Taking a Career Break: Sabbatical Planning and Career Break Strategy

Episode 80 - Announcing the BreakSpace Backstage Pass: Inside the Community with Katrina and Lyndall

In this special crossover episode, Katrina welcomes special guest and business partner Lyndall Farley to announce the Breakspace Backstage Pass. The hosts introduce the podcast and dive into the inspiration behind creating a curated, two-hour immersive live event designed to open the doors to the Breakspace community.

The conversation covers a high-level walkthrough of what attendees can expect, including an exploration of the nine-step career break journey that helps sabbatical-takers understand where they are and what step comes next. Katrina and Lyndall explain how to use the Purpose Matrix and build a powerful purpose statement to serve as an essential compass before and during time away.

They also share a preview of joint drop-in coaching, detailing how expert guidance unlocks fast breakthroughs, cuts through surface-level stress, and normalizes the emotional challenges of career breaks. The hosts outline who will benefit most from the event—whether listeners are still exploring the idea, preparing for day one, or feeling lost midway through.

Finally, they emphasize why attending live is crucial due to unrecorded confidential breakout rooms and coaching, and wrap up with details on launching from Australia, a first-time special pricing offer, and how to RSVP.

Sign up here - https://www.gobreakspace.com/backstage

Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to a Special Crossover Episode

00:54 Show Intro and Welcome

01:46 Announcing the Breakspace Backstage Pass

06:05 High-Level Event Overview

09:16 The 9-Step Career Break Journey

12:13 The Purpose Matrix

14:00 Mastering Your Purpose

16:36 Inside Drop-In Coaching

21:13 Who Is the Backstage Pass For?

28:12 Why You Must Attend Live

30:00 Bonus Reveals, Special Pricing, and Closing Thoughts

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Episode 79 - How to Evaluate a Career Break When You’re Close to FIRE

Are you close to achieving your FIRE (Financially Independent, Retire Early) goals, but feeling completely burned out, exhausted, and ready to quit? You are not alone.

In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina, career break and sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee and producer James Hammond dive into the intersection of the FIRE community mindset and taking a purposeful career break.

While saving aggressively and striving for financial freedom is admirable, many high-achievers fall into the trap of delaying their life until a future date that isn't guaranteed—sacrificing their health, youth, and experiences today.

Tune in as we unpack how to look beyond a one-dimensional mathematical equation, weigh the 360-degree risks of not taking a break, and ensure your money serves your best life rather than holding you hostage.

Key Takeaways:

The Peak Earning vs. Peak Living Trap: Why focusing entirely on your accumulation phase can cause you to neglect the only years your body and energy are truly primed for adventure.

Defining Freedom Now: How to build a financial cushion that allows you to make choices without money dictating your every move.

The 360-Degree Risk Assessment: How to evaluate what is actually at stake if you don't take a break, versus just looking at the financial cost.

The Power of Purpose & Themes: Why your brain needs something as concrete as a well-defined break plan to combat the fear of losing money.

Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: I’m Close to FIRE. Do I Keep Working or Take a Break? 

01:00 – Welcome to Taking a Career Break with Katrina 

01:44 – What is the FIRE Movement? Understanding Financial Independence and Freedom 

04:21 – The Big Worry: Missing Out on Youth, Health, and Life Experiences 

09:30 – The Real Problem: Your Peak Earning Years Are Also Your Peak Living Years 

13:47 – Strategy #1: The Importance of Purpose Statements and Themes for Your Break

15:45 – Strategy #2: Doing a 360-Degree Risk Assessment (What Happens If You Don't Take a Break?) 

18:23 – Bonus Insight: The Value of Location-Independent, Laptop-Based Skills 

20:37 – The Ultimate Analogy: "You’re Too Busy Driving to Stop for Gas

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Episode 78 - Hitting the Career Break Wall? Don't Fall For This Midpoint Trap

Feeling the urge to pack it in and go back to work right in the middle of your career break? You aren't alone. In this episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond dive deep into the hidden "trapdoor" that trips up high achievers around the midpoint of their break.

