Episode 90 - Does Ambition Fade After 50 Rethinking Success, Purpose and Goals

In this episode of What Happens Next, host Chris Daems speaks with author and business founder Hugo Brooks about ambition, success and how our goals evolve through our 50s, 60s and beyond.

After more than 30 years building businesses and advising major global brands, Hugo reached a turning point. When his wife asked whether he truly wanted to repeat the same cycle again, he began questioning what had driven him for so long. That question led to his book, Ambition, and a deeper exploration of how ambition shapes our careers, relationships and sense of purpose.

Chris and Hugo discuss why ambition is not a destination, but a powerful human drive to make tomorrow better than yesterday. They explore "hero", "move up" and "be better" ambitions, the difference between moving towards success and running away from fear, and why many people climb the ladder only to discover it is leaning against the wrong building.

The conversation also examines retirement, artificial intelligence, changing definitions of work and how to build goals that reflect your values, life stage and changing world.