Get A Shift On: Healthcare Career Change and Business Stories

This special edition of Get a Shift On takes you on a fast-paced journey through the highs, lows, and turning points of real career change. No theory. No sugar-coating. Just the voices of people who have been there, leaving behind safe jobs, making tough sacrifices, and building new lives on their own terms. From the moment they knew they had to walk away, to the challenges that tested their resol...

In this week’s episode of Get A Shift On , I sit downwith Craig Wood, man who redefines resilience. Craig is a former British soldier who lost both legs and ahand in Afghanistan. Fast forward to today, and he’s just completed a 90-day solo sail across the Pacific Ocean - that’s 7,500 nautical miles, breaking two world records in the process . This conversation isn’t just about an epic adventure. I...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Mel, the founder of Body Remedies, who shares her inspiring journey from life on the frontlines as a paramedic to creating a thriving holistic wellbeing business. After two decades in the NHS, a single life-altering incident pushed her to rethink her future, and ultimately, take the leap into entrepreneurship. We look into the challenges of leaving a secure...

In this week’s episode of Get A Shift On , I sit down with Louise McGuill, a former senior assistant headteacher who made the bold leap from education into entrepreneurship. Louise opens up about the reality of leaving a 16-year teaching career, the challenges of finding transferable skills, and how motherhood became the unexpected catalyst for change. We talk in depth about her journey from long...

In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with Tess Lovely, an amazing midwife, mother and raw authenticity, where she shares her incredible journey from midwife to entrepreneur. Tess opens up about how her career has changed and been rocked at its core, forcing her to confront her mental health, question everything, and ultimately pivot toward building her business, Birth From Within. We look i...

In this inspiring episode of "Get a Shift On," I sit down with Dr Becky Howie, a former GP from Scotland who made a bold transition from the NHS to founding her own business, Maldon Lifestyle Limited. Becky shares her journey into the world of lifestyle medicine;a field focused on holistic health and disease prevention through lifestyle changes. She is a dedicated health professional wit...

In this episode, I sit down with Oli Russell-Cowan, a global brand strategist, founder of Unchartered Territory, and someone I’ve known since our school days. We rewind the clock to our boarding school years and explore how Oli's love for skateboarding, surfing, and taking the unconventional route shaped his career. Oli opens up about his journey from chasing waves to shaping culturally releva...

In this episode of 'Get a Shift On', I speak with Christi Urman about her career journey from healthcare to corporate roles, the challenges faced in the healthcare system, and the importance of adaptability in one's career. We discuss the impact of COVID-19, lessons learned from cancer research, and the significance of perspective in professional growth. We talk about how early jobs ca...

In this episode David spoke to Dale Triffitt about his journey from working in supermarkets to founding Groberri, a business focused on providing HR support and leadership training for small businesses. Dale is the founder of Groberri, a Devon HR and leadership consultancy that cuts through the jargon to deliver down-to-earth support for businesses. With a background in leading teams and a passion...

In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Fleet, founder and CEO of The Devon Clinic—a Torbay-based charity that puts people before profit . Chris shares his incredible journey from building sites, animal rescue, business owner to charity leader, revealing what it really takes to run a successful not-for-profit organisation in today’s world. We talk entrepreneurship, which came to Chris at a young age,...

In this episode, I speak to Tracey Clay, from Pivotal Partnerships, who shares her unique career journey from a traditional secretary to running her own consultancy. Once Tracey stepped into recruitment she never looked back. Tracey discusses the evolution of work, the importance of flexibility in career transitions, and the changing dynamics of the workforce. She reflects on her decision to start...

In this episode, I sit down with health and wellbeing expert Sarah Ariaudo as we chat about our previous roles, both in cancer care, and how she has navigated the stress of clinical work and being a "road warrior!" Sarah shares her powerful story of leaving the corporate world behind after facing chronic stress and burnout, and how she found her way into wellness, coaching, yoga, and breath work....

