Taking a Career Break: Sabbatical Planning and Career Break Strategy

Episode 60 - The Hardest Step of a Career Break: How to Finally Decide to Take One

Deciding to take a career break might be the hardest step of the entire journey.

In this episode of Taking a Career Break, career break coach Katrina McGhee and co-host James Hammond dive into the moment that stops so many professionals in their tracks: how to actually decide whether to take a career break or sabbatical.

For ambitious professionals and high achievers, stepping away from a career can feel risky. You may be dealing with burnout, questioning your purpose, or wondering if there’s more to life than the constant pressure of work — but the fear of losing momentum, income, or identity can keep you stuck in the same routine.

So how do you know if it’s truly time to pause?

Katrina shares the decision-making framework she has used with more than 200 coaching clients around the worldto help professionals evaluate whether a career break is right for them. This practical approach helps people move from uncertainty and overthinking to clarity and confidence about their next chapter.

Together, Katrina and James unpack the mental barriers, fears, and expectations that often stop people from taking a break — from financial worries and career anxiety to the pressure of what others might think.

If you've ever asked yourself:

• Should I take a career break?

• How do I know when burnout means it's time for a sabbatical?

• What is the best way to decide if stepping away from work is the right move?

This episode will help you explore those questions and start thinking differently about your career, your wellbeing, and your future.

You’ll also hear how taking a career break can become an opportunity to reset your priorities, rediscover your purpose, travel, rest, learn new skills, or redesign the life you truly want.

Whether you're dreaming about a sabbatical, career pause, life reset, or extended travel break, this episode will give you the tools and mindset shifts needed to start making one of the most important decisions of your life.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Taking a Career Break
00:52 – Introducing the big question: should you take a career break?
01:18 – Why making the decision is the most pivotal milestone
02:03 – The emotional weight behind stepping away from work
03:20 – Why high achievers struggle with this decision
04:38 – Recognizing burnout and dissatisfaction signals
05:16 – The fears that keep people stuck in their careers
08:30 – Katrina’s decision-making framework explained
14:10 – How identifying your purpose can clarify your break
20:45 – What changes when you finally commit to the decision
27:30 – Final reflections on choosing a life-changing break

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 59 - Having The Audacity to Take a Career Break: Why High Achievers Feel Guilty Resting (And Why You Shouldn’t)

Why does taking a career break feel so… audacious?

In this powerful (and fiery) episode, Katrina and James unpack the hidden guilt high achievers feel when they consider stepping away from work — even temporarily.

From societal pressure to “earn” rest… to the subtle shame around quitting a “good” job… to the fear that a sabbatical will ruin your career — this episode tackles the emotional resistance behind taking time off work.

If you’ve ever thought:

• “It must be nice to quit your job.”

• “I should just be grateful.”

• “What if people think I’m lazy?”

• “Will a career break destroy my professional reputation?”

This one’s for you.

Katrina shares a personal story that sparked this conversation — and how it mirrors what so many professionals experience when they dare to prioritize their mental health, wellbeing, and long-term fulfillment.

You’ll also hear the powerful concept of an “Audacity Audit” — a practical exercise to help you reframe guilt and reclaim your right to rest.

Because here’s the truth:

You don’t need burnout, a layoff, or a crisis to justify taking a break.
You don’t need permission to want more.
And one year out of a 40-year career will not ruin your life.

But not listening to yourself just might.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why high performers feel guilty taking a career break

• The societal conditioning that makes rest feel “lazy”

• How burnout recovery requires courage — not permission

• Why wanting more from your career isn’t greedy

• The math behind taking a sabbatical (and why it’s smaller than you think)

• How to conduct your own Audacity Audit before making a big decision

• Why most people move on faster than you think when you quit

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the show + why this is a “rant” episode
01:00 – What does “the audacity” really mean when it comes to taking a career break?
02:00 – The triggering moment that sparked this conversation
04:30 – Why being labeled “pay to play” hit so hard
06:30 – The hidden belief: “How dare you charge for helping people?”
08:45 – The parallel: Why high achievers feel guilty taking a sabbatical
10:30 – Society’s message: Rest is lazy, work is noble
12:00 – The truth about value, sacrifice, and worth
14:00 – Why you don’t need suffering to justify time off
15:30 – Introducing the “Audacity Audit” exercise
16:00 – What you’ve invested in your career (time, money, energy)
17:00 – The math: One year out of a 40-year career
18:40 – 90,000 working hours vs. a 6-month break
19:15 – Why people’s opinions fade faster than you think
20:00 – Final message: Have the audacity to claim what you want

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 58 - How to Start Your Career Break the Right Way (What to Do in Your First Week)

What should you actually do in the first week of a career break?

In this episode, career break and sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee and co-host James Hammond break down how to start your break the right way — without pressure, guilt, or rushing into the next thing.

Drawing on real examples from the BreakSpace community and Katrina’s own deeply personal experience, this conversation explores why the first week of a career break is about decompression, permission, and reclaiming your time — not productivity.

You’ll hear practical, realistic ideas for how to celebrate the start of your break (from naps and puzzles to solo road trips and freedom days), along with five powerful guidelines to help you decide what your first week should look like.

Furthermore, this doesn't have to be limited to the first week; this could be the first two weeks, three weeks or even a month into your career break. This all depends on yourself and what you feel comfortable with, and this episode is there to get you started!

This episode is especially for you if:

• You’re burned out and about to start a career break or sabbatical

• You’ve just quit your job and feel unsure how to slow down

• Your break didn’t start in “perfect” circumstances

• You want permission to rest without feeling lazy or behind

Whether your break begins with excitement, grief, relief, or all three — this episode reminds you that there is no wrong way to begin.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Taking a Career Break
00:51 – Why the first week of a break really matters
02:20 – The physical and emotional adjustment after quitting work
03:39 – Why you need a buffer before travel or big changes
05:28 – Real examples of how people celebrate starting a break
06:00 – Puzzles, cake, and permission to be “silly”
06:47 – Naps: how much rest is normal (and why guilt is unnecessary)
09:26 – Doing absolutely nothing (and why that’s okay)
10:36 – Reclaiming your space after leaving work
11:25 – Celebrating with friends, drinks, and meaningful rituals
12:17 – Solo trips and the power of being alone
14:08 – What BreakSpace is and how it supports career breaks
15:12 – Laughter, creativity, and live experiences
16:23 – When your break starts with grief or mixed emotions
18:22 – Katrina’s “freedom day” and reclaiming autonomy
20:31 – Why the first two weeks of a break are pure magic
22:44 – What not to do: scrolling and energy leaks
23:54 – The 5 guidelines for starting your break well
25:32 – How to know if something is truly heart-expanding
27:05 – Doing things with intention (even naps)
28:51 – Final reflections on slowing down and setting the tone

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 57 - How To Overcome The Uncertainty Of Taking A Career Break

Uncertainty is one of the biggest barriers stopping people from taking a career break—and it doesn’t just show up before you leave.

In this episode, James and Katrina unpack why uncertainty feels so uncomfortable, why trying to eliminate it never works, and how learning to sit with the unknown can actually transform your life.

Katrina shares four powerful mindset shifts that help high achievers stop overthinking their career break and start trusting themselves. From understanding how instant information has weakened our tolerance for uncertainty, to reframing worry as unproductive imagination, this conversation challenges the way we’ve been taught to make decisions about work and life.

You’ll also hear why a career break isn’t about finding the “right” answer—but about committing to a decision and making it right through adaptability, self-trust, and discovery. If you’re stuck in analysis paralysis, worried about what comes next, or trying to predict every possible outcome before stepping away from work, this episode will help you let go of certainty and move forward with confidence.

This episode also explores how building tolerance for uncertainty can improve your mental health, confidence, and long-term career satisfaction. Katrina shares practical ways to strengthen this skill—both in everyday life and during a career break—so you’re not constantly chasing reassurance, control, or perfect timing.

Whether you’re contemplating a break, already on one, or preparing for re-entry, this conversation will help you feel more grounded, capable, and confident navigating whatever comes next.

Timestamps

00:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Career Breaks

03:13 The Impact of Instant Information on Uncertainty

06:26 Worry vs. Planning: Understanding the Difference

09:08 The Power of Language: Searching vs. Discovery

21:36 The Journey of Discovery

24:56 Embracing Uncertainty in Career Breaks

27:03 Making Decisions: Right vs. Making It Right

33:36 Building Tolerance for Uncertainty

42:06 Join BreakSpace

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 56 - Why Job Searching Too Early Can Ruin Your Career Break

Taking a career break or sabbatical is meant to restore your energy, clarity, and sense of purpose — but what happens when job searching sneaks in too early?

In this episode, James and career break coach Katrina McGhee unpack one of the most common (and sneakiest) mistakes people make during a break: starting the job search before they’re truly ready. What feels like being “responsible” or “playing it safe” can actually sabotage the entire purpose of taking time off.

Through real client stories from BreakSpace, Katrina explains why straddling two worlds — being half on a break and half in job-search mode — drains your energy, reinforces burnout, and creates unnecessary pressure and self-doubt. You’ll learn why fully disconnecting from work is essential, how to recognize resistance as valuable data, and when it might actually be time to extend your break rather than push through.

If you’re currently on a career break, planning one, or feeling tempted to “just browse jobs,” this episode will help you rethink reentry, protect your time off, and come back to work restored, confident, and aligned — instead of rushed and resentful.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why early job searching feels safe but often backfires

• The hidden cost of straddling a break and a job search

• How resistance and resentment are signals — not failures

• When extending your break might be the smarter move

• Why fully unplugging from work leads to better reentry outcomes

If you’re dreaming of a career break or navigating one right now, you don’t have to do it alone. Resources for Katrina’s coaching, book, and BreakSpace community are linked in the show notes.

Timestamps

00:00 The Temptation of Early Job Searching

03:56 Understanding Breaks and Job Search Energy

06:40 The Mixed Emotions of Reentering the Workforce

09:50 Straddling Two Worlds: The Dangers of Half-Commitment

13:28 The Importance of Fully Embracing Breaks

16:18 Mindset Shifts: From Scarcity to Abundance in Job Searching

22:22 Join BreakSpace

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 55 - Why Celebrating Your Wins Matters More Than You Think

In this episode, James Hammond is joined by career break and sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee to unpack one of the most overlooked tools for sustainable success: celebration.

High achievers are often wired to move the goalposts, downplay progress, and focus on what’s missing rather than what’s working. Katrina explains why this mindset fuels burnout, dissatisfaction, and self-sabotage — and how learning to consistently celebrate wins can completely change the way you experience work, career breaks, and life transitions.

Drawing from her coaching practice and personal experience, Katrina shares how celebrating progress (not perfection) builds momentum, confidence, and self-belief — especially during career breaks, periods of uncertainty, or major life change. This conversation is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about pushing harder, but about noticing how far you’ve already come.

If you’re feeling burned out, stuck in a cycle of never-enough, or struggling to enjoy your achievements, this episode offers a simple but transformative shift you can start using immediately.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why high achievers struggle to celebrate their wins
• How focusing on what’s missing leads to burnout and self-doubt
• The difference between celebrating milestones vs. celebrating consistently
• How celebration builds momentum during career breaks and big life changes
• Why progress matters more than perfection
• A simple weekly practice to start celebrating your wins without guilt

Whether you’re planning a career break, already on one, or simply feeling stuck in hustle mode, this episode will help you reframe success and reconnect with a healthier, more sustainable way forward.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction & why celebration is often overlooked by high achievers 

04:30 – How focusing on what’s missing fuels burnout and self-sabotage 

09:45 – Why celebrating progress (not perfection) builds momentum and confidence

14:30 – A real coaching example: recognizing growth you can’t see yourself 

19:30 – How to build a simple, consistent celebration practice

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 54 - From 3am Work Calls to a Life Rebuilt: A Career Break Client Success Story

What does it really take to step away from a career when burnout feels overwhelming and stopping feels impossible?

In this powerful client story episode, career break and sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee is joined by James Hammond to unpack a real-life journey from chronic burnout to a completely reimagined life. The episode explores the experience of a mid-career professional who was trapped in constant responsibility, on-call work demands, and a deep fear that everything would fall apart if he stepped away.

Through this honest conversation, listeners hear how burnout can quietly escalate into a serious health and wellbeing crisis — and why taking a career break is often not a luxury, but a necessity.

Katrina walks through her coaching process, sharing how fear, financial anxiety, identity tied to work, and feelings of guilt can keep high achievers stuck. The episode also highlights the importance of building the right support system, reframing “selfishness,” and designing a break that leads to long-term life change — not just temporary relief.

This episode is especially relevant for professionals in their 40s and 50s who feel trapped by responsibility, leadership roles, or financial pressure, and who secretly wonder if life could look different on the other side of burnout.

In This Episode, Listeners Will Learn:

• What real burnout looks like beyond “just being tired”

• Why many high achievers feel unable to stop working — even when their health is suffering

• How fear and identity keep people stuck in careers they’ve outgrown

• What a supported career break can look like in practice

• How reframing guilt and “selfishness” can unlock real change

• Why taking a break can lead to a more sustainable and fulfilling life — not career failure

Who This Episode Is For:

• Burned-out professionals and high achievers

• Anyone considering a career break, sabbatical, or extended time off

• Listeners feeling trapped by responsibility, finances, or fear of letting others down

• Those seeking real, human stories — not just productivity advice

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Client Story

01:44 Understanding Burnout and Fear of Taking a Break

03:32 The Role of Support in Overcoming Challenges

07:16 The Journey Begins: Coaching and Transformation

14:00 Addressing Fears and Reframing Self-Care

16:24 The Client's Break and Reclaiming Life

18:40 The Positive Outcomes of Taking a Break

22:38 Join BreakSpace

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 53 - What happens when your career break is coming to an end… and instead of feeling refreshed or excited, you feel dread?

In this episode, James Hammond and career break & sabbatical coach Katrina McGhee respond to a powerful listener question:

What if you’re dreading going back to work at the end of your career break — and don’t know why?

Together, they unpack the emotional crash many people experience after time away from work, especially after a long career break or sabbatical. Whether you’re facing the return to the same job, starting a job search, or questioning everything you thought you wanted, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and practical guidance.

Katrina shares her 3-step framework for navigating the fear, frustration, and uncertainty of returning to work — and explains why these feelings are not a failure, but valuable information. You’ll learn how to process the emotions you’re experiencing, reconnect with a motivating “why,” and reframe what work can look like after a break.

This conversation is especially relevant if:

• You feel anxious or resistant about going back to work after time off

• You’re returning from a career break or sabbatical and feel stuck

• You don’t want to fall back into the same grind you left

• You’re unsure whether to return to work, change careers, or redesign your life

If you’ve ever wondered “Why do I feel like this?” or “Is it normal to dread going back to work after a career break?” — this episode is for you.

• Why dreading the end of a career break is more common than you think

• The emotional impact of returning to work after travel or time off

• How to process fear, burnout, frustration, and uncertainty without judgment

• The importance of finding a new motivating goal after your break

• How to return to work with more purpose, clarity, and intention

• Why work after a career break doesn’t have to look like work before it

If you’re navigating life after a career break and wondering what comes next, this episode will help you move forward with more confidence — even if you don’t have all the answers yet.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome + today’s listener question
01:20 – Why dreading the end of a career break is so common
03:10 – Career break vs sabbatical: why returning feels different

05:00 – Step 1: Feeling the emotions instead of fighting them
07:40 – Why fear, frustration & dread are useful signals
09:50 – Katrina’s experience returning from her own career break

12:00 – Step 2: Finding a new motivating “why” after your break
14:40 – Reframing money, security & healthcare as intentional choices
17:00 – When “shoulds” push you back to work too soon

18:50 – Step 3: Reimagining work after a career break
21:00 – How returning to work doesn’t have to mean returning to burnout
22:30 – Final reflections + what to do if you’re still unsure

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 52 - Revisiting Episode 21 - What Most Career Coaches Get WRONG About Career Breaks

This week, in the final episode of our revisited series, we look back at Katrina’s second appearance on the podcast—Episode 21—and a conversation that’s more relevant than ever.

At the time, Katrina noticed a surge of career break advice coming from media-facing career coaches, much of it well-intentioned but not always trustworthy. While many career coaches excel at helping people re-enter the workforce, change careers, or polish a résumé, that doesn’t automatically make them experts in taking a career break.

In this episode, Katrina explains why working with a dedicated career break coach—someone who understands the realities, risks, and opportunities of stepping away—can make all the difference when planning time off work and setting yourself up for what comes next.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• You’re not taking a break to become a better cog in the machine — you’re taking it to live a better life.

• Let go of productivity guilt and give yourself permission to truly disconnect.

• Reframing your career break as a life investment shifts the whole narrative.

• Not every moment of your break needs to serve your next job — it should serve you.

Timestamps

00:00 The Importance of Taking Breaks

03:46 The Importance of Taking a Career Break

06:34 Staying Connected vs. Disconnecting

09:46 The Myth of Staying Updated in Your Industry

13:14 The Pressure to Upskill During a Break

16:16 Justifying Your Career Break

19:00 Centering Yourself on Your Break

23:37 Join BreakSpace

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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

Episode 51 - Revisiting Episode 12 - Are You On A Career Break Or A Fake Break

In this week's episode we are revisiting James' second episode choice and it is Episode 12.

Are you really on a career break or are you faking it?

This is one of the most hard-hitting episodes as it brings home the reality to people when they assess their own career break. Katrina gets a lot of messages from people about this episode which triggers something in them to re-evaluate.

It is always great to dive into the early episodes and for the first time you get to watch this one too.

Enjoy!

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Fake Breaks

02:54 Understanding the Concept of a Fake Break

04:58 Signs of a Fake Break: Job Searching

06:55 Signs of a Fake Break: Networking

08:48 Signs of a Fake Break: Overscheduling

11:46 Signs of a Fake Break: Chores and Errands

16:09 Signs of a Fake Break: External Validation

23:15 Consequences of a Fake Break

24:13 How to Resolve Fake Break Signs

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us today to begin your journey.

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - [email protected]

Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/takingacareerbreak/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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