What happens when your world crumbles to the point where you can't afford a ham sandwich? Martin Mileham shares his compelling journey from unstoppable success to standing at an ATM with just $2.40 to his name. When the Asian currency crisis hit, Martin lost everything society told him equalled success, but in this loss, he discovered an unexpected gift.

With remarkable honesty, Martin reveals how his "ham sandwich moment" became his greatest teacher, eventually leading him from Perth to Dubai, where he rose from site inspector to Vice President overseeing iconic projects like the Burj Khalifa. His story challenges our assumptions about success and security, while offering powerful insights about resilience and the courage to begin again.

About Our Guest

Martin Mileham has an Architecture degree and over 40 years of experience as a registered Architect. He has worked internationally on everything from delivering enormous palm-shaped islands in the Arabian Gulf, to being responsible for the tallest building in the world, through to designing one-off street furniture. He has been the CEO of the City of Perth, the capital of Western Australia and has lived in London, Dubai, Muscat and Melbourne. Martin and his wife now reside back home in Perth where Martin continues to consult in construction and development.

Read the full show notes on our Substack: https://whatsfear.substack.com/p/s1e10

00:00 Martin Mileham Intro

04:18 Lessons from Financial Struggles: Pride and Reality

08:28 Reassessing Values: What Truly Matters

12:41 The Journey to Dubai: Luck and Opportunity

20:53 Personal Growth: Flexibility and Life Lessons

22:15 Navigating Failure and Courage

25:34 The Liberating Experience of Disconnection

30:15 Embracing Change and the Concept of Luck

35:03 The Role of Fear in Motivation

39:44 Lessons from the Ham Sandwich Moment

43:01 It's A Wrap