Choosing Courage Over Comfort: My Journey to ReIgnite my Fire
It’s mid-July and I find myself reflecting on one of the biggest decisions of my life: leaving behind a 25-year career in the military to step into an entirely new chapter as an executive and leadership coach and entrepreneur. It’s a decision that’s equal parts exciting and terrifying—a leap into the unknown, away from the stability and success I’ve built over decades.
In many ways, the military provided everything I thought I needed: a structured environment, financial stability, and a career that gave me the opportunity to achieve meaningful success. But over time, I realized something was missing. While I worked hard and made an impact, I wasn’t able to fully engage in what became the best part of my day, mentoring and leading individuals. I wasn’t engaging with people in the way I knew I could—I wasn’t helping them find that fire in their belly.
It was through working with my own executive coach that the idea for this transition was sparked. What I realized was both enlightening and staggering: my work wasn’t aligned with my values. It wasn’t feeding my desire to connect deeply with others and help them transform their lives. That realization planted the seed of courage I needed to take a monumental step forward.
The Courage to Choose the Unknown
Making the transition from a stable job to entrepreneurship isn’t easy—it requires courage. It’s the courage to leave behind comfort, certainty, and a predictable routine in exchange for possibility, growth, and the chance to create something truly meaningful. As Brene Brown touts: choose courage over comfort.
For me, this isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a mindset I’ve embraced as I navigate the ups and downs of this transition. Courage means trusting my instincts, believing in my vision, and leaning into the unknown despite the fear that inevitably comes with change. It’s about redefining success, not as financial stability or accolades, but as the ability to connect with others and make a real, lasting impact. But holy smokes, it comes with a lot of trepidation too!
Igniting the Fire in Others
As I step into the role of executive coach full-time, my mission is clear: to help others find their fire in the belly.Whether they’re facing their own career transitions, navigating challenges as leaders, or striving to balance the complexities of life, I want to guide them in uncovering their passion and channeling it into purposeful action.
I believe that each of us has immense potential, waiting to be unlocked. But sometimes, realizing that potential requires us to step outside our comfort zones, to ask ourselves tough questions, and to recalibrate our priorities. That’s where the magic happens—that’s where the fire is ignited.
Let’d Do This!
So here’s my invitation to you: What would choosing courage over comfort look like in your life? Is there a leap you’ve been thinking about taking, but fear is holding you back? What would it mean to step into the unknown, to trust yourself, and to follow the fire in your belly to ignite?
Transitions aren’t easy, but they can be transformative. They allow us to rewrite our narratives, to challenge ourselves, and to step into our fullest potential. I’ve taken my leap—and it’s the most empowering decision I’ve ever made. It feels light and it feels right. Now it’s your turn. Let’s ignite that fire together.
