{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The iGaming Leader","title":"Why I Had to Slow Down to Save My Career — Lee McFarland on Resilience, Vulnerability, and Building Community","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2385,"description":"In this episode of iGaming Leader, Leo sits down with Lee McFarland, a former British Army paratrooper and private security contractor turned iGaming industry executive. \nLee shares his journey from military life to the corporate world, opening up about his struggles with PTSD, alcohol, and the ongoing process of self-awareness and recovery.\nThe conversation explores the challenges of transitioning into civilian life, the value of authenticity in leadership, and the role of community initiatives like Behind the Gloves in fostering connection and wellbeing.\nGuest Bio\n\nLee McFarland is a seasoned iGaming professional with a unique journey from elite military service to senior leadership in the global gaming industry. \nHe's built high-performing teams and delivered complex projects across North America, bringing a distinctive perspective shaped by his military background.\nAs founder of Praxis Point, Lee helps operators navigate market entry, product due diligence, and platform optimisation. \nHe's also the driving force for Behind The Gloves, a wellness and boxing community within iGaming that's reshaping what authentic leadership looks like in the industry.\nWhether he's launching a new casino, evaluating PAM platforms, or running a 6am boxing session at a conference, Lee brings energy, empathy, and execution to everything he does.\nKey Topics Discussed\n\n00:00 – From paratrooper to private security\n04:55 – The challenges of transitioning to civilian and corporate environments\n08:00 – Facing early career rejections and building resilience\n10:30 – The power of authentic networking and relationship-building\n14:30 – Therapy, EMDR, and understanding PTSD\n17:00 – Overcoming fear, embracing vulnerability, and reframing perceptions\n20:45 – The impact of alcohol culture in the military and beyond\n24:50 – Behind the Gloves and building community through boxing\n30:00 – Recognising burnout and the courage to slow down\n35:45 – Learning to say no and set boundaries in business and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/yqvdFvcfDiDCUT_op0gUBWr9w0nodzeeimRJmH0xYVI/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9lNTg1/MTBkYjJjNjA5MTU2/ZWFkZDc3OGI4MDgx/NDRmOC5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}