From aspiring Olympic athlete to life coach and sports psychologist, Vanessa Akiwumi joins the podcast for an episode that’s all about purpose, well-being, and redefining success. 🧠🏃🏽♀️ In this powerful conversation, we explore: 🌿 Mental health in Kenya—navigating stigma and starting important conversations 🏃🏽♀️ Sports psychology meets life coaching—supporting athletes beyond the field 💬 Balancing ambition with social and emotional health 📈 Building a coaching business from scratch—and...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 10 min
This week, we’re joined by an absolute powerhouse—Vanessa Akiwumi, a life coach, sports psychologist, and mental health advocate who went from chasing Olympic dreams to coaching others toward intentional living. In this episode, Denis, Eric and Gathoni chat with Vanessa about: 💬 Balancing athletic life with mental & social well-being 🌍 Mental health in the Kenyan context—and breaking cultural stigmas 🧩 Personalized life coaching—why one size doesn’t fit all 🚀 Starting a coaching business...
Apr 27, 2025•2 min
This one’s special—aKEx’s first guest of the season is here! 🎉 Akshil joins Cynthia and Denis to share his journey from high school to becoming a quantitative analyst in finance and the lessons he’s learned along the way. In this episode, we dive into: 💡 Choosing the right career path—navigating university & making informed decisions 🤝 The power of mentorship & networking—why guidance from the right people matters 📈 Switching from engineering to finance—the challenges, skills, ...
Mar 19, 2025•1 hr 35 min
For the first time this season, we’re bringing in a guest—Akshil—and trust us, you don’t want to miss this one! In this episode, Cynthia and Denis reconnect with their long-time friend, who shares his journey from high school to becoming a quantitative analyst in finance. 🔥 Choosing the right career path—navigating university & career decisions 🔥 The power of mentorship & networking—learning from those who’ve walked the path 🔥 Transitioning from engineering to finance—how he m...
Mar 16, 2025•1 min
From Culture Shock to Co-op Success 🇨🇦 From stepping off the plane as a student to building a career and now embracing entrepreneurship—Eric’s @eric_cauri decade-long journey in Canada has been one of growth, challenges, and big decisions. In this episode, he shares: 🌍 Culture shock & adapting to a new country 🎓 How co-op programs helped him break into his career 🦠 Graduating during COVID-19 & navigating uncertainty 🚀 The leap from employment to entrepreneurship—why he’s...
Mar 12, 2025•46 min
In this conversation, Eric reflects on his ten-year journey in Canada, sharing insights from his experiences as an immigrant, student, and professional. He discusses the challenges of culture shock, the importance of co-op programs in building his career, and the impact of COVID-19 on his graduation. Eric also explores his transition from employment to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the pursuit of time freedom and personal fulfillment. This is more than just an immigration story—it’s ab...
Mar 09, 2025•58 sec
🎙️ Imposter Syndrome—Let’s Talk About It! That little voice in your head saying, “I don’t belong here” or “I’m not good enough”—yeah, we’re tackling that head-on. In this episode, Cynthia, Denis, and Eric break down imposter syndrome—how it impacts academic and professional growth, the fear and anxiety it causes, and their own personal struggles with it. 🔥 Is imposter syndrome holding you back? 🔥 Or has it become just another catchphrase? 🔥 How do we push past self-doubt and own our success?...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Imposter Syndrome—Is It Holding You Back? 🤔 Ever felt like you don’t belong, like you’re not good enough, or that any success you’ve had is just luck? You’re not alone. In our next episode, hosts Cynthia, Denis, and Eric dive into the realities of imposter syndrome—how it affects academic and professional growth, the fear and anxiety it brings, and the personal experiences that shaped their journeys. But there’s more—has ‘imposter syndrome’ become just another buzzword? We unpack how the term i...
Mar 02, 2025•1 min
🎙️ Hey aKEx fam, the latest episode is HERE! 🚀 This time, we’re sitting down with our co-hosts Eric Cauri and Denis Odera for an overdue catch-up. 🔥 Denis is making moves as a lead game producer, navigating the fast-paced world of gaming. He shares insights on his journey, the challenges, trusting the process and what’s next in his career. 🎂 Eric just hit the big 3-0! From reflecting on this new milestone to continuing his adventure of living and working in Canada, he’s got some great storie...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 34 min
Hey aKEx fam, we’re keeping the catch-ups rolling! This time, we’re checking in with our co-hosts Denis and Eric to see what’s been happening in their worlds. 🎮 Denis’ Game-Changing Journey: Still leading the charge as a game producer, Denis shares what it’s like navigating the ever-evolving industry and what’s next in his career. 🎂 Eric Hits the Big 3-0! Our guy crossed a major milestone—turning 30! He reflects on this new chapter and his continued journey of living and working in Canada. Fro...
