Wild, Wise & Working

Jackie is joined by Jane Ollis, founder of Sona – a pioneering health tech business developing an AI-powered device designed to measure and reduce stress in real time.

Jane’s career is anything but ordinary. From starting out as a medical biochemist to working internationally in senior leadership roles, sitting on boards across healthcare and renewable energy, and even interning at NASA, her path has been driven by curiosity and a desire to solve meaningful problems.

But it wasn’t until later in life – after raising a family and building a successful corporate career – that Jane paused to ask a deeper question: what legacy do I want to leave behind?

What followed was a bold move into the world of deep tech, a space rarely occupied by women in their 50s. Driven by a growing fascination with the role of stress in chronic illness, Jane set out to understand what stress is really doing to our bodies – and more importantly, what we can do about it.

This conversation is a powerful exploration of reinvention, courage and the realities of building something from scratch. It’s also a fascinating insight into the science of the vagus nerve, the future of preventative health and why your next chapter might be your most impactful yet.

Coming up in this episode:
  •  The moment in midlife that sparked the question: what’s my next legacy?
  •  Why stress is still overlooked in modern healthcare – and why that needs to change 
  •  Moving “upstream” of illness and rethinking how we approach chronic conditions 
  •  The unexpected discovery of the vagus nerve – and its link to stress regulation 
  •  Turning a two-page idea into a deep tech product (that started life in a shoebox) 
  •  The reality of building a business: persistence, problem-solving and “professional begging” 
  •  Why networks, not just ideas, are the real superpower in your 50s 
  •  Courage as an uncomfortable but essential part of entrepreneurship 
  •  Launching Sona – and the emotional reality of finally bringing a product to life 
  •  Why your 50s might be the perfect time to build something meaningful
About My Guest: Jane Ollis

Jane Ollis is the founder of Sona, an innovative health tech company developing an AI-powered vagus nerve stimulation device to help reduce stress and improve sleep.

With a background in medical biochemistry and a career spanning senior leadership roles across healthcare, energy and innovation, Jane has spent decades working at the intersection of science and real-world impact. She has also served on boards across the NHS, government and private sector.

Now, she’s combining that experience to tackle one of the biggest – and most overlooked – challenges in modern health: chronic stress. Through Sona, Jane is on a mission to bring personalised, preventative solutions to millions, starting with a simple but powerful idea – helping people feel better, every day.

Connect with Jane
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Produced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk


Creators and Guests

Host
Jackie Naghten
Host of Wild, Wise & Working
Guest
Jane Ollis
Founder of SONA
Producer
Tim Beynon
Producer of Wild, Wise & Working

What is Wild, Wise & Working?

Real conversations with midlife women turning wisdom into wins. Host, Jackie Naghten, celebrates the power, ambition and potential of midlife women in business. Each episode brings inspiring conversations with standout entrepreneurs and leaders who’ve reinvented their careers - and their lives - in their second act. Packed with energy, insight and practical takeaways, the show empowers women to think bigger, back themselves and build thriving businesses on their own terms. It’s inspiring, motivating and designed to spark momentum for anyone ready for their next chapter.