Reinvention Road Trip

Welcome to the last episode in our "Burnout Series" where you'll meet Jennifer Chase, Executive Vice President and CMO of SAS.   I asked Jennifer to take us through her unique and very intentional career journey - and she did that and more offering her  Three C's Principle and her Rule of 10.  If you are wondering how to level up while staying grounded, this podcast was recorded with you in mind.  Join me as I have a delightful and down-to-earth conversation with one of the Triangle's most respected executives. 

Attorney Janet Ward Black is the principal owner of Ward Black Law located in Greensboro, NC - one of the largest woman-owned law firms in the state . During our time together, Janet Ward shared her career journey - including stories of her time as Miss North Carolina and the moment she chose to jump off her comfort cliff and in to entrepreneurship. Janet Ward is the queen of grit and grace and is not afraid to tell it like it is.  Join me for a dynamic conversation on how to fully appreciate your career potential in ways that are  unconventional, true-to-self and reliant on more than just talent alone. www.reinventionroadtrip.com

Joan Nelson is a friend, mentor and  Vice President at IBM.  Leading approximately 1,200 people across the globe, Joan has a unique vantage point on workplace culture and the pervasive effects of burnout. During our interview, she talks openly about the impact burnout is having on the workplace and offers her take on how to take back control and notice the signs in advance. Don't miss our lively conversation on boundaries, time blocking and the critical lesson "Bob" can teach us.www.reinventionroadtrip.com

Why did I take April off?  ...because I was experiencing early signs of burnout!  And in this episode, I'll discuss how those signs showed up for me in real-time and finally convinced me to take some time off and truly investigate what was going on in my world.  I'll also share a few tips to break the stress cycle as outlined in the Nagoski sisters' book on the topic.  You won't want to miss this cliff notes version of burnout prevention from someone who knows it all too well.   This is the first in a series on Burnout and Burnout Prevention...so take a deep breath and Enjoy! Jes

Optimism can be hard to find these days... but isn't it great when you run into someone who has that Light? How can the decisions you make everyday help you tap into the optimism you need to breakthrough?Breakthroughs happen everyday; but they don't happen by accident.Breakthroughs aren't miracles. Miracles are gifts and unearned.Breakthroughs aren't trite. “3 Easy Steps to a Breakthrough” isn't real.Breakthroughs ARE the result of little wins. Wins that only happen because you worked at it and stuck with it over time.Find out how you can have a breakthrough year. 

What happens when reinvention isn't a choice?Russ and Nicole Bell came face-to-face with this exact dilemma in 2016.  Despite being an upwardly mobile happy couple with two kids, a big house and a marvelous life, something wasn't quite right.  Russ started forgetting things, he got lost, he became enraged, he was harsh with the kids. And he could no longer be trusted with minor responsibilities.Join me as I talk with Nicole Bell about her beautifully written but tragic memoir, documenting her journey. Follow Nicole on IG and Facebook: @nicoledaniellebellBuy the book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Lurks-Woods-Struggle-Chronic/dp/1955711011

Doc Swiner understands reinvention.  She's a physician,  author and serial entrepreneur - all while raising two kids with her husband.  But how?  Listen in to Doc Swiner tell us about her journey and the crucible moment that changed it all.  A moment that inspired her first book on "How to Avoid the Superwoman Complex".     This was a fun episode, we chopped it up, talked about her new venture Serenity Hydration and Wellness and agreed that there's no such thing as work-life balance…all while sipping some fancy chocolate liquour!  Enjoy! Learn more about this amazing woman and her businesses here: https://serenityhydration.as.me/schedule.phphttp://www.docswiner.com/Follow her on instagram!https://www.instagram.com/realdocswiner/?hl=en

Amy Hilliard, author of "Pivot for Success," has been an entrepreneur since she was a young girl in Detroit selling handmade rose water and promoting her babysitting business. Amy carried that determination with her throughout her life making her an expert in reinvention.   A proven thought-leader on entrepreneurship, empowerment and marketing, Amy has been profiled in Fortune, Success, Entrepreneur, CNN, Black Enterprise, Essence, Ebony and NPR.  An international speaker, she is also the author of “TAP INTO YOUR JUICE -- Find Your Gifts, Lose Your Fears and Build Your Dreams” – endorsed by First Lady Michelle Obama. What makes Amy even more special is her willingness to tell the story behind the story and that includes times she's been laid off, foreclosed on, divorced and how she reinvented herself through those challenges. Amy's story is one of true grit that I'm confident will inspire you to keep going and reinvent yourself too.Learn more about Amy: https://amyshilliard.com/

