Entrepreneurs
The Words TikTok Guardian ByteDance Might likely likely merely Be Observing You Tell
Published
3 years agoon
Forbes obtained a trove of inner paperwork exhibiting how ByteDance tracks “aloof words” talked about on its social media apps. A full bunch of vocabulary lists housed within the firm’s “detection machine” illustrate the vary of political, social and cultural issues that the Chinese big is monitoring or suppressing.
By Alexandra S. Levine, Forbes Personnel
Most foremost social media companies have rules and tools that protect a watch on what folks on their apps can and can not stare. On the total, they’re in living to trace diversified kinds of negate and protect unhealthy or unlawful cloth off their platforms—like posts facing terrorism, abuse and suicide.
TikTok mother or father ByteDance is no diversified. However the Chinese firm’s negate moderation and monitoring appears to pass far past what’s current amongst American guests like Alphabet-owned YouTube and Meta-owned Instagram.
A Forbes investigation into TikTok and ByteDance printed that a ByteDance machine, crawl by workers in China, is monitoring mentions of what it considers “aloof words” throughout the firm’s products. In some cases, the save words are marked “must execute,” “forbidden” or “prohibited,” ByteDance will likely be blockading connected posts altogether. The machine will likely be aiming to trace each time considered one of those words comes up—recording who said it and the save they’re positioned, along side for folk within the United States.
The Chinese government has targeted folks within the U.S. who’ve spoken out in opposition to it on-line, but experts have warned that the realistic American can also moreover be naive about how far their words can lag back and forth on the internet, who will likely be watching and the skill penalties.
ByteDance’s library of “aloof words,” that are organized into hundreds of vocabulary lists, “is proof-certain that there are particular things that they are all in favour of and so that they settle on to show screen who used to be asserting them, when and how in most cases,” William Evanina, the frail head of counterintelligence for the U.S. government, counseled Forbes.
“They’re not factual collecting it for sequence’s sake,” he added.
Forbes obtained inner paperwork exhibiting heaps of of the note lists housed in this “detection machine” and is publishing them in corpulent below. While this sequence of note lists is just not exhaustive and there are positively more in ByteDance’s procedure, they illustrate the vary of political, social and cultural issues that ByteDance is conserving an peep on or suppressing.
ByteDance declined to commentary on what these heaps of of lists mean, how or the save they are applied, and who created them. Spokesperson Jennifer Banks said simplest that “there are separate and particular keyword tools extinct for diversified products, every with strict permissions and receive correct of entry to controls that permit a pick few folks within every product or platform to protect watch over or add to them.”
TikTok spokesperson Jamie Favazza said that “we imagine heaps of these checklist titles have translation errors and have to not relevant to TikTok.” (Better than 50 that she confirmed are extinct on the platform, for safety purposes, are neatly-known below.) “Regardless of wordlist names, TikTok’s keyword platform operates individually from Douyin’s and diversified China market products, with separate code, separate databases, and is maintained by separate personnel.”
“As a to blame platform, TikTok makes use of wordlists to serve give protection to our neighborhood from hate speech, misinformation, and diversified substandard negate,” Favazza added after publication. “The bulk of the checklist names Forbes supplied to us have to not extinct on TikTok, and anybody can without concerns stare negate about those issues is on hand on TikTok by means of a straightforward search on the app.”
[[Editorial prove: A handful of checklist names were partly decrease off in documentation reviewed by Forbes. In those cases, numbers were skipped over or hyphens have been added.]
CHINA & POLITICS
Lists about Chinese energy or culture
At TikTok CEO Shou Zi Bite’s first-ever testimony sooner than Congress, he counseled lawmakers below oath that “we finish not promote or remove negate at the demand of the Chinese government.” Notice lists in ByteDance’s “aloof words” machine appear to take care of negate that Beijing would likely detest of—along side language major of China’s government, protection drive, leaders and historical past. TikTok denied any of the below have ever been extinct on TikTok.
2346-Tiktok IM Celebration and Govt Detrimental Notice-
Celebration, government and navy opposed core words
504 – opposed core words of the event, government
505-Establish of Govt Agency
777-Celebration and Govt Detrimental Words List
978-Particular prohibited words for Xi and Peng
773-Xi Peng variant vocabulary
774-Mao Deng Jianghu and its variants
975-Leader Decision Targeted Prohibited Words
981 – Leader Relatives Orientation Prohibited Words
2391-FS Project-Xi Peng-Impartial & Detrimental Wrong
2392-FS Project – Celebration, Govt and Defense drive Relat-
1673-FS Project – Universal (Core Leader/Kind Variant)
1255-FS Project – Fraud Person Notice checklist
2389-FS Project- June 4th Linked-Detrimental Wrong
956-June 4 must-execute glossary
1312-Vertical June 4th Particular Overview Speech
1482-Falun Gong
2535-Thematic Arrangement for China’s Strategic Coverage
Lists that level to “Taiwan” or “Hong Kong”
Taiwan and Hong Kong have prolonged represented two of the ultimate threats to the Chinese Communist Celebration and authoritarian rule on listing of they experience appreciable autonomy from mainland China and are democratic of their ideals. Below Xi Jinping, Hong Kong has considered a fierce crackdown on real-democracy activists and diversified challengers of his regime, prompting anti-government protests in most recent years. Taiwan’s occupy push for independence has over and over precipitated retaliation from the Chinese protection drive (most not too prolonged within the past, in April, after Taiwanese and American leaders met on U.S. soil). The island has prolonged been at the center of a geopolitical tug-o-battle between the U.S. and China, and some fright it can probably perhaps well be at the center of a battle between the superpowers within the future. TikTok denied any of the below have ever been extinct on TikTok.
3034-Local Existence-Taiwan Independence & Hong Kong Independence & Tibet Independence & Xinjiang Independence
1140-Hong Kong-connected particular vocabulary for live bro-
1861-Are living China and Taiwan Title Process Vocabulary
2284-High-risk phrases in Taiwan emergency queue
2180-Prohibited artist words in music in Taiwan
2120-Taiwan’s emergency queue within the live broadcast
2220-Taiwan Blind Box Kaiping Comment Blocking off Voc-
2642-High-risk Adjuvant Vocabulary for Taiwan Emerg-
2753-Taiwan-connected theming (title)
2758-Taiwan-connected theming (commentary)
2758-Taiwan-connected theming (overview)
2776-im Taiwan aloof note take a look at
Lists about geopolitics
As tensions intensify between the U.S. and China and diversified authoritarian adversaries, some lists within the machine might perhaps perchance well perhaps form global discourse spherical American politics, U.S.-China relatives and battle in Ukraine and Russia or diversified parts of the field. TikTok denied any of the below have ever been extinct on TikTok.
977-Trump Directed Prohibited Words
982-Sino-US trade directional prohibited words
508-North Korea-connected core words
976-Putin Directed Prohibited Words
2350-Interactive Russian-Ukrainian Impress Non everlasting Vo-
623 – Recent Leader Words
1632-G Leaders’ Particular Retracement Speech
2007-G-Competitor block glossary
503-separatist forces core words
2749-LS Theming – Coup, Battle (title)
2754-LS Theming – Coup, Battle (Overview)
3253-im Deepest Chat Politics-connected Vigorous Adjust
MARGINALIZED GROUPS
Lists that level to “Tibet”
Tibet, governed as an self reliant plight of China, is in an identical vogue considered as a threat by the Chinese government. Beijing’s persecution of Tibetans—and efforts to quash their political, non secular and cultural freedoms—is correctly documented by the Recount Department and human rights groups. That has incorporated the jailing of supposed dissidents (each person from academics to musicians to non secular leaders) and restrictions on freedom of expression within the media and on-line. TikTok denied any of the below have ever been extinct on TikTok.
