The iGaming Leader

• The Real Stories Behind the iGaming Leader Mastermind

  In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with several standout members of the iGaming Leader Mastermind to share their deeply personal journeys of transformation. From burnout and overwhelm to sustainable high performance, these stories reveal the real impact of removing the mask and prioritising wellbeing in the world of leadership. The conversation explores burnout, work-life balance, imposter syndrome, stress, resilience, leadership growth, and personal recovery — offering inspiration and actionable insights for ambitious iGaming professionals ready to lead without losing themselves in the process.Our GuestsRob Fell is CEO at RiskCherry, known for his physical transformation and renewed mental clarity. He now leads with structure, focus, and purpose.Fintan Costello is a veteran founder and advisor in the industry. After facing burnout, he rebuilt a better approach to business and life.Julia Weygandt is the Group CCO at CallsU and a committee member at Global Gaming Women. Once overwhelmed by work, she found clarity, boundaries, and a powerful support system.Carl Hallam is Co-Founder of Vega Gibraltar. Once mentally and physically exhausted, he’s now living with presence, peace, and professional purpose.Lex Scott is VP of Gaming at ITV Studios. From near breakdown to emotional recovery, Lex shares how he rediscovered balance and inner peace.Richard Marquis is a Director at Flutter/Sky Gaming. After losing his mother, he redefined his approach to time and work, creating sustainable habits and intentional living.Arturs Zagurilo is a CCO who overcame imposter syndrome and scepticism about coaching. Through the Mastermind, he became more productive and genuinely happy.James Murray is Director of Business Development at Playnetic. From burnout and hopelessness to reclaiming control and confidence, his story highlights the power of asking for help.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – Rob Fell on building clarity and overcoming burnout through structure03:00 – Fintan Costello on regaining 30 hours/week and making millions through mindset shifts06:00 – Julia Weygandt on feeling consumed by work and finding community and balance08:00 – Carl Hallam on recovering from emotional strain and becoming a better leader11:00 – Lex Scott on near-collapse and finally finding inner peace13:00 – Richard Marquis on the loss of his mother and building habits to honour her legacy16:00 – Arturs Zagurilo on overcoming imposter syndrome and discovering the value of community19:00 – James Murray on escaping burnout, asking for help, and reclaiming his joy and energyMemorable Quotes"I was done. I was working long days, working weekends… but I knew it wasn’t sustainable." – Fintan Costello "Everyone on my birthday list was from work… that was the moment I realised something had to change." – Julia Weygandt "I’m physically 10 years younger but mentally 20 years older." – Carl Hallam "For the first time… I feel peace. I thought it was something that was beyond me." – Lex Scott "You are in control of your own happiness." – James Murray "What I’m most proud of is the feeling of habits forming — and knowing they’ll last." – Richard Marquis "At first, I thought this was all BS. But now I know — it works. I’m more productive and more happy." – Arturs ZaguriloImportant LinksConnect with Leo Judkins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkinsSubscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

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  23:04
• If you don’t adapt, you die. The Real Value of Leadership with Vladimir Malakchi

  In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo Judkins sits down with Vladimir Malakchi, investor, advisor, former CCO of Evoplay and CEO of Xanada Investments. Vladimir shares how adaptability, integrity, and fearless decision-making shaped his journey from government employee to multi-industry executive and respected leader in iGaming. The conversation explores personal resilience, navigating uncertainty, leading with impact, and the mindset shifts that separate founders who thrive from those who stall — offering real, raw advice for executives, founders, and future leaders.Guest BioVladimir Malakchi is a strategic investor and business scaling expert with 10 years of experience. Over the past 5 years, he has mentored iGaming companies, guiding them to commercial success and top industry rankings.Recognized as Speaker of the Year and Influencer of the Year, Vladimir is among LinkedIn's top voices in the industry. He has led companies to over 300 awards and nominations.A respected judge and speaker at global gaming conferences, Vladimir launched Xanada Investments — an investment fund that supports promising iGaming projects, focusing on business scaling through financial backing and a community-driven approach for mutual success.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – Introduction03:00 – Betrayed by a friend helped by a stranger08:00 – Couldn’t go back and face my mother10:50 – Why adaptability is the most critical skill for founders11:50 – Career pivots, mindset shifts, and making your own luck17:00 – You need to start moving, moving, moving.24:11  – Fear, risk, and the dangers of the comfort zone30:50 – The mindset difference between serial founders and first-time entrepreneurs34:55 – Perfectionism vs. speed: the silent killer of startups38:50 – What I want to be remembered forMemorable Quotes"If you’re the smartest guy in the room, it’s time to change rooms." "Comfort is the most dangerous place to live. You’ll look back and realise you’ve lost 20 years." "People say yes because they don’t want to hurt your feelings. But if they won’t pay for your product, you’ve got nothing." "Founders don’t die from failure — they die from perfectionism and inaction." "I want to be remembered for helping people grow — not just in business, but in life."Important LinksConnect with Vladimir Malakchi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vmalakchi/https://xanada.fundhttps://next.io/news/promoted/inside-the-xanada-pitch-contest-vladimir-malakchi-how-to-prepare-effectively/Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkinsSubscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

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  40:32
• There’s Always a Way Out: Mark Schmidt’s Story of Recovery and Redemption

