10 | When Success Becomes Too Costly

In this episode of the RenewHer Podcast, I sit down with Julie Cober — executive leadership coach, former corporate CHRO, bestselling author, and founder of the Legacy Leadership Academy. After nearly three decades in senior HR roles, Julie realized that while she loved helping others, the corporate environment was no longer the right container for her. Feeling out of alignment, combined with stress-related health issues and her husband’s cancer diagnosis, she made the courageous decision to leave corporate life at 52 and embrace a bold second act. Julie now helps high-performing women redefine success, build careers and businesses that light them up, and navigate midlife transitions with courage and clarity. She shares insights on coaching, mindset shifts, identity, and the “be, do, have” approach that accelerates growth. Julie reframes reinvention as remembering your true self and offers practical guidance for women ready to trust themselves, create change, and transform their lives. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why engaging a coach early can transform your transition, and how to choose the right one How midlife can be a powerful season for purpose, alignment, and self-expression The “be, do, have” mindset and how being the person you want to be first drives results Why reinvention is often remembering who you truly are How inner work and alignment positively impact relationships, career, and life Practical steps for navigating fear, doubt, and the inner critic during change The importance of support, reflection, and intentionality in creating sustainable transformation If you’re contemplating a career pivot, navigating stress, or ready to create a life that truly fits who you are, this conversation is full of insight, encouragement, and actionable guidance. 0:00 - Introduction 0:54 - Meet Julie Cober 4:37 - The Perfect Corporate Trajectory 8:41 - The Hidden Cost of Success 16:37 - 2009: When Everything Changed 25:43 - The Panic Attack 30:50 - The Breaking Point 37:54 - Planning the Exit Strategy 44:23 - First Year Identity Crisis 49:43 - Why Midlife Women Are Waking Up 53:43 - The Be-Do-Have Leadership Model 58:03 - Remembering Who You Are 1:01:07 - Advice for Women Feeling Trapped 1:05:00 - How to Connect with JulieConnect with Julie CoberWebsite / Coaching: https://www.juliecober.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliecober/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julie.cober.5Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliecobercoaching/Newsletter: https://www.juliecober.com  Connect with GenellSubscribe to my newsletter Mind Matters. Schedule a free Discovery Session with me.Get my free guide: Fog to Focus: 4 Proven Brain Habits to Reclaim Your Mental EdgeSubscribe to my YouTube channel RenewHer with Genell  Check out my website.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/genelllemley/Email: [email protected] And if you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to RenewHer Podcast for more episodes on midlife reinvention, leadership, and brain health for women 50+.