2553-Tiktok audio aloof words in Tibet plight
2553-Audio Sensitive Words in Douyin Tibet Place (P-
2471-Tibetan Blocked Words for Douyin Comments
1486-Toutiao Tibetan Poetry Possibility Vocabulary
3034-Local Existence-Taiwan Independence & Hong Kong Independence & Tibet Independence & Xinjiang Independence
Lists that level to “Uyghur” (also spelled “Uighur”) or “Xinjiang”
Uyghurs, an ethnic minority living basically in China’s Xinjiang plight, have been the sufferer of Chinese genocide. China has in most recent years constructed a sprawling operation of internment camps and fortified detention centers throughout Xinjiang, the save Uyghurs and diversified Muslim minorities have been topic to torture and an excessive amount of human rights abuses. The U.S. government has labeled the yearslong escalation a “genocide,” whereas the U.N. Human Rights Space of job has within the ultimate 300 and sixty five days described violations as likely “crimes in opposition to humanity.” Experiences have also confirmed a upward thrust in compelled marriages between Uyghur girls and Han men (China’s ethnic majority), calling these partnerships “kinds of gender-basically based crimes that violate global human rights standards and extra the continued genocide.”
TikTok said not considered one of many below note lists referencing ‘Uyghur’ are extinct on TikTok. “TikTok’s insurance policies prohibit claims that Uyghur camps in China construct not exist or are spurious,” Favazza said in an announcement. “On the opposite hand, negate that is educational or raises consciousness about Uyghur camps is allowed on TikTok. One in every of the systems we set in drive this policy is by means of keywords.”
2470-Tiktok commentary Uighur blocked note
2528 – Theming Suggestions of Uyghur-Han Couples (Tit-
2540-Uyghur and Han Couples Theming Suggestions
2798-IM Uyghur personal letter overview glossary
3245-Uighur Audio Overview Vocabulary-Uyghur
2103-Particular vocabulary connected to Xinjiang
3244-Xinjiang Place Audio Overview Vocabulary
718-Sensitive words in Douyin movies in Xinjiang (prelim-
3034-Local Existence-Taiwan Independence & Hong Kong Independence & Tibet Independence & Xinjiang Independence
SCIENCE & CULTURE
Lists about science and medicine
Some lists within the machine appear to show screen conversations spherical China and the Covid-19 pandemic. They look to reference one epicenter of the outbreak—the east China metropolis of Putian—to boot to a “leaked experiment” and pangolins, a species of mammal that early on used to be rumored to be to blame for spreading the coronavirus from animals to humans. TikTok denied any of the below have ever been extinct on TikTok.
2894-2196ab Leaked Experiment Vocabulary
2895-1880ab Vocabulary for Lacking Experiments
2896-2561ab Omission Experiment Vocabulary
2897-2560ab Leaked Experiment Vocabulary
2898-1168ab Leaked Experiment Vocabulary
2715-Pangolin Title Sensitive Vocabulary
1532-Putian Properly being facility Vocabulary
2654-Clinical Particular Overview Vocabulary
3031-Clinical Linked
3035-ugc Clinical Audit Highlights
3041-Clinical
3283-Clinical ASR dusky note
3285-Clinical Title Sad Thesaurus
Lists about global culture
Some lists within the machine seem like with free expression in self reliant parts of China and past—throughout the West. They take care of the complete lot from music, poetry and books to sports activities leagues and real-athletes (the NBA, World Cup and soccer participant Mesut Özil). Moreover they contact on the stock market, exact property and foreign languages and cultures. TikTok denied any of the below have ever been extinct on TikTok.
1539-Words banned from the media (diversified)
2180-Prohibited artist words in music in Taiwan
1486-Toutiao Tibetan Poetry Possibility Vocabulary
997-Spirit Canine Added Poetry Vocabulary
1983-FS Project-Particular “Night Watchman” Vocabulary
2288-Fizzo Erotica List
1808-NBA Copyright Notice checklist
3481-Qatar World Cup Genuine Cooperation Exemption
3487-Qatar World Cup Attribute Words
2778 – Ozil Theming Arrangement (Title)
2779-Ozil Theming Suggestions (Overview)
1582-hebrew_sensitive_text
2538-Islamic Theming Vocabulary (Overview)
2526-Backpack-Islamic Theming Notice checklist (Title)
517-regional crew dusky
2765 – Sicilian Trade Vocabulary
983-Stock Market Orientation Prohibited Words
1802-Specially aloof words in exact property negate in-
1803-Specially aloof words in exact property negate in-
COMPANIES
Lists about ByteDance rivals
Several lists considered by Forbes topic TikTok’s ultimate competitor within the U.S., YouTube, to boot to products from ByteDance’s fiercest challengers in China—along side Alibaba’s cloud machine Aliyun and Tencent’s messaging app WeChat. TikTok denied any of the below have ever been extinct on TikTok.
1618-YouTube Home Surveillance
1710-TikTok-Twitter public conception keywords
476-aliyun_sensitive_test
Wechat industrial protect a watch on words
1058-Cruise chat crew search block
1060-Cruise chat user search blockading
1061-Search blockading for users in Feichat crew
1123-Flychat file establish forbidden words
Lists that level to “Douyin” and diversified ByteDance products or companies
While just among the ByteDance note lists straight cite TikTok, others explicitly level to the Chinese model of the app, Douyin, which is heavily censored by the Chinese government. The lists also reference ByteDance’s recordsdata provider Toutiao, music-streaming platform Resso and place of job machine Lark (identified as Feishu in China), amongst diversified products past and ticket. TikTok denied any of the below have ever been extinct on TikTok.
718-Sensitive words in Douyin movies in Xinjiang (prelim-
2471-Tibetan Blocked Words for Douyin Comments
2553-Audio Sensitive Words in Douyin Tibet Place (P-
1486-Toutiao Tibetan Poetry Possibility Vocabulary
2817-Toutiao’s personal letter abuse risk warning words
1593-Qingbei On-line School Person Suggestions Key phrases
1599-Dali Desk Lamp Person Suggestions Key phrases
1830-Xingfuli Agent Questions and Solutions Sensitive
1592-Guagualong Enlightenment Person Suggestions Key phrases
1928-Resso-GP Suggestions Matching Vocabulary
Making an are attempting out Lark
858-Firm Product Detrimental Sensitive Vocabulary
Lists that level to “TikTok” (also “TT”) or “U.S.”
Forbes chanced on practically 100 lists within the machine with “TikTok” or “U.S.” of their establish—some fascinated about language major of the Chinese government or blocked speech about persecuted Uyghurs. TikTok denied that about half of of them had ever been applied to its platform, suggesting many might perhaps perchance well perhaps be the outcomes of translation errors from Chinese to English. (Stare below for those the firm confirmed.) Favazza, the TikTok spokesperson, said receive correct of entry to to TikTok’s note lists is controlled by TikTok’s belief and safety group and that any changes to those lists goes by means of a U.S. group member. Interior provides ticket that employees in China are also amongst those managing some TikTok lists.
