From Taylor Swift Interviews to Time Freedom: How a Former TV Executive Guides Women Through Career Reinvention

TUP EP 109

Aransas Savas: [: 00:00:00

Shannon is gonna share with you her powerful story of when she really hit her breaking point and. How that moment led her to completely reimagine her life. Shannon's gonna share the practical [00:00:45] steps that she took to navigate this career transition and the mindset shifts that enabled her to be successful as she reinvented herself.

nce of identifying what your [: 00:01:00

Shannon stories got something for. Let's get into it.

ing me. I'm so excited. I've [: 00:01:30

Aransas Savas: Me too. I love your podcast. I love your work, and most of all, I love the way you are approaching this work with so much curiosity [00:01:45] and so much openness to learning and discovery.

d coach. That's a big shift. [: 00:02:00

Shannon Russell: hitting that rock bottom point.

had just told my team that I [: 00:02:30

One more time. I missed the first birthday, miss Halloween. It was all of these things and then I think the emotions and hormones of being eight months pregnant. I just [00:02:45] said something has to give and I think I need to figure out what else I can do because I don't wanna keep missing out more with the new one on the

Aransas Savas: way.

e you being able to see that [: 00:03:00

Jog back to the. Completely depleting and frying myself, and I just sort of pressured through probably very poorly, and I think honestly, [00:03:45] very much to the detriment of myself, my career, my child, and if there's anything in life that I regret, it's probably that period of powering through. Yeah, the breaking point.

So I'm really impressed. [: 00:04:00

Shannon Russell: I had powered through those first three years of my oldest, so I know that feeling of just saying, yeah, I'm okay. I'm okay. I [00:04:15] can do it all.

ute, it just, it just didn't [: 00:04:30

It's always the woman who gives, and yeah. And I just, you know, that was the moment that I was like, well, let me see what else I can do. I had no idea what else I could possibly do and how my [00:04:45] skills and experience would transfer.

Aransas Savas: Did you just take the leap with like no plan?

Shannon Russell: Well, it was like going for a while, like those wheels were turning and then I could tell you where I was.

he mall 'cause it was winter [: 00:05:00

Like this is the moment. Or else [00:05:15] I would've just kept doing it over and over again, one project to the next, that's, you know, what we did in tv. But instead I was like, okay, this is my chance to produce my own life. Like what can I do? And that's where I just started trying to figure it out. It. [00:05:30] It wasn't easy.

Aransas Savas: Wow. And so were you scared?

uch as I loved tv, it was my [: 00:05:45

So I just. I think I feared not being able to bring income [00:06:00] into the family and contributing and having to go back to those hours and missing the kids and having to get the up pair and nanny and all that. And so I was like, no, other people can do it, but that's not what I want. So let me see if I can figure this out.

But I, [: 00:06:15

Aransas Savas: For so many of us, we're worried about what we know in those moments that we miss what we do know. So what did you feel like prepared [00:06:45] you for that?

Shannon Russell: I think it was that figuring out what wasn't working. I got the nine to five job close to home in an office. Like, okay, this is what I should be doing.

ing to be long term. Yeah. I [: 00:07:00

But then during those times, there was a lot of lows where I would listen to podcasts in my car over my lunch break. Tears trying to just figure it out. And I started listening to podcasts like [00:07:30] Marie Forleo and Jenna Kutcher and these women who had made pivots and had successful online businesses. And I was like, there's something to this.

uge celebrities, big budgets [: 00:07:45

And I [00:08:00] used it as more of like a challenge. Hmm. And that made it more fun of like, let's see if I can do this. I'm gonna like, I don't really care what anyone else says. This feels right. I did my research and then I just leapt after I researched and said, it's gotta work. [00:08:15] I'm gonna hustle.

Aransas Savas: I love that so much.

d for you that this was a, A [: 00:08:30

Shannon Russell: Yeah, well, I think it's important to turn inward, and I had realized in those lunches in my car for that lunch break that I [00:08:45] never turn inward since I became a mom, even probably before that.

