Shelley McIntyre didn’t just leave corporate—she walked away from a long career in tech and consulting and into something completely unexpected: grief coaching. But as Shelley quickly discovered, grief isn’t just about death—it’s also what we experience when leaving jobs, identities, and entire versions of ourselves behind.

In this candid conversation, Shelley shares her journey of transformation, from leading corporate strategy to coaching GenXers who feel stuck, burned out, and unsure of what’s next. Brett and Shelley talk about grief, imposter syndrome (or why we need to stop calling it that), purpose as a moving target, and the creative rediscovery that often happens post-corporate.

This episode is a must-listen for any GenXer wondering if they’re alone in feeling “done” with corporate life—and what the other side might look like.

What We Cover:

• Shelley’s surprising path from tech to grief coaching to GenX transition work

• Why grief is at the heart of every major life and work change

• The hidden cost of staying in corporate too long

• How to recognize your “hell yes” moments (and why they matter)

• Why imposter syndrome might just be learning in disguise

• Why purpose isn’t a prerequisite—it’s a result of action

• Creativity as a gateway to rediscovery

• What Shelley listens for when helping people “deprogram” their corporate identity

Quotes Worth Sharing:

“All knowledge is rumor until it is in the bones.” – Shelley

“We don’t pathologize a kid learning math…so why do we call it imposter syndrome when we’re learning something new as adults?” – Shelley

“Purpose is a trailing indicator—it’s not something you find on a worksheet.” – Shelley

“You don’t need to pick one path out of corporate. There are many. Just start walking.” – Brett

Connect with Shelley:

🌐 ShelleyMcIntyre.com

🔗 Follow Shelley on LinkedIn

More Free Resources:

🎒 Grab the Escapee Starter Kit

👥 Join the Escapee Collective

🎧 Follow the podcast for more inspiring escapee stories and expert insights