LISTS THAT TIKTOK SAID WERE NOT USED ON TIKTOK:
2346-Tiktok IM Celebration and Govt Detrimental Notice-
2553-Tiktok audio aloof words in Tibet plight
2470-Tiktok commentary Uighur blocked note
TikTok Jap Comments Suppress Words
1710-TikTok-Twitter public conception keywords
1565-Tiktok Govt Affairs Media Subject Vocabulary
1688-Tik Tok Burmese Vocabulary
1283-Tiktok pedophile particular words
1420-Tiktok crew chat pornographic blockading vocabulary
1426-Tik Tok Porn Drainage Recognition Vocabulary
2186-Tiktok Single Male & Superstar Themed Vocabulary
2271-Tiktok Sensitive Person Theme Vocabulary (Title)
2272-Tiktok Sensitive Person Themed Vocabulary (Co-
2780-Tiktok push-aloof folks/prohibited audio
1507-Tiktok pretending to be a celeb establish checklist
2231-Tik Tok-Info impersonation-Particular List Coverage P-
2232-Tik Tok-Info impersonation-Political Media Fable
2234-Tiktok-Info impersonation-Strategic safety
120-TikTok Deepest Message Sensitive Words
2746-Tiktok Xiaoan Deepest Message Sensitive Notice Fil-
838-TikTok particular disclose—Comment overview first (p-
1585-TikTok Particular Events-Comment Chubby Overview Voc-
2109-Tiktok commentary bottom glossary
2548-TikTok Historical Nothingness Video Recall Vocab-
839-TIkTok Particular Match—Video First Overview (Prelim-
1576-TikTok Video Title No. 1 Itinerary Particular Vocabulary
2196-TikTok video title & nip overview + glossary unencumber
2416-Tiktok video title & nip unencumber + must-execute glossary
2561- TikTok prolonged video title & nip overview + glossary re-
2597-TikTok prolonged video title & nip unencumber + execute glossary
1807-TikTok Audio Overview Keyword Rapid
679-Tik Tok Sizzling Search Filter Words
84-Prohibited words for TikTok user nicknames
457-Tiktok company personal letter aloof words
635-Person Suggestions Filter Did/Uid-Tik Tok
946-Tiktok user nickname is just not counseled glossary
1075-Person Suggestions Filter Words-Tik Tok Purple Packet
1159-Tiktok user strategies keywords
1403-TikTok POI Blocking off Vocabulary (Process)
1455-Tiktok excessive-risk prohibited glossary (queue excessive-)
1490-Tiktok listing user strategies keywords
1542-TikTok-Tns user strategies keywords
1653-Tiktok Subject Graded Vocabulary (Deepest Overview)
1798-TT Suggestions Algorithm Matching Key phrases
1820-Tiktok poi No. 1 itinerary particular vocabulary
1843-Tiktok Are living No. 1 itinerary particular vocabulary
1981-Tik Tok Series Title Prohibited Words List (Co-
2139-Tiktok commercialization snapshot overview queue
2201-TikTok Particular Time Node Themed Vocabulary (T-
2202-TikTok Particular Time Node Themed Vocabulary-
2725-Vocabulary for TikTok particular dwelling titles to be rev-
2874-Tik Tok Emergency Response-Subject Computerized P-
(US 1707)DM – Grayscale take a look at wordlist
LISTS THAT TIKTOK CONFIRMED ARE USED ON TIKTOK FOR SAFETY REASONS:
1327-(US 570) MT_User Profile Tier1 Wordlist
577-MT_Search filter Words (Person)
1333-(US 577)MT_Search Tier1 Words (Person)
579-MT_Search ban Words (Hashtag)
1335-(US 579) MT_Search ban Words (Hashtag)
908-Hatespeeech PSA Ban Search (All)
1344-(US 908) Abominate. PSA Ban Search (All)
909-Hatespeech PSA Ban Search (Song
1345-(US 909) Hates PSA Ban Search (Song)
932 – tiktok-m customized push aloof vocabulary
990-Traditional PSA Ban Search List (All)
1348-(US 990) Traditional PSA Ban Search (ALL)
991-Traditional PSA Ban Search (Song)
1349-(US 991) Traditional PSA Ban Search (Song)
1041-Ban Search Suicide & Self Effort
1352-(US 1041) Ban Search Suicide Wordlist
1080-TT-Search Sug Auto-Elevate away Words
1353-(US 1080) Search Sug Sensitive Wordlist
1150-Person Suggestions-In a foreign nation Bulk Answer
1243-MT-DM Ban Words List
1275-MT-Search Sug Whitelist
(US 1293) NLP Pressing Beef up Words List
1322-(US) musical.ly_emergency words
1417-ED Ban Search List
1481-(US 1417) ED Ban Search List
1548-(US)DM Grownup wordlist-T1
1554-TT Anti-semitic Search Ban wordlist
2010-(US 1554) TT Anti-semitic Search Ban glossary
1700-TT Search Suicide T2 wordlist
1734-TT Distressing Search Reminder Wordlist
1737-(US 1734) TT Distressing Search Reminder Wordlist
1735-TT Terrible Search Reminder Wordlist
1738-(US 1735)TT Terrible Search Reminder Wordlist
1736-TT Anti wildlife trafficking Search wordlist
1739-(US 1736)TT Antiwildlife trafficking wordlist
1791-TT Project Survivor SearchBan wordlist
1792-(US 1791)TT Project Survivor Search Ban wordlist
1793-TT Sug Variants moderation note
1886-TT Search Help-Terrible challenges wordlist
1889-(US1886)-TT Search Help-Terrible challenges wordlist
1887-TikTok Search Help-SSH Hoaxes wordlist
1888-(US1887)TikTok Search Help-SSH Hoaxes wordlist
1975-TT Search Help-CSAM wordlist
1976-(US1975)TT Search Help-CSAM wordlist
2111-TT-Search Sug-Variant Seed Wordlist
(US 2193) TikTok counseled search inter-
2297-(US 2193)TikTok counseled search intervention wordlist
2291-SEA Personalized Candidate Words Sad Words List
2292-TikTok Person Profile Enqueue Wordlist
TikTok Search Consequence Layered Intervention
TikTok Q&A question of automated takedown
MT_Comment Auto-remove words
Trust+Security lists general to foremost social media companies
To give protection to social media users, most foremost social media platforms—along side TikTok—have insurance policies and tools geared in direction of filtering out negate and language that is violent, rude or unlawful.
908-Hatespeeech PSA Ban Search (All)
1041-Ban Search Suicide & Self Effort
1432-Bullying/harassment
1433-Misinformation/Media manipulation
1434-Terrorists & prison organizations
1439-Political
1623 – Kids’s Soft Porn OCR Vocabulary
child porn_one_level
child porn_two_level
2282-tf-idft note v2 9014 harassment
2284-tf-idf note v2 0914 misinformation
2286-tf-idft note v2 0914 suicide
2289-tf idf note v2 09114 misinformation recent technique
771 – Chubby textual negate overview of false negate
772 – Unsuitable negate title for overview
Miscellaneous lists within the machine
The which draw of many lists within the machine is unclear, and some seem like more technical or connected to the classic functioning of ByteDance apps. Silent, heaps of these lists occupy words that are “forbidden,” “banned,” “excessive-risk” or “aloof.”