  In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Mark Schmidt, Managing Director at EveryMatrix and a seasoned iGaming professional with over 17 years of industry experience. Mark shares his extraordinary journey from rising through the ranks in sports betting and gaming, to battling addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts—and ultimately rebuilding his life and career.The conversation explores the pressures of leadership in iGaming, the dangers of burnout and imposter syndrome, the stigma around mental health in male-dominated environments, and the importance of vulnerability, boundaries, and support systems. Mark offers raw honesty and empowering insights for anyone facing personal challenges while navigating high-performance careers.Guest Bio16 Year career in iGaming focusing exclusively on Africa. Mark has worked for the industry's leading B2B providers in senior roles with the likes of Sportradar and IMG. His career started off in B2C as the head of trading for Hollywood Bets where his love of horse racing began. He’s a dad to three girls and has been married for ten years to his amazing wife Derryn. He’s currently with EveryMartrix and is the Managing Director - Africa. Key Topics Discussed00:00 - Introduction02:50 - Mark’s early career at Hollywood Bets07:09 - Struggles with mental health and alcohol in high-pressure roles09:03 - Suicidal ideation and coming out of rock bottom14:35 - Feeling alone and imposter syndrome18:49 -  Dealing with social expectations in gaming21:40 - Building a peer support network for others in the industry25:59 - Generational shifts, asking for help, and creating change before it’s too late28:44 - Just get help33:15 - Advice for Gaming Leaders who feel the same wayMemorable Quotes"Although I was there in body, I wasn’t there in mind." "The world’s changed a hell of a lot. There are so many different ways that you can get help now." "If I was able to get to a better point, anyone can do it." "Just get help. Even if it’s a friend. Don’t try to solve it in your own head."Important LinksConnect with Mark Schmidt:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-schmidt-aa27398b/Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

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  36:25
• Building your own future, Sasha Uman’s Journey to CCO at Playtech Live

  In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Sasha Uman, Chief Commercial Officer at Playtech Live. Sasha shares her inspiring journey from finance associate to CCO at Playtech Live's division, revealing how bold moves, and supportive networks shaped her career. The conversation explores her path through the iGaming industry, the importance of asking for opportunities, overcoming imposter syndrome, managing remote teams, and maintaining work-life balance—offering actionable advice and relatable insights for aspiring leaders, especially women navigating male-dominated industries.Guest Bio Sasha is an action-focused commercial executive with a proven track record in driving revenue growth and market expansion. With extensive experience in negotiating IP and software licensing agreements, as well as managing strategic contract renewals and re-negotiations, Sasha excels at navigating complex, high-impact projects to swift and effective resolutions. A strong leader and skilled negotiator, she currently leads high-performing teams that consistently exceed KPIs and business expectations.Key Topics Discussed 00:00 – Sasha’s career path: from finance to CCO at Playtech's Live Division04:00 – Knocking on doors and asking for what you want10:29 – Dealing with overthinking and building a strong support system12:51 – Managing imposter syndrome and finding confidence through connection18:42 – Balancing leadership and family life in the iGaming industry23:14 – Overcoming challenges and defining leadership through adversity26:26 – The value of authentic leadership and doing things your own way32:30 – Delegation struggles and the long-term value of empowering others36:20 – Advice for business development professionals looking to grow fastMemorable Quotes"I have to do it myself. No one will build your future for you.""Overthinking turns into a vicious circle. It’s better not to go into it at all.""You can achieve things in your own way. There’s no one path to success.""Don’t just pitch the revenue share—understand the product deeply.""People don’t always know what you’re capable of unless you show them."Important LinksConnect with Sasha Uman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sasha-uman-17722780/Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

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  38:12
• Facing Scandals and Industry Wars with Paris Smith

  In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Paris Smith, former CEO of Pinnacle and one of the most influential leaders in the iGaming industry. Paris shares her journey from sports betting to leading a powerhouse brand, highlighting the challenges, leadership lessons, and industry shifts she has navigated. The conversation explores high-performance culture, resilience in the face of public scrutiny, and the evolving dynamics of leadership in iGaming.Paris shares what it takes to thrive in a fast-paced, ever-changing industry.Guest BioParis Smith began her Hall of Fame gaming career in 1995 with WWTS. In 2006, she joined Pinnacle, helping transition the business toward Asian and European markets. She then restructured Pinnacle into a B2C bookmaking leader, pioneering initiatives like accepting the first esports bets in 2010. With unmatched industry expertise, Paris now serves as an advisor and consultant, leveraging her passion and experience to guide others through Life Winning and Defy the Odds.Key Topics Discussed00:00 – Guest introduction02:00 – Paris' early years in sports and how competition shaped her leadership05:25 – Building a high-performance culture in iGaming09:36 – Holding teams to higher standards13:10 – Dealing with public scrutiny and pressure20:53 – Industry resilience and the evolving role of leadership24:00 – Market shifts post-COVID and the challenge of balancing costs and people26:43 – Handling layoffs and company transitions29:28 – The three types of professionals in iGaming33:29 – The biggest untapped opportunities for operators today37:04 – Responsible gaming: The need for incentives over penalties39:24 – The key to success: Humility, adaptability, and believing in yourselfMemorable Quotes"I love crunch time. Three seconds left, down by two—I want the ball. That's how I approach leadership." "You can’t thrive in iGaming if you’re not listening, learning, and evolving. Stagnation isn’t anoption in this industry." "Resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges—it’s about knowing you’ll push through them, no matter what."Important LinksConnect with Paris Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paris-smith-1719377/Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-judkins/Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter: https://www.igamingleader.com/signupJoin the iGaming Leader Mastermind: https://www.igamingleader.com/

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  45:14

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