Feb 23, 2025•2 min
Hey aKEx fam! We’re back after a much-needed break, and it feels so good to be recording again! In this episode, our co-hosts Gathoni and Cynthia share what they've been up to while we were on hiatus. 🌍 Gathoni’s New Chapter: She’s moved to a new city and is diving into new experiences—tune in to hear all about her adventures and the changes she’s embracing! 👩⚕️ Cynthia’s Journey Continues: Our resident doc is back at it, continuing her incredible work in the medical field. She talks about th...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 42 min
🚀 We're BACK! After a much-needed hiatus, 'A Kenyan’s Experience' returns with fresh energy and new stories. In this comeback episode, we catch up with co-hosts Gathoni and Cynthia! 🌍 Gathoni shares about her exciting move to a new location, while Cynthia takes us through her ongoing journey as a doctor. Whether you're curious about what we've been up to or just need some inspiration, this episode has a little something for everyone. Tune in, laugh with us, and catch up on all the life updates...
Feb 16, 2025•1 min
This week, Denis & Cynthia are joined by Shiro Wachira, an activist at heart, who candidly shares with us how her journey through her graduate program at the University of Stanford led her to unlearning the glorification of burnout. Through her story, we learn how through mentorship, both giving and receiving, are important in creating sustainable personal wellbeing, and how this has led to Growing Acres, her apprentice-ship based program aimed at helping agricultural workers build profitabl...
Sep 27, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Talk about an amazing comeback story! On this weeks episode, we are joined by business owner, podcaster, father and fitness enthusiast, Shiv Simani. Shiv takes us through many of his origin stories as we discuss the importance of striving to make your dreams come true. He shares with us the lifestyle challenges faced at an early age and how he navigated towards being one of the biggest fitness influencers in the country. We delve into the importance of setting strong boundaries and how making he...
Sep 13, 2023•1 hr 4 min
This is Part Two of our conversation with Wambui Wambugu and Jean-Marie Kamweru, whom you met on part one a few weeks ago. In this episode, we dive into their individual journeys from high school into university and now, as working adults in Nairobi, Kenya. They also share with us what impact having older siblings abroad had on the decisions they made and also honestly share if Gathoni & Cynthia met their expectations as older siblings abroad. We'd love to know what you took away from this e...
Aug 30, 2023•1 hr 10 min
“So what are your weaknesses?” Probably the question we all either under or overprepare for as we think about the looming interview. On this week’s episode, full-stack tech-recruiter and HR practitioner Fiona Maingi, shares with us how her journey from law grad to HR specialist has shaped who she is today. Fiona shares with us how her mindset of reframing failure has been essential in her personal growth. She also shares with us tips on branding yourself as you prepare for your next step in your...
Aug 16, 2023•1 hr 22 min
In this episode of aKEx, Denis and Gathoni talk to Walter Kuria, a Civil Engineering student and a Motocross racer and trainer. Walter shares stories about his university journey and the things he wished he knew before he started... and trust us, not only are they funny, but also very relateable. He also talks us through his love and passion for motocross... from when he got into it as a young boy, to now, where he takes what he knows and has learnt over the years to train the future generation ...
Aug 09, 2023•55 min
Meet Our Siblings, Jean-Marie Kamweru and Wambui Wambui and get to know us better on Part One of Two of this series with funny and quirky QnAs. This episode leads us into part two where you get to know Jean's and Wambui's individual journeys and how having older siblings abroad impacted their lives, both positive and negative. We learnt a lot about each other and ourselves as individuals and friends who've known each other for over a decade. We hope you enjoy this episode and we'd love to know i...
Aug 02, 2023•56 min
In this episode of aKEx, Denis and Gathoni catch up with Ian Mararo. For those of you who have been on this journey with us, you will remember Ian from Season 1. For those of you new to our podcast, you should definitely listen to the episode... it will leave you with the motivation and encouragement you need to pursue new opportunities. You can find Ian's Season 1 episode titled "Don't be afraid to fail" here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2uVRInrLsxA4oFC34EgDjF?si=WKNRhGKgRgOc6ciVYd3JVQ As ...
Jul 26, 2023•58 min
I think we can all agree that THEE biggest flex is having your younger siblings on your podcast. We're so humbled and thrilled to have Angela Cauri, a rising star in Nairobi's creative space and a Freelane Virtual Reality Designer. You might have heard her on Capital FM talking about her most recent project, State of the Art 3.0 or perhaps seen her magnificent murals in Bwibo, Lavington. Angela shares with us the importance of self-exploration and how that has led her to take the path less trodd...
