It's Never Too Late to Start Again: My Journey From Corporate to Coach to Counsellor
LIFESTYLE
Written by Rachel Mehaffey
It's Never Too Late to Start Again
My Journey from Corporate to Coaching to Counselling
For twenty years, I played the corporate game. I climbed the ladder, hit the milestones, and did everything that was expected of me. But at 42, I walked away. Not because I had failed or because I had no other choice—but because I realised I was bored, unfulfilled and nothing short of frustrated with my career and that my story wasn’t finished yet. And if you’re sitting there wondering whether it’s too late to change direction, let me tell you this: it never is.
The Fear of Starting Over
The biggest myth we tell ourselves is that reinvention has an expiry date. That by a certain age, we should have it all figured out. That the career we chose in our twenties has to be the one we stick with forever. But who made that rule? Life isn’t linear. Growth doesn’t stop at 30, 40, or even 50. And the truth is, staying in a role that no longer serves you is far scarier than stepping into something new. It will lead to stagnation, frustration and all the self soothing coping mechanisms you can think of. Nope, that wine once placed on a friday night, creeping into every evening is not for the joy of the grapes!
For me, the shift wasn’t immediate. I didn’t wake up one morning and decide to leave everything behind. It was a slow realisation—one that took years of quiet dissatisfaction before I had the courage to act. I knew I wanted more impact, more meaning, and more alignment with who I had become. So, I started my own practice as a mindset and life coach, helping others break free from their own limiting beliefs. I came across so many other women who were at the exact place I had been but so unsure of how to make a change. Call it a mid life crisis if you will but for me it was an awakening and one that did not stop there. Now, at 44, I’m retraining again—to become a school counsellor, to support young people in their own journeys in the hope this quest of fulfillment doesn't have to be reserved for mid life but is a question we are continually asking ourselves: Am I Fulfilled?
Skills Are Transferable—Passion Is the Key
One of the biggest fears about starting over is the idea that we’re leaving behind years of experience and expertise. But the reality is, everything you’ve learned up to this point comes with you. My two decades in corporate taught me about leadership, resilience, communication, and problem-solving. My time as a coach strengthened my ability to listen, guide, and empower. Now, as I step into counselling, I carry all of those lessons with me. The foundation is already there—only the setting has changed.
Passion, however, is the real driver. When you care deeply about what you do, you will find a way to make it work. You will find opportunities you never saw before. You will thrive because you are engaged, inspired, and aligned with your purpose.
Age is an Asset, Not a Limitation
With age comes perspective. You bring wisdom, lived experience, and emotional intelligence that younger professionals are still developing. You have clarity about what matters, confidence in your abilities, and a depth of understanding that makes you invaluable in any field. The idea that employers or industries only value youth is outdated—what they really value is competence, dedication, and a unique perspective. And that is something you have in abundance.
Age also brings your options! So, the complete 180 I took meant leaving a very good and steady income immediately! That isn't for everyone but I am here to tell you there are ways to do it! I spent 6 months learning all the ins and outs of passive income and social media while studying and getting a certification in Reformer Pilates. I took what I knew and was passionate about in my personal life and qualified to draw an income from it while I turned my attention to setting up my coaching business and now, to draw an income while I am studying counselling. The flexibility in time allows for all areas of the new life I am building to come together symbiotically. The end game came together for me through a process of tweak and turns. Ask yourself what is something I love to do, I can affordably retrain in to draw an income while I realign my life? That was the one question I asked that literally changed my life.
The Power of Reinvention
If I’ve learned anything from this journey, it’s that reinvention is always possible. It doesn’t matter if you’ve spent decades in one industry. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never done “that thing” before. It doesn’t matter if people around you don’t understand why you’re making the change. What matters is that you feel called to do something different—and that you give yourself permission to pursue it.
If you are feeling stuck, uninspired, or restless in your career, take it as a sign. A sign that you are ready for a new challenge, a new chapter, a new version of yourself. You are not too old. It is not too late. And your best work might still be ahead of you.
I am proof of that.
I'm Rachel Mehaffey
Hey, I'm a Single Mumma raising her little lady while running her own business & teaching others it's never too late to start again.
I love working at home in my trackies with my 2 pups snuggled in my lap. My mission, to help others back themselves to live the life they want with no doubts every darn day!
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