There’s a quiet kind of exhaustion that comes from succeeding while only showing up halfway. From doing excellent work that never quite feels like yours. From knowing you’re capable of more, but not knowing how to bring your whole self without blowing things up.

In this conversation, I’m joined by former client Deirdre McCarthy, who reflects on what changed when she stopped fragmenting herself to fit professional expectations—and started designing work that aligned with her values, her curiosity, and her humanity.

We talk about trusting your inner truth, leading with vulnerability instead of expertise-as-armor, and letting go of the belief that work is a zero-sum game.

This isn’t a story about quitting everything overnight. It’s about the quieter shifts that change how work feels from the inside out—and what becomes possible when you stop editing yourself.

1. What happens when you bring more than just your “competence” to work
2. Why vulnerability can create momentum instead of risk
3. How abundance thinking quietly dissolves comparison and competition
4. The difference between being successful and feeling congruent
5. What “joy at work” actually feels like when it’s real

If any part of this conversation stirred something for you, you’re not alone. Sometimes the most important work shift isn’t external at all—it’s the quiet decision to stop abandoning parts of yourself that matter.

Curious what joy at work could look like for you?

Explore all of my programs at 👉 https://www.midlifeunstuck.com/work-with-me

Catch Other Stories of Midlife Career Redesign:

1. From Stuck to Energised: Lara’s Story
2. Escaping Boredom and Finding Your Superpowers: Scott’s Story