One Pivot Away | Corporate to Creative

Chad Sterley
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Documenting the leap from the corporate grind to creative freedom. Hosted by Chad Sterley, One Pivot Away is for anyone seeking the inspiration to step off the traditional path and live their true values. This isn’t a “how-to” course; it’s a collection of stories from people who called “time” on a career that didn’t fit. Join us to see what’s possible, discover plausible new paths, and learn the honest lessons from the “messy middles” of career reinvention. You’re only One Pivot Away. 🔗 Instagram: @OnePivotAway

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    005: Julian Du Perron | Multi-Instrumentalist & Songwriter: Escaping Conformity and Following Joy

    What happens when the life you're living is just a polished performance to keep everyone else happy? In this special edition of One Pivot Away, host Chad Sterley drives from London to Utrecht in the Netherlands to sit down with multi-instrumentalist musician and singer-songwriter Julian Du Perron—the artist whose song "The Big Farewell" was Chad's personal soundtrack when he hit the "Send" button on his corporate resignation letter. Julian’s journey is a masterclass in breaking free from self-imposed boxes. After studying jazz drumming at the conservatory and feeling locked into a single identity, Julian made a brave pivot into becoming a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter. In this deeply reflective conversation, Chad and Julian unpack the hidden costs of societal conformity, the trap of trying to "think" your way out of a career crisis, and why following joy is the ultimate compass for a fulfilling life. In this episode, we unpack: The Conformity Trap: Why spending your life reading the room and ‘performing’ to keep everyone else happy leaves you feeling completely drained.The "Safe Path" Myth: How the mantra "do what you love and you'll find a way to make it work" challenges the traditional mandate to trade youth for financial safety.Breaking Out of Identity Boxes: Julian's journey from being "just a jazz drummer" to stepping up to the microphone, singing at open mics, and embracing vulnerability.Shifting from Competition to Collaboration: How moving away from technical comparison and toward authentic self-expression cures imposter syndrome.The Overthinking Trap: Why high-achievers get stuck trying to solve career pivots in their heads, and why taking small, unfamiliar actions is the only real way forward.Lyrics Deep Dive: Analyzing the stories behind Julian’s tracks "The Big Farewell," "At the Races," and "Superposition"—and what they teach us about the rat race, aging, and finding purpose. If you’re currently sitting in a cubicle, questioning the traditional path, or waiting for a 5-year plan before taking a leap of faith, Julian’s insights offer a powerful reminder: you cannot think your way into a new life—you have to act your way into it. TIMESTAMPS 01:27 - Introduction: Driving to Utrecht & The Power of Music03:34 - How Spotify Algorithms & Independent Playlisters Reach Global Audiences05:47 - Musical Beginnings: Growing Up in a Creative Home & The First Primary School Band09:39 - Choosing the Conservatory: The "Do What You Love" Philosophy14:00 - Breaking Out of the Identity Box: From Jazz Drummer to Singer-Songwriter15:39 - The "Bat Signal": How Being Authentic Attracts Unforeseen Opportunities21:20 - Generalist vs. Specialist: Balancing Multiple Instruments & Imposter Syndrome24:21 - Moving from Competition to Collaboration: Expression Over Technique29:30 - Cultivating the Inner Self: Meditation, Personal Growth & Silencing Inner Critics35:00 - Lyrics Deep Dive: "The Big Farewell" & The Soundtrack to Resigning37:50 - The Conformity Trap: Why You Feel Drained After "Performing" at Work41:37 - "At The Races": The Rat Race, Comparison & The Fear of Growing Old47:33 - "Superposition": The Tension Between Identity, Meaning & Others49:34 - Upcoming Music & The Creative Journey50:42 - Advice for the Cubicle Worker: Why You Can't Think Your Way Out53:19 - Outro & Final Words CONNECT WITH THE SHOW & GUEST 🎶 Julian Du Perron: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianduperron/- Spotify for his original music: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1drDjMtBaf1rUIbEUpImav?si=phE7UsRNTYOoZiUNQkdydQ 🎙️ One Pivot Away: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onepivotaway/- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67wPgsuRe0Cw8FS7kFgIep?si=993fa6ba1a4845fd- Email: onepivotaway@gmail.com(I'd love to hear from you!) 👤 Chad Sterley (Show Host): - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadsterley/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/chadsterley

  2. Aug 30

    004: Sheldon Valjalo | Corporate to Hybrid Athlete: Kona, Comrades and Choosing Memories Over Titles

