The Reframing Room

Sarah's journey from a stable job in London to a life of global exploration and storytelling is nothing short of inspiring. In our latest conversation, she opens up about her bold decision to leap into the unknown, leaving behind the familiar to pursue her passion for writing.

Sarah started her career at a non-profit organization, working her way up from administrator to head of projects. Yet, after having her daughter, she and her husband found themselves yearning for a different life.

This pivotal moment led to a year of planning, culminating in the decision to cut the safety net and embark on a traveling adventure with their young daughter. The fears were palpable, but so was the wisdom in taking that leap.

Initially, Sarah felt overwhelmed by the prospect of writing. With no formal training and doubts about her abilities, she found inspiration in unexpected places.

This led Sarah to write her first novel, inspired by her desire to create something powerful and engaging. Her naivety became a strength, pushing her to pursue her dreams without being hindered by self-doubt.

The journey was not without challenges. Sarah faced numerous rejections and the harsh realities of the publishing world, yet she persevered. Her resilience became her greatest asset, helping her navigate the ups and downs of being a writer.

Despite the setbacks, Sarah found success in screenwriting and continued to write novels, cultivating a backlist of over twenty books.

Today, Sarah reflects on her unique path with gratitude. The leap into the unknown transformed her life in ways she could never have anticipated.

As Sarah continues to craft stories, she reminds us all of the importance of following our passions, no matter how daunting the journey may seem.

For a deeper dive into Sarah's story and insights on navigating life's uncertainties, listen to the full episode.

****Sarah's latest novel "The Edge of the Woods" is available now from major retailers****

Two years ago, Alexi Sfaltos was earning fifteen hundred pounds a month in a nine-to-five job. Today he's twenty-three years old, running a digital marketing business from Dubai with a team of four, generating seven figures in revenue for his clients — and sometimes making more in a week than he used to earn in a year. But behind those numbers is a story most people never hear. Alexi experienced self-doubt, anxiety and fear every day — before, during and after leaving his job. Moving to Dubai alone at twenty-two amplified everything but he's hit every single goal he set.

In this episode, Alexi shares what it really took to bet on himself, how he overcame the fear that nearly stopped him, and why understanding his purpose was the thing that changed everything. Whether you're twenty-three or sixty-three, if you've ever been paralysed by the gap between where you are and where you want to be — this one's for you.

Laurie Tallack spent fifteen years in the RAF as a gunner and pilot before walking away at thirty-four to start a completely different life. He went to university to study English Literature in his 30s, then trained as a teacher, then took a detour into acting — studying drama at East 15 and directing his own plays in London. He spent nearly two decades teaching in further education before resigning over a pay dispute and spending six months delivering for ASDA.

Now he's living in Buenos Aires, teaching English to Argentinians, and has three books to his name — including a thriller inspired by a Falklands raid and a collection of teaching stories coming out later this year. In this episode, Laurie shares what it takes to keep reinventing yourself, why he's never let a job title define him, and what happens when you follow your curiosity wherever it leads.

Laurie's books are available on Amazon:

Find out more here: https://laurietallack.wixsite.com/laurie-tallack

Glass artist Clare Hack shares her surprising path from a childhood dream of Egyptology and a cancer diagnosis at 20 to discovering lampworking as therapy and founding Blue Flame Glass Studio. A bucket-list attempt at glasswork grew into a career making museum-quality bead replicas, teaching workshops, and supporting communities like schools and veterans.

Clare reflects on resilience, the importance of practical learning and family support, and how creativity helped her reclaim purpose and build a business that invites everyone to experience the benefits of glassmaking.

For further information about Claire and her glass-working lessons find and follow her on Instagram: @bluflamer

Actress and filmmaker Alexandra Boyd walks through a life of bold pivots — from musical theatre and TV roles (including Coronation Street) to decades in the US, a part in Titanic, and a late-career shift into directing, producing and writing.

This episode covers her practical reinventions across countries and industries, the making of Widow’s Walk and The Ship of Dreams/Titanic Diaries, and the lesson she lives by: focus on the reward, ignore the risk, and keep re-creating.

Notes for listeners:

Alexandra's first feature film WIDOW’S WALK is on Amazon and elsewhere. www.widowswalkfilm.com 

Dr. Stephanie Hills tells the story of leaving a 25+ year Fortune 500 technology career after personal loss to launch an executive coaching and consulting business. At 61 she has coached over 100 tech leaders and now teaches professionals how to use AI as a career advantage.

The episode covers her leadership during a company acquisition, the loneliness and failures of entrepreneurship, practical steps for AI readiness, and her Career Freedom Accelerator focused on clarity, control, connections, personal brand and small daily improvements.

Key takeaways: reframe setbacks into opportunities, focus on what you can control, celebrate small wins, and use AI as an enabler to expand career possibilities.

Stephanie helps tech leaders navigate their next chapter. Pivot, promotion, your next career move with her Career Freedom Accelerator. Book a complimentary 1:1 advisory conversation here stephanieshills.com/conversation

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephaniehillsphd

Andy Lane, Professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology, shares his journey from boxer and lifeguard to academic leader and elite practitioner. He discusses working with athletes, navigating career transitions, and translating sport psychology tools into everyday resilience.

Practical takeaways include identifying and regulating emotions, focusing on the next actionable step, using imagery and pacing techniques for performance, and reframing skills for life after sport — including retirement or redundancy.

Dr Ricardo (or Herb as he prefers to be called), grew up in the UK but moved to America at just 16. What followed was a 30-year journey across some fascinatingly different worlds — from consulting at Disneyland to mental health services, from his MBA and Doctorate to becoming a university business professor in Florida.

In this episode, Herb shares the struggles of starting again in a new country as a teenager, the turning points that shaped his path, and what straddling two cultures has taught him about identity, resilience, community and purpose.

A powerful conversation for anyone wondering what their next chapter could look like.

Hello, everyone. Welcome to The Reframing Room, a podcast for people facing major career transitions — redundancy, retirement, burnout or sudden change. Each episode features honest conversations with people who share the fear, doubt and identity wobble, plus what surprised them and what helped as they found a new sense of purpose.

Hosted by leadership coach and former CEO Vicky Russ, episodes drop at least monthly and offer practical hope and real perspective for anyone standing at a crossroads and ready to discover what’s next.

Retired educator and coach Matt Haar, from Idaho, USA, reflects on 35 years in classrooms and locker rooms, sharing stories about culture, leadership, accountability, and the real work of shaping young people. He discusses choosing culture over talent, coaching parents as well as players, and why letting people fail is essential to learning.

The conversation offers practical takeaways for leaders, teachers, and managers: prioritize respect and consistency, create environments that encourage growth, and value relationships—summed up as growth, accountability, culture, and relationships.