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Taking a Career Break: Sabbatical Planning and Career Break Strategy
Taking a Career Break: Sabbatical Planning and Career Break Strategy episodes
- Summer Series #5 - Henriette Left a Successful Corporate Career at 55 — And It Changed Everything
Summer Series #5 - Henriette Left a Successful Corporate Career at 55 — And It Changed Everything
Henriette was a successful engineering manager leading multiple corporate teams, but behind the achievements, she was exhausted, disconnected from herself, and asking a question many high achievers quietly carry: “Is this all there is to life?”
In this inspiring Summer Series conversation, Henriette shares how she went from burnout and late-night tears to taking a fully intentional career break at the age of 55. Guided by a powerful vision she called Vision 60, she began redesigning her health, relationships, adventures, and future instead of simply escaping a demanding job.
Katrina and Henriette explore the moment she realised work was crowding out the life she truly wanted, how she created a purpose-driven career break, and why she was surprised to discover she had more financial freedom than she thought. They also discuss the fears that almost stopped her, including the belief that you do not walk away from a well-paid corporate role and the uncertainty of re-entering the workforce later in life.
During her break, Henriette filled her days with long walks, slow running, forest adventures, national park visits, family travel, and meaningful time with her husband, sons, grandchildren, and even her 80-year-old father. She also shares the unexpected joy of making new friendships and learning how to bring celebration and fun into ordinary life.
The conversation takes a powerful turn when Henriette explains how she applied for a dream management role from a lake house while visiting family in the United States, despite not planning to return to work for several more months. What happened next challenged every fear she had about career breaks and re-entry after 50.
This episode is a moving reminder that taking a career break is not about giving up ambition. It can be about coming back with more energy, better boundaries, clearer priorities, and a deeper sense of being fully alive.
Email Henriette today with any questions you have: [email protected]
🎙️ 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 career
03:48 – “Is this all there is?”
06:02 – Creating Vision 60
09:09 – The breaking point
13:40 – Choosing the career break
16:40 – Financial clarity
19:13 – Nature, health, and new habits
21:57 – The final decision
27:24 – The break begins
31:00 – Family travel and unexpected opportunities
33:00 – Running and reconnecting with herself
35:59 – New friendships
37:24 – Bringing joy into everyday life
42:38 – Fear of re-entry
45:08 – Applying for a dream job
48:46 – Getting the job
51:23 – Returning to work differently
57:20 – What changed everything
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
1 hr 6 min - Summer Series #4 - Karin Quit Her Job to Save Her Health—What Happened Next Will Inspire You
Summer Series #4 - Karin Quit Her Job to Save Her Health—What Happened Next Will Inspire You
What happens when your body forces you to stop?
In this inspiring episode of the Taking A Career Break Summer Series, Katrina McGhee sits down with Karin Holmberg to share the remarkable story of how a planned career break became a life-changing healing journey.
After years of unexplained health issues, long working hours and mounting burnout, Karin reached a point where she could no longer ignore what her body was telling her. What started as a dream of taking a sabbatical soon became a necessity when she was diagnosed with Lyme disease, multiple co-infections and mould toxicity.
Karin shares how early planning allowed her to take a two-year career break, why moving back in with her parents became the key to making it financially possible, and how trusting her intuition helped her navigate one unexpected twist after another.
During her break, she immersed herself in learning about functional health, earned multiple certifications, launched her own practice and ultimately found a new definition of success—one that prioritises health, purpose and alignment over hustle.
If you're wondering whether a career break could change your life, Karin's story is proof that one courageous decision can completely transform your future.
