A Year On From Leaving My Corporate Role
One Year In… And Why I’d Do It Again in a Heartbeat
One year ago, I made the leap.
I stepped away from the security of a 20-year career, steady salary, defined structure, familiar faces and walked into the unknown to build something of my own. Not because I had everything figured out, but because I knew staying where I was no longer fit who I was becoming.
It was exciting. It was terrifying. And it was filled with promises:
“We’ll stay in touch.”
“You’ve got this!”
“I’ll support you.”
Some of those promises were kept. Some weren’t.
And you know what? That’s okay.
Because what this year has shown me very clearly is that support doesn’t always come from the places you expect. Sometimes it comes from new connections, unexpected allies, and the people who quietly show up without needing to be asked.
And for those people—the ones who checked in, shared my work, made referrals, sent a message, or simply believed in me—thank you. You made the hard days lighter, and the wins feel like real celebrations.
What the First Year Actually Looked Like
From the outside, it might look like a smooth transition into running The Complicated Coach.
It wasn’t.
The first few months were full of energy. Ideas flowed easily. I was building, creating, saying yes to opportunities, and figuring things out as I went. There’s a momentum that comes with starting—adrenaline carries you further than you expect.
But then reality settles in.
You realise that you are the structure. The strategy. The decision-maker. The one responsible for momentum on the days you don’t feel motivated.
What surprised me most was how much of the work wasn’t visible.
The thinking. The doubting. The refining. The constant recalibration of “Is this right?” and “Is this working?”
What was harder than I expected?
Consistency.
Not just showing up online, but showing up with clarity. Making decisions without overthinking. Backing myself when there was no external validation to lean on.
There were moments where things felt slow. Quiet. Uncertain.
And then there were moments where everything clicked—clients aligned, conversations flowed, and I could see the business taking shape in a way that felt real.
That contrast is something no one really prepares you for.
The Vision Became Real
Because here’s the part that makes it all worth it:
That vision I had when I took the leap? It’s happening.
The Complicated Coach is no longer just an idea. It’s a business. A brand. A space where I get to work with founders navigating growth, uncertainty, and the in-between stages that don’t get talked about enough.
I’ve worked with incredible clients. I’ve had honest conversations that lead to real change. I’ve seen what happens when people get clear on what they’re building and start making decisions from that place.
And alongside that, I’ve grown too.
Not just in confidence, but in how I think, how I lead, and how I handle the unknown.
What I Know Now That I Wish I’d Known Then
If I could go back to the beginning, here’s what I’d tell myself:
1. Clarity doesn’t come first—action does
You don’t figure it all out before you start. You start, and then you refine.
2. Not everyone will come with you—and that’s part of it
Some people will support you. Some won’t. It’s not personal—it’s just reality.
3. Busy doesn’t equal progress
It’s easy to fill your time. It’s harder to focus on what actually moves things forward.
4. Self-trust is everything
There will be moments where no one can give you the answer. You have to decide anyway.
5. It takes longer than you think—but that doesn’t mean it’s not working
Growth isn’t always visible straight away. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
The Truth About Taking the Leap
So to anyone out there considering a leap of your own, here’s my honest truth:
It’s hard. Harder than I expected.
It’s rewarding. More than I could have imagined.
It requires resilience, self-belief, and the willingness to keep going even when things feel unclear.
And it will show you very quickly who truly wants to see you win.
One Year In…
One year in, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Not the uncertainty. Not the challenges. Not even the moments where I questioned everything.
Because all of it shaped what exists now.
And more importantly, who I am within it.
Here’s to Year Two
Bigger. Bolder. More intentional.
And even more me.
Thinking About Your Own Next Step?
If you’re in that place—where something needs to change, but you’re not quite sure what or how you don’t have to figure it out alone.
This is exactly the work we do inside:
Or, if you’d rather talk it through:
Because sometimes the first step isn’t having a plan.
It’s having the right conversation.
