147: The Second Act Nobody Prepares You For

Most people don’t lose themselves overnight. It happens slowly… after success. Meet Lauren. A respected VP in tech with over 20 years of experience, Lauren has built a career many would admire. But lately, the work feels hollow. Meetings feel repetitive. Motivation has faded. With her children grown and life shifting, a question she hasn’t asked in years starts to surface… is this really how she wants to spend her next chapter? In this episode, Jay sits down with Colleen Pimentel, former big tech executive turned coach and author, who helps high achievers move beyond success on paper and into a more meaningful second act. Together, they explore identity, purpose, fear, and how to reinvent without burning everything down. Notable Quotes “Confidence doesn’t come when fear disappears. It comes when you take action.” — Colleen Pimentel “You don’t have to burn it all down. You can build your next chapter in parallel.” — Colleen Pimentel “When you live your purpose, you actually gain energy, not lose it.” — Colleen Pimentel About Our Guest Colleen Pimentel is a former big tech executive, author, and coach who helps high achievers redefine success and step into their next chapter with clarity and intention. After spending over 30 years in corporate leadership, she now guides individuals through identity shifts, purpose discovery, and meaningful reinvention. Resources & Links Colleen Pimentel Business Website – https://www.mckennapimentelconsulting.com/ Website – https://www.colleenpimentel.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-pimentel-140790/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@collpimentel/ Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story  Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay explores why being hard on yourself feels natural, but is often counterproductive. He breaks down the research behind self-criticism and shares a practical framework, including insights from Eastern philosophy, to help you become more self-compassionate without losing your edge.