There’s a moment in everyone’s life that divides everything into “before” and “after.” For me, that moment came when I decided to walk away from everything I had built—my career, my business, my identity. It felt like I was holding a match to the very foundation of my life. And I did it on purpose.
This is the story of how I blew up my career, what led me to that crossroads, and how I rebuilt my life in a way that finally felt aligned with who I truly was. If you’re standing on the edge of a decision that scares you, I hope this story gives you courage.
Why This Matters
If you’re feeling stuck in a career or life path that no longer feels like it aligns with who you are, you’re not alone. This is a story about reinvention, about listening to that inner voice that tells you something needs to change, and about trusting that the next chapter can be even better than the last.
The Rise: Building a Career That "Looked" Successful
For over a decade, I poured my heart and soul into building what most would consider a successful career. I co-founded a marketing agency that grew beyond what I ever imagined. From the outside, it looked like I was living the dream: a thriving business, a steady stream of clients, and the kind of professional reputation I had worked tirelessly to earn.
But success can be a funny thing. While my business grew, so did the weight on my shoulders. Long hours, endless deadlines, and the constant push to do more and be more began to take their toll. I told myself it was temporary, that the grind would pay off eventually. But deep down, I felt a quiet unease—a nudge that whispered, “Is this really it?”
The Breaking Point: When Success Becomes Unsustainable
The breaking point didn’t come all at once. It was a slow unraveling. I ignored the signs for years: the burnout, the growing disconnection from my own values, the way my health and relationships were suffering. I’d become so good at pushing through that I barely noticed how far I’d drifted from myself.
As an entrepreneur and a mom to two kids, balance was a concept I had given up on entirely. My life felt like a constant juggling act where something was always falling through the cracks. My mental health struggled for years under the pressure. I tried to convince myself that it was normal, that I was just busy like everyone else. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that my work wasn’t truly purposeful or in alignment with my values any longer.
Eventually, the cracks became impossible to ignore. I’d wake up with a pit in my stomach, dreading the day ahead. Even though the work itself wasn’t physically exhausting, the emotional and mental toll was undeniable. I realized that I had built a life that looked good on paper but no longer felt like it fit who I was.
The Explosion: Making the Hardest Decision
The decision to walk away wasn’t dramatic in the traditional sense, but it wasn’t exactly quiet either. I had known for a long time that I wasn’t happy, but one day, this undeniable feeling washed over me—I just couldn’t go on any longer with the business. From that moment, it took six weeks to finally leave. It was a whirlwind of emotions, decisions, and planning, but once the decision was made, there was no turning back. I couldn’t keep living this way. Staying meant betraying myself.
I did the thing that terrified me the most. I didn’t have a clear plan—I just knew I needed out. Ultimately, I sold the business, and it worked out better than I could have imagined. Letting go of the identity I had spent years crafting wasn’t like ripping out a piece of my soul—it was more about confronting feelings of failure and shame. The decision felt reckless at times, especially knowing how changes to my income would impact our family finances (and kids aren’t cheap). But my husband’s unwavering support gave me the confidence to move forward, and together, we figured it out.
And then, just a few days later, COVID happened. The world essentially shut down. The timing felt surreal, as if the universe was underscoring the enormity of my decision. Suddenly, for the first time in my adult life, I didn’t have a job to go to. The thing that had often defined me was gone. It was a strange and disorienting period—not just for me, but for everyone. The uncertainty of the world mirrored the uncertainty I felt in my own life—it also provided me with more time than I had ever had to really consider what I wanted for my next chapter.
The Aftermath: The Chaos and Clarity of Starting Over
In the months following my decision to leave, I grappled with what came next. I was suddenly untethered—without the structure of a job, the external validation I had relied on, or a clear sense of identity. I questioned whether I’d made the right choice and worried about how changes to my income would impact our family finances. But amid the uncertainty, I realized that this was also an opportunity to build something different—something that aligned with my values, offered a sense of purpose, and allowed me to create a life that felt more intentional and fulfilling. These criteria became my guide as I began to imagine what my next chapter could look like.
Let me be clear: blowing up your career doesn’t come with a neatly packaged happy ending. The weeks and months after my decision were hard, not just because of the fear or uncertainty, but because I was redefining what success and fulfillment looked like for me.
I didn’t ask myself, “What have I done?” But there were moments when it felt reckless, even overwhelming, to have made such a drastic change. I questioned whether I’d made the right choice. I worried about how we’d manage financially. But amid the chaos, there was also clarity. For the first time in years, I had the space to ask myself what I truly wanted. I began to peel back the layers of who I thought I should be and started reconnecting with who I actually was.
Rebuilding Through Coaching: Aligning Purpose and Impact
Through reflection and self-discovery, coaching began to emerge as the path forward. It checked the boxes I had set for my next move: it allowed me to make a meaningful impact while honoring the life I was building outside of work. When I started coaching, I naturally gravitated toward business coaching. It made sense: I had lived experience doing it for 13 years. I started my first business when I was just 27. Along the way, I had two kids, made plenty of mistakes, learned countless lessons, and gained a depth of wisdom that I felt could help other women on the same journey.
But honestly, it was a step in the right direction, yet still a safe step. I knew about growing a business. What I didn’t see at first was that my work was about more than business strategies—it was about helping women navigate these bigger shifts when life starts rubbing up against the edges of who they are.
This new career chapter has still been an evolution. Nearly five years since I blew things up, I’m stepping into the next phase of my coaching practice—helping women recalibrate their lives, align with their purpose, and build successful businesses. I’ve realized that coaching isn’t a static profession; it grows and changes with me. As I enter this new phase, I’m more excited than ever to help women find alignment in all areas of their lives, not just their businesses.
Lessons You Can Apply to Your Own Journey
Looking back, blowing up my career was the best decision I ever made. It taught me lessons I could never have learned otherwise:
Success Means Nothing Without Alignment: True success isn’t about external accolades or income—it’s about living authentically and aligning your life with your core values.
Your Inner Voice Knows the Way: That quiet nudge, that persistent whisper? It’s there for a reason. Trust it.
Fear Is Part of the Process: Making a big life change will never feel comfortable. But fear is not a sign to stop; it’s a sign that you’re on the edge of something important.
You Are Not Your Career: Your worth is not tied to your job title or professional achievements. You are so much more than what you do.
It’s Never Too Late to Start Over: No matter how long you’ve been on a certain path, you can always choose a new direction.
Next Steps: Your Turn to Take the Leap
Today, my life looks very different from the one I left behind. My work as a coach allows me to show up authentically and help others do the same. I’ve learned to set boundaries, honor my own needs, and prioritize what truly matters.
Blowing up my career wasn’t the end of my story—it was the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter defined by alignment, purpose, and a renewed sense of fulfillment I never thought possible. It also marked my entry into what I now proudly call my midlife era—an exciting, transformative phase where I’ve embraced growth, recalibration, and a renewed sense of purpose.
If you’re standing at your own crossroads, I want you to know this: it’s okay to change your mind. It’s okay to walk away from something that no longer serves you. And it’s okay to start over. Sometimes, the only way to find yourself is to let go of everything that isn’t you.
Ready to explore your next chapter? Book a complimentary exploration session to see how we can work together to help you find clarity and alignment.
So here’s to blowing things up—and building something better in their place.
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