roles are:
- Questions: Tony Robbins says the quality of your questions determines the quality of your life. Have the questions you’ve been asking yourself kept you in the same place, or have they pushed you forward in accomplishing your ambitions? What is one new question you can ask yourself today that would catalyze your career goals?
- Vision: People are rarely born leaders. Instead, they decide to become one based on a powerful vision for a better future. Leaders take ownership of their visions. They recognize that their purpose in life is to ensure their vision comes true. The vision itself is the guiding force, and the leader is simply playing their part in realizing it. Don’t let your ego get in the way of your greatest purpose; instead, repeat, “I am a leader!” And continue your course of action.
- Innovative Thinking: Women sometimes suppress their ambitions because the system is broken. When encountering a broken system, don’t ask yourself, “How can I conform to fit in?” You don’t even need to ask yourself how to fix it. Instead, think outside the box. Give your wisdom a voice and a platform to share it on. Create based on everything that has brought you to this moment, as opposed to the confinements of an outdated system.
- Training: What happens in your garden applies to your entire life. What you water will grow! If you want to achieve higher levels of career success, don’t rely on positive thinking. Acquire the skills you need to make you stand out from the crowd! Robbins Madanes Training provides executives the skills, training, and resilience they need to manage and lead families, communities, companies, and nations.
- Celebrating Wins: Don’t get so caught up in your big vision that you forget to activate and celebrate the smaller wins. Accumulating daily small victories has been proven to be much more powerful and impactful than attempting to accomplish huge tasks with limited time.
In your opinion, what systemic changes are needed to facilitate more equitable access for women to leadership roles?
Several systemic changes could be undertaken to facilitate more equitable access for women to leadership roles. You could focus on improving policies, addressing cultural and attitudinal shifts, examining structural and societal needs, and creating systems for measurement and accountability, to name a few.
While Robbins Madanes Training could inspire change in all of these areas, for the purpose of this article, we’ll focus on the lowest-hanging fruit: the cultural and attitudinal shift that needs to take place.
Studies have shown that we all hold unconscious biases no matter who we are. Since biases are unconscious, they tend to be the silent killers, preventing change where change is most needed. Unconscious bias training should become a norm in all organizations and be made especially prevalent for those in leadership positions and involved in hiring.
Studies have shown that diversity leads to better team performance, and it’s now up to us to put that knowledge into practice. It’s time for us to drop the question of what is holding women back and start putting more effort into celebrating their success and normalizing their capacity for leadership and management. These celebrations will be reflected in and outside of the office. Praise will be made publicly and privately.
Lastly, I’ll mention that it’s time to stop unproductive role-playing and gender expectations. The more we expect one another to succeed, the better we will all perform.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children. Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
Jonathan Keim On How We Can Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership and Management was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.