Follow Karin's journey here - https://www.instagram.com/karinholmberg_fdn
Want to start your journey? Book a free consult with Katrina here - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🎙️ 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 Karin's seven-year battle with mystery health issues
02:05 Meet Karin and why her story matters
03:25 The moment she realised something had to change
06:00 Discovering the possibility of a career break
07:40 The financial fears of taking two years off
09:30 Planning early and finding creative ways to save
14:30 Creating a purpose for the career break
17:00 When her health suddenly collapsed
19:00 Choosing to leave work and begin healing
22:00 Learning everything about Lyme disease and recovery
26:30 Becoming a functional health practitioner
29:30 Returning to work after a two-year career break
32:00 Starting a health coaching business
38:00 Why she chose financial stability over full-time entrepreneurship
43:00 Finding the right job after four years away
45:00 Lessons about trusting your inner wisdom
51:00 Looking back at the transformation
53:30 Advice for anyone considering a 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
57 min - Summer Series #3 - From 3AM Panic to Peace: Jon's Career Break Transformation
Summer Series #3 - From 3AM Panic to Peace: Jon's Career Break Transformation
In this incredibly moving episode of Taking A Career Break, Katrina sits down with former client Jon, who shares his deeply personal story of reaching breaking point after decades in the IT industry.
For years, Jon lived under constant pressure, waking in the middle of the night worrying about work, carrying the weight of responsibility for his team, and believing that taking time away would be selfish. What followed was a journey that changed his life forever.
Together, Jon and Katrina discuss the reality of severe burnout, why asking for help is one of the bravest things you can do, and how a career break became the catalyst for healing—not just professionally, but personally.
Jon opens up about entering an intensive outpatient mental health program, working with a dedicated care team, confronting fears he'd spent years avoiding, and learning that success isn't measured by working harder—it's measured by building a life you actually want to live.
Today, Jon has completely transformed his relationship with work. Instead of chasing promotions and constant pressure, he now works part-time at Ronald McDonald House, has embraced a simpler lifestyle with his wife, and has found a renewed sense of purpose, balance and peace.
Whether you're feeling burned out, questioning your career, or simply wondering if there's another way to live, this conversation is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to choose yourself.
If you've ever wondered whether taking a career break could change your life, Jon's story might be exactly what you need to hear.
Want to start your journey? Book a free consult with Katrina here - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🎙️ 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 Jon describes life at breaking point
01:59 Introducing Jon and why this story matters
03:10 What life looked like before the career break
08:30 Finding Katrina through an unexpected recommendation
11:30 The emotional first coaching session
16:00 The fears that almost stopped Jon taking a break
17:50 Building a care team and prioritising mental health
20:00 Defining the purpose behind the career break
24:00 Why taking a break isn't selfish
27:30 The power of getting support
28:40 Learning to be present again
32:20 Creating a new life after burnout
34:30 Finding purpose working at Ronald McDonald House
36:50 Letting go of responsibility and control
42:50 How coaching changed Jon's life
47:00 What life looks like today
49:30 Jon's advice for anyone struggling with burnout
53:00 Final reflections
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
54 min - Summer Series #2 - Juliana Left a Six-Figure Job to Finally Live Her Dream
Summer Series #2 - Juliana Left a Six-Figure Job to Finally Live Her Dream
Many of us dream about taking a career break—but fear, security and other people's opinions often stop us before we ever begin.
In Episode 2 of our Summer Series, Katrina sits down with former coaching client Juliana Moreira, whose career break journey proves that the biggest transformation isn't always changing careers—it's changing yourself.
After spending two decades climbing the corporate ladder, Juliana found herself questioning whether the life she'd built was really the one she wanted. Faced with a company restructure, a six-figure salary she was afraid to leave behind, uncertainty from her partner, major surgery, and even a European trip during the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, every sign seemed to say "stay safe."
Instead, she chose to trust herself.
During her 15-month career break, Juliana travelled across Europe, embraced solo travel, explored spirituality, launched a personal blog, learned to slow down, and discovered a version of herself she'd hidden away during years in corporate life.
What's most surprising is what happened next. Rather than leaving corporate forever, Juliana returned with new confidence, healthier boundaries, greater self-expression and a completely different relationship with work. Her career break didn't just change what she did—it changed who she became.
If you're wondering whether a career break is possible for you, or you're waiting for the "perfect time," this honest conversation may be exactly what you need to hear.
