On November 6, 2023, the unthinkable happened. No warning, no signs (at least not any I wanted to see at the time). I was called into the office, and with a line that now lives in my memory like a bad movie script, I was told:
“Thank you for your efforts. Effective immediately, your employment with us is terminated.”
I felt gutted. Humiliated. Disoriented. I had never failed at anything academic or professional in my entire life — ever. Whenever failure even threatened to show up, I worked harder, stayed later, pushed deeper. And yet, here I was: fired.
I cried. A lot. I gave myself two full weeks to sulk, sob, sleep in, and shut down. I told those around me to just leave me alone and let me sit in the suck. I needed to feel all the feels and give myself the space to look the discomfort in the face and just be whatever I needed to be in that mess.
Then, I gave that same group of support members permission to step in after those two weeks and help me pick the pieces and move forward out of the fog.
That was the deal. And honestly, it was the best thing I could’ve done.
Because here’s the truth I didn’t see right away:
I wasn’t being discarded.
I was being redirected.
The Life I Thought I Was Supposed to Have
Before the day I got fired, I was living what looked like a perfectly successful, stable life.
A husband. Two beautiful kids. A job. A house with a yard. A routine. A paycheck.
It was the “dream,” right? At least, it was the construct I was raised to believe in. The safe one.
And truthfully, I liked my job. I really thought I was being developed for something extraordinary. I felt valued and mentored. I never would have left. Not voluntarily. I thought maybe one day, I’d pursue the bigger things I dreamed about — being an actress, a speaker, or running a people development business — but those were just that: dreams.
Someday. Maybe.
But someday never comes unless something forces your hand.
Fired! The Wake-Up Call I Didn’t Know I Needed
Now, with the benefit of hindsight and a whole lot of healing, I can see the signs were there. Burnout, inner misalignment, and this nagging feeling that I was meant for more than the box I was working so hard to fit into.
The universe, God, life — whatever you want to call it — had to yank me out of that comfort zone. It had to do something dramatic, because I wasn’t going to jump on my own.
And as terrifying as it was in the moment, it turned out to be the greatest gift I never asked for.
What Life Looks Like Now
Today, I’m running The Company YOU, this people development practice focused on helping individuals, teams, and organizations discover the best version of themselves and/or their people. I speak. I work with clients. I run workshops. I help people reignite their confidence and rediscover who they are. Or bring teams to the table to help them understand how they can work better together.
Oh — and I also work part-time at a theatre as a Production Coordinator. So I found a way to blend all my passions, talents, and even my guilty pleasures into my day-to-day. I’m living my best life.
Is it still hard? Absolutely. But it’s mine. And most days, it doesn’t feel like work — it feels like purpose. And my motto now is “I do what I want“.
If You’re at a Crossroads
If you’re reading this and you feel that little tug in your gut… that whisper that you’re meant for something more… but you’re scared to let go of the stability and the routine — I see you.
Maybe you’re not ready to leap. That’s okay. But if life gives you a push, know this:
A setback is not a failure. It’s an opportunity to take a good look at the journey you’re on and decide what direction it’s going to take.
Getting fired broke me open. It made space for everything I truly wanted — and never had the courage to chase on my own.
I don’t just believe in reinvention. I live it. And so can you.
You’re not alone. And you don’t have to wait for a crisis to choose yourself.
Start today. One small decision. One brave move. One honest conversation.
I’d love to hear from you:
What dream have you put on the shelf? What part of you have you been quieting to keep others comfortable?
Book your Discovery Call. Let’s talk about how to make you your best investment yet.
You are The Company YOU.
And it’s time to build something extraordinary.