1173-Shiny Monitoring Alarm Sensitive Vocabulary
1318-Forbidden glossary
1523-Forbidden Notice List-BR
2589-Deepest letter abduction vocabulary checklist
2284-High-risk phrases for emergency queues in live b-
excessive volatile words
1838-xxxx aloof words
1147-SMS activates aloof words
1260-G-Global Distribution Nickname Sensitive
849-Search Operation Push Notice Vocabulary
Suggestions Develop – Access Celebration Diversion
816-Person Suggestions Filter Place-X Project
812-X Project Person ID Banned Words
815-X Project Vocabulary (Row-inducing words)
1179-DMT Digital Vocabulary
1512-mt_web
1513-mt_transitive
658-M_ban
M-Overview
3032 – Incorrect Marketing
3033 – Marketing Sense
3036 – take a look at grayscale
3037-dry
2298-Are living commentary AB take a look at
3276 – Take a look at openAPI
peadar take a look at 15test take a look at take a look at take a look at take a look at take a look at
2285-tf-idf note v2 0914 ansa
This listing has been up up to now to supply extra commentary from TikTok.
Emily Baker-White contributed reporting.
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Unlike many in the industry who distance themselves from frontline work, Hayson still works directly on security details, managing operations personally. “Being in the field allows me to understand the challenges firsthand and maintain the quality standards we promise our clients,” he says. This hands-on approach differentiates OLDPGS from competitors and instills confidence in both clients and staff.
Consultation, Management, and Beyond
Today, OLDPGS provides a full spectrum of security management and consultation services, helping businesses navigate the complexities of safety compliance. From risk assessment to deployment strategy, the company’s model emphasizes legal, ethical security solutions. Current expansion talks include acquiring another security firm, further broadening the company’s reach and capabilities.
Looking ahead, Hayson envisions a future where OLDPGS extends beyond consultation and management into retail and training, with stores offering tactical boots, gear, batons, firearms, and dedicated security training centers. The goal: a full ecosystem for security professionals, combining education, equipment, and operational expertise under one trusted brand.
A Message of Opportunity and Responsibility
For Hayson, the core philosophy of OLDPGS extends beyond security. “Opportunity is key,” he emphasizes. His journey illustrates how seizing the right moment, combined with integrity and diligence, can transform both a career and an industry. His advice is simple but profound: Take opportunities seriously, and never compromise on professional standards.
With a growing footprint in California and a vision for nationwide impact, OLDPGS is setting new standards for security management. As Hayson Tasher puts it: “Security you can count on. Security professionals dedicated to a secure environment.”
For businesses seeking professional consultation or reliable security services, OLDPGS represents more than protection, it represents accountability, expertise, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
Entrepreneurs
From Code to Compliance: How Geol Gladson Battu Is Building Trustworthy AI for Global Finance
Published
3 months agoon
October 13, 2025
In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, the financial world stands at a critical crossroads, balancing innovation with accountability. At the forefront of this transformation is Geol Gladson Battu, Assistant Vice President of Securities Services Technology at Citigroup, author of From Code to Compliance, and a leading advocate for responsible, production-grade AI. His work demonstrates how transparent, auditable, and regulation-aligned AI can redefine compliance, fraud detection, and risk management for the world’s largest financial institutions.
Bridging Technology and Trust in Financial Systems
Battu’s journey began in engineering roles at Infosys and Zwitch Payments, where he mastered the fundamentals of secure, scalable data systems. But it was at Citigroup, over a span of eight years, that his career reached global impact. There, he led modernization programs that replaced legacy reconciliation and surveillance processes with AI-driven automation frameworks.
The results were measurable: predictive models that reduced false positives by up to 30%, shortened reconciliation cycles, and improved audit transparency. These weren’t mere proofs of concept; they were enterprise-grade deployments that balanced cutting-edge performance with the rigorous compliance demands of global banking.
“AI in finance is not just about speed or automation: it’s about trust,” says Battu. “Transparent, resilient, and ethical systems shape a financial future that serves both institutions and people.” His approach emphasizes embedding trust from the ground up, ensuring that AI solutions not only enhance efficiency but also withstand regulatory scrutiny. By focusing on scalability and security early in his career, Battu laid the foundation for innovations that address real-world challenges in high-stakes environments like banking.
This bridging of technology and trust has positioned him as a key figure in transforming how financial institutions approach digital evolution. His hands-on experience highlights the importance of integrating AI with existing systems without compromising on reliability or ethical standards.
Operationalizing Responsible AI Through Innovation and Research
The seed for Battu’s personal brand was planted in a recurring tension: banks wanted AI’s efficiency, but regulators demanded explainability. He realized the key was not just building intelligent systems but ensuring they were traceable, auditable, and compliant from design to deployment.
His pioneering work focused on reducing false positives in fraud detection, enhancing reconciliation accuracy, and enabling regulatory reporting automation. The breakthroughs came from treating AI not as a standalone algorithm but as part of a larger ecosystem of governance and auditability.
That philosophy underpins his book From Code to Compliance, a practical guide that bridges the gap between data science and financial regulation. The book and his research papers presented at IEEE ICCNT 2025 and IEEE ETNCC 2025 offer reproducible frameworks for explainable AI, AML risk scoring, and regulatory audit readiness. His papers, cited more than 50 times on ResearchGate, are helping practitioners and academics alike design AI that regulators can trust.
Battu’s contributions extend beyond theory; they provide actionable strategies for implementing AI in compliance-heavy sectors. By addressing the “black box” nature of many AI models, he advocates for tools that allow stakeholders to understand decision-making processes, thereby fostering greater adoption in risk-averse industries.
Academic Excellence and Future Frameworks for Trustworthy AI
Beyond corporate leadership, Battu’s influence extends to academia and research. He is a Doctorate (DBA) candidate at Indiana Wesleyan University, holds an MSc from the University of South Florida, and contributes as a peer reviewer for IEEE and other journals. His patented design, a UK-registered system for AI-driven financial fraud detection using scalable cloud infrastructure, underscores his ability to innovate across both theory and implementation.
His philosophy is clear: “Regulation and innovation are partners; when we embed compliance into design, we unlock sustainable automation at scale.”
Today, through his practitioner-led FinTech consultancy and advisory work, Battu helps institutions design, pilot, and scale responsible AI frameworks. His services span from model validation playbooks and data governance design to explainability and regulatory mapping workshops. The model is built on measurable KPIs, reducing false alerts, ensuring audit readiness, and improving decision transparency.
Looking ahead, Battu envisions an ecosystem where governance, explainability, and auditability are not afterthoughts but foundational design principles. “My goal,” he says, “is to shift the narrative from ‘AI is risky’ to ‘AI is manageable and auditable.’”
As financial institutions worldwide grapple with evolving regulations and rising risks, Geol Gladson Battu offers a replicable model for what trustworthy AI can look like, not just in concept, but in production. His work is a reminder that the future of finance won’t be defined by algorithms alone, but by the integrity, transparency, and accountability built into them.
Business
Disney Faces Shareholder Concerns Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
Published
4 months agoon
September 25, 2025
The Walt Disney Company, which owns ABC, is facing growing concerns from shareholders following the recent weeklong suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! host Jimmy Kimmel. The decision, which led to a $4 billion drop in Disney’s stock value, has sparked questions about the influence of political pressures on the company’s choices and raised important discussions about free speech, corporate responsibility, and shareholder trust.
