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Lessons from a Quitter

Lessons from a Quitter
Author: Goli Kalkhoran
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© 2018 Goli Kalkhoran. All Rights Reserved 932411
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It is never too late to start over. No matter how much time or money you’ve spent chasing degrees and jobs to get to your current position, if ultimately you’re unhappy, then it is time to quit. Each week, Goli Kalkhoran, a fellow quitter, will interview inspiring guests who have quit lucrative careers to forge their own path and create a life they love. Get insight, inspiration, tools, and resources to help you quit what you hate and figure out what it is that you love.
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In this week’s episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I’m kicking off a special six-week series called the Burnout Breakthrough Accelerator. After years of coaching professionals through overwhelm, I’ve distilled the key steps to help you move from constant exhaustion to more clarity, space, and joy. In Week 1, we start with an honest self-audit—writing down every “should” that weighs on us in work, home, health, and relationships. This eye-opening purge reveals just how much pressure we pile on ourselves and sets the stage for reclaiming time, energy, and control from burnout.
In this week’s episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share a personal experiment I’ve started in my own business: taking Mondays and Fridays off to create a three-day workweek. While it sounds dreamy on the surface, the reality has been much messier—and that’s exactly why I wanted to bring it to you. We dive into how hustle culture and perfectionism make rest feel uncomfortable, why our brains resist slowing down, and how important it is to give ourselves permission to experiment. This conversation is about challenging old rules, embracing imperfection, and creating more space for what you truly want.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into the root causes of burnout and why so many of us struggle to rest. Drawing from years of coaching, I break down how capitalism, schooling, religion, and cultural expectations tie our self-worth to constant productivity. We explore why slowing down feels uncomfortable, why rest is often judged as laziness, and how these beliefs keep us stuck in cycles of exhaustion. This episode challenges you to rethink worthiness, confront the discomfort of rest, and begin building a life defined by joy and ease—not endless busyness.
In this week’s episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I sit down with Beatriz (Béa) Victoria Albina—NP, MPH, SEP, somatic life coach, and host of the Feminist Wellness Podcast. Béa shares her expertise on breaking free from codependency, perfectionism, and people-pleasing, especially for those of us who’ve been conditioned to prioritize others over ourselves. We dive into how reconnecting with your body, regulating your nervous system, and rewiring your thoughts can help you step out of burnout and reclaim your joy. Béa also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming book, End Emotional Outsourcing. SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Website Book Website with pre-order details Instagram: @beatrizvictoriaalbinanp Podcast: Feminist Wellness
In this week’s episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I dive into one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make: rewriting the story you tell about yourself. Too often, we cling to old narratives—“I’m lazy,” “I’m behind,” “I’ve failed”—that keep us stuck, exhausted, and convinced we’re not enough. But these stories are built on narrow evidence, ignoring the mountain of proof that shows our resilience, creativity, and success. I share my own journey of reframing a harmful story and the transformations I’ve witnessed in clients when they shift their self-concept. Nothing changes until your story does.
In this episode, I pull back the curtain on why I decided to offer a 100% money-back guarantee for my new high-ticket mastermind for high-achieving women feeling unfulfilled. I share the thought process behind creating a safety net for participants, how it addresses trust issues in the coaching industry, and why I’m willing to take the financial risk. I talk about privilege, integrity, and how this decision pushes me to deliver the deepest transformation possible. Whether you’re a business owner or not, you’ll gain insight into making bold, values-aligned decisions that prioritize both client trust and personal growth.
In this powerful episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I’m joined by Ysabelle Allard for a vulnerable conversation about what it really takes to transform your life from the inside out. Ysabelle shares her journey of walking away from a successful corporate career, surrendering to deep grief, and ultimately learning to trust her inner voice. We explore what it means to slow down, invest in yourself, and step into the unknown — even when it’s terrifying. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burnt out, or like you’re being called to something more, this episode will speak straight to your soul.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share an exciting new chapter: the launch of Your Next Act Mastermind, a 6-month group program for high-achieving women in transition. If you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or questioning what’s next after “doing everything right,” this episode is for you. I open up about my own evolving journey and why this mastermind—complete with one-on-one coaching and an in-person retreat—is the most aligned offering I’ve created yet. This is for those ready to release old identities and step into the next version of themselves with clarity, community, and courage.
In this mid-year solo episode, I share a deeply personal update on navigating a season of transition and uncertainty. From shutting down my membership to questioning what’s next, I reflect on what it means to evolve without attaching self-worth to productivity or clarity. I talk about the emotional toll of global events, holding space for conflicting truths, and allowing open-ended exploration instead of forcing answers. If you’re feeling unmoored, uninspired, or unsure about your next step, this episode offers a grounded perspective on how to sit with the unknown and redesign your life with curiosity, compassion, and intention.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into the fear that keeps us stuck. It’s not the lack of information that holds us back—it’s the “what ifs” and unanswered fears that paralyze us. I walk you through a powerful tool: answering the fear-filled questions your brain throws at you. What if you fail? What if they judge you? Instead of spinning in anxiety, learn how to map out worst-case scenarios, strategize solutions, and take back your power. Plus, I introduce a free quiz to help you figure out whether it’s time to quit and what to focus on next.
