Emma's Escape Story: From London-Based Management Consultant To Bath-Based Coach

"Numbers weren’t and aren’t my passion and, generally, it just wasn’t quite right."

Emma escaped the city in all senses. Working as a management consultant, she made the full leap into a new life both physically (by relocating to the beautiful historic city of Bath in the UK) and work-wise (switching to work as a coach). Looking for a better pace of life and a career that inspires her, Emma made the decision to invest in herself with new training, to bridge the gap into the life she wanted.

If you’re also feeling a “bit of a fish out of water” in your job somehow, and wanting to escape the corporate life, then read on!

Can you tell us about your management consultant background and your career prior to your 'escape'?

I spent 15 years working with the public sector, mostly the NHS, providing financial advice, writing business cases, working on a whole range of procurements and transactions. It was complex, very detailed work and, in part, really interesting. The NHS is a fascinating and brilliant organisation full of immense challenges and problems to solve. 

However, I was always a bit of a fish out of water in the job. I was a non-accountant in an accounting firm. Numbers weren’t and aren’t my passion and, generally, it just wasn’t quite right. But it was what I knew and I was doing 'ok' at it and the social life was fun, so I just thought that was how things were.

Then add into the mix single motherhood and suddenly you have a potent case for change! 

The change in my priorities meant that I, basically, couldn’t do my job. I wasn’t able to travel at the drop of a hat. I was usually the first to leave the office for pick up and I was constantly exhausted. 

Beyond that, something shifted in me. If I was going to leave my child for the entire week, I wanted it to be for something that gave me a sense of purpose and enjoyment. The trouble was, I didn’t know what that was.

What are you doing now?

Now, I work as a career and women’s leadership coach. At the moment I am focussing on supporting women in toxic workplaces and toxic situations to turn their situation around and regain their mojo. Some of them will become escapees, but for others they love their work and just want support to navigate the workplace so that they can get the recognition they deserve and share their magic with the world. I love it.  

How did you feel in your work before you decided to make a change?

I felt really trapped. I needed to work to pay to have my child cared for by someone other than me and I didn’t know what to do instead. It was a really disorienting time. I was especially concerned about jumping from the frying pan to the fire. 

What made you take the leap into your new path?

I had a shower thought! One of the ways I dealt with feeling miserable about my situation was to read a lot; articles, books and generally bounce from link to link learning about interesting organisations and work that people were doing. That particular morning, it occurred to me that there was a common theme to everything I was reading about. It was all about personal development, growth, healing and humanity. From there it all sort of fell into place. I often think about that moment.

What was the most difficult thing about making this change, and how did you overcome it?

Despite, not being happy in my work, it was scary to leave the security of a career path and an organisation and to step into something that felt really unknown and that no one I knew was doing. I had a mantra “run your own race”. It kept me going. 

Beyond that, self-employment presents many challenges. I’ve dealt with these by putting a good team around me for support and by resourcing myself well. 

Is there anything you miss from your old career, or that you've brought forwards into your new work?

I miss two things: I loved working with the NHS and hope to again soon just in a different capacity. And I miss the bants! I worked with so many talented, fun and funny people and while the work didn’t always fulfil me, the people were great. 

What advice would you give to others reading this that are in a similar situation? 1) It’s much closer than you think. It’s like looking at the end of your nose, it’s so close that it’s out of focus. 2) Go towards what feels good. 3) Get a great support team around you.

Are you looking for more inspirational and motivational real-life stories? Check out the rest of our series of 'Escape stories' on our blog!