A Call for Transparency
Prominent shareholder groups, including the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the AFL-CIO, and Reporters Without Borders, have come together to demand answers from Disney’s leadership. Represented by esteemed attorney Roberta Kaplan, known for her successful legal work in high-profile cases, these organizations sent a detailed letter to Disney CEO Bob Iger. The letter questions whether the decision to suspend Kimmel was driven by external pressures rather than sound business judgment, potentially violating the company’s fiduciary duties to its investors.
The groups expressed concern that Disney’s actions may have prioritized political considerations over the financial and ethical obligations owed to shareholders. They point to statements from FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who reportedly threatened regulatory action following Kimmel’s on-air comments about MAGA and former President Donald Trump’s response to the tragic shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Additionally, major ABC affiliates, including those owned by Nexstar Media Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group, chose not to air Jimmy Kimmel Live! During the suspension, further complicating the situation.
Nexstar’s role is particularly significant, as the company is currently navigating federal approval for a multibillion-dollar merger with Tegna. Shareholders suggest this may have given affiliates leverage to influence Disney’s decision to temporarily remove Kimmel from the air.
Financial and Ethical Implications
The suspension had a measurable impact on Disney’s financial standing, with the company’s stock value dropping by approximately $4 billion. While this represents a single-digit percentage decline, the scale of the loss has heightened shareholder concerns about the decision’s rationale and its alignment with Disney’s commitment to its investors.
In their letter, the shareholder groups set a five-day deadline for Disney to provide documents and communications related to the suspension. They have also requested that the company preserve all relevant records, including internal discussions and correspondence with affiliates and federal officials. Failure to comply, the groups warned, could lead to legal action, including a potential derivative lawsuit filed on behalf of Disney.
A Broader Conversation About Free Speech
Disney has stated that Kimmel’s suspension stemmed from remarks on his September 15 broadcast, which the company described as “ill-timed” and “insensitive.” However, many see the decision as a response to external pressures, raising concerns about the balance between corporate decision-making and free expression.
Upon his return to Jimmy Kimmel Live! on September 23, Kimmel addressed the controversy with candor, clarifying the intent behind his comments and expressing gratitude for the support he received from viewers, colleagues, and free speech advocates. He also voiced concerns about the broader implications of censorship in the media.
Roberta Kaplan, speaking on behalf of the shareholder groups, emphasized the importance of protecting free speech. “No one, whether a government official or a corporation, should silence someone simply because they disagree with their views,” she said. Kaplan also reflected on ABC’s legacy, noting its history of airing Schoolhouse Rock, a beloved series that educated generations about the U.S. Constitution and the value of democratic principles.
Ongoing Tensions and Next Steps
Despite Kimmel’s return, Jimmy Kimmel Live! remains off the air on stations owned by Nexstar and Sinclair, highlighting lingering tensions between Disney, its affiliates, and regulatory bodies. For shareholders, the situation has prompted deeper questions about Disney’s leadership, its commitment to journalistic independence, and its responsibility to prioritize investor interests.
As the five-day deadline approaches, Disney’s response will be critical in determining whether this issue is resolved or escalates into a larger legal and public relations challenge. What began as a temporary suspension has evolved into a broader conversation about corporate governance, the role of media in upholding free speech, and the delicate balance between external pressures and principled decision-making.
Entrepreneurs
Elon Musk, Andrew Tate, and Nigel Farage: Why Major Figures Are Talking About Samuel Leeds
Published
4 months agoon
September 10, 2025
When property entrepreneur Samuel Leeds went viral earlier this year for turning down a lucrative accommodation deal at one of his boutique hotels, the reaction went far beyond the British press.
Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, reposted Leeds’s video and described him as “a good man” (see post here). The Daily Mail went further, reporting that Musk was “a fan” of Leeds. For Leeds, it was a moment that showed his message resonated well outside his own audience.

The story also brought him onto GB News, where he was interviewed in primetime by Nigel Farage. Farage did not raise the asylum seeker issue at all. Instead, he asked Leeds about taxation, including the potential National Insurance charge on landlords announced by Rachel Reeves and later referenced in the new budget. GB News producers described themselves as fans of Leeds and treated him as a credible voice on policy and business, not just a one-off viral guest. Later that same evening, Leeds appeared on TalkTV with Alex Phillips, meaning he featured on both major challenger networks in back-to-back primetime slots. You can watch the full GB News debate with Nigel Farage here
Andrew Tate, one of the most widely recognised and controversial entrepreneurs in the world, also spoke publicly in support of Leeds. Responding directly to Musk’s post, Tate praised Leeds as “a real G”, encouraged him to “keep up the good fight”, and said he was proud of him (see post here). For Leeds, these words highlighted the level of attention his work is drawing from some of the most high-profile figures online.
Support has also come from closer to home. Paul Bristow, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, praised Leeds publicly on social media, saying he respected his decision to keep Willingham House open for paying guests rather than converting it into migrant accommodation. Bristow also pointed to the importance of the hotel for the local economy and has since expressed interest in visiting in person.
Leeds is keen to stress that he is first and foremost a businessman. He owns multiple hotels and a nationwide property portfolio. His decision to turn down an offer at Willingham House, worth around £35,000 per month over nearly seven years, was only one example of how he applies his principles to his business.
He accepts that not everyone appreciates his outspoken style. “The people who criticise me online are usually not my customers. They are not wealthy investors, they are not in property, and they have never been to my trainings,” he says. “My students, who are actually building businesses, are the ones who know the real value.”
What is harder to ignore is the calibre of the people engaging with him. Musk’s endorsement in particular cements Leeds as more than just a UK property coach. “You cannot buy that kind of validation,” one observer commented. “It shows that influential voices are paying attention.”
As Leeds continues to grow his portfolio, he is now investing internationally, with projects underway in Africa and the Middle East. Between high-profile entrepreneurs and supportive MPs, his influence is increasingly being recognised in circles far beyond property.
Entrepreneurs
From Zero to 400K Views: Daniel Marrujo Podcast Success
Published
5 months agoon
August 27, 2025
The Daniel Marrujo Podcast didn’t begin with big sponsors, flashy studios, or a ready-made audience. It started with a simple microphone and a bold idea: to open up the world of microelectronics in a way that felt human and accessible. Today, with over 400,000 views, Marrujo’s podcast has become a surprising voice in a niche industry that is now getting mainstream attention.
The Early Spark of an Unlikely Entrepreneur
Daniel Marrujo wasn’t born into the podcasting industry. Like many entrepreneurs, he started out with nothing more than a passion for technology and a hunger to share stories that mattered. His interest in microelectronics came from years of following how chips, circuits, and tiny components power everything from smartphones to self-driving cars.
Most people overlook microelectronics because it feels too technical, too small, or too distant from everyday life. But Marrujo saw an opening: if he could break down complex ideas into conversations that felt relatable, he could give the field a cultural spotlight. That realization was the entrepreneurial spark that launched his podcasting journey.
Building a Podcast with Zero Listeners
Starting a podcast in today’s crowded market is already an uphill battle. Starting one without a budget, a marketing team, or an established name feels nearly impossible. But Marrujo leaned into what every true entrepreneur understands, you don’t need perfect conditions to begin, you just need consistency.