Never took that pause to say, am I happy? Am I on the right path? Is this, does this feel right?

Aransas Savas: Mm-hmm. And

self and I realized, okay, I [: 00:09:00

Like, I wanna be able to be present with the kids. I wanna be a class parent. If I choose, I wanna pick up at three o'clock if I [00:09:15] choose. These are my non-negotiables. So when I started looking at businesses. I had an idea for a STEM education business for kids, and as I started researching, like, what would that look like?

a business before, that was [: 00:09:30

Helping people in the community is what I wanted to be able to do too. So all of that just seemed like that fit with who that person was I was having that conversation with when I checked in with myself.

s Savas: That's so cool. And [: 00:10:00

Have all the desire, [00:10:15] but none of the action because we're like, where do I begin? And. I think that's such a, an easy, clear starting point to say, what do I have to have? [00:10:30] And to start to force prioritize those even.

Shannon Russell: Yes. And I think it's also what do you not want, right? Mm-hmm. 'cause if you're looking at that, yeah, it's also easy to have that shiny object syndrome.

d you get an opportunity for [: 00:10:45

Aransas Savas: Mm-hmm.

-negotiables as that kind of.[: 00:11:00

Tool to look at that ruler of like, okay, is this going to really help me get to this? Mm-hmm. Or is it not? So it's a nice little way of,

llenging the non-negotiables [: 00:11:15

And so to look at them again and say. Okay. Is this true for me or is this about what other people think [00:11:30] or other people value and need? Or is this really, really what I want for now? And what a powerful muscle to build for all of life? Like this is just a forcing function. Build and to live in [00:11:45] like greater.

So how has your definition of purpose and success throughout your different career phases?

question. I think, you know, [: 00:12:00

Wow. And it felt good. I felt like, okay. All that hard work, that [00:12:15] scariness, I was able to make it happen. And then it like lit a fire under me where I was like, okay, I wanna do this again. And I felt like I was giving back. Teaching children and helping families. And so it was really great. But then a couple [00:12:30] years later, I opened my coaching business because I found the need that other women like us were sitting here going, I don't think this works anymore, and I've gotta figure out what else I can do.

ve working with families and [: 00:12:45

So that's where my purpose really lies.

Aransas Savas: Now, it's interesting that you decided to stop doing one thing, to do another thing. What went into that decision?

did them both for maybe four [: 00:13:15

Mm-hmm. And then my coaching took off a little faster than I thought. I thought that would be like my little side hustle, but there was such [00:13:30] demand for it. I loved it. So I figured, let me try to sell the franchise business while it's at the top and doing great. And so that's what I did. It took about a year and I found buyers, and now someone else is raising my baby, but I was able to sell it successfully and make a profit [00:13:45] from it, and that just made me again think like, okay, this is for the greater good, and now I can focus just on my clients and my coaching and getting my mission out there to help others.

your answer because I think [: 00:14:00

Shannon Russell: That's what I learned leaving television because you know, [00:14:30] television is all in who, you know, it's your name, it's who are you working with. It's very showy in that sense. And I did feel like, oh my gosh, who am I afterwards? But I, for whatever reason, just felt like, Nope, I'm gonna figure it out and [00:14:45] celebrate it.

that that is still a part of [: 00:15:00

Right. You're, you're giving yourself another title, and we've got many titles and many hats. So yeah, I think it just is something that's always going to happen. And then leaving that first business and starting another [00:15:15] one. Then to have the people that you worried were gonna have an opinion about why you were reinventing yourself, who come and say, you helped me do that.

to this? Can you help me? So [: 00:15:30

I wanna try now too.

non can do it, maybe I can't [: 00:15:45

That's a great question too.

can research online, but you [: 00:16:15

And [00:16:30] oftentimes people just wanna help because they think it's cool that you're asking their advice about what it is they do, and it doesn't take a lot of effort. You feel like you're putting some good karma out into the world. So I think that kind of research is great. And also going back to the [00:16:45] non-negotiables, and of course going back to the skills and the experience that you bring to the table.

