Life Leaps Podcast

Liliya Reshytelo isn't afraid of work.  After moving from Ukraine to Canada at 15 without speaking English,  she settled and succeeded in the way she thought she was supposed to: by earning her degree and joining the corporate world.  But for her, the shoe never quite fit.  Liliya finally leapt - several times, actually - and is now starting her own eco-friendly, sustainable kids clothing com...

Kristin Aquino-Pham admits she had no business (literally or otherwise!) being a livestock farmer when she bought her first piece of land in 2020 in the north Georgia mountains.  An urban lawyer and mother of three young kids, what started as an exploration - even just a distraction - for her during chaotic times became a full-fledged mission, business, and so much more (goats, sheep, pigs and all...

Marco Ferrari is a Master Stylist from Milan, Italy with decades of experience in Milan, London, and LA who now owns and runs the upscale Salon Ferro in downtown Washington, DC.  (Recently voted Best in DC, by the way!)  But rewind - just a *few* years - and you'd see a young, sort of reckless guy leaving his home - and what was supposed to be his future in the family business as a hairstylis...

Astrid Baumgardner is a New York City-based career coach, author of the book Creative Success Now and teaches creativity and entrepreneurship at Yale University's School of Music where she coaches students on career (and life) success.  She's given a TedX talk on the topic, and leads frequent workshops, lectures, you name it - all in the name of helping others make life and career choice...

We're back!  With an update on your host's own leap-in-progress.  Catch up on our highs, lows, and one big plot twist.  (And,  if you haven't yet, listen to Ep.8, where we first explain how and why we - with our 18-month toddler in tow! - left our Washington, DC apartment, sold our car, and resigned from a job (mine!) in pursuit of some big life changes.)    **And, as promised, foll...

Shayla Turner McGhee never felt like she was cut out for the law, but she was also no quitter.  When it came time to take that first prestigious job after law school, though, she knew she had to decide.  In Ep. 12, hear how Shayla: Got the courage - and the financial freedom (with tips for listeners!) - to pivot from a future in law to writing, opening a publishing company, and more First got the...

Elizabeth (Libby) Williamson tried to retire from her job as an elementary school teacher after 36 years in rural and suburban South Carolina.  For a few months, anyway.  Then, through a stroke of luck, curiosity, and a whole lot of courage, she decided life had other plans for her.  She wasn’t done yet.  In. Ep. 11, hear how Ms. Libby: Decided to take the leap to Thailand in her sixties (twice!)...

Gerard (“Coach G”) Burley’s mission is to reinvent the way we think about inclusion, fitness and wellness. He’s the founder of Sweat DC fitness studio - and so much more - and his “fun, inclusive, build you up from the inside out” approach to fitness has made him a bit of a local celebrity, both in Rome, Italy and now in DC.  But getting there has been a deeply personal mission and journey for Coa...

Three years ago, Rosie Stafford Smith - a mom of two with a knack for solving problems - took the leap from employee to entrepreneur.  Rosie founded and now runs a successful consulting business, Stafford Smith Group, which “helps busy social impact leaders turn big ideas into funded strategies” and her clients include one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the country.  But in the beginnin...

In the last two weeks, my husband, toddler, and I have left our Washington, DC apartment, sold our car, and resigned from a job (mine!) in pursuit of some big life changes.  Join us in  Ep. 8, to hear: Why we're leaping What sparked it (which may surprise you!)  How we planned it How this podcast has helped Check out Episode 8 and others on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , and Google Podcasts ! ***...

Gilbert "Chamo" Osorio has led a life of leaps - some of them quite shocking - starting with leaving his home country of Colombia at a very young age; living off of the streets of Venezuela; and reinventing himself - several times - in the US until he created his successful Miami-based event planning business, Cache Events, which he's now run for over 25 years.  In Ep. 7, hear how C...

Jheanelle Wilkins wanted to run office but, for a time, took her life in another direction. Until she ran for - and won - a seat on the Democratic Central Committee in Montgomery County, Maryland and went on to become a Maryland State Delegate.  In Ep. 5, hear how Jheanelle: Found the support she needed to put her name on the ballot  Overcame her fear of (very public) failure Navigated the challen...

13 years in, JoDee Scissors loved her students but knew she needed a change. She decided to leave teaching - a very secure profession that most people, JoDee included, go into thinking they’ll stay for life.  Fast forward a few years to today and JoDee runs her own consulting firm, creates digital content for the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and co-host her own successful podcast fo...

At 63, British expat Sandy Simon left the tourism industry and bought a large, ancient property on a mountain overlooking the sea on the Greek island of Andros. Over a decade later, she continues to run a thriving - and extraordinarily unique - animal sanctuary out of her home there with the help of volunteers from around the world.  She has homed countless animals and Andros Animal Shelter has be...

Jess and Rod Sanchez left their comfortable lives in 2017 to travel the world with their two small kids, Nora and Santi, visiting 40 countries over two years as "The Jetsetting Family."  In Episode 1, hear how they:  Got the idea Tested it before leaving Pushed through doubt Managed to make the finances work Navigated setbacks along the way Pivoted yet again when COVID hit during their t...

13 years ago, in her mid-40s, Mary Mlambo left her corporate insurance job in bustling Johannesburg, South Africa to open a youth center hours (and worlds) away in rural Mzingazi, Richards Bay, South Africa.  At the time, many people - including the local community in Mzingazi - thought she was crazy.  But the now-vibrant Lungelo Youth Development Center (LYD) is a beacon for children, teens, youn...

In 2022, Washingtonian Magazine named Travis Moore "Tech Titan of the Year" for his work with Tech Congress, an organization he founded to bring more sorely-needed technological know-how to Members of Congress. But 7 years ago, Travis was just one of many staffers working there - on Capitol Hill - trying to keep his head above water as he tried to decipher complex proposed laws that woul...

Considering a career pivot?  Geographic move?  Travel?  Ready for something new but not quite sure what, when, where or how?  (Dealing with any of the above while also balancing self-doubt, student loans, family, or just that gnawing feeling that maybe you don't quite have what it takes / the timing isn't quite right / what if your next thing doesn't turn out how you hope / etc. / e...