Jackie is joined by Jane Ollis, founder of Sona – a pioneering health tech business developing an AI-powered device designed to measure and reduce stress in real time.
Jane’s career is anything but ordinary. From starting out as a medical biochemist to working internationally in senior leadership roles, sitting on boards across healthcare and renewable energy, and even interning at NASA, her path has been driven by curiosity and a desire to solve meaningful problems.
But it wasn’t until later in life – after raising a family and building a successful corporate career – that Jane paused to ask a deeper question: what legacy do I want to leave behind?
What followed was a bold move into the world of deep tech, a space rarely occupied by women in their 50s. Driven by a growing fascination with the role of stress in chronic illness, Jane set out to understand what stress is really doing to our bodies – and more importantly, what we can do about it.
This conversation is a powerful exploration of reinvention, courage and the realities of building something from scratch. It’s also a fascinating insight into the science of the vagus nerve, the future of preventative health and why your next chapter might be your most impactful yet.
Coming up in this episode:
- The moment in midlife that sparked the question: what’s my next legacy?
- Why stress is still overlooked in modern healthcare – and why that needs to change
- Moving “upstream” of illness and rethinking how we approach chronic conditions
- The unexpected discovery of the vagus nerve – and its link to stress regulation
- Turning a two-page idea into a deep tech product (that started life in a shoebox)
- The reality of building a business: persistence, problem-solving and “professional begging”
- Why networks, not just ideas, are the real superpower in your 50s
- Courage as an uncomfortable but essential part of entrepreneurship
- Launching Sona – and the emotional reality of finally bringing a product to life
- Why your 50s might be the perfect time to build something meaningful
About My Guest: Jane Ollis
Jane Ollis is the founder of Sona, an innovative health tech company developing an AI-powered vagus nerve stimulation device to help reduce stress and improve sleep.
With a background in medical biochemistry and a career spanning senior leadership roles across healthcare, energy and innovation, Jane has spent decades working at the intersection of science and real-world impact. She has also served on boards across the NHS, government and private sector.
Now, she’s combining that experience to tackle one of the biggest – and most overlooked – challenges in modern health: chronic stress. Through Sona, Jane is on a mission to bring personalised, preventative solutions to millions, starting with a simple but powerful idea – helping people feel better, every day.
Connect with Jane
Connect with Jane
- Website: https://sona.help/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janeollis/
Be a part of the show:
- Don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast platform.
- Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackienaghten/
- Send me voice messages, questions, or story ideas for a future show: You'll find everything you need HERE - https://wildwiseandworking.transistor.fm/
- Quick voice message link: https://www.speakpipe.com/WildWiseAndWorking
Produced by The Good Studio - thegoodstudio.co.uk
