I want to share a raw and honest conversation from the Scale Her Up podcast about my journey from healthcare CEO to executive coach. I shared everything—from implementing Obamacare in Maryland and a very public job loss, to a life-threatening brain tumour that forced me to relearn how to walk. It was that wake-up call that made me finally confront the lie I’d been living my entire life: “I must achieve to be loved.” I had to walk away from a senior role to reclaim my time and start living on my own terms.

During our conversation, I introduced my framework for change, which starts with that nagging “unfortunate awareness” that something isn’t right, moves through mourning old identities, and navigates the scary “one foot in, one foot out” phase. We talked about setting boundaries, ditching perfectionism, and building a business that honors your non-negotiables—like my daily dog walks and no weekends. This is for any woman who looks successful on the outside but feels restless or disconnected on the inside. If you’re ready to stop achieving and start designing a life that truly fits who you are now, this conversation is for you.