y special. Everyone does it. [: 00:17:00

And then you look at this next role that you're pondering and you can [00:17:15] kind of connect the dots and say. This is why I'd be great at this because of this, and you create what I call career story so that when you're saying, I'm opening this business and I'm the best person to open this business because this is what I've done for the last 15 years, [00:17:30] and it just brings it all together.

t, it does say, Hey, I'm not [: 00:17:45

Shannon Russell: Yeah, and that's okay. Right? We evolve amazing and we change. So we're not the same people. We were at 20 when we [00:18:00] chose what we wanted to do. So yeah, always,

fe transitions all day every [: 00:18:15

Shannon Russell: The one that I get the most, which is sad, but a lot of times women will say, who am I to make a [00:18:30] change? Mm-hmm. Like, doesn't everyone hate their job? Shouldn't I just suck it up? And it comes up time and time again, and it's me saying, well, who are you to not? And wake up 20 years from now and regret this time.

not given the time. Life is [: 00:18:45

I'll just suck it up and I'll be the martyr. You don't

mix our measures of success. [: 00:19:15

Yeah. That should get some, some big consideration before we do it. Yeah, and I think so often what happens is that we like, we're like, okay, so I'll just dip my toe in and then if I'm not massively successful by [00:19:45] dipping my toe in, it's a failure. But the question isn't, is it successful? With the exploration, but rather, how do I feel in that type of role?

How do I feel in [: 00:20:00

Shannon Russell: You're so right. Yeah, and it's saying, especially now with so many layoffs happening, you wanna have [00:20:15] something that you are in control of and that brings you peace.

doing it and you're feeling [: 00:20:30

You can add on, you can see what feels good and you can test it [00:20:45] out, but it's not gonna happen if you don't take that step forward. So it's just thinking about how you wanna feel every day because. It's kind of scary to think about staying in that stuck position.

who said, nobody loves their [: 00:21:00

And for me it was kind of a different thing in that I liked my job, there were things I really enjoyed about it, and it was really hard for me to believe that [00:21:15] maybe the grass could be even greener. So that actually is where I got really stuck for a long time. I was like, should I stay or should I go now?

use I'm an optimist. Mm-hmm. [: 00:21:30

Yes. And nudged the bird outta the nest. Perfect. Just when I needed it. And I was really, I was really ready. It was just, I was scared. So how do you help women believe in [00:22:00] the future that is unknown.

strengths, your values, your [: 00:22:15

I've accomplished a lot. And then to start to say, okay, well, knowing this. What are you thinking? What are you dreaming about? What are those [00:22:30] voices in your head? Whispering. But you're ignoring. What did you wanna be when you grew up, when you were little? If we had a magic wand and we could wave it, and then we start looking at that and say, well, how realistic is that with your non-negotiables?

Sometimes I'll have [: 00:22:45

And I think while doing that research, they're realizing that they are worthy. And that's where the confidence comes out, because you wanna be confident so that you can tell other people what your next move is. Mm-hmm. And I have had some clients who don't wanna tell their partners. [00:23:15] Because they're afraid their partners won't be supportive or their parents or their best friend.

at other people say. And you [: 00:23:30

Who am I realizing you are worthy to make that change?

as Savas: Yeah, I think it's [: 00:23:45

Shannon Russell: Yes, but it's also being realistic. 'cause I'm realistic as well, like looking at your financials, which none of us want to do, but [00:24:00] saying, okay, if I'm thinking about leaving, but I have a paycheck coming in, what can I do to maybe build this business or work on this second act while I'm getting a paycheck?

t in that six months, you're [: 00:24:15

To really be [00:24:30] successful and not just up and quit and, and feeling scared. And, you know, some people don't have the luxury, like you and I with my job, my show getting canceled and you getting let go. But we had to just figure it out. I love that you label that as a luxury. Well, you know, and it

Aransas Savas: [: 00:24:45

Shannon Russell: it forced our hand and a lot of people I think are waiting for that.

backup plan because nothing, [: 00:25:00

Aransas Savas: anymore. I think too it is, it is admitting to ourselves that we want more.

