For nearly a decade, I’ve had the pleasure of supporting many men and women as they transform their lives. It’s been a fascinating ride, supporting my clients’ transformation from who they’ve become to who they were created to be. And that’s an important distinction. Who we’ve become is shaped by our upbringing, past experiences, successes, and how we’ve learned from setbacks—not failures. (It’s only a failure if you fail to learn.) Who we’ve become sometimes comes as a surprise, even though we are moved toward that person over years. Sometimes, we get it right. Other times, we emerge as something that might fall short of being a good human. (As she raises her hand.)

I am grateful to have found coaching as my second career. It has allowed me to look back and watch how my life has unfolded as if on a movie screen. At times, it’s like watching a horror film—I’m not gonna lie. The process of becoming a coach is eye-opening all on its own. What you do with learning like that is where you separate the wheat from the chaff.

I’ve experienced moments with clients that leave me misty-eyed and others that make me laugh out loud. It feels almost illegal to enjoy a job so much. Maybe there’s truth in that old saying: when you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Watching my clients unapologetically step into their true selves and embrace who they were meant to be continues to be both humbling and an honor.

Despite loving every moment of coaching individuals, teams, and emerging leaders, I’ve had this growing feeling that something was missing—a kind of elusive piece I couldn’t quite put my finger on. And then, during an extremely intensive emotional intelligence training (never stop learning), it hit me like a ton of bricks. The answer was sitting right in front of me, waving its hands wildly: it’s totally possible to blend your personal passions with your professional ones.

For me, that passion is travel. As a kid, I was glued to art books and National Geographic magazines, dreaming of the day I could experience those exotic locations firsthand. Fast forward to today: 49 countries later, I’ve come to realize just how much travel is our best teacher. Travel offers a unique opportunity for rich, real-world experiences that fill my cup while providing perspectives I can’t get by sitting in my office in Omaha, NE. (I love my Omaha peeps, but that joke writes itself.)

When does career intersect with passion? For me, it’s starting now as I embark on a new writing journey, capturing leadership lessons that are crucial for today’s leaders. My approach will mirror the evolution of my coaching practice as I begin integrating the concept of building leadership skills through intentional travel and experience. My new blog, Journey to Leadership, allows me to blend my passion for guiding and coaching leaders with my love of travel.

Through this blog, I hope to share my unique perspective, offering tangible examples of leadership and skill-building in action. It won’t always be pretty—some lessons were learned the hard way—but by reflecting on my journeys and hopefully bringing a laugh or two, I aim to inspire others to see the leadership potential in their own travel opportunities or even in experiences found at home, encouraging personal growth and a broader worldview.

So, here’s to the journey ahead, where passion and profession finally get to meet, mingle, and—who knows—maybe even dance a little.

About Ann

Ann is a transformative Executive and Leadership Coach who inspires growth by incorporating experience and travel into leadership development. With over three decades in marketing communications prior to a decade of coaching, she specializes in guiding high achievers at a career crossroads eager to breakthrough their stagnation. Ann’s supportive and direct approach helps leaders develop strategic influence, resolve conflict, and navigate uncertainty with fresh perspectives. Her passion for adventure and photography fuels her belief that leadership development happens both inside and beyond the office, unlocking new insights along the way.