Simon Feldman’s story is not a typical Execs Who Run conversation. A founding partner in one of Australia’s largest retail groups, his life imploded after he embezzled $16.7 million and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. What followed was a brutal reckoning with consequences, identity, and the long, messy process of rebuilding.

In this conversation, Simon opens up about how the collapse unfolded, what prison is really like beyond the clichés, and why the years after release were arguably harder than the sentence itself.

We also explore how running — introduced through his partner KJ — became a pathway to stability, connection, and a new life anchored in purpose rather than pressure.

This episode is raw, honest, and a reminder that reinvention rarely comes from comfort.

Episode Highlights

• Step inside the boardroom moment where Simon’s life collapsed in seconds

• How a random accounting anomaly unravelled a $16.7 million fraud

• What prison is actually like when you are not built for violence

• The mental fight to survive four years inside and four harder years on the outside

• Why the right partner, the right habits, and the right boundaries can change everything

• How running became his anchor — physically, emotionally, and relationally

• The leadership lesson he lives by now: empower people, and let them go with their heart

• His best advice for life, leadership, and running after everything he’s lived through

Connect with Simon

Book: When a Good Man Makes Bad Decisions

→ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/When-Good-Man-Makes-Decisions/dp/1922810709

→ Booktopia: https://www.booktopia.com.au/when-a-good-man-makes-bad-decisions-simon-feldman/book/9781922810703.html

Connect with Execs Who Run

Website → https://execswhorun.com

Instagram → https://instagram.com/execswhorun

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/execs-who-run

Connect with Jason

Instagram → https://instagram.com/jasonzane_

LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhunt

If this episode resonates, share it with a friend who runs. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it helps more leaders find the miles that matter.

Scott Pugh has spent the past 15 years building teams and markets across Asia, most recently as the GM of APAC for Figma. Outside the office, he’s obsessed with some of the toughest endurance challenges in the region — including Hong Kong’s infamous 298-kilometre Four Trails Ultra Challenge.

In this conversation, Scott opens up about the moment he told himself he “couldn’t run”, how he rewired that script, and what ultra-endurance has taught him about resilience, failure, leadership, and never giving up. We unpack the endurance mindset, how to debrief failure without ego, and why the biggest breakthroughs happen when you choose goals you have no right to complete.

Highlights

• How a disastrous 800-metre school race convinced Scott he wasn't a runner for 15 years

• The brutal reality of Hong Kong Four Trails and the humbling lessons from two DNFs

• Why failure is a better teacher than success, if you debrief like an operator

• How Scott uses endurance mindset principles to lead high-performing teams across Asia

• The power of big, uncomfortable goals to drive growth in life and leadership

• Why his best thinking happens while run-commuting through Singapore

• The surprising overlap between ultra runners and elite sales performers

  
  

Connect with Scott:
→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpugh

Execs Who Run:
→ Website – https://execswhorun.com
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/execs-who-run
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/execswhorun

Jason:
→ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhunt
→ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jasonzane_

If this episode resonates, share it with a friend who runs.
Follow Execs Who Run on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a quick review — it helps more leaders find the miles that matter.

Luke Carlson has spent two decades mastering performance — in business and in running. As the founder and CEO of Discover Strength, a 30-plus-location fitness company built around evidence-based strength training, Luke’s leadership philosophy is as structured as his marathon build-ups. A former NFL strength coach turned entrepreneur, he’s now chasing a sub-three-hour marathon at age 45, while running one of the most disciplined fitness franchises in the world.

In this episode, Luke shares what the process really looks like — from building a company “built to last,” to running 31 marathons with precision, and balancing science, ambition, and joy along the way.

Highlights

• Hear how Luke turned a single 2,000-sq-ft gym into a global franchise guided by purpose, not ego.

• Learn why he believes most runners (and leaders) get the 80/20 rule completely wrong.

• Discover how to train smarter: the science-based strength plan every runner should follow.

• Explore the connection between structure, leadership, and freedom — in business and in running.

• Understand why progress, not perfection, drives both performance and fulfilment.

• • Take away Luke’s timeless framework for vision, purpose, and growth that any leader can apply.

  
  

  Connect with Luke Carlson:
  → Instagram – @lukecarlson3070
  → Discover Strength

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  Connect with Execs Who Run:
  → LinkedIn – Execs Who Run
  → Instagram – @execswhorun

  
  

  Connect with Jason Hunt:
  → LinkedIn – Jason Hunt
  → Instagram – @jasonzane_
  If this episode resonates, share it with a friend who runs. Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a quick review — it helps more leaders find the miles that matter.