Have you ever dreamed of taking an entire summer off without everything falling apart? I know I have. That’s exactly why I invited my friend Megan Blacksmith to join me on today’s episode of the Nourished CEO Podcast.

Megan has been creating this kind of freedom in her life and business for nearly a decade, and she’s here to pull back the curtain on how she made it possible... not by waiting until everything was perfect, but by intentionally designing her business and her beliefs to support the life she wanted.

We dive into the mindset shifts, identity upgrades, and practical systems that allowed Megan to step away from her business every summer while actually coming back more energized, creative, and inspired.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the cycle of "someday I'll take time off," this conversation will show you how to create the space for real freedom without waiting for "someday."

Timeline Summary:

[2:13] - Megan shares how she made the decision to take six weeks off every summer from the very beginning of her business.

[4:00] - Why Megan took time off even when it didn’t make logical or financial sense—and how it became a non-negotiable part of her identity.

[8:43] - The practical systems and planning that make stepping away for six weeks possible without everything falling apart.

[11:06] - Why taking time off allows Megan to return more energized and inspired—and how it helps her stay connected with her family.

[17:25] - The belief Megan had to shift around productivity and self-worth in order to take time off without guilt.

[26:40] - How values shape the choices we make in business and life—and why it’s key to drop the guilt when your values look different from someone else’s.

[38:11] - Megan shares the magical (and sometimes chaotic) manifestations that have come from her summer sabbaticals.

Top 5 Quotes from Megan:

1. "From the beginning I made that statement: I’m taking this time off no matter what."

2. "Every time I actually go and leave and go to the lake, when I come back, I am so fired up to work."

3. "The biggest belief I had to shift was that my productivity equals my worth."

4. "If you really want to figure it out, you will figure it out."

5. "There’s not some magical place where all the beliefs are gone—you just get better at working through them."

Links & Resources:

• Transformation Accelerator Foundations Training — Use code LAURA to save $2,000 off the full price.

• Connect with Megan on Instagram

Closing:

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you’d take a minute to leave a review over on Apple Podcasts. Your feedback helps more amazing coaches and entrepreneurs find the show, and it keeps me creating the content you want more of. Thanks so much for tuning in, and I’ll catch you in the next episode!