These people are all successful, but they are far from perfect. Tracing the lives of inspiring men and women, I’m Not a Superhero takes an uncompromising look at success and failure. In this podcast series, you’ll hear about their darkest hours while debunking the myths of professional success.
Podcast - 1 season
"Since we had nothing, we had nothing to lose.” Jean-Pascal Zadi was neither the best student nor the most famous rapper. But while shooting music videos, he discovered a love for directing. And in 2021, he won the César for Most Promising Actor. Humble and self-deprecating, Zadi looks back on a career path that was far from straightforward.
S1 • 1 • 30mnIconic French TV presenter and producer Thierry Ardisson always believed he would succeed in one way or another. With typical candour, the master interviewer puts his career in the spotlight to revisit the tough times and hard lessons that taught him everything he knows about failure.
S1 • 2 • 33mnAurélie Jean is a computational scientist with a mind-blowing list of accomplishments. But pursuing her dream has taken courage as well as smarts. While her career has taken off—and taken her around the globe—making it wasn’t always easy in a field where men still outnumber women.
S1 • 3 • 29mnHenri Leclerc is a French criminal defence lawyer and human rights activist who has worked on some of the country’s most high-profile cases. Renowned for his eloquence in court, Leclerc looks back on an incredible career spanning 65 years and discusses the moral highs and lows of his profession.
S1 • 4 • 32mnWhen David Foenkinos’ first manuscript was accepted by French publishing giant Gallimard, it came with a comment from his editor: "It’s worth trying." Many years later and Foenkinos is one of the most read fiction writers in France. But his success as a best-selling author hasn’t always come easy—he’s had his share of trials and tribulations.
S1 • 5 • 29mnThe E in BETC, France’s leading advertising agency, stands for Mercedes Erra. Known for her awe-inspiring work ethic, finding her place in a man’s world hasn’t always been a walk in the park. But for this seasoned professional at the top of her game, being a mother has been the biggest challenge she’s faced in life.
S1 • 6 • 31mnWhen he was 18, Michaël Jeremiasz became paraplegic after a ski accident. One year later and he was the French champion in wheelchair tennis. A four-time Paralympic medallist, disability advocate, father and founder of non-profit Comme les Autres, Jeremiasz doesn’t shy away from life’s challenges and uses sport as a tool for social inclusion.
S1 • 7 • 32mnBefore entering the Vendée Globe, Clarisse Crémer’s future was all lined up. She came from a privileged background, went to a prestigious school and even launched a startup. All that changed when she moved to Brittany to pursue her dream of professional sailing. And in a sport largely dominated by men, she’s made her small stature her strength.
S1 • 8 • 32mn