The early episodes of the Daniel Marrujo Podcast were raw, unpolished, and sometimes only heard by a handful of listeners. Yet Marrujo refused to stop. He treated every guest with the same respect as if he were interviewing a global tech leader. His conversations built trust, his consistency built credibility, and slowly, word began to spread.
Microelectronics: The Invisible Giant
Microelectronics is everywhere, yet often invisible. Every app, every sensor, every device in modern life depends on the relentless innovation of microchips and circuits. For decades, the field existed mostly in research labs, academic journals, and closed-door conferences.
What Marrujo did differently was to open the doors. On the Daniel Marrujo Podcast, engineers, researchers, and founders could share stories without drowning in jargon. Instead of technical papers, listeners heard real conversations, about challenges, risks, failures, and breakthroughs. That accessibility was a game-changer.
Reaching 400K Views — Why It Matters
For big entertainment podcasts, millions of downloads are the norm. But Marrujo’s 400,000 views stand out precisely because of their niche focus. His audience isn’t passive, it’s engaged, loyal, and deeply invested in the topics he covers.
Episodes from the Daniel Marrujo Podcast are shared in university classrooms, research labs, and LinkedIn communities. Startups have cited them while pitching to investors. Students use them as supplemental learning. For some professionals, they serve as the first introduction to an industry that’s shaping the future of technology.
In short, Marrujo didn’t just build a podcast, he built a resource.
Entrepreneurial Lessons from Marrujo’s Journey
Marrujo’s rise from zero to 400K views isn’t just a podcasting success story; it’s an entrepreneurial roadmap. His experience highlights strategies that any creator or founder can apply:
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Own Your Niche – Instead of chasing broad trends, Marrujo went deep into microelectronics, a space no one else was talking about in mainstream media.
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Consistency Wins – He showed up week after week, even when the audience was tiny. Over time, consistency built momentum.
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Authenticity Over Perfection – Listeners connected to Marrujo’s genuine curiosity more than polished production. His authenticity built a real community.
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Content Compounds – Each episode became part of a growing library. The more he produced, the more discoverable his podcast became.
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Impact Beats Scale – The true power of the Daniel Marrujo Podcast isn’t in millions of views, but in how deeply it resonates with its community.
A New Model for Creators in America
Marrujo’s story reflects a larger entrepreneurial trend in America: niche creators are rewriting the rules of influence. Instead of chasing mass markets, they are going deep into specialized industries and creating content that matters.
This model is powerful because it proves you don’t need millions of followers to build impact, you need the right followers. Whether it’s a YouTube channel on space exploration, a Substack on climate policy, or a podcast on microelectronics, American entrepreneurs are finding that focus is the new growth strategy.
For Marrujo, this meant owning a space that was overlooked, then building a reputation as one of the few voices making it accessible. In an age where every creator is trying to be everywhere, his success shows the value of being indispensable to a few.
The Future of the Daniel Marrujo Podcast
With momentum on his side, Marrujo isn’t slowing down. His podcast continues to bring on new guests, from engineers working on cutting-edge chips to entrepreneurs building hardware startups. The conversations are evolving from “what’s possible” to “what’s next.”
And the future looks bright. As microelectronics becomes more central to America’s economic and technological competitiveness, the demand for accessible storytelling will only grow. Marrujo is positioned not just as a podcaster, but as a cultural translator for one of the most important industries of our time.
Level Up Insight
The rise of the Daniel Marrujo Podcast proves that entrepreneurship in 2025 isn’t only about building products, it’s about building platforms of influence. By turning microelectronics into a conversation, Marrujo has redefined what it means to create value in a niche industry. His success is a reminder that the next wave of entrepreneurs won’t be measured by the size of their audience but by the depth of their impact.
For anyone starting at zero today, Marrujo’s journey offers the clearest lesson: pick your niche, stay consistent, and trust that real conversations still matter.
Entrepreneurs
John E. Wall: Redefining Financial Success Through Personal Transformation
Published
5 months agoon
August 14, 2025
In a world obsessed with “get rich quick” schemes and extreme hustle culture, John E. Wall is challenging the narrative. His philosophy is simple yet profound, which says True financial success doesn’t just live in your bank account; it’s built into your identity.
Rather than teaching shortcuts or promoting deprivation, John focuses on transforming individuals into disciplined, high-performance achievers who can build, protect, and enjoy wealth without sacrificing lifestyle. His approach blends financial literacy, identity transformation coaching, and lifestyle design principles, creating a holistic path to lasting prosperity.
“I don’t just teach financial success, I engineer the personal transformation required to achieve and sustain it,” John says.
Breaking Away from the Scarcity Mindset
While many financial coaches push the “cut every expense” mentality, John believes wealth building should be sustainable, not restrictive. He teaches clients how to grow their finances while living a life of elegance, purpose, and impact.
“Through a rare blend of executive coaching, wealth strategy, and lifestyle design, I help people build and protect wealth without living like a monk,” he explains.
This mindset has made John a sought-after public speaker, executive coach, and financial consultant, attracting high-achieving clients who want both financial growth and a fulfilling lifestyle.
The Frameworks That Drive Transformation
At the heart of John’s coaching are two proprietary systems:
The P.A.C.E. System – For Identity Transformation
- Perspective – Redefining how you view opportunity, challenges, and self-worth.
- Alignment – Ensuring daily actions match long-term goals and values.
- Clarity – Defining your desired lifestyle and measurable outcomes.
- Execution – Building habits and discipline that make success inevitable.
The S.H.I.F.T. System – For Financial Transformation
- Set Your Internal Programming
- Harness High Income Thinking
- Implement Strategic Money Management
- Follow the Path of Value & Leverage
- Transform Through Consistency & Growth
Through these frameworks, John equips clients with mindset mastery, strategic habits, and tailored wealth strategies, allowing them to enjoy the rewards in real time, not just in retirement.
Integration with Wise Financial
John’s expertise extends to his role as a financial consultant at Wise Financial, where he merges strategic wealth planning with emotional intelligence. This unique blend helps clients move seamlessly from vision to action, pairing personal development with custom financial solutions.
To John, public speaking, executive coaching, and financial consulting aren’t separate professions, they’re interconnected parts of a single mission:
“Transform who you are so financial freedom becomes not just possible, but inevitable.”
The Psychology Behind His Method
John draws on emotional intelligence, stoicism, and Adlerian psychology to help clients develop the resilience needed to sustain high performance.
- From Stoicism, he teaches the discipline to act with virtue under pressure
- From Adlerian psychology, he reinforces the power of choice and responsibility
- From Emotional Intelligence, he equips clients to lead themselves and others effectively
From Stage to Strategy
Whether speaking at conferences or in one-on-one coaching, John is instructional and results-driven. On stage, he guides audiences through live identity shifts, showing them exactly how to evolve their thinking, habits, and financial decisions. In private coaching, he translates those insights into step-by-step, personalized strategies that align lifestyle desires with financial goals.
One client summed up the experience:
“John gave me clear advice and actionable material that finally gave me a starting point on my investment journey. Now I feel confident moving forward, and I can’t wait to work with him again.”
What’s Next for John E. Wall
With demand for his expertise growing, John is expanding his speaking engagements, workshops, and high-impact coaching programs. His upcoming initiatives aim to equip more professionals with the tools to elevate their identity, master their finances, and design a life of intention.
For those ready to rewrite their personal and financial story, John E. Wall isn’t just another speaker, he’s a strategist for lasting transformation.