Shannon Russell: Yeah. And that we're not selfish for wanting more.

t of women, especially moms, [: 00:25:15

Aransas Savas: Well, and you talk about while you're, you're working at that other job, starting to build the next thing. Yeah. And I think that's scary to people too, right? Like they're so overwhelmed with maybe work and motherhood and [00:25:45] taking care of their parents, right? Like right, there's so many things that we can be taking care of already and the thought of adding one more thing, overwhelming.

I hear. Do things and doesn't[: 00:26:00

all.

s go to sleep. It can be the [: 00:26:15

Can just be [00:26:30] a little bit here and there once or twice

n socials and say, what if I [: 00:26:45

Well, what if you invested that in something that provides more energy instead of decreasing and depleting your energy? [00:27:00] I just, I love the idea of like going and capturing that data as the input that more time exists and that specific blocks of time have actually already been built and repurposed.

Shannon Russell: Ooh.

scary, right? We don't wanna [: 00:27:15

Aransas Savas: redistribute that time need certainly sometimes those really tangible actions that I can take.

rtainly from behavior change [: 00:27:30

Shannon Russell: No, but it is, [00:27:45] it's like there's these little pockets in our day, and it can even be listening to a podcast like yours and listening to it while you're doing dishes, but you're educating yourself by listening.

ething or someone in the car [: 00:28:00

Aransas Savas: I love that point. Maybe we should just make a list of all the little things we could do to invest in ourselves for that.

minute social [: 00:28:15

Shannon Russell: Yeah.

Because what we've used that [: 00:28:30

So if we don't have an actual specific replacement for it, we're just gonna do what we've always done.

wrote it in a sense that it [: 00:28:45

Read a chapter, and then you have some stuff to work on. So that can be something that you can do in those little pockets. It's just that self-reflection, but yet you're planning at the same time and hopefully getting yourself inspired. [00:29:00]

clients, it just makes it so.[: 00:29:15

To be able to translate your collective knowledge into more impact,

t they can grab this book on [: 00:29:30

Let take these baby steps to see what happens. So yeah.

Aransas Savas: [: 00:29:45

Shannon Russell: That's kind of crazy. Go

ansas Savas: you. So looking [: 00:30:00

Shannon Russell: To give yourself [00:30:15] grace and then follow your heart. Like try it because you can always go back and so there's no harm in trying, but you don't want to regret this time and not to see what else you can do. And it all works out better than you could have expected. [00:30:30]

Aransas Savas: Yeah. And there will be mistakes and.

Shannon Russell: I never would've expected that I would've owned two businesses and be speaking on stages and write a book and like all of this stuff almost 10 years ago.

ever, never. So it's kind of [: 00:30:45

Aransas Savas: Yeah, it does, uh, build more confidence to hear other people's stories. And the whole idea of this podcast is to [00:31:00] help ourselves believe that change is possible through seeing it in others.

For the folks who wanna connect with you and read the book and do the exercises, where should they go?

second act.com. Everything's [: 00:31:15

Aransas Savas: Awesome. As Uplifters, we love to. So how can we as a community best help you with your goals right now?

Shannon Russell: Well, I think that's such a great question.

[: 00:31:30

Aransas Savas: I can't wait to read the book when it releases. We're all in transition all the time, and so I know I'll learn a lot and [00:31:45] benefit from practicing those exercises as well.

podcast. If you're getting a [: 00:32:00

And like, follow and rate our show. It'll really help us connect with more uplifters and it'll ensure you never miss one of these beautiful stories. Mm,

Music: big love [: 00:32:30

With a hindsight. Bring the sun to twilight. Lift you up. Whoa.

[: 00:33:00

Lift you up. Whoa. Lift you up.

Lift you[: 00:33:15

lift, you

lift, you

lift.[: 00:33:30

Um, beautiful. I cried. It's that little thing you did with your voice, right? In the preco, right? Uh, Uhhuh. I was like, [00:33:45] mommy, mommy, stop crying. You're disturbing the peace.