In this insightful episode, global credibility expert Mitchell Levy is joined by executive coach, author, and values-driven leader Mary Olson-Menzel to explore what it truly means to live and lead with authenticity and purpose. Mary shares her journey from corporate executive to entrepreneur, reveals pivotal moments of choosing fulfillment over comfort, and opens up about supporting her family, clients, and herself in the pursuit of meaningful lives and careers. Together, they discuss the real challenges of burnout, the power of scenario planning, and the importance of standing by your values—even when it’s hard. Whether you’re an organizational leader, an aspiring changemaker, or simply seeking greater balance and joy in life, Mary’s practical wisdom and the conversation about finding your ikigai will light you up and inspire you to act.
Summary
Mary Olson-Menzel, an executive coach and author, discusses her multifaceted roles and the importance of authenticity in her personal and professional life. She emphasizes meaningful conversations that go beyond superficial interactions, focusing on deeper emotions and passions. Mary shares her experience of supporting her son’s football aspirations and the lessons learned from balancing personal and professional responsibilities. She highlights the impact of her book on readers’ lives and the importance of aligning with clients’ values and goals. Mary also touches on the concept of ikigai, a Japanese term for finding one’s purpose, and the significance of self-care and resilience in achieving personal fulfillment.
Quotes
· “I feel like I’m pretty much my authentic self, no matter where I am, no matter what role I am.”
· “You have to be patient with yourself, you have to be patient with the process, but you can get to where you want to go.”
· “If I can’t help this person, I will refer them to somebody else whom I trust.”
· “What I realized was that I needed to slow down to speed up.”
· “I’m on a mission to get everybody into the sweet spot of what is called ikigai—your reason for being.”
Takeaways
· Living authentically means showing up as your true self in all areas of life, both personally and professionally.
· Supporting others in following their passions sometimes requires letting go and trusting their journey, even when it’s challenging.
· Burnout can affect anyone, including coaches and leaders; recognizing it and prioritizing self-care is essential for long-term success.
· Making decisions from a place of integrity and alignment with core values leads to greater fulfillment and credibility.
· The Japanese concept of “ikigai”—the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can get paid for—can serve as a powerful guide for designing a meaningful life.
· Scenario planning and honest self-assessment help individuals and clients make choices that lead to genuine excitement and impact, not just financial rewards.
· Patience and consistent action, rather than quick fixes, are keys to personal and professional transformation.
Timeline
0:00 Guest Introduction and Authenticity
2:00 Adjusting Conversations for Family
4:00 Meaningful vs Superficial Conversations
6:00 Supporting a Child’s Passions
8:00 Book Reception and Feedback
10:00 Family, Travel, and Personal Excitement
12:00 Coaching Clients and Corporate Engagement
14:00 Sharing on LinkedIn and Networking
16:00 Burnout, Balance, and Self-care
18:00 (No direct segment; conversation continues on self-reflection and practices)
20:00 Daily Practices and Client Alignment
22:00 Integrity in Making Career Decisions
24:00 Saying No for Values and Fulfillment
26:00 Scenario Planning for Clients
28:00 Final Reflections and Closing Advice
30:00 Ikigai and Path to Fulfillment
Conclusion
Mitchell Levy and Mary Olson-Menzel come together for an inspiring exploration of what it truly means to lead with authenticity and align your life with your core values. Mary shares personal stories—like supporting her son’s dreams, navigating her own battle with burnout, and making the bold decision to walk away from lucrative but misaligned career opportunities—to illustrate how integrity and self-awareness shape lasting fulfillment. She introduces the empowering concept of ikigai and emphasizes the importance of self-care, scenario planning, and saying yes for the right reasons. This episode serves as an essential guide for leaders and individuals ready to pursue meaning over mere achievement, make values-driven choices, and create a balanced, purpose-filled path forward.
If you like what you’re hearing and want to dive deeper into credibility, clarity, and how to show up as your best self, visit MitchellLevy.com. You can also book time directly on the calendar at https://mitchelllevy.com/contact-us to start your journey toward greater credibility today!
Links/Resources:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-olson-menzel-mvpexec
Book “What Lights You Up: Illuminate Your Path and Take the Next Big Step in Your Career”: https://a.co/d/0chj7Wt Website: https://mvpexec.com/ Learn more about Mitchell Levy: https://MitchellLevy.com Book time directly with Mitchell: https://mitchelllevy.com/contact-us
Credibility Nation: Website: https://MitchellLevy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchelllevy/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CredibilityNation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CredibilityNation Community: https://aha.pub/Superheroes