Meet Katherine Williford, our friend and the founder of the sustainable fashion brand Pamut Apparel. From her childhood experiences to moving to Budapest for love, hear Kat's Reinvention story and how it led her to build her own ethical, profitable fashion brand here in Raleigh, NC. Spoiler alert, this girl is a cliff jumper and credits her growth to getting uncomfortable over and over again until she had completely reinvented herself. 

From fourth grade teacher to co-founder of one of the fastest growing furniture manufacturers in the nation!  Hannah Fussell is creative, complex and curious like most of us, and she's turned each of those assets into business magic as co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at Nugget Comfort - home of the Nugget play couch. Hear Hannah Fussell reveal her challenges with self-doubt and offer us tips for a more integrated work/life routine.  Oh, and make sure you listen all the way to the end to hear Hannah reveal her “Two Truths and a Lie.”

Welcome back, friends! Today,  we're going to dive a little deeper and explore some new territory on our Comfort Cliff.  If you've never reflected on your crucible moments…today is the day! We'll spend time in our Empowerment Zone learning what Crucible Moments are and how they impact our growth and reinvention journey. Here's how I define your Crucible moments.  It's the heat, baby! The pressure that you feel during key moments of your life. It's the dangerous fire and the gorgeous risk.  The conditions under which we are forced to withstand an extreme test. It's in these moments that something new, precious and more valuable has the potential to be created.  So if you're ready…let's jump right in.

"No.  This is not my husband's company...I built it from the ground up!"In this episode of the Reinvention Road Trip podcast,  you'll meet my friend Shelley McPhatter,  founder and CEO of Bridgeport Construction a multimillion dollar construction firm in Durham, NC.   She's a mom of three with an ocean engineering degree and a new found love for investing.  On all accounts, she defied convention and waded through self-doubt to jump off her comfort cliff into a male dominated industry.   Shelley successfully scaled her company to over 20 employees and 25 Million dollars in annual revenue in seven years, and earlier this month, she was inducted into the NC Women Business Owner's Hall of Fame.   Ya'll,  the kicker in all this...she's in her 40's! If you need a boost of "girl power" and a reminder of what we can do as women, you'll get it in this episode.  Shelley takes us behind the scenes and tells us how she navigated the messy middle - reinventing herself time and time again! 

Do you do what you say you're going to do? That's what we're going to talk about today, the power of follow through and accountability through your say:do ratio. This little idea has a huge impact on how others experience you in work and life. And until recently, like I said, it was kind of my Achilles heel. 

Are you ready to take the Leap?!  Yes!  No.  Not sure?  Luckily, there is no wrong answer.Depending on where you are  on your Comfort Cliff is how you'll decide when to jump.  Discover the three zones that guide our journey and move us closer to the Growing Edge! "Life is often a battle between the person you are today and the person you’re meant to become." Deep down you know you are meant for more.  In this season, we'll explore the powerful stories of women who have moved through their Empowerment Zones.  They will share the messiness before they got to the Growing Edge and decided to leap!  www.jesaverhart.com@jesaverhart