    What happens when you realise you're succeeding at a corporate career you aren't actually passionate about? In this episode of One Pivot Away, host Chad Sterley sits down with Sheldon Valjalo—a former London commodities trader who transformed his life by taking on the relentless world of hybrid athletics.In just one year, Sheldon went from grinding through 11-hour desk shifts to finishing the Comrades Marathon in 6:56, completing a 24-hour treadmill run, placing 2nd at the London T100, and qualifying to represent South Africa at both the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, and the T100 Worlds in Qatar. But Sheldon's story isn't a simple tale of quitting your day job to run into the sunset. He is still balancing a corporate role while logging 20 to 25 hours of brutal training every week—often running for 3 hours before his workday even begins. In this episode, we unpack: - Breaking the Normal Path: The exact tipping point that made Sheldon walk away from an 11-hour office grind to reclaim his physical potential. - The 25-Hour Weekly Balance: How he manages 4:00 AM alarm clocks, strict discipline, and high-volume endurance training alongside a finance career. - Extreme Feats in Year One: The story behind his 24-hour treadmill project, his sub-7-hour Comrades debut, and standing on global triathlon podiums. - Surviving "Dark Places": How to push through extreme mental breakdown at the 9-hour mark of a race, and the raw mantra ("STWTFYA") written on his arm that keeps him moving forward. - Memories vs. Titles: Why peace of mind, time with family, and taking calculated risks will always beat chasing another corporate title. If you've ever felt trapped behind a laptop, wondered how far you can push your physical limits, or hesitated to take a leap of faith, Sheldon’s journey offers a powerful reminder: you are only One Pivot Away. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction & The Dual Life 05:13 Sports Upbringing & Family DNA 06:58 The London Corporate Shift & Identity Crisis 08:36 One Year of Insane Achievements (Ironman, Comrades, Kona) 13:20 The Logistics: 4:00 AM Alarms & 25-Hour Training Weeks 15:57 Building a Personal Brand & Ignoring the Trolls 27:48 The Mental Strain: "Dark Places" & Race Mantras 35:52 The Cubicle Advice: Choosing Memories Over Titles 38:10 Outro & Final Words CONNECT WITH THE SHOW & GUEST 🏃‍♂️ Sheldon Valjalo: @trainwithshelds 🎙️ One Pivot Away: @onepivotaway 👤 Chad Sterley: @chadsterley #OnePivotAway #SheldonValjalo #HybridAthlete #IronmanKona #ComradesMarathon #CorporateToAthlete #EnduranceMindset #CareerPivot

  3. Jul 29

    003: Matt D'Avella | From Netflix Documentary to YouTube Success: Ethics, Burnout, and Creative Joy

    In this episode of One Pivot Away, Chad Sterley sits down with Matt D’Avella—filmmaker, YouTuber, and undisputed godfather of the platform with over 4 million subscribers. From directing the hit Netflix documentary Minimalism to building a massive creative business, Matt’s journey is a masterclass in navigating the reality of living life as a creative.Matt’s story isn't just about massive subscriber counts and viral success—it’s about the messy middles. From graduating with $100,000 in student debt to scaling his business too fast, facing team burnout, and spiraling in self-doubt, Matt opens up about what happens behind the camera when the pressure of being a creator takes over.We dive into:- Escaping $100k Debt: How Matt paid off massive student loan debt using video skills, corporate clients, and relentless hustle outside of university syllabi.- The Reality of Netflix Success: The 3-year journey behind making Minimalism, getting picked up by Netflix, and having over 100 million people view his work.- The Trap of Scaling Too Fast: Why hiring an 8-person team and becoming a manager made Matt hate his job—and how downsizing brought back his creative freedom.- Calling Out Self-Help Gurus: The ethics of online content, avoiding sensationalism, and why staying honest matters more than algorithm growth-hacking.- Make More Than You Consume: Matt’s golden advice for anyone trapped in a cubicle scrolling for "research" instead of building their own path.Whether you're currently sitting in a corporate cubicle, struggling with creator burnout, or trying to find the courage to lean into your own pivot, Matt’s honesty is a powerful reminder that you are only One Pivot Away.Connect with Matt:🌐 Website: https://mattdavella.com🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattdavella🎓 Master YouTube Course: https://bit.ly/MasterYouTube2024🎓Chad's honest review of Master YouTube: https://youtu.be/oePYWQxGYWE?si=3tgCoGWUNYujsKFp🎬 Watch Minimalism on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80114460Join the Journey:📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onepivotaway🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@onepivotawayConnect with Chad:📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadsterley🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chadsterleyTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction: The Godfather of YouTube02:11 - The Whistle-Stop Tour: $100k Student Debt & Early Filming04:25 - The Netflix Breakthrough: Making Minimalism07:03 - Was the University Degree Actually Worth It?10:15 - The Trap of Scaling Too Fast & Creator Burnout14:34 - Returning to Solo Creating & Rebuilding Intentionally20:59 - What Parts of the YouTube Process are a "Hell Yes"?23:19 - Escaping the Studio to Capture Real-World Stories26:08 - Balancing Fatherhood with Being an Ambitious Creator28:10 - Normalizing the Camera: Why Hiring a Crew Changes the Vibe32:35 - "I'm Spiraling": Unpacking the Vulnerable Newsletter36:02 - "What's the Goal?": Reclaiming Freedom Over Vanity Metrics39:28 - Leaning Into Fear & Taking the Pivot Risk42:40 - Inside Master YouTube: Ethical Growth vs. Growth Hacking47:57 - Calling Out Self-Help Gurus & Maintaining Integrity54:16 - Final Advice for the Cubicle: Make More Than You Consume#OnePivotAway #MattDAvella #CorporateToCreative #CareerPivot #CreatorBurnout #Minimalism #MasterYouTube #CreativeEntrepreneur