Please follow Juliana's journey here: globaljuliana.com/careerbreak
Want to start your journey? Book a free consult with Katrina here - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🎙️ 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 Why Juliana walked away from a six-figure corporate career
02:00 Feeling burnt out after 20 years in corporate life
05:20 The fears that almost stopped her taking a career break
10:00 Finding confidence through coaching and community
13:20 Four months of solo travel across Europe
17:00 Learning the art of doing nothing
20:00 Surgery, uncertainty and choosing to travel anyway
23:30 The biggest highs and hardest moments of the break
29:00 Finding confidence through vulnerability and self-expression
33:00 Returning to work and redefining success
39:20 The challenges of re-entering the job market
44:00 Why she returned to corporate on her own terms
46:30 Leadership, confidence and life after the career break
51:00 How coaching changed everything
57:40 Why your dreams deserve to be honoured
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
1 hr 1 min - Summer Series #1 - Brittany Took a Sabbatical...Then Changed Her Entire Life
Welcome to the very first episode of our new Taking A Career Break Summer Series!
Throughout this special series, Katrina sits down with former coaching clients who have taken courageous career breaks and sabbaticals to hear what really happened after they stepped away from work.
Our first guest is Brittany Coleman, whose story is one of the most remarkable transformations we've ever shared.
When Brittany began her sabbatical, she was exhausted after years of nonstop work in the nonprofit sector. Burnout had taken over, and she struggled with the idea of stepping away from a leadership role she believed couldn't function without her.
But what began as a planned sabbatical quickly became something much bigger.
Just weeks into her break, Brittany faced an unexpected divorce. Instead of returning to work as a distraction, she used her career break to reconnect with herself, discover new passions, build healthier boundaries, and completely redefine what success looked like.
Today, Brittany runs her own consulting business, teaches pottery, works part-time in education, and has built a career around work she genuinely enjoys.
Please follow Brittany's journey here: www.kelseystreet.com
Want to start your journey? Book a free consult with Katrina here - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🎙️ 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 – Brittany reflects on the burnout that led her to consider a sabbatical
00:47 – Welcome to the first episode of the Summer Series
02:07 – Meet Brittany Coleman and her career break journey
03:10 – Life before her sabbatical: burnout, nonprofit leadership and exhaustion
07:43 – The fears of stepping away from work
10:18 – Creating a purpose for the sabbatical: putting herself at the centre of her life
11:10 – Learning how to truly disconnect from work
12:50 – The biggest highs and unexpected challenges of her sabbatical
17:16 – Discovering pottery and finding a new creative outlet
19:57 – Returning to work with healthier boundaries
27:07 – Why Brittany decided to take a full career break
34:57 – Turning pottery into a business
40:10 – Building a consulting business through small experiments
45:53 – Designing a career around work she genuinely enjoys
48:19 – How coaching shaped both her sabbatical and career break
50:36 – Looking back at her career break intentions
53:53 – Brittany's advice for anyone thinking about taking a career break
56:40 – Final reflections and where to connect with BrittanyReady 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
58 min - Do You Really Need a Coach for Your Career Break or Sabbatical?
Episode 75 - Do you really need a coach for your career break or sabbatical?
In this milestone 75th episode of Taking A Career Break, Katrina and James tackle a question many aspiring career breakers ask themselves:
Do I need a coach to take a successful career break?
Katrina pulls back the curtain on what career break coaching actually looks like, sharing powerful client stories and explaining why the biggest challenges of a career break aren't the logistics—they're the mindset shifts, fears, identity changes, and self-doubt that happen along the way.
You'll hear:
✨ Why planning isn't the hardest part of taking a break
✨ The hidden mindset traps that derail career breaks
✨ A real-life example of someone who quit their break after seven weeks—and how they eventually transformed their life with support
✨ What a career break coach actually does
✨ How coaching combines practical planning with life-changing personal growth
✨ Why giving yourself permission to rest can be so difficult
✨ Signs that it might be time to get support on your career break journeyPlus, Katrina and James reveal an exciting announcement: the first-ever Taking A Career Break Summer Series, featuring real stories from ten past clients and their transformative break experiences.
If you're dreaming about taking a break—or you're already on one and feeling stuck—this episode will help you understand that you don't have to figure it all out alone.
🎙️ 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 – A client story: when a career break goes wrong
01:15 – Welcome to Episode 75
02:06 – Do you need a coach for your career break?