For bookings, partnerships, or coaching inquiries: jevan.wall@gmail.com
Business
Breaking Barriers: The Challenges and Triumphs Behind Sahil Khanna’s Journey
Published
5 months agoon
August 13, 2025
Sahil Khanna’s path from a chemical engineer to a digital marketing pioneer is a powerful story of overcoming obstacles and defying the odds. From his humble beginnings as a student balancing studies and freelancing to building and selling a 100-crore digital marketing agency, Sahil’s journey exemplifies persistence, strategic thinking, and the ability to turn challenges into triumphs.
The Early Struggles: A Balancing Act
Sahil’s journey began with a simple yet profound idea: to merge his engineering background with his growing passion for digital marketing. During his undergraduate years, he took on his first client while still studying chemical engineering. However, the transition from engineering to digital marketing was no easy feat. Juggling academic commitments and freelancing required immense dedication and time management skills.
The real turning point came during his MBA studies, where Sahil’s vision started to take shape. Balancing the demands of his coursework, a part-time job, and freelancing, he began building a virtual agency. But this period was fraught with challenges, managing clients while still learning the intricacies of digital marketing was not easy. It demanded relentless determination and an ability to pivot quickly when necessary.
Turning Point: The Shift to Entrepreneurship
After completing his MBA, Sahil worked in a corporate job to gain more experience. However, it didn’t take long for him to realize that his true calling lay in entrepreneurship. With his growing expertise in digital marketing, Sahil made the bold decision to leave his job and focus fully on his agency. This was not an easy decision, and it came with its own set of risks, including the fear of failure and uncertainty. But his commitment to his vision was unwavering.
During this phase, Sahil faced the challenge of scaling his operations. As he transformed his virtual agency into a full-fledged digital marketing company, the competition grew fiercer. But Sahil’s approach, which combined technical expertise with marketing strategies, paid off. His agency flourished, ultimately reaching a point where it was sold for over 100 crores, a testament to the value he had built through hard work and smart decision-making.
Reinventing Himself: A Passion for Content Creation
Despite his success in digital marketing, Sahil recognized a shift in the industry. As businesses sought ways to establish strong digital identities, Sahil saw an opportunity to evolve once again. His next move was to dive into content creation, seeing it as the next frontier for digital success.
Starting with his own YouTube channels, Sahil built a following by offering accessible, actionable digital marketing insights. His dedication to simplifying complex marketing concepts set him apart from others in the space, earning him a loyal audience. Over time, Sahil scaled his content creation efforts, launching 7 YouTube channels, which collectively garnered over 2 million subscribers.
Building a Personal Branding Empire
Sahil’s passion for content creation didn’t stop at YouTube. He recognized the growing demand for personal branding solutions and launched a full-service content creation agency. This new venture focused on providing end-to-end services, from setting up YouTube channels to editing and publishing, offering entrepreneurs and business owners the tools to build their personal brands.
Despite facing the challenge of starting from scratch in this new domain, Sahil’s experience in digital marketing allowed him to navigate the content creation landscape with ease. His success in this venture is a result of his deep understanding of both technical and creative aspects, which gave him the edge in a highly competitive market.
Empowering Others: The Solopreneur Blueprint
One of Sahil’s greatest triumphs has been his ability to mentor and inspire others. Through his “Solopreneur Blueprint” program, he shares his expertise with individuals looking to build their own successful digital ventures. This program, which teaches aspiring entrepreneurs to create high-margin agency businesses with minimal overhead, is a culmination of Sahil’s own experiences.
The program emphasizes personal branding, automation, and digital leadership, providing actionable advice and real-world training. By empowering others to break free from traditional work structures, Sahil is giving them the tools to become the CEOs of their own lives, further cementing his legacy as not just a digital marketing expert but a mentor and leader.
A Legacy of Overcoming Challenges
Sahil Khanna’s story is one of breaking barriers at every stage of his journey. From balancing studies and freelancing to scaling and selling a multi-crore agency, Sahil’s ability to turn obstacles into stepping stones is a testament to his perseverance. His transition from digital marketing to content creation and his efforts to empower other entrepreneurs through his “Solopreneur Blueprint” program showcase his commitment to continuous growth and helping others achieve success.
Sahil’s journey proves that with the right mindset, any challenge can be transformed into a triumph, and every setback can serve as the foundation for future success. As he continues to shape the digital marketing landscape and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs, his legacy will undoubtedly inspire others to break through their own barriers and achieve greatness.
Entrepreneurs
From Ancient Wisdom to Zero Limits: Lidia Kuleshnyk’s Revolutionary Approach to Executive Wellness
Published
6 months agoon
July 14, 2025
How a wellness visionary is transforming high-performance coaching by bridging 12 Ancient Universal Principles with modern executive needs*
In a world where executive burnout has reached epidemic proportions and traditional wellness approaches fall short, one visionary is pioneering a revolutionary path forward. Lidia Kuleshnyk, known as Lady Apona, isn’t just another wellness coach, she’s a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern high-performance needs, recently featured in the groundbreaking “Zero Limits” movie alongside renowned author Dr. Joe Vitale.
The Zero Limits Connection: Where Ancient Meets Infinite
Kuleshnyk’s feature in the Zero Limits Movie represents more than just recognition, it’s validation of her unique approach to achieving what she calls “the Zero Point of all possibilities.” In the film, she shares her transformative story of healing chronic illness and demonstrates how equine therapy can activate the peace and empowerment that already exists within each person.
“The Zero Point is that place of mastering Taoist non-attachment where you can easily discern and deflect external stressors,” explains Kuleshnyk. “It’s becoming the Buddha, sitting in the middle of the burning inferno, untouched by the flames around you.”
This isn’t metaphorical philosophy, it’s practical methodology that has earned her recognition as a recipient of the Ranath Media Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 and multiple industry honors.
Beyond Mindset: The 12 Ancient Universal Principles Revolution
While mainstream coaching focuses on mindset shifts, Kuleshnyk goes deeper, utilizing what she calls her “12 Ancient Universal Principles” based on Taoist non-attachment. These principles, combined with her three pillars of lasting self-empowerment, Being Centered, Connected, and Conscious™, create what she describes as “a flow state where one moves beyond mindset into a new paradigm of what is possible.”
This approach resonates powerfully with her target audience: overworked CEOs, C-Suite executives, and high performers who’ve mastered traditional success strategies but still struggle with chronic stress and burnout.
“Unlike modern mindset approaches, I have 30 years of expertise in deep healing and deep transformation,” Kuleshnyk notes. “I help clients resolve not just performance issues, but chronic illness, terminal diagnoses, and the chronic stress that leads to serious health conditions.”
The Evolving Self-Mastery Mastermind: Where Leaders Transform
At the pinnacle of Kuleshnyk’s offerings sits her exclusive “Evolving Self-Mastery: Mindset, Power, and Consciousness for Limitless Growth” mastermind, a program designed for executives and thought leaders who have already mastered high-level skills but are ready to expand into new frontiers of their limitless potential.
“This mastermind is a circle of conscious leaders who are the pioneers of expanding consciousness,” she explains. “They’re applying wisdom to experience unprecedented heights of growth while helping humanity navigate this incredible paradigm shift in human consciousness.”
One executive client captured the transformative power of her approach: “With your focused presence, you activated within me parts of myself that were yearning to come out, but I couldn’t access on my own.”