We often waste precious time and energy arguing with reality – insisting that things should be different than they are. In this episode, I reveal the common pitfalls of waiting for a perfect, non-existent option C and explain why it's crucial to accept the 50-50 nature of life's choices. By letting go of the illusion of control and focusing on how we want to respond to the circumstances we face, we can gain clarity, make better decisions, and reclaim our power. Tune in to discover how to stop the exhausting cycle of arguing with reality and start moving forward with intention and purpose
In this week’s episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore the powerful mindset shift of going all in—even when you know the current situation isn’t your final destination. Whether you’re in a job you plan to leave or building toward a dream that’s still years away, living with one foot in and one foot out robs you of joy, growth, and fulfillment. I share personal insights and coaching that helped me reframe commitment, not as a trap, but as a choice to fully show up. Tune in to learn how to go all in, right where you are.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we challenge the myth that your job has to be your passion or purpose. Many listeners feel stuck in “boring” jobs, but what if those roles are actually your greatest asset? Goli reframes the narrative around fulfillment and productivity, arguing that a stable, low-stress job can free up time, energy, and resources to build a meaningful life outside of work. Whether it funds your creative projects, offers mental space to heal from burnout, or gives you clarity for your next move—your current job might be the launchpad you’ve been overlooking.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into the powerful mindset shifts needed to stop letting other people’s opinions run your life. If you’ve ever held back from taking a risk—whether it’s posting online, taking a gap year, or quitting your job—because you’re afraid of being judged, this episode is for you. I walk you through how to build the confidence to own your decisions, sit with discomfort, and trust yourself more than the noise around you. You only get one life—don’t let other people’s fears dictate how you live it. Let’s take it back.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share the powerful mindset shifts I experienced during a recent trip to Iran. From confronting my addiction to productivity to witnessing the deep-rooted value of community, the trip forced me to slow down and rethink how I want to live. I talk about embracing the 50/50 nature of life—how even beautiful moments come with discomfort—and how letting go of perfection allows for richer experiences. If you’ve been craving more connection, rest, and presence in your life, this episode is a gentle push to start redefining what success truly looks like.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore our cultural obsession with productivity and why so many of us struggle to truly rest. I share personal reflections from a recent trip abroad that challenged my deeply ingrained beliefs about busyness, urgency, and worth. We dive into how capitalism and hustle culture have programmed us to equate rest with laziness—and how to begin unlearning that. If you're feeling burnt out, this episode will help you reframe rest not as something to earn, but as something essential. Plus, I share practical steps to help you reclaim rest without guilt.
In this powerful episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive deep into the often-overlooked grief that comes with career transitions. Joined by grief coach Laverne McKinnon, we explore how letting go of an old identity—especially one built around achievement and people-pleasing—can feel like a profound loss. We discuss how grief shows up in unexpected ways, why it’s a necessary part of transformation, and how embracing it can lead you back to your most authentic self. If you’re navigating burnout, a layoff, or a career pivot, this episode will help you understand the emotional side of reinvention. You can find Laverne at: Substack: https://moonshotmentor.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lavernem/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWBuL2OWgglO_YHyFdJOGpg
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, I share how I’m redesigning my life in small, intentional steps—even when I can’t have the “big dream” just yet. From summering in Jackson Hole to planning a trip to Banff, I talk about how we can live pieces of our dream now, instead of waiting for perfect circumstances. I challenge you to rethink your all-or-nothing mindset and explore how micro steps can create massive change. If you’re feeling stuck or burnt out, this episode will help you shift from scarcity to possibility and start building a life you’re actually excited about.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we explore the real secret to making lasting life and career changes: micro decisions. While we often believe massive change requires dramatic, sweeping action, this episode breaks down how real transformation happens through small, intentional steps. I also announce that doors are now open—for the final time—to the Quitter Club, my membership program closing at the end of 2025. If you’ve been waiting to get coaching and strategy support, this is your chance. Tune in to learn how small steps build self-trust, reduce overwhelm, and ultimately redesign a life you love.
In this episode of Lessons from a Quitter, we dive into the myth of "not being ready" and how it’s keeping you stuck in a life you no longer love. We explore the neuroscience behind fear, the brain’s obsession with safety over happiness, and how imposter syndrome reinforces your doubts—even when you've proven yourself. You'll learn why confidence isn't a prerequisite to change, but a result of courageous action. If you're waiting to feel ready before making a move, this episode will show you why that feeling may never come—and why that's okay. It's time to choose courage over comfort.
Network Marketing is the new name for Multi Level Marketing which was the new name for Pyramid Schemes. I wonder what the next generation name of Pyramid Schemes will be 🤔
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