Episode 842 • June 8, 2026 • 23 min
When the Story No Longer Fits — Federico Malatesta
Add it to your player
Show notes
Federico Malatesta is the founder of FM Transformational Coaching™, a practice that integrates executive insight, leadership frameworks, and lived experience to explore how identity evolves through change. His background includes 15 years in oil and gas, culminating as Chief Investment Officer responsible for a $40B capital program. He is also a serial entrepreneur and writes the newsletter "Almost Everything Is Context." In 2022, Malatesta founded The Artha Ranch in Texas, which functions as both a coaching space and a working reined cow horse ranch.
In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to build a business rooted in lived experience, personal values, and the wisdom that only comes from navigating major life transitions.
Federico and I discuss:
- What led Federico to leave his dream job and pursue entrepreneurship [03:27]
- How watching a documentary changed the direction of his life [05:00]
- What horses reveal about leadership and communication [06:07]
- Why every person — and every horse — requires a different approach [08:15]
- How Federico structured his boutique coaching business around a chosen lifestyle [12:13]
- Why solo entrepreneurs must stay connected to community to grow [15:35]
- What Federico means by "almost everything is context" [18:14]
Learn more about Federico at https://www.federicomalatesta.com/podcast/smashingtheplateau
______________________________________________________________
About Smashing the Plateau
Smashing the Plateau is a podcast for experienced independent leaders who have left corporate roles to build sustainable, expertise-based businesses.
Each episode features a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation about what changes when you no longer have the infrastructure of an organization behind you.
We explore judgment, decision-making under uncertainty, growth plateaus, identity shifts, and the role of trusted thinking partners in sustaining long-term success.
______________________________________________________________
Take the Next Step
• Experience the power of peer perspective.
Join a live guest session and connect with experienced professionals navigating similar challenges:
https://smashingtheplateau.com/guest
• Stay connected to the conversation.
Get new episodes, reflections, and invitations delivered to your inbox: