The Gen X Shift

This week Michele sits down with friend and fellow coach, Jen Porter. Jen is a leadership coach who specializes in helping ambitious women connect their purpose with their work and carve their own path for the second half of life. She spent the first half of her career helping Fortune 500 companies, as well as global non-profits and ministries build strong, effective teams through recruiting talent. She transitioned into her second career after experiencing the transformative power of coaching. Since starting her coaching practice (Transformative Coaching, LLC) in 2017, she has helped over 300 leaders deepen their impact, find greater satisfaction and be empowered in their leadership. Today she focuses on helping women reconnect through community and faith in her new offering The Radiant Leader.  

With one critical question, Jen helped Michele shift from being a lawyer to starting her own business. This question, along with Jen's personal story and her coaching insights, will leave you inspired to make a career shift!  

Don’t forget to download Jen’s free gift - the Dream Your Year guide below.  

Read the full show notes: Episode website

Watch on YouTube

Join the Life From The Summit weekly emails to support your Gen X Shift! 

Transcript

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Email: [email protected] 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenportercoach 

Website: https://www.discovertrueself.com 

Free download - Dream Your Year: https://discovertrueself.com/dream-your-year 

PODCAST LISTENER DISCOUNTS

⭐️ Kickstart Your Mindfulness Meditation Practice online course (podcast listeners save 20% with this link): https://bit.ly/MindfulnessKickstarterPodcastDiscount 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

The Gen X Shift is a one-woman show right now! So, your support goes a long way to helping Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. Please consider donating at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifefromthesummit

#thegenxshiftpodcast #thegenxshift #lifefromthesummit

TIMESTAMPS

(00:01) Welcome

(02:43) Introducing guest

(07:30) Prioritize why, what, values, and identity over how.

(13:35) Women face barriers and limited opportunities growing up.

(17:38) Embracing difference and curiosity shaped personal growth.

(24:56) Discovering autonomy and self-expression in thirties.

(28:14) Loss led to finding the value of existence.

(33:59) Find support, start small, embrace worthiness.

(41:03) Big decision to move, pursue deep dreams.

(48:32) Everyone can be a leader with impact.

(54:54) Coaching is about drawing out inner potential.

(01:00:28) Teaching inner strength and strategies for growth.

(01:05:54) Challenges with affording coaching and self-investment.

(01:08:08) Coaching successful women to find clarity, fulfillment.

(01:14:23) Focused coaching helps clients reach their goals.

(01:19:31) Female lawyer reflects on challenges in profession.

(01:23:44) Finding personal style, overcoming self-doubt, and confidence.

(01:32:56) Reflecting, dreaming, and planning for a fulfilling year.

(01:36:48) Transitions shape life, seek guidance and wisdom.

(01:41:56) Reflect on conversation, subscribe, rate, and review.

💙 SUPPORT THE PODCAST

The Gen X Shift is a Life From The Summit podcast. Join the Life From The Summit weekly emails to support your Gen X Shift! If you resonate with this episode, please remember to take a few seconds to leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with other Gen X’ers.   

Also, the Gen X Shift is a one-woman show right now! So, your support goes a long way to helping Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. Please consider donating.

This episode is comin’ in hot with a conversation with Josh Thurmond, who is the owner and creator of Lava Box Portable Campfire, Shark Tank winner, adventurer, and designer. This episode is for anyone who would like to start a side hustle, your own business, or be inspired about how to keep reinventing yourself in your 40s and beyond. Josh bestows us with some powerful words of wisdom at the end, including his 3 mantras as a business owner and the biggest piece of advice he has for anyone who’s ever had an idea! 

Also, don’t forget your special podcast listener discount on snagging a Lava Box Portable Campfire! 

Episode website

Watch on YouTube

Join the Life From The Summit weekly emails to support your Gen X Shift! 

Transcript

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Instagram: @fireanytime

Facebook: @lavaboxcampfire

Tiktok: @fireanytime

Website: https://www.fireanytime.com

PODCAST LISTENER DISCOUNTS

⭐️ Lava Box Portable Campfire 15% discount: genx15 at https://fireanytime.com/ 

⭐️ Kickstart Your Mindfulness Meditation Practice online course (podcast listeners save 20% with this link): https://bit.ly/MindfulnessKickstarterPodcastDiscount 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

The Gen X Shift is a one-woman show right now! So, your support goes a long way to helping Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. Please consider donating at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifefromthesummit

#thegenxshiftpodcast #thegenxshift #lifefromthesummit

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Episode featuring Josh, inspiring entrepreneur with diverse experiences.

(07:24) Meeting in van, asking stranger's age. Founder of Lava Box.

(12:08) Entrepreneurship is inspiring and encourages others.

(16:38) Healthy competition over comparison, focusing on authenticity.

(24:02) Struggling with budget, enjoys creating, spouse is forensic scientist.

(30:17) Switched from helping people on worst days to creating peak experiences at National Sports Center for the Disabled.

(35:38) Left-handedness linked to creativity, faced cultural challenges.

(40:50) Resilience against failure and academic success upbringing.

(44:36) Leaning into discomfort and failure for growth.

(48:23) Innovative campfire idea leads to successful prototype.

(57:20) Joy in mission-oriented company supporting disabled individuals.

(01:01:33) Gen X values intentional, rebellious, mission-oriented work.

(01:06:46) Corporate involvement in river cleanup is wrong.

(01:09:37) Partner values philanthropy, but struggles with donations.

(01:15:53) Key lesson for entrepreneurs: can't serve everyone.

(01:19:32) Overcome imposter syndrome and fear of failure.

(01:27:42) Proud of kids, hopeful for future correction.

(01:30:27) Gen Xers embracing creativity and finding solutions.

(01:37:14) Entrepreneurial inspiration, freedom, and making a difference.

💙 SUPPORT THE PODCAST

The Gen X Shift is a Life From The Summit podcast. Join the Life From The Summit weekly emails to support your Gen X Shift! If you resonate with this episode, please remember to take a few seconds to leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with other Gen X’ers.   

Also, the Gen X Shift is a one-woman show right now! So, your support goes a long way to helping Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. Please consider donating.

Michele welcomes her first guest, dear friend, and badass Gen X’er, Monique Jones. Monique is a 2-time Ironman, fitness instruction, and plant-based athlete who shares her fitness journey in the hope of inspiring other women, and particular communities of color, to find a healthier lifestyle.  

Monique is an attorney by day and a health and wellness coach by night. She hails from Detroit, Michigan. And after living in the DC/Maryland/Virginia (DMV) area, Chicago, and the Denver area, she now lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her two fur babies, Lola and Onyx. Monique is also a two-time Ironman, a fitness instructor, jet setter, avid gardener, and self-professed foodie.

Last year, she started her own plant-based health and wellness coaching business called Plant Power Peoples. She uses this business to spread the good news about fitness and a plant-based lifestyle to women and communities of color. Her mantra is to live your best life outside the box with grace and laughter and plenty of wine.

Episode website

Watch on YouTube

Join the Life From The Summit weekly emails to support your Gen X Shift! 

Transcript

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST

Instagram: @plantpower77 

Website (coming fall of 2024): https://plantpowerpeoples.com 

PODCAST LISTENER DISCOUNTS

⭐️ Kickstart Your Mindfulness Meditation Practice online course (podcast listeners save 20% with this link): https://bit.ly/MindfulnessKickstarterPodcastDiscount 

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

The Gen X Shift is a one-woman show right now! So, your support goes a long way to helping Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. Please consider donating at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifefromthesummit

#thegenxshiftpodcast #thegenxshift #lifefromthesummit

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Embracing self-acceptance, joy, and healthy habits.

(06:27) Curious about your background and our relationship.

(13:37) Supportive friendship during life transitions and fitness changes.

(19:25) Enjoy eating but feel ashamed in public.

(22:55) Questioning impact of toxic beauty standards in US.

(31:14) Reimagine fitness beyond traditional jock mentality.

(34:11) Chicago is great for triathlons and races.

(38:06) Choose activities you like so you can create healthy habits.

(45:24) Self-improvement leads to empowering others.

(51:07) Meal prep saves time for busy lifestyles.

(53:24) Share what works, without pressuring others.

(59:39) Family accommodating plant-based diet in gatherings.

(01:03:39) Start small, don't force major dietary changes.

(01:13:23) Feeling inspired to embrace plant-based wellness.

(01:15:47) Torre Washington, Badass Vegan bodybuilder and athlete.

