From Stuck to Bravely Forward
What happens when our idea of success changes, or we want more for our lives? Build awareness, and gain insights on how to create a career and life rooted in your values
I am a certified Life and career mindset coach in Salt Lake City Utah and beyond.
About 6 years ago, I found myself at a career crossroads.
I had spent over two decades as a successful commercial photographer in Southern California. On the surface, I had it all—amazing clients, incredible assignments, and a thriving empowering female-owned business amidst a male-dominated industry.
But even then, in a seemingly great career, behind the scenes, I was over it. I was operating in survival mode, not fulfilled, and quite overwhelmed.
The constant hustle left me with a dysregulated nervous system (I didn’t know what that meant at the time), a pit in my stomach, and a growing sense that I wasn’t in a career that aligned with my core values and natural state of being. I was burnt out, stressed, and not stoked. I knew in my gut that something had to change.
But as I considered stepping into a new career, fear crept in—loud and persistent. I was haunted by the belief that starting over meant financial ruin. Not to mention, I didn’t know what I wanted to do next. Thoughts of a possible change kept me up at night...
What if I can’t make enough money? What if I fail and regret leaving everything I’ve built? But I have the cool job, I can’t possibly leave. You don’t even know what you want to do next…
I had spent years in a scarcity mindset, believing that money was hard to come by and that I needed to hold onto what I had, even if it was making me miserable.
And then there was fear itself—the constant companion whispering, I’m 38, that’s too old to change careers I’ve been doing this for 20 years—It's too late
It was around this point that I realized I needed help.
I had tried figuring this out alone, or by asking friends, but I was still stuck, so I started reaching out to coaches, sought out therapy, read all the books, and listened to all the podcasts. It was during this process that I started finding clarity, building confidence and a career finally rooted in more purpose, and aligned with my values.
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Here’s how I began to reframe my limiting mindset and embraced a new path—fear and all—and you can too.
1. Recognizing Scarcity Thinking
I started by identifying the specific beliefs holding me back. For me, it was the idea that money was finite and that starting over would mean losing everything I’d worked for. I wrote these beliefs down and asked myself, “Is this 100% true?” Spoiler: It wasn’t.
2. Reframing Money as a Tool
I began to see money not as something to hoard, but as a tool to create more value in the world. I reminded myself that I had built a successful business once before, and I could do it again—this time in a way that aligned with my values.
3. Letting Fear Ride Along
Instead of trying to eliminate fear, I invited it along for the ride. I’d literally say to myself, “Okay, fear, I see you. I feel you. You can come, but you’re not driving.” This mindset shift allowed me to take action even when I felt scared.
4. Taking Small, Scary Actions
I didn’t wait until I felt “ready” (because let’s be honest, that day never comes). Instead, I found a coach (actually several), I began working with a therapist and then focused on small, intentional steps—rooted in my values and strengths (and the dark side of those strengths for growth areas). Each step proved to me that I could do this work, that I could create value and work with clients that aligned with my path, and lastly make money even in a new field.
5. Redefining Success
I stopped measuring success solely by financial metrics and started focusing on alignment and impact. This shift made it easier to take risks because I wasn’t chasing perfection—I was chasing authenticity.
These steps hold power like you’ve never known. They exemplify one area of what it’s like to be coached by me. Taking these steps didn’t make the fear disappear, but they gave me the tools to move forward despite it. Every time we take a step, no matter how small, the belief loses a little bit of its power, and we gain confidence.
If we don’t let limiting beliefs hold us back, on the other side is a career—and a life—that feels deeply aligned with who we are.
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Ready for Real Change? Let’s Make It Happen—Together.
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