Welcome to the Reinvention Road Trip with Jes Averhart! Jes is obsessed with the Road to REINVENTION. As a Mom, Storyteller, 4th Generation Entrepreneur and member of a Badass Girl Tribe – she uses her flaws and lessons to fuel each incredible life chapter!Have you been Soul Searching these days? Daydreaming about what your life could look like if only you could just (fill in the blank)? Take comfort my friends, you're not alone. These days people are taking stock of who they are, how they are contributing to the world around them and wondering if...there's more. So many of us are dusting off our dreams and wondering...is now the right time to pursue them? Before you dig in, you better know what's in front of you. When you walk in to this new space there will be roadblocks. The key is knowing 1.) that they exist 2.) how to navigate them with confidence. Step into the New You with your eyes wide open. You deserve to CRUSH your reinvention story! In this first episode, we'll set the stage for the 6 most common roadblocks you'll encounter and tips to build the right foundation. Sign up for the Reinvention Road Trip NewsletterReinvention Roadblocks0:06 - Podcast Introduction0:49 - Episode Introduction1:54 - Six Reinvention Roadblocks2:28 - A Fixed Mindset4:19 - Fear Factor5:15 - Fear Exercise6:56 - Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)7:45 - Sacrifice8:49 - Statistics10:54 - Fraud-Zilla (Imposter Syndrome)14:46 - Being Frozen15:30 - Core Value Asset Mapping17:09 - Being Flywheel-LESS18:07 - Do the Next Right Thing20:27 - Closing21:46 Outro If you would like more information, you can find all things reinvention at JesAverhart.com where you can join the Reinvention Road Trip. You can also find a link to the Impostor Syndrome Podcast episode there for more information.

WELCOME TO REINVENTION ROAD TRIPLet’s get a little crazy shall we… LET’S STOP TALKING ABOUT THE NEW NORMAL FOR A SECOND….! I have a proposal…is it possible that this disruptive time we’re all going through in our world is screaming out for a reinvention!!!  I say yes and am here for it….I vote for a reinvention – we need a reinvention in our communities, our leadership, work environments and especially for our selves!  Why not use this moment in time as a reason to evaluate, audit and self-reflect.  I mean, it’s not every day that the world tilts  on it’s axis and says, “hey! there really are no boundaries on how you design your life.” And its not everyday that the world changes so drastically that a reinvention might not be a luxury but a necessity!   So, instead of a new normal…how about a New YOU!  So…who am I?  Well, you probably heard in the intro that I'm a Midwestern girl!  I'm also a CEO, fourth generation entrepreneur, podcaster (thank you for listening), storyteller and mom of a 6’ 5” teenage boy and 1’ 11’ bulldog named Roscoe and over the last 20 plus years, I've worked with a portfolio of Fortune 500 companies like Google, GE, Pepsi Co North America, Procter and Gamble, The Bengals, Browns and Cavaliers… as well as high-impact public sector organizations.  Each step along the way, I’ve learned, practiced and taught the art of Transformational Leadership, Self-Discovery and now Reinvention.  My hope is that this podcast will inspire and drive you into action to take the journey!  I want you to set out and discover the BEST Version of you.   First Things First…#1 Do you know what your superpowers are?   These are your Core competencies – YOUR Secret Sauce… #2 Know your Superstars.  Everybody’s got their superstars or Reinvention Crew – the ones that cheer you on, offer you sound advice and believe in YOU…better yet, they SEE YOU…they know your superpowers and see them as a force for good!  Now, it’s not just about knowing them…it’s about engaging these incredible humans. #3 Know what’s Supernatural. So…This is your third exercise. Take out a piece of paper get ready to access your supernatural.  Your core values!  On my website at www.jesaverhart.com I have a FREE Download and video that helps you categorize your values and bring them into focus. Welcome to Reinvention0:02 - Introduction Quotation0:18 - Podcast Introduction1:04 - Episode Introduction2:27 - Reinvention Definition4:15 - Jes Introduces Herself5:00 - Hopes & Expectations for the Podcast6:39 - Disclaimer/Clarification on Experiences Shared8:32 - Step 1 of Reinvention: Identifying what your superpowers are9:40 - When you are at your best, what do people see?10:31 - Perspective Exercise11:02 - When all else fails, ask others.11:37 - Step 2 of Reinvention - Know Your Superstars12:46 - How Superstars Act13:23 - Jes’ Superstar Encounter15:00 - Who are NOT Superstars16:04 - Step 3 of Reinvention - Know What’s Supernatural (Core Values)16:32 - Jes’ First Job19:30 - Value Sort20:39 - Closing21:25 Outro You can find the core values worksheet and video, along with all things reinvention at JesAverhart.com where you can join the Reinvention Road Trip.Mentioned in this episode: Retired Colonel Joseph N. LeBoeuf at Duke FuQua School of Business

