Letting Go of Shoulds and Building Confidence with Former Athlete Zara Jillings

“I wanted more stuff that felt like it was mine.” Zara Jilling’s life has been defined by excellence — elite basketballer, top of her class, and a rising force in AI. But behind the accolades is a story of transition, questioning, and quiet reinvention. In this episode, she opens up about the intensity of her athletic and corporate years, the quarter-life unraveling that followed, and the slow, tender process of rediscovering joy through Pilates, friendship, and shell-painting on the beach. Zara reminds us that identity isn’t fixed — it’s shaped, stretched, and sometimes surrendered.Zara’s journey invites us to reimagine success not as achievement, but as ownership — of time, energy, and joy. She shows us that a bountiful life isn’t found in the grand gestures, but in the intentional details: planking in your living room, spotting bunnies on your morning walk, or making something with your hands just for the fun of it. Through her honesty and humour, she nudges us to let go of who we think we should be, and instead ask: What actually feels like mine?🎧 Episode Highlights – Zara DavidsonRedefining identity after high achievement Zara shares what it was like to step away from elite sport and a fast-paced tech career, and how she began to rediscover who she was beyond being “good” at things.From burnout to bunnies and Pilates She opens up about her quarter-life crisis, the slow process of creating space for joy, and how simple practices like outdoor walks and creative hobbies helped her reconnect with herself.“You never regret a swim.” Zara reflects on the healing power of nature, movement, and the outdoors — and why going for a swim is her go-to reset.Letting go of the ‘shoulds’ She discusses the pressure of external expectations, and how she’s learned to ask: “Do I want to do this, or do I just feel like I should?”The power of play, presence, and non-performance Whether it’s surfing, crafting, or Pilates, Zara now chooses activities that feel good — not ones she has to be great at. Her shift from performance to presence is a major theme in this conversation.Guest Bio: Zara Davidson is a high-performing technology sales professional and former professional athlete whose career bridges the worlds of elite sport and cutting-edge innovation. Zara is an accomplished technology Sales Executive with a track record of helping Fortune 500 companies leverage generative AI-powered solutions to achieve digital transformation. Her expertise lies at the intersection of artificial intelligence and human-centric technology, with a focus on selling innovative, impactful AI SaaS solutions that create engaging customer experiences.Most recently, she played a pivotal role at Soul Machines, where she closed the largest deal in company history and generated over 80% of total revenue in a single year. Known for her ability to connect across strategic, technical, and human dimensions, she’s collaborated with global leaders at Microsoft, AWS, Google, and more. Before entering the tech world, Zara represented New Zealand on the international basketball stage and competed at the NCAA Division I level. About Bountifull PodcastThe Bountifull Podcast is all about exploring how to live a joyful, purpose-driven life. Host Sian Simpson connects with interesting people from diverse backgrounds to dive into themes like personal growth, emotional wellness, and creativity. In this episode, Zara Davidson, former elite athlete and tech professional, opens up about her journey of reinvention. From navigating burnout and stepping away from the pressure of high achievement, Zara shares how she found joy in the simple, intentional details of life—like Pilates, nature walks, and creative hobbies. Her story reminds us that success isn’t just about performance, but about choosing joy, embracing change, and letting go of external expectations to reconnect with what truly matters.