In this powerful conversation, Dr. Amna Shabbir speaks with David Esposito, healthcare executive, combat veteran and CEO of ONL Therapeutics, about what it truly means to lead with purpose in high growth, mission driven environments. David shares how his definition of leadership has evolved from rallying teams toward big goals to understanding the deeply personal side of helping individuals feel they matter. He opens up about a major failure early in his career when he failed to pivot quickly enough on a disinfectant technology that was not the right fit for the hospital market, and how that taught him the importance of courageous decision making and moving beyond the sunk cost fallacy.
David redefines success through the lens of redemption, sharing how witnessing personal transformation in others and overcoming his own mistakes has become the true measure of meaningful achievement. From his mother's simple yet profound advice to keep your chin up, to building teams that thrive on belonging and mattering, this episode is a reminder that leadership is as much about the human side as it is about strategy and results.
Episode Takeaways
- How to build high performance teams by helping individuals feel they matter
- Why ego and sunk cost fallacy prevent leaders from making courageous pivot decisions
- How to redefine success through personal redemption and transformation instead of titles
- Why understanding the full human behind each team member drives sustainable leadership
- The leadership lesson that keeps you resilient through failure: keep your chin up
About Our Guest:
David Esposito is a seasoned healthcare executive and combat veteran who has built and scaled multiple healthcare companies that accelerated innovation to help patients across a wide range of unmet needs.
David is currently the CEO of ONL Therapeutics, a clinical stage biotech company focused on developing therapeutics to protect the vision of patients with retinal disease.
In addition to his leadership on the forward edge of healthcare innovation, David is a published author and creator of patented, award-winning conversation games designed to help parents and educators open the door to more effective communication with children and teenagers.
David is a combat veteran having served as a US Army Infantry officer with the 101st Airborne Division in theFirst Gulf War during Operation Desert Shield & Storm (1990-1991).
David has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Syracuse University.
Connect with David Esposito
👩⚕️ About the Host
Dr. Amna Shabbir is a TEDx Speaker, Top Podcast Host, and Dual Board-Certified Physician with advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, and Leadership Development. She speaks and consults on Modern Perfectionism, Behavior change, and the Well-being of High achievers. Her passion lies in helping high performers curate no-BS sustainable well-being at the intersection of ambition and wellness.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or therapeutic advice. The views expressed are personal and do not reflect those of any employer or institution.
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What is Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir MD ?
Are you tired of chasing goal after goal, only to feel empty once you get there? Do you appear successful on the outside but feel unfulfilled on the inside? Or are you wondering how to even begin your journey to success?
Welcome to Success Reimagined with Amna Shabbir, MD—the podcast that challenges traditional definitions of success and explores what it truly means to thrive at the intersection of ambition and well-being.
Hosted by Dr. Amna Shabbir, MD, NBC-HWC, CPC—Founder and CEO, Dual Board-Certified Physician, and a fierce advocate for mental health. With advanced training in Integrative Well-being, Performance, Behavior Change, and Leadership Development, Dr. Shabbir brings deep expertise to every conversation. She’s also a sought-after Professional Speaker and proud Super Mom to two young girls. Drawing from her multifaceted roles, she offers a fresh, honest perspective on the realities of ambition, success, and sustainable well-being.
Each episode delivers practical, evidence-based strategies to help you break free from burnout, perfectionism, and the endless chase for external validation. You’ll walk away inspired and empowered to build a life that aligns achievement with deep personal fulfillment.
If you're ready to reimagine success with intention and courage, hit subscribe, rate, and review the show—and start your journey to a more joyful, aligned life today.
Connect with Dr. Amna Shabbir:
Watch Dr. Shabbir's TEDx Talk
Perfectionism Has A Solution - It is Not What You Think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNIzzM4Vg3s&t=3s
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/amna-shabbir-md
Instagram: instagram.com/dr.amnashabbir
Facebook: facebook.com/dr.amnashabbir.md
Website: https://success-curated.com/
YouTube: youtube.com/@Dr.AmnaShabbir