#179. When Doors Close, Build a Bigger Arena: Navigating Career Change with Carlee Wolfe

Sometimes the doors we think are closed are just leading us toward a bigger arena of possibilities we haven't seen yet. In this thoughtful conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Carlee Wolfe—strategist and coach with 20+ years leading talent and transformation at brands like Under Armour, Hyatt Hotels, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee—who helps people navigate career challenges with clarity instead of urgency.Carlee shares her journey of falling into work she loves while acknowledging the doors that closed along the way. She reframes networking as "connecting to learn"—expanding your limited options by getting curious about what others are doing. For introverts, she offers gentler entry points: start with a neighbor doing something interesting, or find groups that match where you are.She gets practical about AI—not as something to fear, but to get curious about and build skills in, because we're all using it whether we've opted in or not. She explains why staying "at least on pace" matters for long-term career growth and encourages using AI itself to start learning.Carlee shares insights from coaching Paralympic athletes, including the powerful advocacy question: "Is it accessible?" She explains how the same principles apply to careers—making the box bigger so more people can play, rather than fighting to fit into small spaces. She introduces the Three C's (Curiosity, Clarity, Confidence) as both a planning tool and diagnostic when you're stuck.Whether you're facing career uncertainty, feeling overwhelmed by change, or looking for permission to explore what's possible, this conversation offers compassion and practical tools for moving forward.Bio:Carlee Wolfe is a strategist, connector, and coach helping people and organizations thrive through change. With 20+ years of leading talent, culture, and transformation across global brands like Under Armour, Hyatt Hotels, Apollo Education Group, and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, she specializes in turning strategy into behavior that sticks.Beyond corporate work, she coaches athletes (including Paralympic hopefuls) and serves on nonprofit boards shaping workforce development and recreation. She believes transformation and career growth don’t have to be complicated - she bring stories, strategies, and tools that help people move forward with purpose. Her work is practical, reflective, and focused on forward motion – helping people move with clarity rather than urgency.She holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC).Connect with Carlee:Website: https://aceandarrowconsulting.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleeawolfe/Books mentioned:Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9781455586660https://amzn.to/3NLfwBTPodcasts mentioned: 10% Happier with Dan Harris - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10-happier-with-dan-harris/id1087147821 Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/armchair-expert-with-dax-shepard/id1345682353———Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!———This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.