Episode 29 - Why Career Breaks Are the Key to Mental Health, Wellness & Radical Prioritization

In this honest and inspiring episode, Katrina McGhee and James Hammond dive deep into the emotional and physical realities of taking a career break to reclaim your mental health and overall wellness.

Katrina shares her powerful story of investing $6,000 into a health coaching program, losing 21 pounds, and building a life-changing routine centered on radical prioritization. From overcoming perimenopause symptoms to recovering from serious injuries, she reveals how focusing on health became her ultimate act of self-care.

James also opens up about his own wake-up call after a health scare led him to rethink his lifestyle and eating habits. Together, they reflect on how career breaks are not always about travel—they can be an essential tool to reset, heal, and build a better future.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or overwhelmed, this conversation will show you how raising the stakes and aligning your values can help you take that first powerful step. Whether you're dreaming of a break or already on one, you'll walk away with insight, motivation, and a few laughs along the way.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro to the show and episode overview
01:12 – Katrina shares how she’s really feeling lately
02:26 – Why inspiration and escape still matter in heavy times
03:27 – James becomes a Canadian citizen and reflects on the long journey
05:06 – Katrina's major health and wellness update begins
07:01 – The reality of perimenopause, setbacks, and self-doubt
08:43 – Health as a reason to take a break and Katrina’s client examples
09:34 – The importance of resetting your baseline for wellness
11:10 – Injuries, frozen shoulder, and the road to physical recovery
13:54 – Radical prioritization and sacrifice to achieve a big goal
15:45 – Why investing in yourself raises the stakes
18:57 – James shares his cholesterol scare and new fitness journey
21:22 – Different ways to raise the stakes to achieve life-changing results
24:34 – Aligning values, money, and mindset for your break
26:19 – Final thoughts and gratitude to listeners
27:28 – Join the BreakSpace community for your own transformative break

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every podcast app!

📩 Got a story about your own career break journey? DM us or leave a review—we’d love to hear from you!

If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com