Fede Garcia: Fired at the top and giving up on the power, the prestige, and all of it

What happens after the dream job ends? In this deeply honest conversation, Maryam sits down with Fede García, who (in a matter of a few weeks) went from an award-winning Global Chief Creative Officer at one of the biggest agencies in the world to writing a vulnerable LinkedIn post about being fired. Together, they unpack the reality of ego, identity, burnout, and reinvention after “success.” Fede opens up about imposter syndrome, health battles, the creative grind, career pivots, and what it means to let go of titles and begin again—with joy, humility, and courage.Guest: Fede GarciaFollow Fede on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fedegarcia/ Topics Covered:Why he went public about getting firedLinkedIn’s performative culture vs. real storytellingCreativity and ego: navigating praise, loss, and self-worthHealth, dialysis, and the impact of chronic illness on a creative careerGlobal creative life: Buenos Aires → Tokyo → NYCBuilding vs. winning: What awards don’t tell youStarting over mid-career (and taking a ⅓ pay cut to do it)Beginner’s mindset: boxing, motorcycles, learning JapaneseLeaving the agency world without bitternessRedefining success and finding joy beyond the titleAdvice for Gen Z creatives navigating a chaotic marketThe importance of taste, perspective, and patience in the age of AIThe power of reflection, vulnerability, and owning your storyMentioned:Read Fede's original LinkedIn post (search under “Posts”)Send us Fan MailEmail us: [email protected] stay up to date with The Messy Parts and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.Thank you for listening.