The Healing Power of Horses: Ancient Wisdom in Action
What truly sets Kuleshnyk apart is her integration of equine therapy into high-performance coaching. At her horse rescue sanctuary, Apona Healing Ranch in Ontario, Canada, she demonstrates how “honouring the divinity of horses” helps leaders connect with their own divinity and remember their self-worth and empowerment.
“When we stand in stillness, silence, and presence with horses, their unconditional love activates our intuition, heart, and spirit,” she shares. “This dissolves barriers and creates lasting connection of inner peace and strength.”
Turning Crisis Into Success: The Conscious Leadership Imperative
Kuleshnyk’s ultimate message transcends individual transformation. She’s passionate about empowering conscious leaders to feel secure and confident in their ability to “turn any crisis or situation into success and activate human potential to turn lead into gold.”
Her signature program, “The High Performer’s Secret: 90 Days to Conquer Stress, End Burnout and Create More Energy,” offers a streamlined system for busy executives, while her mastermind provides ongoing support for sustained transformation.
The Future of Executive Wellness
As traditional approaches to executive wellness prove insufficient for modern challenges, Kuleshnyk’s ancient-meets-modern methodology offers what New York Weekly called “something increasingly precious: a sustainable path to true power, performance, and possibility.”
Her approach addresses a critical gap in the market, while coaches like Tony Robbins and Brendon Burchard focus on performance optimization, Kuleshnyk uniquely combines deep healing expertise with high-performance coaching, creating what she calls “the roadmap to exponential success.”
Reclaiming Sovereignty in Leadership
“What makes my approach unique is that it’s not just about achieving goals,” Kuleshnyk emphasizes. “It’s about reclaiming your sovereignty, living as the conscious leader of your life, and becoming a conscious leader of the world.”
This vision of conscious leadership couldn’t be more timely. As executives face unprecedented challenges—from global uncertainty to personal burnout, Kuleshnyk’s integration of ancient universal principles with modern coaching creates a trusted pathway to lasting transformation.
The Zero Limits Life: A New Paradigm
Through her feature in the Zero Limits Movie and her comprehensive coaching programs, Kuleshnyk offers executives something rarely found in traditional wellness approaches: a methodology that addresses the root causes of stress while building sustainable foundations for limitless growth.
“Each person can achieve their goals and dreams, create a limitless life and attract miracles, in any circumstance, with lasting self-empowerment,” she states. “This is about moving beyond what you thought was possible and claiming your place as a great conscious leader.”
For executives ready to move beyond traditional mindset work and into the realm of conscious leadership, Kuleshnyk’s approach represents not just personal transformation, but a pathway to becoming the visionary leaders humanity needs during these transformative times.
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*To learn more about Lidia Kuleshnyk’s:
Zero Limits Movie feature, and the Zero Limits Movie Movement, visit www.AponaHealing.com/movies
Zero Limits Movie is scheduled to be released in September 2025
High Performance Wellness Coaching Programs, including the exclusive “Evolving Self-Mastery” Mastermind, visit www.AponaHealing.com/coaching
*For interviews, speaking engagements, or additional information about Lidia Kuleshnyk’s four pathways to wellness programs and Zero Limits Movie feature, visit www.AponaHealing.com
Entrepreneurs
Unconventional Wisdom for the Scrappy CEO: Colin Davis on Coaching Underdog Entrepreneurs
Published
6 months agoon
July 14, 2025
When underdog entrepreneurs go looking for a coach, they’re not chasing credentials, they’re searching for someone who understands the weight of real leadership and the complexity of building something from the ground up. That’s the heart of First Principles Coaching, based in Richmond, Virginia. The founder of First Principles Coaching, Colin Davis, helps small business owners cut through complexity, stay accountable, and lead with clarity by drawing on real-world experience and timeless principles, not trendy corporate theory.
From Monk to Mentor: A Journey of Purpose
Colin’s professional story doesn’t start in a boardroom, it starts in silence. For nine years, he lived as a missionary and monk, cultivating habits of mindfulness, discipline, and deep listening. In that time, he helped churches and ministries align their teams, grow their communities, and find shared purpose skills that would later become central to his coaching philosophy.
But it wasn’t until later in life, after years of leading church organizations and nonprofit teams, that Colin felt the pull toward entrepreneurship. “I saw how small businesses could transform communities, families, and individual lives,” he explains. “It reminded me of my dad, who lost everything in business, and then rebuilt it from scratch. That had a profound impact on me.”
First Principles Coaching: Built for the Underdog
Colin didn’t launch First Principles Coaching with a flashy investor pitch or Silicon Valley buzz. He built it on grit, trust, and one core belief: small business owners deserve the same level of strategic and personal support that executives at large companies get.
His coaching practice focuses on founders with teams of 2–10 employees, often bootstrapped businesses that have grown organically but now face the challenges that come with scale. These entrepreneurs are often overwhelmed, misaligned, and stuck. Colin steps in with a unique hybrid model that combines:
- A proven curriculum on time management, systems, mindset, and team building
- Custom coaching to address real-time problems as they arise
- Psychological insight into how leadership and emotion intersect
- Holistic systems thinking that looks beyond surface symptoms
This approach has led to tangible results. Two of his clients recently saw 3x revenue growth over 2.5 years. The average growth across all clients? A remarkable 40%. But Colin is quick to emphasize: “The real success isn’t just revenue, it’s alignment. When a business owner becomes the best version of themselves, the business transforms too.”
Coaching Without Credentials And Proud of It
The executive coaching industry often leans heavily on titles and degrees. But Colin believes lived experience, self-awareness, and results matter more. “Like most of my clients, I don’t have an Ivy League education, but I know what it means to lead under pressure, to navigate failure, and to help others do the same,” he says. “My first principles come from philosophy, psychology, and most importantly, real life.”
His work is inspired by ancient thinkers like Socrates, Aristotle, and Epictetus. These thinkers emphasized knowing oneself before leading others, a principle Colin lives by. In fact, the name First Principles Coaching draws directly from this idea: get to the root, understand the cause, build from the foundation.
Why Small Business? Why Now?
Colin has a soft spot for very small businesses, and it’s deeply personal. “My dad was a small business owner. I saw him fail, and I saw him rise again. I know the highs and the heartbreaks. That’s why I work with founders who are in the trenches. They don’t need jargon. They need clarity, accountability, and a strategy that works.”
And in today’s economic climate, where uncertainty is the norm, Colin’s grounded, no-nonsense coaching is a lifeline for many. Surprisingly, the recession hasn’t dented his business. In fact, it’s made his value clearer. “When everything feels unstable, you need someone who can help you make sense of the chaos and build on solid foundations.”
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Colin envisions growing First Principles Coaching into a national or even international coaching firm with a small team of like-minded coaches serving entrepreneurs across the spectrum, from startup solopreneurs to executive teams. But his ultimate goal goes beyond numbers: he wants to spark a ripple effect of purpose-driven leadership. He imagines communities transformed, relationships deepened, and business owners who are more fulfilled, not just more profitable.
Colin Davis may not fit the traditional mold, but maybe that’s the point. He’s not offering glossy slogans or recycled frameworks. He’s offering something far more important in today’s business world: mental clarity, alignment from the inside out, and real results.
With Colin Davis, coaching isn’t about credentials. It’s about character. It’s about results. And it’s about finally becoming the kind of leader your purpose in life calls you to.
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