Why Midlife Professionals Feel Disconnected from Their Work and Identity, and How to Find Career Clarity, with Shelley McIntyre | #570

Why Midlife Professionals Feel Disconnected from Their Work and Identity, and How to Find Career Clarity, with Shelley McIntyre | #570

44:35 Jan 12, 2026
About this episode
Are you a midlife professional feeling a growing disconnect between your career success and your personal fulfillment?Many Generation X professionals reach midlife with impressive achievements, yet silently struggle with a deep sense of dissatisfaction, identity confusion, or the haunting feeling that time is running out to live a truly meaningful life. This episode offers a compassionate, insightful roadmap for those questioning their current career path and seeking a purpose-driven reinvention.Discover why high performers often feel disconnected at midlife, and what to do when the “mask” you’ve worn at work no longer fits.Learn practical ways to explore new possibilities through tiny experiments, identity redefinition, and values discovery.Hear a deeply personal story of transition from corporate leadership to purpose-led coaching, with actionable advice on navigating financial fears, identity loss, and uncertainty.Listen now to learn how to begin designing a life and career that reflects who you truly are – not just the role you've always played.?KEY POINTS AND TIMESTAMPS:00:41 - Introducing Shelley McIntyre & the midlife disconnect03:04 - Masks, midlife reckoning and inner identity06:53 - Options, evidence and experimenting with possibility09:17 - Values, meaning and redefining what work must provide11:18 - Shelley’s personal transition story16:26 - Practical first steps: finances and portfolio careers19:33 - Challenges of transition: uncertainty, off-gassing and relationships24:14 - Identity, masks and rediscovering what you love30:16 - Professional identity, caring professions and essence work?MEMORABLE QUOTE:"All knowledge is rumor until it is in the bones."?VALUABLE RESOURCES:Shelley's website: https://burnthemapcoaching.com/?Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor??? Want to be a guest on the podcast?Message Agi on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/personaldevelopmentmastery?Conversations and insights on career transition, career clarity, career change and career pivots for midlife professionals, including second careers, new ventures, leaving a long-term career with confidence, better decision-making, and creating purposeful, meaningful work.?Send us a text Support the showA personal development
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