In this episode, I speak with Paul Banks about his career change journey from retail to launching his own business, Javelin Content. We explore the realities of career change and entrepreneurship, digging into why video content and personal branding matter more than ever in today’s marketing landscape. Paul shares the ups and downs of content creation, how he navigated uncertainty, and what it rea...

In this episode of Get a Shift On, I discuss my mission to help 1,000 people quit unhappy jobs & figure out what’s next! I emphasize the importance of job satisfaction and mental health, and share some of my personal journey. I also discuss the development of my framework for helping people do this, the Personal Exit Plan which is designed to guide people through the process of career change....

In this episode of 'Get a Shift On', I speak with Justine Mitchell-Pearce, an HR professional who transitioned from pub management to corporate HR and eventually started her own business. Justine shares her career journey, the challenges she faced, and the importance of finding the right coaching and support to help aide in personal and professional growth. We discuss the changing percepti...

In this episode of ' Get a Shift On ', I speak to another David! David Crawford from Drakewalls Marketing as he shares his journey from being a musician t running his own marketing agency and all that goes with a career change, indeed career development like that. We discuss the challenges of starting a business, the importance of having a solid marketing strategy, and the balance between practica...

In this episode I speak with John Lamerton an ex civil servant and now successful entrepreneur, lifestyle business owner and author. We explore his journey of career change, the importance of mindset, and the role of desire in achieving success. We discuss the challenges of transitioning from a secure job to entrepreneurship, the necessity of self-education, and the significance of taking action....

This week I spoke with John Lamerton, author, entrepreneur and ex-civil servant about his path to a career change. The full episode will be released next week but here is a little teaser ... Follow John: Big Idea Get his books here Follow David / Via Nova here: ⁠⁠David's LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Via Nova LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Via Nova Website⁠ Feeling stuck in your career? Discover if it's time for a change! ⁠...

In this episode, I speak with Don Armand, an ex-Exeter Chiefs and England rugby player, who shares his journey from professional sports to business. Don discusses his early life in Zimbabwe, the challenges of transitioning from rugby to a business career, and the importance of leadership and personal development. He emphasises the significance of taking action, navigating change, and the role of m...

In this episode, I discuss (with a script, yes) the various paths to changing careers , emphasising the importance of taking actio n and being intentional about career transitions. I outline five primary paths: 1. The Side Hustle 2. Career Break 3. Redundancy 4. End of an Era, and 5. Quitting I explore each path exploring with practical advice, real-life examples, and insights into managing the em...

In this episode, Karen Simpson from My Primary and Secondary Tutor shares her journey from being a teacher to becoming a successful tuto, entrepreneur and business owner with David. Karen discusses the challenges and motivations behind her career transition, the guilt associated with leaving the teaching profession, and the importance of having a clear 'why' for making such a significant c...

It's half term here, so in this episode of 'Get a Shift On', host David interviews three of his children about their thoughts on work, careers, and life. The conversation explores their aspirations, the importance of enjoying life, and the challenges adults face in their jobs. The children provide insightful perspectives on happiness, opportunities, and the value of lifelong learning,...

In this conversation, Dr Kyle Stewart, a GP and entrepreneur , shares his journey of balancing a medical career with his entrepreneurial venture, Watercress Research Ltd. He discusses the challenges and rewards of both fields, the importance of transferable skills, and the resilience required to navigate the failures. Kyle elaborates on the scientific research behind watercress and its potential h...

In this episode of 'Get a Shift on', David discusses the significance of creating a personal exit plan for career change. He emphasises the importance of having a strategy when transitioning careers, highlighting the need for self-assessment of skills and taking actionable steps towards change. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on their skills, seek feedback from others, and...

Sick of feeling trapped in a job that no longer feel right? In this first episode of Get a Shift On , David Birchmore shares his own career shift and how this podcast will help you make yours. Whether you want a complete career change or just more freedom in your current role, you’ll get real advice, expert insights, and stories from those who’ve done it. It’s time to stop overthinking and start t...