When you jump out of a balloon 24 miles from Earth, you really have to commit to the process.

When you move from CMO of Red Bull - one of the most dynamic and famous adrenaline-fueled brands on the planet, to become CEO of a challenger drinks company, pioneering a new category, you also have to commit.

In both cases, you need to understand the size and scope of the project. You need to be surrounded by a great team, you need to know your weaknesses, and rely on a complimentary skill set to support you.

My podcast this week, is with the incredible Amy Taylor – CEO of Zevia, a first of its kind mainstream carbonated soft drink, packed full of flavour and 100% good for you.

Zevia is a $200m challenger brand, that’s actually got more potential for growth, more marketing intelligence and health benefits than ‘Big Soda’.

I started out the show by saying that Zevia is punching up, when in fact, if you listen to Amy’s inspirational perspectives, the company is punching down on the unhealthy, outdated big drinks brands.

Not only that but having established itself as a major player in the good for you drinks category, the company is branching out into teas and energy drinks too – taking on Red Bull.

Zevia might not be the biggest dog on the block, but it’s certainly the most threatening!

In this show, Amy not only explains the company strategy for growth, including the brilliant recruitment of the music artist Jelly Roll as ambassador - and advice on creating ‘brand heat’, but she also explains what is needed for today’s CMO to be able to transition to the CEO role, which brings me back to the opening point.

If you decide to take a step up to CEO level, you need to develop an incredible sense of self-awareness and know your weak spots.

The team you recruit is designed to help you address those weak spots to make you invincible.

In Amy’s case, she had very little knowledge of the financial pressures of running a publicly listed company, so the appointment of a shit-hot CFO was critical.

Added to that is the other equally important issue of how to let go of her former bailiwick – marketing - and appoint a team that reduces the temptation to micro-manage and allows her to learn the mechanics of the company – logistics, product development and HR.

Amy is an incredible leader, who embodies all of the attributes that a modern CEO needs – charisma, charm, accessibility, knowledge, authenticity, a hunger to learn and an ability to communicate to multiple audiences.

And you have to admire anyone who can threaten to stir fry someone in her wok or give them a pinch from Mr Spock!

There’s something for everyone in this show and I hope you get a chance to listen to it in full. If you do, please support me by giving the show a like and subscribe – and tell your friends and colleagues!