Michelle Varghese left her corporate career in tech sales in 2021 to take a sabbatical and pursue her passion projects. What was supposed to be 1 year sabbatical turned into an indefinite one. She started creative projects (like the Build a Wealth Spirit Podcast with her sister Sammie), which led to different work opportunities and collaborations. They worked together on the podcast for 4 years, she’s built a readership of 1,200 on Substack, an engaged audience of over 2,300 on X, has worked with communities like Small Bets, The Pathless Path, Write of Passage. She also created courses and now focus on being a writing coach.

We wanted to get her on the show as she is an inspiring example of how to go about pursuing work that is meaningful to you whilst balancing your finances at the same time.

Watch the full interview on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/3zjkNJdd_8A

The things you’ll learn:

• The 3-5 projects keeping her busy right now
• How she got into writing coaching  
• Her experience and advice for others taking a sabbatical
• How she got into FIRE and reaching Coast FI  
• How entrepreneurship has affected her FI strategy
• Her investment portfolio
• How she affords her creative journey and her monthly expenses
• How she is less focused on retirement and is already enjoying her life
• Her creative journey from leaving corporate until now
• Running a podcast with sister for 4 years (Build a Wealthy Spirit)
• Creative projects that stemmed from podcasting
• Finding creative mentors
• Getting into writing
• Creating a sabbatical course
• Working with online communities
• Challenges on the creative journey 
• About her journey and purpose
• Her ‘Sparketypes’ - Performer and Maven - how it shoes up in her life now
• Her writing coaching and the process of being a writing student
• Advice for beginner writers 
• Advice about taking a leap into creative journey

Quick-fire round questions at the end:

1. Something she wished she done 10 years ago
2. The daily habits that helped her on her journey
3. Her most important lesson in life
4. Her transformational book recommendations
5. 1-2 small things listeners can do this week to get started 

Michelle Varghese (Links):

• Website: https://michelleelisabethvarghese.com/ 
• Substack: https://www.varghoose.com/ 
• Writing Coaching page: https://michellevarghoose.gumroad.com/l/writingcoaching 
• X: https://x.com/mvarghoose 
• Build a Wealthy Spirit Podcast: https://www.buildawealthyspirit.com/ 

Freedom Before FI Links:

• Free Guides: Download the free ‘Freedom Ideas’ Cheat Sheet and the free ‘Find Your Purpose’ worksheet at: https://freedombeforefi.com/free-guides/
• Website: Check out our resources and services at www.freedombeforefi.com
• Email: If you want to connect, send me a note at greg@freedombeforefi.com
• Instagram: or send a DM at Instagram Link 
• Linktree (all links): https://linktr.ee/freedombeforefi 

Listen to FBF on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/freedom-before-fi-life-design-purpose-sabbaticals-coast/id1740083285

Listen to FBF on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/0XxPgEeuGayTqaEwUE19mk?si=cc8639ad8c28474e

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice