Why I Left Air Force Intelligence to Chase the Dream I Couldn’t Ignore & How to Know When It’s Time! (Ft. Maria Volodkevich, Author, & Nonprofit Leader)

What if the career you worked so hard to build no longer feels like the life you're meant to live? We have Air Force Academy graduate, former AF intelligence officer, entrepreneur, author, & nonprofit leader Maria Volkevich for an honest conversation about leaving the military, reinventing yourself, & finding the courage to pursue a different dream.After 6 years in the Air Force, Maria made the bold decision to move across the world, earn her master's degree in marketing from the London School of Economics, and launch Little Wingman Press, home to her children's book series Zooming Zoey and Wingman Willie, which celebrates military children. Together, Kellie and Maria discuss what it really means to "do both", from navigating career pivots and entrepreneurship to burnout, therapy, grief, rejection, and learning to build the plane while you fly it. They share how military service shaped their leadership, why failure is often the foundation for success, and how intentional living, not perfection, is what truly moves the needle.You’ll hear about:• Knowing when it's time to make a major career pivot• The 4 failed ideas that led Maria to her successful business• How military service prepares you for entrepreneurship and leadership• Why you have to build the plane while you fly it• Moving the needle 10x more in your biz vs. 2x more• Why grief, joy, ambition, & rest can all exist at the same time• How to stop tying your identity to your title or accomplishmentsWhether you're considering a career change, building a business, or wondering if it's too late to chase another dream, this episode is a reminder that you don't need the perfect plan, you just need the courage to take the next step.Show notes ~IG: @zoeyandwilliehttps://www.instagram.com/maria_volodkevich?igsh=MTBjaWg5a3N6MXExNQ==Website: https://www.zoeyandwillie.com/Enjoyed this episode? Visit kelliesbrocchi.com and follow Kellie ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ! Loved the show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@doboth.podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠? Leave a review and share what you learned—we love to hear from you! #DoBothDisclaimer: Views and opinions are personal and do not reflect that of the DOD/DOW.