“I’m really worried about money, about failing and having to start again - I just can’t afford to get it wrong. I need a plan, and a way to evolve into something new.”

Background

Cliona had built her entire career in the technology industry.

Known for her knack for problem-solving and her ability to bridge the gap between technical and commercial teams, she earned a strong reputation for getting things done and keeping projects moving fast, in ways that others couldn’t.

But a few years ago, something shifted.

She started feeling disillusioned - not just with her role, but with the work itself. It lacked meaning and purpose. It was starting to feel dull and she was feeling drained.

So, she began to explore a new path, hoping to turn her lifelong passion for sports and fitness into something more fulfilling professionally.

Cliona was a formidable sports person. In life she set ambitious physical goals.

Disconnect between work persona and life persona

Three years in, though, progress towards more joyful work was slower than she’d hoped. And it was taking a toll - mentally and emotionally.

What stung most was the growing disconnect between who she was at work and who she was in the rest of her life.

Cliona had always been the person who set bold, ambitious fitness goals - whether it was running, swimming or cycling. And she followed through without fail always smashing her goals.

But lately, when it came to her career goals, she felt stuck. All talk, no action. And that just wasn’t her.

Cliona's partner knew of Lucia and recommended she take a look at the Midlife Unstuck website.

The first step

Cliona joined the free Never Too Old, Never Too Late community and completed the Joy at Work Quiz.

For two months, she absorbed the email newsletters, read case studies, and quietly assessed whether Lucia - and her 12-month programme, (The Fierce Emporium) would be the right fit for her.

She needed to feel confident the investment would help her navigate her fear of failure and her concerns about money.

She explained this during her first call with Lucia to nail down whether the programme would give her what she needed and wanted.

"I'm very worried about money, about failing and about having to start again at my age - I just can't afford that. I need a plan and a way to evolve into change."

First call: pressing pause on the "good idea"

In their first call, Lucia made a counter-intuitive suggestion: press pause on the "moving into sports" career idea for now.

Instead, Lucia recommended that Cliona start with the six-week learning phase and bring the idea back in later - during the second part of the Fierce methodology, the Direction-finder process.

At that point, she would know more about her career blueprint and be able to assess the sports idea speedily to see if it is the right fit…or not.

Cliona agreed. She'd continue volunteering but she's try to put it to the back of her mind…for now.

She decided to join The Fierce Emporium programme.

After much research, Cliona dived into The Fierce Emporium

The six-week learning phase - and a curve ball.

Cliona began the learning phase immediately, and sign-up for the next available sprint (which includes an extra hour of live training for six-weeks week with a small cohort). She worked through each of the 32 challenges.

Midway, an old sports injury flared up, eventually requiring surgery and recovery.

When she returned, she picked up exactly where she left off.

It was at that point when dots began to deeply connect.

"I started to understand and appreciate what I am good at. Surprisingly, I actually now look back at my career with a new found respect for how brilliant I actually am and have been. I finally know what my unique Superpowers are and what my personal Kryptonite is.”

Direction-Finding—and a Reality Check

Armed with clarity about her uniqueness and her personal needs at work, Cliona entered the Direction-finder part of the Fierce process.

In the background, she kept up her volunteer work as a team sports coach - partly for joy, partly for insight.

She also started having real and honest conversations with people working in the field, gaining grounded, honest, real-life research.

What she discovered during these conversations shifted everything:

Most coaching roles in the industry are poorly paid - she couldn’t afford to take the pay cut…even if the work was wonderful.
The hours were anti-social - she'd be working when loved ones were having fun.
Coaches don’t actually do sport - something she couldn’t imagine giving up.
Work was often solitary, with little team energy - which she thrives on.
The field was saturated, with little structure or recognition for real expertise.

In short: the world of sports coaching was wrong for Cliona.

Thinking done. Decision-made. Now for the action-phase.

Two important realisations

Around the half-way mark, Cliona had an unexpected but decisive breakthrough.

“I realised I had to be honest about two things: I need a certain amount of money to live the life I want. And I need to be proud of the company I work for. That matters to me. I don’t want to feel ashamed when I tell someone where I work.”

These two insights nudged her toward an industry she had enjoyed earlier in her career - but had dismissed in her quest to align her career goals with her huge sporting passion.

Leaving that idea behind, opened doors for new possibilities.

Leaving that idea behind also created time to invest in the necessary actions.

Direction decided - the time was now right for action.

With her new direction clear, Cliona moved into the action-taking portion of the programme - which is unique for every individual.

She discussed and agreed her new plan with her partner, who also had a demanding international role. They agreed they could handle the juggle.

A surprising short-term action, with a strategic goal.

Cliona reengaged with her current role-not out of love, but out of strategic intent.

She showed up, delivered and ensured she’d have great results to talk about in future interviews and that her newly discovered brilliance would shine through.

While this wasn’t easy, she had tools from the Fierce Emporium that she could put into action immediately.

She reconnected with former colleagues in the industry she now wanted to rejoin.

She didn’t pitch herself, it was all about them as humans first. Then she just mentioned she was listening out for roles that played to her uniqueness. (Lucia had been very clear: “Don’t say “Superpowers” in public - it's rarely received well!”)

She got clear on her realistic salary expectations

Cliona started a research project as she’d been out of the industry for some years. She bench marked and grounded her new expectations in real research.

She prioritised getting back to full fitness.

She knew that was going to have to be strong to make the new plan happen.

And, finally, she let her friends and family know: sports as a career was off the table.

"I arrived with a half-formed idea of what I wanted my future career to be. A year later, I feel great about leaving it behind."

Results

An ex-colleague recommended a role within a prestigious organisation in her chosen industry - one she'd worked in a previously but had not considered for years as the "moving into something in sports" idea had been so dominant in her thought process.

As she began interviewing, Cliona discovered she sorely missed the culture, the excitement, the people and the pace.

She secured a role that felt right.

"I doubled my salary, added a bonus of 30% and increased my annual leave by 10 days. My office is a short hop from my home and close to all my old friends. I'm back in a community I understand and enjoy. And because I work for a US company, I get to go to the gym, do my hobbies and home chores in the morning."

Overview

In less than 12 months, Cliona is no longer career stuck. She understands her uniqueness. And is clear on the four activities she needs to perform to feel personalised joy at work.

She has left behind work that wasn't right for her. She fully investigated an idea that had been lingering hopefully for years. And then let it go - peacefully, lightly.

She reignited a warm, trusted network from her past and used it to secure a future in an industry that excites her and gives her personal pride in where she works.

She’s earning more. Taking more time off. Living closer to the people and things she loves. And investing seriously in her long-term, real-life future.

And that sounds Fierce.

"I left my Kryptonite behind. And I've started planning my real-life future in a big way, something I've had on hold for…a few years. I'm definitely no longer stuck…and might even be feeling Fierce. Not every moment of every day…but a hell of a lot more than before."

If you liked this career design story, you might like these:

I fear I’ll be in exactly the same place in 5 years time - and I’ll just be 5 years older! [Cillian’s Story]
When work isn’t good enough - but you can’t escape to the circus. [Keira’s story]
Saying goodbye to corporate life at 55 years old. [Aaron’s story]
I gave early retirement a shot - it didn’t suit me! [Dana’s story]

I had a good idea about my future…but no idea how to test it - let alone make it happen. (Cliona’s Story)