Jul 19, 2023•1 hr 24 min
We're baaack with Season 4 of aKEx and we're still shook that we're now on Season 4. Thank you for sticking with us and we're excited for you to hear what we have lined up next. Our first guest is a looong time friend, Julio Mkok, a lawyer trained in Bristol, UK and now currently completing his training in Nairobi. Julio shares with us mind-blowing stories about how he found himself in Bristol, how he acclimatised to living in the UK through the support system he built for himself but also the s...
Jul 12, 2023•1 hr 42 min
Probably our biggest one yet! In this episode of aKEx, Cynthia, Denis and Gathoni have the amazing opportunity to talk to Muthoni Drummer Queen... artist, musician and trailblazer extraordinaire. MDQ talks us through her journey before the music and the interests she had in the early days. She then talks about her amazing experiences in the music industry both in Kenya and internationally including how and when the name MDQ started, her musical inspirations, overcoming the challenge of being lab...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 34 min
In this episode of aKEx, Cynthia, Denis and Gathoni talk to Paul Muigai, CEO and Co-Founder of Igwa Experience (IgwaXP). Muigai talks us through his journey to entrepreneurship, working with friends, and the joys of having a support system. He shares the importance of taking advantage of new experiences by 'just going for it': whether starting a business, studying abroad, widening your frienship circle or even mentoring. Muigai also shows us the value of looking at life as glass half-full and fi...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 17 min
This episode we're joined by Joan Irungu, a good friend from high school that Denis & Cynthia have had the privilege of knowing for over a decade now. Joan is a Research Assistant at Durham University Law School where she just completed her Masters of Laws Degree. Joan shares with us how over the years she's used her sole passion for law to hone in on her various interests within that career path and also the importance of investing in your relationships whichever way life may take you. It w...
Mar 01, 2023•1 hr 16 min
In this episode of aKEx, Denis, Gathoni & Cynthia sit down with one of Kenya's most renowned and respected Voice Over Artists, Cynthia Kimola. Miss Kimola shares with us how her journey from high school, where she was shipped off to boarding school, to studying Digital Journalism on a fully funded scholarship, has helped mould her into the creative she is. She helps us unpack the meaning of creative vs artist and the tools she uses to help her find her voice everyday. This was an episode tha...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 17 min
In this episode of aKEx, we have the privilege of sitting down with Lucy Kinuthia, of the popular online accessories store, Vitamin Accessories. Lucy shares with us how she used the knowledge and skills she learnt whilst studying her undergraduate degree in Commerce at Strathmore University to build her business, Vitamin Accessories. She also shares with us how she navigates the influencer space in Nairobi as a 'micro-influencer'. This conversation left us feeling more confident in our journey a...
Feb 15, 2023•57 min
In this episode of our host-led series, Denis, Eric and Gathoni sit down and talk about part time jobs, extracurricular activities and side gigs. We talk through the different things we did, the importance of getting involved and finding balance between studies and other activities. Let us know some of the things you did while you were university, and what your experience was like. We would love to hear from you! As always, thank you for listening and do share with someone you think needs to hea...
Feb 08, 2023•55 min
This is an exciting host-led episode! For the first time since we started recording, all hosts are here together. In this episode of our host-led series, Cynthia, Denis, Eric and Gathoni sit down and talk about mental health and wellbeing. We discuss what it means to us, our experiences, and share the things that have worked for us as we have each navigated through our different challenges and situations. Please note: none of us are experts or professionals when it comes to mental health and wel...
Feb 01, 2023•1 hr 22 min
In this episode of aKEx, Denis and Gathoni talk to Wambui Njehu, an Analyst at Sofala Partners. Wambui talks us through her career journey as she made a shift from Law to Political advisory. She shares her passion for advocacy, the law, fighing for the common wanainchi and doing good for society. Wambui also shares her experience as a Lawyer: prepping clients, doing research and what it was like going to court. If you are curious about the law, what it's like being a lawyer, and what goes on beh...
Jan 25, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Our guest on this episode is Philip Ireri, a born-and-raised Kenyan who currently resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Philip and our host Eric go way back to childhood days and they reminisce on what has been an epic journey from primary school to present day. A Process Engineer-in-Training working for a reputable engineering firm, Philip graduated from the International Baccalaureate program in Nairobi, Kenya and joined the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC,Canada where he gradua...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 4 min