(01:20:06) Soul food misconception and food during slavery.  

(01:29:43) Share your thoughts.

(01:30:30) Passionate plea to support Gen X podcast with rate, review, and share.

💙 SUPPORT THE PODCAST

The Gen X Shift is a Life From The Summit podcast. Join the Life From The Summit weekly emails to support your Gen X Shift! If you resonate with this episode, please remember to take a few seconds to leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with other Gen X’ers.   

Also, the Gen X Shift is a one-woman show right now! So, your support goes a long way to helping Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. Please consider donating.

Don’t take your dreams to the graveyard. Hosting a podcast has been a dream of mine for years. And I’ll be damned if I was gonna take this dream to the graveyard with me.  So, in keeping with the saying that “done is better than perfect,” I’m launching my dream into the world.  

Welcome to The Gen X Shift podcast! In this inaugural episode, I share a bit of my backstory, why I started this podcast, and what you can expect. Plus, stay tuned to the end for a special story that will make you wax a little nostalgic.

Episode website

Watch on YouTube

Join the Life From The Summit weekly emails to support your Gen X Shift! 

CONNECT WITH MICHELE 

💥Website: https://www.lifefromthesummit.com/  

💥Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/lifefromthesummit/

💥LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelewalter-lifefromthesummit

💥Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGenXShiftPodcast

💥YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lifefromthesummit

💥Medium:  https://medium.com/@lifefromthesummit

💥TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@life.from.summit

💥WellMeRight:  https://www.wellmeright.com/en/michelew

💥Insight Timer Guided Meditations: https://insighttimer.com/lfts 

💥Support the Podcast:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifefromthesummit

💥Email: [email protected] 

WANT MORE GEN X NOSTALGIA & COMMUNITY?

Join The Gen X Nation on the Mighty Networks Platform. Founded by Sarah Blankenship, this is where all the cool kids hang out for more than just nostalgia (although there’s lot of that too!). Get support around professional development, personal development, finances, health and wellness, military/veteran issues, and more. Sign up through this link: https://bit.ly/GenXNation 

PODCAST LISTENER DISCOUNTS

⭐️ Kickstart Your Mindfulness Meditation Practice online course (podcast listeners save 20% with this link): https://bit.ly/MindfulnessKickstarterPodcastDiscount 

NEW TO MICHELE AND LIFE FROM THE SUMMIT?

I was a GenX, latch-key, free-spirited kid of the 70’s and 80’s. From a modest trailer park in Nebraska to the esteemed corridors of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in Washington, D.C. and finally, to the path of entrepreneurship, my journey has been crooked, winding, and lonesome. Learn more here: https://www.lifefromthesummit.com/meet-michele 

REFERENCES FROM EPISODE

💗 myisha t. hill and the Co-Conspirators Lounge

💗 Dr. Adia Gooden

💗 Bridgette Simmonds

💗 Chris Cownden and his Podcast Launch Strategy

SUPPORT THE PODCAST

The Gen X Shift is a one-woman show right now! So, your support goes a long way to helping Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. Please consider donating at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/lifefromthesummit

#thegenxshiftpodcast #thegenxshift #lifefromthesummit

TIMESTAMPS

(00:00) Introduction and Background

(01:30) Growing Up Gen X in Rural Nebraska

(08:30) Career in Environmental Law

(10:06) Losing Mother, Questioning Life Path, Burnout, Anxiety, Depression

(13:32) Moving to Colorado and Starting Own Business

(19:09) Challenges and Shifts in Gen X Life

(20:09) Storytelling, Building Bridges, and Connecting the Gen X Community

(24:58) Podcast Schedule and Format

(29:14) Engaging with the Podcast and Support

(31:21) Acknowledgments and Gratitude

(37:26) The Outsiders movie and Nothing Gold Can Stay

💙 SUPPORT THE PODCAST

The Gen X Shift is a Life From The Summit podcast. Join the Life From The Summit weekly emails to support your Gen X Shift! If you resonate with this episode, please remember to take a few seconds to leave a rating and review, and share the podcast with other Gen X’ers.   

Also, the Gen X Shift is a one-woman show right now! So, your support goes a long way to helping Michele with the tech, equipment, and resources needed to produce this podcast. Please consider donating.