"The people who are closest to you are often incredibly uncomfortable with your reinvention." Whew....isn't that the truth. Melissa Sheets, Photographer & Creative Specialist at Kidbox.com shares how she made tough but thoughtful decisions leading to a life she could only imagine. After returning from Haiti, she found seclusion on a local farm that provided her time to reflect on her marriage and career. The clarity that she gained, gave her the confidence to explore the next best version of herself as a mom, partner, entrepreneur and world citizen. It can be hard for the people around you to accept the idea that you are in a season of growth and change. The challenge is to take care of yourself and love people along the way without taking your eye off your destination.Reinvention Road Trip Newsletter at: https://www.jesaverhart.comInterview with Melissa Sheets0:00 - Intro Quote0:39 - Podcast Introduction1:12 - Episode Introduction2:30 - Guest Introduction3:30 - Guest Bio5:21 - Melissa’s Crumbling Moment8:33 - The Seeking of More11:21 - The Awakening13:29 - Divorce & Reinvention15:39 - “You’ll never make it on your own”16:36 - The Void of Divorce19:37 - Two Truths and a Lie20:21 - Truth - Don’t Like to Be Alone, But Needed to Be Alone22:24 - Truth - The People Closest to You May Not Support Your Reinvention.24:12 - Being Still in the Midst of Chaos25:35 - Lie - “I need to have perfection to be worthy”27:06 - Updates & Takeaways27:35 - Personal Update “Five Years Later…”30:11 - Takeaway - “We are only stuck because we allow ourselves to be stuck…” 32:10 Outro We would like to give our thanks to Melissa Sheets for participating in Today’s Episode.Melissa Sheets is Creative Director at KidboxIf you would like more information, you can find all things reinvention at JesAverhart.com where you can join the Reinvention Road Trip.

Everybody's talking about impostor syndrome. It’s the new phrase we’re throwing around, right? So, what's all this buzz about. Impostor Syndrome is a feeling. Bottom line. A feeling of being a fraud that if not checked, can drive you to make decisions that might hold you back. Hold you back from what...? Pursuing your dream job, starting that blog for millennials, going after that new role in your department or moving to another country to open a little coffee shop.Impostor Syndrome is a feeling that if gone unchecked can wreak some havoc on your life and have you doubting even the most logical or oblivious more. Turns out 70% of Americans suffer from Impostor Syndrome. Today, I want to help you and hopefully save you some angst along the way. I’ll share the 5 types of impostors and a few quick tip to overcoming this common feeling of intellectual self-doubt.Dr. Valerie Young found these subgroups in her book The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women.· Perfectionist· Superwoman/Superman · The natural genius. · Soloist · The ExpertSign up for the Reinvention Road Trip Newsletter:Imposter Syndrome0:00 - Introduction Quotation0:16 - Podcast Introduction1:00 - Episode Introduction2:18 - Jes’ 1st Encounter with Imposter Syndrome4:15 - Feeling like a Fraud5:12 - The Exit from GE6:07 - Imposter Syndrome & The Five Types of Imposters7:49 - The Perfectionist8:28 - The Superman/woman9:02 - The Natural Genius9:45 - The Soloist10:22 - The Expert10:48 - Five Types Summary11:58 - Tips for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome12:09 - Get Honest13:35 - Help from a Superstar Friend16:01 - Focus on Facts not Feelings17:31 - Know that Sometimes being an Outsider is Normal19:14 - Know your Highlight Reel22:16 - Fake it Until You Make It23:08 - Do away with If-Then Statements26:00 - Closing28:35 Outro If you would like more information, you can find all things reinvention at JesAverhart.com where you can join the Reinvention Road Trip.Mentioned Specifically in this Podcast:The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Dr. Valerie Young Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher

From Global Marketing Agency Executive to Founder and CEO of Wood Underwear; Terresa Zimmerman takes us behind-the-scenes on her journey to...take the leap! So many of us are killin' the game in our professional careers and yet that little voice still nudges us to make a change, take the leap and chase our dreams. Terresa shares what led her to leave her global role in corporate America. She explores who she confided in along the way and how she landed on men's underwear as her next challenge.Terresa leaves us with her tips and takeaways to help you think through your next move. Reinvention Road Trip Newsletter at: https://www.jesaverhart.comInterview with Terresa Zimmerman0:01 - Intro Quote0:30 - Podcast Introduction1:06 - Episode Introduction1:32 - Guest Introduction3:16 - Terresa’s Background6:01 - The Many Pivot Points of Life7:41 - Career as Progression of Depth8:52 - Searching for How to Reinvent Self9:48 - Landing on Men’s Underwear12:20 - What gave you the push to launch Wood Underwear versus not try?14:50 - Superstar Friend Appearance16:21 - What is the hardest part of the reinvention choice for you?18:39 - Living without the Background20:24 - Two Truths and a Lie22:15 - Truth - Jumping Before Thinking24:42 - Truth - Necessity to Balance with Other Types of People25:41 - Lie - “If I can, I should.”28:36 - Extra Gems - “Power in No” “There’s Greatness in Being Still” 29:24 - Bonus Takeaways29:45 - TED Talk on Gratitude30:17 - Take a Mind Break31:26 Outro We would like to give our thanks to Terresa Zimmerman for participating in Today’s Episode.Terresa Zimmerman is the Founder & CEO of Wood Underwear If you would like more information, you can find all things reinvention at JesAverhart.com where you can join the Reinvention Road Trip. Mentioned Specifically in this Podcast:TED Talk on Gratitude by David Steindl-Rast

As you know, I’m obsessed with the Road to REINVENTION. As a Mom, Storyteller, and member of a Badass Girl Tribe – I use my flaws and lessons to fuel each incredible life chapter!Here’s my theory… In order to really embrace your reinvention…you need to have a handle on your origin story. If we’re lucky, we’ll all go through many reinventions in our lifetime… but there’s likely one story that started it all. It defined how you moved, who you were and where your biases of thought, interests and religion came from. Before launching my coaching practice and building the curriculum for the reinvention roadmap…I dug in and got to work privately so I could come to terms with how I move and why. Here a little peek into my origin story…I grew up in a small town in Ohio – It actually didn’t even classify as a town or city. There were only 200 people in Evansport – so it technically classifies as a village. Evansport (while small) has a really interesting history. It was once an important river port, a booming canal town back in its heyday moving flour and grains around the Midwest; but when the railroads were built they won the transportation wars. Evansport, sadly was on the losing side. It instead reinvented itself into a sleepy, quiet almost forgotten little place that hosted my childhood. Here’s the deal, I have a complex background like many of us. First, I’m biracial. My mom had me while she was stationed in Germany during her time in the military. She is white and my dad was black. My dad honored my mom’s wishes and removed himself from my life, which is a pretty incredible story that just came full circle. But that’s for another time. After 8 ½ years of serving in the Army, my mom moved me back to her hometown of Evansport when I was three so she could be close to family and settle in to civilian life. So, here I am in this little town; and the only chocolate drop in the blondie you might say. It really didn’t hit me until I was a little bit older that I was different and living in a whole town that didn’t look like me. Here’s the thing…back in the late 70’s early 80’s my family makeup was definitely uncommon and would have sparked a lot of gossip and whispers. BUT….my grandparents were successful business owners; in fact we’d call them Serial Entrepreneurs today. Because of their success and influence in the community and throughout NW Ohio, they were very respected – especially my grandpa. The idea that this influential, highly-respected white man, thought his black granddaughter was EVERYTHING…was sort of a signal that everyone around him should think I was everything too. Just by being a member of this family…I had sort of a halo effect; and I was sheltered from the gossip that was certainly happening at dinner tables. It wasn’t until one day when I was standing in the full length mirror that was screwed into the back of my bedroom door that it really hit me. I was maybe 6 or 7 and I had on those little short shorts with the stripe down the side and a white shirt. I looked in the mirror and for the first time actually looked at my skin as if I wasn’t living in it. I can remember what I had on because I was thinking about how dark my skin was next to my white top. I looked at my little afro, my nearly burnt black ears from the Summer sun and examined the dark brown lines on the palms of my hands. On this day, that I saw what everyone else saw - a little Black girl...