05:13 – The biggest mistake people make when going it alone
09:43 – Why accountability matters
10:12 – What happens when someone takes a break without support
13:46 – What does a career break coach actually do?
16:34 – The difference between career break coaching and life coaching
21:24 – Introducing Break Space
22:58 – Why long-term professionals often need support
25:53 – What happens during a discovery call?
27:57 – Why your purpose statement changes everything
30:47 – Can friends and family help instead?
31:07 – The importance of permission and self-worth
33:22 – How to know if you're ready to work with a coach
36:50 – How to get in touch with Katrina
39:37 – Big announcement: the Summer Series is coming!
42:41 – The first client story arrives on July 1st
44:30 – Leave a review and let us know what you thinkReady to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?
📞Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🫶🏼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
46 min - Behind the Scenes of a Career Break Entrepreneur: Katrina McGhee’s 9-Year Journey
Episode 74 - Behind the Scenes of a Career Break Entrepreneur: Katrina McGhee’s 9-Year Journey
Nine years ago, Katrina took a leap that made absolutely no sense on paper. She left behind a successful corporate career, launched a business helping people take career breaks, and stepped into a space that barely existed at the time.
In this special behind-the-scenes episode, Katrina shares the real story of building a business around an unconventional idea. From being featured in Forbes just months after launching, to investing $15,000 in a partnership that didn't work out, to nearly shutting the business down before receiving a surprise book deal, this is an honest look at what entrepreneurship really looks like.
We explore the challenges of self-trust, dealing with setbacks, finding your niche, and learning how success is often built through years of persistence rather than one breakthrough moment. Katrina also reflects on the lessons she's learned from coaching more than 200 career breaks, writing Taking a Career Break For Dummies, launching BreakSpace, and co-hosting this podcast.
Whether you're dreaming of taking a career break, starting a business, making a major life change, or simply wondering if it's worth betting on yourself, this episode offers a candid look at what happens when you keep showing up despite the uncertainty.
🎙️ 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 and celebrating 9 years in business
04:52 Launching a career break coaching business in 2017
07:31 The surprise Forbes feature
11:51 A costly $15,000 business mistake
18:13 Learning self-trust and staying true to your vision
21:19 Quitting corporate, ending a relationship, and becoming a nomad
26:30 Argentina, grief, and finding clarity
29:17 COVID and recommitting to career breaks
33:24 The rollercoaster of entrepreneurship
34:55 Nearly closing the business before a book deal arrived
39:29 How collaboration changed everything
42:53 The best business year yet
46:08 What Katrina would tell herself nine years ago
47:57 The future of career breaks and sabbaticals
51:49 Final reflections and closing thoughtsReady to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?
📞Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🫶🏼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
53 min - The Hardest Parts of Taking a Career Break (And How to Get Through Them)
Episode 73 - The Hardest Parts of Taking a Career Break (And How to Get Through Them)
Taking a career break can be life-changing, but it's not always easy.
In this episode of Taking a Career Break, Katrina and James break down the hardest parts of stepping away from work and explain why so many people struggle at the same points during their break journey.
From making the decision to leave your job, navigating those final months before departure, dealing with burnout recovery, and figuring out what's next for your career, we explore the challenges that catch people by surprise.
Katrina shares insights from coaching more than 200 career break clients and explains why many of these struggles are completely normal. We also discuss how to navigate uncertainty, build confidence in your decision, and approach re-entry into the workforce with clarity and purpose.
If you're considering a career break, currently on one, or wondering what comes after burnout, this episode will help you understand what to expect and how to move through the difficult moments.
🎙️ 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
01:24 The hardest parts of a career break
02:26 Challenge #1: Making the decision and committing
05:22 Challenge #2: The final sprint before leaving work
10:04 Challenge #3: Why you still feel tired after 60 days
12:28 Challenge #4: Realizing your burnout runs deeper than expected
18:25 Challenge #5: Exploring new career possibilities
23:47 Bonus Challenge: Re-entry and returning to work
26:46 Final thoughts and resourcesReady to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?