  4. Jul 11

    002: Micaela Jade Tucker | Escaping the Chorus for Creative Autonomy and a Quarter-Life Hit

    In this episode, Chad Sterley sits down with Michaela Jade Tucker—the powerhouse writer, actor, and creator behind the hit one-woman show A Doll’s Life, coming straight from sold-out runs in South Africa to London's Camden People's Theatre.Mic’s journey isn’t a traditional corporate-to-creative transition, but rather an ongoing battle for independence. From her early childhood days presenting on South Africa’s iconic YoTV to studying musical theatre, she reached a breaking point where she lacked agency over her own career—along with personal events, this sparked a quarter-life crisis that she ultimately transformed into a thriving creative business.We dive into: The Loss of Agency: Why Mics walked away from musical theatre intensive training after realising that being a chorus member left her at the mercy of factors completely out of her control.Art Imitating Life: How hitting a quarter-life crisis four years ago in London forced her to focus on the "s***" and turn her personal sticky moments into a 40-run, sold-out comedy show.Building the "Doll" Empire: The accidental origin of her signature endearment term, how she scaled it into merchandise and local brand collaborations, and her vision for the future of marketing.The 1-Hour Creative Rule: Mic’s raw, actionable advice for those sitting in a corporate cubicle on how to compound daily creative habits, escape perfectionism traps, and outsource the skills you don't have. Whether you are feeling stuck in line waiting for someone else to cast you in your own life, or you just need a refreshing reminder to reject perfectionism and start working the muscle, Micaela's story is proof that you are only One Pivot Away from autonomy.Connect with Mics:📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dollslife__show/ https://www.instagram.com/micaelajadetucker/🌐 Website: https://thedoll.co.zaJoin the Journey:📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onepivotaway/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnePivotAway Connect with Chad: 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadsterley/🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChadSterley Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & The Messy Middle01:52 - From South African Kid's TV to Soapies: Mix’s Early Career04:10 - The Pivot: Why I Walked Away From Musical Theater04:44 - Lacking Agency: Being at the Mercy of Auditions06:24 - Live TV Rush: Learning to Think on Your Feet on YO TV08:22 - Pocket Money & Earning as a Young Creative11:05 - The Reality of Casting in South Africa12:41 - Balances & Boundaries: Being a Fitness Instructor15:06 - Inside a Creative Routine: Why Routine Gives Me Writer's Block17:20 - A Doll’s Life: Turning a Quarter-Life Crisis Into Comedy22:22 - Disarming the Crowd: The Art of People Watching25:25 - Confronting the Truth on Stage26:58 - Unpacking the Brand: How "Doll" Took Over Cape Town31:09 - Merchandise, Collaborations, and Local Sourcing34:00 - Building the Systems: Designing a DIY Website35:44 - What’s Next: A Doll's Life & Future Series37:04 - Advice for the Cubicle: The 1-Hour Creative Rule38:45 - Dropping Perfectionism & Outsourcing Help41:35 - A Heartfelt Thank You & Looking Forward

  5. Apr 20

    001: Amber Denae Wright | From Accounting to Viral Comedy

    In this inaugural episode, Chad Sterley sits down with Amber Denae Wright—one half of the viral South African comedy duo @NickandAmber22. Amber’s journey isn’t just one pivot; it’s a series of courageous leaps from the "safe" path of a Bachelor of Accounting Science to the unpredictable world of full-time content creation. We dive into: The Breaking Point: Why Amber walked away from her CA articles after six years of feeling unfulfilled and "unhappy". The Reality of the Pivot: Moving from finance into interior design, and the major life disruptor—a breast cancer diagnosis—that forced her to rethink everything. Authenticity vs. The "Cringe": How Amber and her husband Nick navigated "exposure therapy" to film relatable comedy in public and build a community of 60,000+ followers using just an iPhone. Redefining Success: Why happiness and fulfillment are more important metrics than billable hours and traditional corporate ladders. Whether you are currently on the wrong path or just need a reminder that it's never too late to reinvent yourself, Amber’s story is proof that you are only One Pivot Away from fulfilment. Connect with Amber: 📷 Instagram: @NickandAmber22  Join the Journey: Instagram: @OnePivotAway YouTube: @OnePivotAway (00:00) Introduction (02:33) Main episode (52:07) Outro

  • 5 Episodes

About

Documenting the leap from the corporate grind to creative freedom. Hosted by Chad Sterley, One Pivot Away is for anyone seeking the inspiration to step off the traditional path and live their true values. This isn’t a “how-to” course; it’s a collection of stories from people who called “time” on a career that didn’t fit. Join us to see what’s possible, discover plausible new paths, and learn the honest lessons from the “messy middles” of career reinvention. You’re only One Pivot Away. 🔗 Instagram: @OnePivotAway

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