Once the initial bucket list items and big adventures are checked off, a wave of discomfort, existential questioning, and the familiar urge for productivity can hit hard. Katrina breaks down why your brain panics when faced with spaciousness, the massive costs of returning to work too early, and a simple 3-step framework to help you push through the discomfort and completely transform your life.

In this packed conversation, we explore why default living and decades of hustle culture trick your nervous system into believing that being busy equals being a good person. You will learn how to spot the early warning signs of the midpoint slump, why your brain desperately seeks the familiar comfort of a job, and how a former client successfully handled a sudden job offer without breaking the commitment she made to herself.

To overcome this tricky phase, Katrina outlines her actionable, no-nonsense solution built around defining your core purpose and themes, establishing temporary targets, and creating a grounded morning routine. By leaning into structure and intention instead of defaulting back to autopilot, you give yourself the vital mental space needed to reshape your relationship with work and rest. Whether you are currently on a career break, planning a sabbatical, or dreaming of stepping away from burnout, this episode gives you the exact blueprint you need to master your time without regret.

Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the show: What happens after the bucket list?

02:00 – The Career Break Trapdoor: Why the midpoint is the danger zone

04:15 – Should you pace your bucket list items or dive right in?

08:50 – The painful spaciousness: Why your brain craves the comfort of a job

12:20 – The uncomfortable questions you're trying to avoid

16:00 – The true cost of returning to work too early

19:00 – The alternative: Rethinking work, retirement, and default living

21:40 – The 3-Step Framework to save your break: Purpose & Themes, Targets, and Morning Routines

28:10 – Real-life coaching story: How a former client handled a sudden job offer

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Episode 77 - Does a Career Break Mean You're Not Ambitious Anymore?

Are you worried that stepping away from the daily grind means losing your edge?

In this episode of Taking a Career Break, hosts Katrina McGhee (career break and sabbatical coach) and James Hammond tackle a heavy stigma: the idea that taking a career break or sabbatical means you are no longer ambitious.

Inspired by recent client discussions and a viral Substack reflection titled "I lost my ambition in Europe," Katrina and James unpack the traditional, work-centric definition of ambition and why it often leads to burnout. They explore the difference between ambition and motivation, discuss the societal pressure to tie your self-worth to a corporate ladder, and offer a powerful reframe.

Tune in to discover why taking a career break isn't a sign of laziness—it's the ultimate act of being ambitious about your life, your well-being, and living a truly rich existence.

Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction: How a Substack newsletter sparked this episode's debate on losing ambition.

01:42 – Welcome to the Show: Setting the stage for high achievers feeling burned out and ready for a change.

03:44 – Is Not Being Ambitious a Bold Statement? Exploring different definitions of ambition.

05:08 – The "Lost My Ambition in Europe" Insight: Unpacking why high-achievers feel a shift during sabbaticals.

08:11 – Ambition vs. Motivation: What does Miriam Webster say about the true meaning of ambition?

10:17 – BreakSpace Announcement: Your launchpad for a life-changing career break.

12:06 – Why We Default to Work-Centric Ambition: The primitive drive for safety, status, and financial reward.

14:58 – Is Being Unambitious Bad? Challenging the societal stigma of being "lazy" or "not driven."

18:42 – The Ultimate Reframe: Becoming ambitious about life and living well, rather than just a career.

21:11 – Why Taking a Career Break is Actually Hugely Ambitious.

22:02 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up.

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Episode 76 - What 10 Life-Changing Sabbaticals Proved Wrong About Career Breaks

In this episode, Katrina and James catch up after the summer break to reflect on the inspiring stories shared throughout the Summer Series. They dive deep into the 10 core beliefs and fears that almost stopped 10 high achievers from taking a sabbatical—and how their real-life experiences proved every single one of those beliefs wrong.

