What happens when the path you worked so hard to build no longer feels like the path you want?
In this episode of Root to Rising, Christine sits down with Michelle Pollack, executive leadership coach, who helps high achievers build lives and careers that feel as good as they look on paper.
Michelle shares her unexpected journey from studying theater at Northwestern and working in New York’s entertainment industry to Hollywood—and eventually discovering executive coaching. Along the way, she found herself asking a question many high-achieving women eventually face: Is this really what I want?
Christine and Michelle unpack why women can feel trapped by the careers, expectations, and identities they once chose—and why changing direction doesn’t mean you failed. They explore the pressure to prove yourself, perfectionism, people-pleasing, leadership, delegation, and the inner critic that can convince us to stay where we are instead of exploring what could be next.
Michelle also shares a powerful reminder: confidence doesn’t have to come before the leap. Sometimes courage comes first, and confidence is built by taking the risk, learning, adjusting, and realizing that even if things don’t go perfectly—you’ll be okay.
This conversation is a reminder that you’re allowed to evolve. The person you wanted to become at 20 doesn’t have to define who you become at 30, 40, 50, or beyond.
Root to Rising — where women share their stories and experiences so others can listen, learn, and grow.
Continue the conversation and learn more about Michelle’s work in executive leadership coaching.
Connect with Michelle:
website: www.michellepollack.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-pollack/
Music licensed through Soundstripe.
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