Introduction: A Journey from Resilience to High Achievement
Welcome to another deeply inspiring episode of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, where we redefine luxury as inner transformation, soulful ambition, and intentional living. I’m your host, Neeti Keswani, and today’s conversation is a masterclass in high performance, mental toughness, and the power of self-belief.
Joining us today is Yubim Kogan—an Olympic-level athlete, five-time immigrant, best-selling author, and humanitarian leader. After a decade-long journey through crisis, purpose, and reinvention, he returns with powerful lessons on what it truly means to grow—not just professionally, but personally and spiritually.
This episode is for anyone who feels like they’re running toward a dream, standing at the edge of burnout, or simply looking for clarity on their next step.
Let’s dive in.
Q&A: Neeti Keswani in Conversation with Yubim Kogan
Neeti: Yubim, thank you for joining us today. What’s one key principle that you think every high achiever needs to begin with?
Yubim: Thanks, Neeti. It’s great to be here. If you want to pursue a big goal, you have to decide that you’ll do whatever it takes. It’s not about whether it will be hard—it will be. The point is committing to the outcome before the journey even starts. In my mind, I was always walking through the Olympic tunnel. I didn’t see the struggle-I lived in the movie of success, long before it happened. That certainty is non-negotiable.
Neeti: That level of focus is rare. Do you believe visualization played a key role in your journey?
Yubim: Absolutely. But let me be clear: this isn’t just visualizing success, like watching a movie. You have to live inside it. Feel it. Smell it. Taste it. You’re not outside the dream—you’re already in it. That’s when reality starts to bend in your favor. But here’s the thing: there’s always a gap between envisioning something and it becoming real. Most people give up in that gap. I didn’t.
Neeti: Many of us hit that “gap” and get stuck. How do you stay resilient in those moments?
Yubim: I don’t “embrace” resilience—I become it. You decide you’re getting through, no matter what. When a challenge feels massive, break it down. What’s the next most important step? Focus only on that. Don’t look at the whole mountain. Just keep taking one step at a time. That’s the true practice of resilience.
Neeti: You disappeared from public life for nearly a decade. Can you tell us what happened and how that shaped your self-improvement journey?
Yubim: After my success in finance—protecting clients during the 2008 crash, building a radio show, co-authoring a bestseller—I was on track. But in 2014, my homeland, Crimea, was annexed. War began. People needed leadership, and I couldn’t look away. I had to serve. That choice derailed my career, but it led to profound personal growth. The adversity was greater than even Olympic training. But it taught me that helping others is the highest form of performance.
Neeti: From athlete to humanitarian—that’s quite the leap. What lessons did you carry over?
Yubim: High-performance principles don’t change—they expand. The Olympic mindset taught me discipline and visualization. Humanitarian work taught me empathy, adaptability, and servant leadership. Whether you’re training your body or rebuilding lives, the same rules apply: Be focused. Be committed. Be of service.
Neeti: Let’s talk about purpose. How did you stay true to yours amid crisis?
Yubim: I always follow my heart compass, not just my logic compass. When logic says “run,” but your heart says “stay,” listen to the heart. It might be hard, but it’s right. During the war, I knew I had to stay and lead—even when it made no sense on paper. Purpose gives your pain meaning. Without that, hardship is just suffering. With it, hardship becomes transformation.
Neeti: What does service mean to you now through your organization?
Yubim: Service is honoring the social contract. When someone goes to war to protect us, we owe them healing when they return. Through my organization, we work with veterans and survivors of trauma—offering therapy, physical rehabilitation, and even paragliding as a tool to help them reconnect with life. One of our beneficiaries nearly lost his only leg due to neglect. We brought him back for intensive treatment. That’s success for me—saving one life at a time.
Neeti: That’s so moving. So for someone chasing big dreams but stuck in overwhelm, what’s one powerful mindset shift they can adopt today?
Yubim: Focus on your next step. Not your 10-year plan. Not your five-year goal. Just ask: “What can I do right now that moves me forward?” And then—do it. That could be writing one email, drinking water, saying yes to an opportunity. One small win gives you momentum. Big dreams are built on small steps taken consistently.
Neeti: From a leader’s perspective, how can we use self-improvement to inspire teams during uncertain times?
Yubim: Lead by example. If you’re overwhelmed, don’t hide it—model how you’re working through it. Show your team how to focus on progress, not perfection. Also, remind them: the human spirit is infinite. Most people never realize how strong they are until everything falls apart. If you help them take one confident step, they’ll find the rest themselves.
Neeti: Final question. What does true success look like to you now?
Yubim: True success is keeping the promises you make to yourself—even when no one’s watching. It’s building a life aligned with your heart. It’s saving one life. And sometimes, it’s just waking up, getting out of bed, and saying “I’ll try again.” That’s victory too.
Conclusion: High Performance Starts Within
Yubim Kogan’s journey teaches us that self-improvement is not a trend—it’s a vow. A commitment to evolve, to serve, and to hold your vision when the world tempts you to let go.
Whether you’re chasing Olympic dreams or healing from life’s storms, high performance begins the moment you choose to take the next step. It lives in your daily habits, your inner dialogue, your quiet hours before dawn.
So if you’re standing at the edge of a breakthrough—or burnout—pause.
Then take one small, courageous step forward.
That’s where your journey begins.
About Neeti Keswani
I’m Neeti Keswani, founder of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, storytelling coach, and certified Ho’oponopono guide. I help creators, coaches, and conscious leaders align their brand with their inner truth.
👉 For 1-on-1 coaching or to work on your personal brand transformation, reach out to:
📩 info@plush-ink.com
✨ Let your story sell. Let your soul lead.
🎧 Listen to more episodes at: Luxury Unplugged Podcast
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