From navigating the fear that "everything will collapse without me" to unlearning the idea that rest has to be earned, this episode recaps the biggest mindset shifts that make a career break truly life-changing. Plus, Katrina and James announce exciting new ways for listeners to get involved, including upcoming listener Q&A episodes and live on-air coaching opportunities!

Key Takeaways & Resources

Have a question for Katrina and James? Drop a comment on Spotify to be featured in an upcoming episode!

Want 15–20 minutes of free live coaching with Katrina on air? Reach out to us via Spotify by leaving a comment or by visiting Katrina's website

Ready to plan your break instead of just dreaming about it? Book a free consult with Katrina: https://kmcgheecoaching.com/book-a-consultation🎙️ 

Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 Welcome back & post-summer catch-up

00:40 Podcast intro & framework recap

01:35 Behind the scenes: Katrina’s stressful summer story

03:25 James shares his summer health scare

04:46 Reflecting on the success of the Summer Series

07:16 How to submit your listener questions for a future episode

08:57 Big announcement: Want to get coached live on the show?

11:26 10 Beliefs That a Break Proved Wrong (Overview)

12:54 Beliefs 1 & 2: "There's never a good time" & "It will all fall apart without me" (Britney & Jessica)

15:00 Beliefs 3 & 4: "Taking a break is selfish" & "It's a childish dream" (John & Juliana)

17:45 GoBreakSpace.com mid-roll

18:21 Deep dive: Why society views playing and rest as "childish"

21:15 Beliefs 5, 6, & 7: "Job is who I am," "I can't afford it," & "You don't quit a good job in your 50s" (Ellie, Karen, & Henriette)

25:04 Beliefs 8, 9, & 10: Unlearning that rest must be earned & fear of returning to the same life (Keisha, Heidi, & Nicole)

28:37 Key Takeaway: You can't think your way through a break

31:02 Final thoughts & wrap-up

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Summer Series #10 – From Survival Mode to World Travel: Nicole Starling’s Family Career Break

In the final installment of the Summer Series, host Katrina McGhee sits down with Nicole Starling to explore the transformative power of taking an extended family sabbatical. After facing consecutive family losses, caregiver responsibilities, and corporate burnout, Nicole and her husband decided to pause, pivot, and take their two children on a world-schooling adventure.

Nicole shares the raw reality of planning a global trip, overcoming deep-seated career and financial fears, and managing decision fatigue on the road. She also breaks down how stepping away allowed her family to reconnect, how her kids gained life-changing perspectives, and how she successfully re-entered the workforce—landing a promotion and a raise with her former employer.

Episode Takeaways

Breaks don't have to be "earned"

Rest and space are essential parts of the human lifecycle, not something you only get after burning out.

Realized fears aren't total failures

Returning to your home state or former company doesn't mean you didn't grow; internal transformation changes how you experience your reality.

Kids thrive in the ordinary

The most meaningful memories from family travel often come from everyday interactions, local parks, and simple community connections—not expensive tourist attractions.

Sabbaticals can enhance market value

Stepping away gives you the clarity to recognize your professional worth and negotiate stronger compensation upon re-entry.

Connect with Nicole on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unboundwithnicole/

🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Life in survival mode, compounding grief, and feeling non-sustainable

05:40 – Coming up for air and confronting the loss of identity in a high-achieving career

10:59 – Facing core fears

14:20 – The turning point

17:08 – The logistics of preparing: Spreadsheets, school alignment, and 3 months' work notice

20:30 – Defining the break's core purpose: Reconnecting, living with less, and cultural immersion

22:28 – Diving in: The reality of early-stage culture shock and transitioning into homeschooling

29:10 – Pivoting on the road: Celebrating major holidays across Mexico, Southeast Asia, and Europe

34:28 – Overcoming decision fatigue and learning that there are no "wrong" choices

38:20 – How vulnerability shifted family dynamics and brought the kids up as equals

45:45 – Re-entry success

51:00 – Looking back at pre-work reflections and realized vs. unrealized fears

1:05:25 – Advice from Nicole’s kids on the magic of ordinary moments

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Summer Series #9 – Jessica Walked Away From a 60-Hour Week and Discovered a Whole New Life

What happens when you're really good at your job, you're making a difference in the world, and yet you know deep down that the life you're living isn't good for you anymore?

