In this inspiring episode of From Bottleneck to Badass: Reinventing Leadership Through the Leaders ADAPT Framework, Marina St. Cyr shares her compelling journey from experiencing a challenging upbringing marked by financial instability to stepping into an affluent lifestyle that felt foreign and uncomfortable.

She recalls the moment she first recognized she didn’t belong in certain spaces but also how those contrasts shaped her unique leadership perspective.

Marina explains how seeing the humanity in everyone, regardless of background, helped her connect deeply with diverse people across vastly different worlds—from mission trips in third-world countries to elite business circles. She stresses the importance of showing up and contributing authentically even if you don’t have all the answers, emphasizing that presence and perspective alone add immense value to any room.

The conversation also highlights a powerful shift Marina experienced—moving from waiting to be invited to take a seat at the table, to owning her worth and building her own seat. She candidly discusses the societal conditioning women face around asking for what they deserve, noting the hesitation many women have compared to men when negotiating promotions or pay raises.

Marina encourages listeners to “do it anyway”—to ask, advocate, and act even if it feels scary or uncertain, because building that muscle is essential for growth and leadership success.

She also offers advice to leaders on how to respond constructively to requests from employees, fostering an environment where people feel heard and valued. The episode closes with a rapid-fire session where Marina shares personal insights, including retiring the belief of “not being good enough,” breaking the rule of only agreeing with the most influential person in the room, and defining “Power Without Permission” as owning your power unapologetically.

Marina’s story is a testament to adaptation as survival—constantly challenging oneself, embracing vulnerability, and starting with small steps to become a confident leader who thrives. For more leadership resources and to join the book launch event for Power Without Permission, visit LeadersAdapt.com.