Many high-performing types like to set intense physical goals for themselves, like running a marathon or participating in a bodybuilding competition. But what happens when something comes in the way of that goal...like the fact that the drive is no longer there?
This week's guest Elsye Walker (wanderingchardonnay.com) faced just such a challenge when hiking the Appalachian Trail...and her story is a must-hear for top physical performers facing challenges along their paths.
Audio by bensound.com
For much of modern history, marital vows have included the phrase "'Til death do us part." But as many who have left marriages know, it's often something other than death that leads to the difficult decision to quit a marriage.
This week's guest Alina Gordon (Founder and CEO of StanzaPet) was faced with a marriage quit when she realized the union was no longer in line with what she wanted for her life. She courageously shares her story of the grief and growth that accompanied the marital quit, and it's a must-listen for anyone going through a similar relationship transition.
Audio by Bensound.com
Who in the corporate world hasn't at least once dreamed of finding their creative passion, following it, then doing well enough at it to tell the corporate world goodbye?
Well this week's guest didn't just dream it, he made that dream a reality when he left his government job and became one of the premier fitness and yoga DJs.
Take a listen as DJ Justin Kanoya explains how he made the transition and how he's been able to sustain a successful DJ business so that he can continue to follow his calling.
Audio by Bensound.com
Often people feel called to quit something because they're struggling with it and it just doesn't feel right. But sometimes even things we're good at may not be the right fit.
Such was the case with Jordan Reich, who was a talented pitcher on track to play in the major leagues. There was just one problem: America's favorite pastime wasn't HIS favorite. Quite the opposite.
Take a listen to Jordan's journey from pitcher to business consultant to attorney as he strategically quit his way into a life that fits him perfectly.
Audio by Bensound.com
Some kids have no idea what they want to be when they grow up. Peter Bragino was NOT one of those kids. His intuition told him what his life's path would be at a young age, but figuring out how to follow it required more than one quit...and at least one not-so-strategic quit that ended up being the opportunity he needed to follow his passion.
Take a listen as the Marine turned salesman turned professional artist tells of his journey, guided by intuition at every turn.
Audio by bensound.com
Have you ever watched the news and thought the anchors had the greatest job? Now can you imagine walking away from it? Well this week's guest did just that.
Lindsay France, former anchor for the news networks RT and RT America, had always wanted to be a journalist, and had successfully built a career as a news anchor. But through covering the 2016 Presidential primaries she found a new and more intense passion that was better aligned with her values...which led to her walking away from the anchor's desk and taking her career in a new direction.
Take a listen as she provides some great advice on finding your passion, following your principles, and using side gigs to prevent the dreaded JOB LOCK!
Audio by Bensound.com
It's episode 13!
Many people fear the number 13, so I've dedicated the 13th episode to fear - more specifically, the fears associated with quitting.
This episode covers:
So take a listen as Lynn Marie addresses some of the most common fears that can keep people stuck in less-than-optimal situations...so that you can address any of those same fears you may have!
Audio: Bensound.com
Ever planned an event to celebrate a special occasion only to have the event threaten to eclipse the occasion you were trying to celebrate?
Sophia Da Silva Hopson, co-host of the OM My Goodness podcast, and her now husband had that same experience when they tried to plan their wedding. So what did they do?
(spoiler alert)
They QUIT their own wedding!
Take a listen to the touching journey as they navigated through family and societal expectations and finally found their way to a ceremony that celebrated their union exactly as they wanted it.
Audio by Bensound.com
Sometimes the most strategic quit is to have no strategy at all. And sometimes those same impulsive decisions lead to the formation of a solid quitting strategy for the future.
That's what happened when Chad Peace, attorney for the Independent Voter Project and founding board member of the National Association of Nonpartisan Reformers, left his job to join Ron Paul's Presidential campaign. Many of the lessons learned through that quit guided him both to his current work in the nonpartisan space and to be much more strategic in the quits he's made since.
Personal note: I was bound to sneak election reform into the podcast at some point. Promise it won't happen again...much!
Audio:Bensound.com
Ever faced a quit that had the potential to effect a global organization and wipe out your identity all in one fell swoop? Well this week's guest did, and her journey from isolation in Ghana to inspiring an entire community of yogis is truly incredible.
Amore St. Ives, manager of CorePower Yoga in North Park, San Diego courageously shares how difficult that quit was and how she made it through by listening to her what her gut was telling her - both metaphorically and physically!
Take a listen to her remarkable story and learn how to deal with some of the toughest quits imaginable.
Audio by Bensound.com
Some quits are huge: like leaving your job and the country all at once for a job opportunity halfway around the world. Other quits are small, like quitting a book you're not enjoying.
This episode's guest Lee Constantine, co-founder of the book crowdfunding platform Publishizer, has done all of the above.
