In the first episode of The Zero Comfort Zone, co-hosts Maryam Darwich and Sjierly Rodrigues Pereira explore what it means to be unapologetically yourself in work, leadership, business, and life.

They discuss trusting your gut, knowing when to seek advice, saying no without guilt, choosing your trusted circle, filtering noise, and staying grounded in your values when pressure, opportunity, or other people’s opinions try to pull you off track.

This episode is a reminder to find your filter, trust yourself, and surround yourself with people who challenge you in ways that help you grow.

How do you stay true to yourself while still allowing your beliefs to be tested, stretched, and reshaped?

In this bonus prelude to The Zero Comfort Zone, co-host Sjierly Rodrigues Pereira introduces herself from her roots in Amsterdam to the years she spent living, building, and leading in Sierra Leone.

Sjierly reflects on independence, intentionality, self-trust, and the courage to live by your own values without needing constant approval.

Episode 1: Unapologetically Me follows next.

What does it look like to build a life and business through instinct, adventure, values, and a little bit of healthy discomfort?

In this bonus prelude to The Zero Comfort Zone, co-host Maryam Darwich introduces herself from Sierra Leone, where she has lived for almost 16 years and built Afriqia HR Solutions.

Maryam reflects on the values that shape her work: integrity, honesty, directness, bravery, and valuing people’s potential and why creating honest, constructive spaces for growth matters.