📞Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🫶🏼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
28 min - Start Living Your Career Break EARLY
Episode 72 - How to Start Living Your Career Break Before You Quit Your Job
What if you didn’t have to wait until your career break or sabbatical officially started to begin changing your life?
In this episode of Taking a Career Break, Katrina and James explore the powerful idea of living your break life early. Through the story of one of Katrina’s coaching clients, they discuss how gaining clarity around your values, goals, and vision can create immediate momentum—even years before your planned break begins.
The client in this episode was nearly two years away from leaving work, yet within just four weeks of creating a clear break vision, he had started building community, improving his health, spending more meaningful time with family, and creating a life that already reflected many of his career break goals.
Whether you're actively planning a sabbatical, dreaming about taking time off work, or simply feeling stuck and burned out, this conversation shows why you don't need permission—or a future date on the calendar—to start designing a more fulfilling life today.
🎙️ 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 and today's topic: living your break life early
01:47 – Why some people start planning their career break years in advance
02:23 – Katrina's philosophy: don't wait for your break to start living differently
03:56 – The client story that inspired this episode
05:48 – Testing a version of FIRE and designing a future break
06:45 – Creating a clear break purpose and vision
07:30 – The four themes that shaped the client's break plan
08:23 – Why these themes resonate with so many career breakers
10:30 – What happened after just one coaching session
12:50 – Building community and meaningful connections
13:30 – Creating healthier habits before taking a break
14:13 – Prioritising family and showing up for what matters most
15:55 – How clarity influenced relationships and intentional living
16:28 – Why clarity creates momentum and action
17:41 – Why it's never too early to start planning your break
18:22 – The incredible progress made in just four weeks
18:58 – Imagine what could happen in six months
19:18 – Final thoughts and what's coming nextReady to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?
📞Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🫶🏼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
21 min - 7 Warning Signs You Need a Career Break (Before Burnout Takes Over)
Episode 71 - 7 Warning Signs You Need a Career Break (Before Burnout Takes Over)
Are you feeling burned out, emotionally drained, or questioning whether your career still fits the life you want? In this episode, James and Katrina unpack the seven warning signs that it may be time to step away from work and take a career break.
From burnout and chronic stress to losing your spark, feeling disconnected from your purpose, and struggling to find balance in life, Katrina shares the most common signs she sees in high achievers who desperately need a reset.
Together, James and Katrina discuss work-life balance, career misalignment, mental health, burnout recovery, rediscovering creativity, and why so many people ignore the warning signs for years before finally making a change.
This episode is packed with honest conversations, practical insights, and powerful reminders that taking a career break, sabbatical, or reset is not quitting — it’s reclaiming control of your life.
Whether you’re considering a sabbatical, feeling exhausted by corporate life, or simply wondering if there’s more to life than work, this episode will help you reflect on what you truly want and whether now is the time to make a change.
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Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to the episode
01:26 – The 7 warning signs you need a career break
02:57 – Sign #1: Burnout, exhaustion & being overworked
05:55 – Sign #2: Career misalignment & lack of fulfilment
09:44 – Sign #3: Taking back control of your life
11:28 – Sign #4: When work is impacting your mental & physical health
14:28 – Break Space: Support for planning your career break
15:18 – Sign #5: Feeling lost & needing clarity in life
18:44 – Sign #6: Losing your spark, creativity & excitement for life
22:14 – Sign #7: You simply want to take a break
23:43 – Bonus sign: “It could be worse” becomes your mindset
25:31 – Final thoughts & where to connect with KatrinaReady to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?
📞Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🫶🏼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
27 min
About Taking a Career Break: Sabbatical Planning and Career Break Strategy
From the publisher's feed
Taking a Career Break is the podcast for mid-career professionals seeking a strategic break. If you’re burned out, considering a career change, or need extended time off, Break Expert Katrina McGhee shares her Break Blueprint© + other proven tools to help you exit the corporate grind safely. Learn to take an intentional break, rediscover your spark, and return to a life that’s 100x better—without sacrificing success.
Join BreakSpace: www.gobreakspace.com
Book a call with Katrina: https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
Produced by Winging It Productions: https://www.wingingitproductions.com