From deciding the 9 to 5 life in Vegas wasn't working for him, to choosing to no longer finish books that aren't bringing him joy, Lee has made many a strategic quit, and he shares how being fearless in the face of major transitions has served him well.
Audio by bensound.com
The prospect of quitting something often leads to a lot of fears, many of which focus on what others will think. The key is realizing that those "others" don't have to live with your decisions, you do.
Today's guest Brittany van Schravendijk came to that realization at a young age, as she evaluated whether to leave the field of engineering to work as an athletic trainer. That decision led her to not only become a world champion in kettlebell sport, but also to a career she absolutely loves.
This episode is great for anyone who fears they're choosing a career that society may deem less-prestigious than their previous one, as Brittany tells the story of having that fear, and how society actually viewed her decision in a much more favorable light than her fears would let her believe.
Audio by bensound.com
This episode is for anyone who's ever lived somewhere that just didn't feel right. It's also for those who have pursued their dreams and wondered if realizing those dreams was worth the price of their health and sanity.
In this episode, we hear from Andrew Belinsky, creator of Namastage. He tells his journey of working in the music business in NYC until he realized that the musician lifestyle and the extreme city life were taking a toll on his mind and body that left him empty and exhausted.
Andrew takes us through the personal introspection and group work that helped find his way out of darkness and into a place where he's able to help others on their own personal journeys.
Audio by bensound.com
The most common job quitting stories usually involve someone realizing their chosen career is no longer right for them. But not this one.
Ruman Kazi is an actor and improv performer who chose to become an accountant as a means of making a living while perfecting his drumming skills, in order to one day quit the finance world and pursue a career in music. In fact, he had an EIGHT-year plan in place. However, a concussion derailed the original plan, at which point he found acting, and a different non-financial career was born.
So take a listen to Ruman's incredible story of planned quits, unplanned trauma, financial mindset altering, and un-quits that takes us from Southern Illinois to New York to Hollywood.
Audio by bensound.com
Have you spent years working toward goals that society put in place for you? Have you ever stopped and asked yourself WHY you want to achieve those goals?
In today's episode, Eugene Kim, co-leader of November Project San Diego, tells us how examining his goals led him from the life of an unhappy asshole (his words!) to being as his happiest point yet.
He takes us through his realization that his goals were no longer aligned with his passions, and the adjustments he made that have led to greater sense of purpose and fulfillment and wholeness.
For more on November Project, go to november-project.com.
Audio by bensound.com
Headshot by Hale Production Studios
Have you ever felt your worth was based on whether you were in a relationship? Have the men out there felt their worth was based on how adept they were at maintaining an active sex life? Then this episode is precisely for you.
Today's guest is Nathan Young, a storytelling consultant and creator of the New Narrative, a live, interactive storytelling event in San Diego, CA. In our chat, he addresses that voice in our head (which often echoes throughout society) that tells us we're nobody 'til somebody loves us.
He takes us through his self-development journey and speaks directly to the prevalent tendency for men to base their self-worth on external factors relating to women, and how he learned to tame that voice.
Audio by bensound.com
I asked Amy to be on the podcast because I knew she had successfully quit social work to become a real estate mogulette, but during this episode she shared so much more!
Between separating herself from her drug-addicted mom, ditching her identity as a caretaker, and quitting the Mormon church, Amy's story has it all, and we're so fortunate to get to hear her open, raw depiction of the struggles she went through as a lesbian in the Mormon faith.
If you've struggled with telling your friends and family about a quit, please take a listen. Also, if you've feared the unknown on the other side of a quit, she's got some great tips for that as well.
Audio by Bensound.com.
Jeremy Castellano was a successful accountant, but his he knew this wasn't his forever career...and when he developed a passion for brewing beer, this financial whiz but his monetary know-how to work planning and executing a successful transition from CPA to lead brewer at San Diego's Mission Brewery.
Jeremy's journey included financial strategies anyone wanting to leave a well-paying job for a less-lucrative field will want to hear!
Audio by Bensound.com.
On Quit Happens, I'll be interviewing people who have successfully used strategic quitting in their own lives. With this, I hope to help listeners both understand that the fears associated with quitting are totally normal, and to learn how others have overcome fear and set themselves up for successful transitions both professionally and personally.
I want this podcast to be THE destination for those who may be looking to make changes in their lives, or who know they should be living their best life but who aren't sure how to leave their less-than-optimal situations...and for those who may be doing just fine but who can still benefit from learning how to use strategic quitting techniques in their everyday life.
In this first episode, I'll be explaining why I'm a huge believer in quitting and I'll say just a bit about how quitting has influenced my life. I'll also cover the format of future episodes, which will feature those who have quit strategically and successfully. I'll ask them about their fears and the hurdles they had to overcome and how they dealt with each. Audio by Bensound.com.