CEO of MyFitnessPal Mike Fisher: He Applied for 1 Job, Then Became CEO | EP172
Show Notes
Mike Fisher’s career has taken him from West Point and flying helicopters in the U.S. Army to leading technology teams at PayPal, serving as CTO of Etsy, and ultimately becoming CEO of MyFitnessPal. In this episode, Mike joins Ilana to unpack the leadership lessons behind that unconventional journey. He shares what the military taught him about giving feedback, building trust, and learning from mistakes, and what he had to unlearn when he transitioned into the tech world. Mike also explains why nearly every major opportunity in his career came through the “hidden market,” why professionals should focus on building skills rather than chasing titles, and what stepping into the CEO seat taught him about imposter syndrome and leading through uncertainty. Plus, Mike shares what ultramarathons have taught him about pushing through dark moments, why great leaders need extraordinary willpower, and why he believes AI could ultimately create entirely new opportunities for entrepreneurs and professionals. Chapters Trailer & Introduction The Hidden Market: Why Your Best Opportunities Aren’t on Job Boards What West Point Taught Mike About Leadership Why Great Teams Debrief Their Mistakes Learning Leadership the Hard Way as an Army Pilot The Helicopter Accident That Changed How Mike Led Leaving the Military for a Career in Tech The Boss Who Changed the Trajectory of Mike’s Career What Mike Had to Unlearn From the Military How to Get People to Follow You Without a Title Why Great Leaders Tell Great Stories The Hidden Job Market & Why Your Network Matters Why Weak Ties Can Lead to Your Biggest Opportunities How to Make Sure People Remember You From Consultant to CTO of Etsy The Power of Extreme Focus Stop Chasing Titles, Build Skills Instead How the Hidden Market Led Mike to MyFitnessPal Becoming CEO: What Changes at the Top Imposter Syndrome at the CEO Level Find the Skill You Can Always Fall Back On What Ultramarathons Teach You About Leadership “We Do Hard Things”: Transforming Etsy Finding Your Reserve Tank in the Darkest Moments Why You Should Never Go Through Hard Things Alone “You Signed Up for This” How to Rise Above the Noise in Your Career Why Rejection Should Be Treated Like an Experiment Mike’s Take on AI, Jobs & the Future of Work Could a One Person Billion Dollar Company Already Exist? About Mike Fisher Mike Fisher is the CEO of MyFitnessPal and a technology executive whose career spans the military, entrepreneurship, consulting, and some of the most recognized technology companies in the world. A West Point graduate, Mike served as a U.S. Army aviation officer and helicopter pilot before transitioning into technology. His career has included leadership roles at PayPal, co-founding AKF Partners, and serving as CTO of Etsy, where he helped lead major technology and organizational transformations. Outside of work, Mike is an ultramarathoner and writes about leadership, technology, and business through his Substack, Fish Food for Thought. 📲 Connect with Ilana: Facebook ▶️ https://www.facebook.com/IlanaGolanLeapAcademy LinkedIn ▶️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanagolan/ Instagram ▶️ https://www.instagram.com/ilanagolanleap Website ▶️ https://www.leapacademy.com/
📈 Leap Academy helps professionals reinvent their careers, build portfolio careers, land board seats, and grow executive leadership skills through expert coaching, personal branding, and career development strategies. Founded by Ilana Golan, it's where bold professionals come to grow.
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