Summer Series Ep 2 - Summer Series #2 - Juliana Left a Six-Figure Job to Finally Live Her Dream Many of us dream about taking a career break—but fear, security and other people's opinions often stop us before we ever begin. In Episode 2 of our Summer Series, Katrina sits down with former coaching client Juliana Moreira, whose career break journey proves that the biggest transformation isn't always changing careers—it's changing yourself. After spending two decades climbing the corporate ladder, Juliana found herself questioning whether the life she'd built was really the one she wanted. Faced with a company restructure, a six-figure salary she was afraid to leave behind, uncertainty from her partner, major surgery, and even a European trip during the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, every sign seemed to say "stay safe." Instead, she chose to trust herself. During her 15-month career break, Juliana travelled across Europe, embraced solo travel, explored spirituality, launched a personal blog, learned to slow down, and discovered a version of herself she'd hidden away during years in corporate life. What's most surprising is what happened next. Rather than leaving corporate forever, Juliana returned with new confidence, healthier boundaries, greater self-expression and a completely different relationship with work. Her career break didn't just change what she did—it changed who she became. If you're wondering whether a career break is possible for you, or you're waiting for the "perfect time," this honest conversation may be exactly what you need to hear. Please follow Juliana's journey here: globaljuliana.com/careerbreak Want to start your journey? Book a free consult with Katrina here - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult 🎙️ Enjoying the podcast? ⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode! 💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick 5-star review genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast. 📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear. ❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change. ▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina Timestamps 00:00 Why Juliana walked away from a six-figure corporate career 02:00 Feeling burnt out after 20 years in corporate life 05:20 The fears that almost stopped her taking a career break 10:00 Finding confidence through coaching and community 13:20 Four months of solo travel across Europe 17:00 Learning the art of doing nothing 20:00 Surgery, uncertainty and choosing to travel anyway 23:30 The biggest highs and hardest moments of the break 29:00 Finding confidence through vulnerability and self-expression 33:00 Returning to work and redefining success 39:20 The challenges of re-entering the job market 44:00 Why she returned to corporate on her own terms 46:30 Leadership, confidence and life after the career break 51:00 How coaching changed everything 57:40 Why your dreams deserve to be honoured Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love? 🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - www.gobreakspace.com 🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book 🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience. 🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - https://www.wingingitproductions.com
