High achievers often do everything “right”—yet still feel unfulfilled at work. In this episode of Evolve Your Path, Megan Flanagan talks with career strategist Rachel Spekman about navigating nonlinear careers, reclaiming agency, and reverse engineering your career around what genuinely lights you up. They explore why external success markers often fall short, how to identify your unique strengths, and the power of building a personal “board of advisors” to support career transitions.
If you’re questioning what’s next and craving more meaning in your work, this episode will help you take aligned, intentional steps forward—without needing all the answers first.
Key concepts:
career transformation, coaching, fulfillment, high performance, community support, reverse engineering, personal growth, professional mission, mental health, career change
Takeaways:
You can and very likely should reverse engineer your career.
Identifying what lights you up is crucial for career satisfaction.
Community support is essential during career transitions.
Childhood experiences can shape your professional path.
Finding your calling often involves deep personal reflection.
Building a board of advisors can provide valuable support.
Curiosity is a key driver in discovering your passions.
High-performing professionals often feel isolated in their struggles.
Progress is progress, no matter how small.
It's important to articulate what a great day looks like for you.
Memorable quotes:
"What lights you up is connection."
"What sparks you is curiosity."
"Progress is progress, better is better."
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Career Transformation
03:02 Reverse Engineering Your Career
05:51 Identifying What Lights You Up
08:50 Childhood Influences on Career Choices
11:34 Navigating Career Transitions
14:32 The Moana Moment: Finding Your Calling
17:23 Building a Board of Advisors
20:15 The Importance of Community Support
22:59 Understanding Your Special Sauce
25:53 The Journey of Becoming a Therapist
28:57 Scaling Coaching Practices
31:36 Patterns in High-Performing Professionals
34:29 The Role of Curiosity in Career Development
37:17 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
Connect with Rachel:
https://www.rachelspekman.com (website)
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