In this episode of the Summer Series, I talk to Jessica O'Neill about one of the most incredible career-break transformations I've encountered.

Jessica had spent years building and leading a community food-access organisation in Western Massachusetts. As executive director, she was working 60–80 hrs a week, managing staff, writing grants, working with the board and carrying the weight of an organisation that meant an enormous amount to her. She was successful, but exhausted. 

The hardest part wasn't knowing she needed a change. It was letting go.

Jessica feared that everything she'd built would fall apart if she stepped away. Through her work with me, she began to challenge those fears, create a concrete plan for her career break and ultimately give herself permission to choose herself.

What happened next was far beyond what she could have predicted.

During her break, Jessica travelled to England to study equine healing and communication, spent time with her twin sister in Italy, rediscovered writing and gardening, and most importantly, learned how to slow down, breathe and reclaim her own time. 

That experience eventually became the foundation for an entirely new career working with horses, combining equine energy work, communication, nutrition, plants and sound therapy into what Jessica and her twin sister developed as the TwinErgy Method.

Follow Jessica - https://www.orchardbrookfarm.com/

🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 – Jessica's incredible career-break transformation
03:37 – Working 60–80 hours a week as an executive director
05:46 – Knowing something had to change
07:18 – The fear of walking away from everything she'd built
09:35 – Leaving the organisation and finally taking the break
16:45 – Saying no to six figures and choosing the unknown
17:27 – The big goals Jessica achieved during her break
21:01 – Recovering from burnout and learning to relax
22:30 – Studying equine healing in England
26:54 – Creating a holistic approach to healing horses
29:24 – The TwinErgy Method
33:00 – What Jessica's work with horses actually looks like
38:56 – Learning to value your work and charge for it
41:18 – The highs and challenges of taking a career break
45:54 – The biggest impact of coaching
50:17 – What Jessica would tell someone considering a career break
51:37 – Saying yes to yourself and opening new doors
53:56 – Where to find Jessica and her work

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Summer Series #8 - Elly Quit Her 20-Year Career and Discovered a Completely Different Life

What happens when the career you spent 20 years building no longer feels like you?

In this powerful episode of the Summer Series, Katrina sits down with Elly, a former Assistant Dean for International Programs at the University of Illinois, elected county board member, and lifelong high achiever who reached a breaking point. After years of managing teams, navigating bureaucracy, and pushing through burnout, she made a bold decision: quit her job without knowing what came next.

Elly shares the emotional reality of leaving a respected career, the loss of professional identity, and the fear of what other people would think. She opens up about the struggle of learning how to rest, reclaiming mental space, and discovering that spaciousness can be just as uncomfortable as burnout.

What began as a career break turned into something far more transformative. During the break, Elly deepened family relationships, became more engaged in local government, returned to writing, and ultimately made a life-changing decision she never expected: becoming a mother again at 44.

This conversation is an honest look at uncertainty, reinvention, and the courage to choose a life that is aligned with who you are today, not who you were 20 years ago. If you’ve ever felt trapped in a successful career, questioned your identity outside of work, or wondered what might be possible if you finally gave yourself space to breathe, this episode will resonate deeply.

Connect with Elly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellyhanauer/

🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 Burnout behind a successful 20-year career

02:45 Meet Elly: assistant dean, elected official, and overwhelmed high achiever

07:12 When travel stopped being exciting and became a burden

12:08 Choosing wellbeing over certainty and leaving without a plan

14:39 The first weeks of freedom and the discomfort of too much space

17:31 Learning to be instead of constantly doing

20:02 Why it took months to truly decompress from work

24:10 Searching for a new path through writing and public service

27:21 The unexpected conversation that changed everything

31:22 Becoming a stay-at-home mom and redefining success

35:42 What Elly learned about risk, identity, and societal expectations

40:11 The biggest impact of coaching during her career break

45:27 The power of hearing other people’s stories

48:02 Full circle: from podcast listener to podcast guest

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Summer Series #7 - From Burned-Out School Counselor to Medical Interpreter in Guatemala | Heidi Leal's Career Break Story

What happens when you walk away from a stable career without another job lined up?

In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, Heidi Leal shares her remarkable journey from high school counselor to freelance medical interpreter in Guatemala. After more than 20 years in public education, Heidi knew she could no longer continue in a role that left her feeling exhausted and disconnected. She resigned without a clear next step, spent time in Guatemala, and began exploring what a different kind of life could look like.

What followed was not a perfectly planned career pivot, but a series of experiments. Heidi tried selling handmade artisan products, creating travel itineraries, hosting Airbnb guests, and volunteering as an interpreter at a nonprofit hospital. Through those experiences, she discovered a skill that truly lit her up and eventually turned it into a flexible freelance business that gives her the freedom and autonomy she had been craving.

Katrina and Heidi talk about the fear of leaving a secure salary and pension, the guilt many high achievers feel when taking time off, the importance of structure during a career break, and the surprising opportunities that appear when you create space to explore. Heidi also shares the mindset shifts that stayed with her long after coaching ended, including celebrating small wins, letting work be enjoyable, and learning that rest does not have to be earned.

If you are considering a career break, feeling burned out in a long-term profession, or wondering how to pivot into something completely different, this conversation is full of practical insight and real-life encouragement.

Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidileal/

🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 Leaving a 20-year career in public education

05:08 Resigning without another job lined up

09:03 Discovering the idea of a career break through LinkedIn

11:07 Why Heidi sought coaching and structure during her break

15:36 Experimenting with a handmade artisan export business

20:59 Airbnb hosting and discovering a love for creating experiences

29:05 Volunteering as a medical interpreter in Guatemala

33:30 Realizing interpreting could become a paid profession

40:02 Building a freelance interpreting business for freedom and flexibility

45:10 The biggest personal lessons from the career break

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com

Summer Series #6 - Kisha Left Without a Plan: The Career Break That Opened Unexpected Doors

Kisha Ward loved her corporate career—until burnout caught up with her. After years of leading major projects, ERP implementations, mergers, and international supply chain work, she made the courageous decision to negotiate an exit without having another job lined up.

In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, Kisha shares the fears that came with stepping away from a successful career, including losing her identity, disappointing others, and facing the uncertainty of what would come next.

What started as a much-needed break became a complete reimagining of work and life. Kisha talks about learning to rest, letting go of constant productivity, rebuilding her relationship with money, and reconnecting with family, friends, health, and creativity.

She also opens up about her writing journey—from struggling to start, to developing a consistent writing practice, to pursuing publication in the fast-growing romantasy genre. Along the way, an unexpected consulting opportunity found her, eventually allowing her to create a flexible lifestyle that combines high-level consulting with extended breaks dedicated to writing.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that a career break is not always a step backwards. Sometimes it is the pause that creates space for a more aligned, creative, and fulfilling future.

Follow Kisha's journey

https://www.instagram.com/my_umisays

https://www.instagram.com/daradenningbooks

🎙️ Enjoying the podcast?

⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!

💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.

📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.

❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.

▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Timestamps

00:00 Burnout ended a job Kisha once loved

03:55 Leaving a successful corporate career without a plan

07:03 Fear, identity, and starting a career break

11:18 The goals for the break: writing, health, rest, and relationships

13:24 Learning to stop being productive all the time

18:20 Changing her relationship with money

21:40 Finding a writing flow and rediscovering creativity

23:42 The consulting opportunity that unexpectedly found her

26:43 Tripling her income after taking a break

30:22 Pursuing writing seriously and entering the romantasy market

36:56 Building confidence in uncertainty and creating a new way of working

43:24 What her life and writing routine look like today

48:34 The precap letter and seeing her future become reality

51:48 Returning to the dream she had as a child

Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?

🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wingingitproductions.com