Episode 218
Midlife Career Crisis? How to Reinvent Yourself with Anna Urnova’s Proven System
Many mid-career professionals feel stuck, burned out, and unfulfilled in their jobs but fear making a change. They dread Mondays, feel underutilized, and worry about financial instability if they pursue something new. Anna Urnova knows this struggle firsthand. After a successful corporate career in HR and talent management, she found herself severely burned out, dreading work, and questioning her purpose. Like many professionals, she was told to "soldier through" and ignore the warning signs. But after years of feeling trapped, she finally made the leap and reinvented her career into something she truly loves.
In this episode, Anna shares her step-by-step system for helping mid-career professionals—especially men aged 35-55—pivot into careers they love without sacrificing financial security. She explains how to transition strategically, leverage existing skills, and start a successful Plan B before making a full leap.
Key Takeaways:
• Mid-Career Burnout is Real: Why so many professionals feel trapped and underutilized, and how to recognize the signs before it’s too late.
• The ‘Lego’ Approach to Career Change: Anna’s method for deconstructing your skills and rebuilding them into a new, fulfilling career path.
• How to Start a Career Pivot Without Quitting: The key to launching a side business or new career path while still employed—without taking reckless risks.
• Why Work Should Align with What You Want: How to shift from a career based on "should" and "can" to one driven by personal passion and purpose.
• The Importance of Multiple Income Streams: Why having just one career path is the riskiest financial move today, and how to create new income streams strategically.
About the Guest:
Anna Urnova is an executive coach dedicated to helping professionals unlock their full potential and create fulfilling careers. Born in the Soviet Union to a diverse heritage, she witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall and embraced reinvention, becoming a true global citizen. Educated in England and France, she built a 20+ year corporate career, rising to HR Vice President at a Fortune 500 company.
Throughout her career, Anna guided individuals and organizations through transitions, large-scale business transformations, and multi-billion dollar acquisitions. Her personal journey—navigating layoffs, breaking through the glass ceiling, and launching her own coaching business during the 2008 financial crisis—shaped her expertise in career reinvention and leadership transformation.
Today, Anna helps professionals transition out of unfulfilling roles and into careers that align with their passions. Combining corporate experience with a deep commitment to personal growth, she empowers clients to take bold steps toward meaningful success.
Links:
linkedin.com/in/anna-urnova-executive-coach
Fast Five Questions
1. If you woke up and your business was gone, you have $500, a laptop, a place to live, and food, what would you do first? “Reach out to her network, post on LinkedIn, and start offering coaching immediately—proving that skills, not capital, are the real asset.”
2. What is the biggest mistake that you have made in business? “Waiting too long to take herself seriously—she treated coaching as a hobby for years before realizing it could be a profitable career.”
3. What is a book that you would recommend? “10X Is Easier Than 2X by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy—on how letting go of 80% of tasks can help you focus on what truly drives success.”
4. What is a tool that you use every day that you would recommend? “Opus Clip for repurposing long-form interviews into short-form content for social media.”
5. What is your definition of freedom? “Living in alignment with your true desires—not just doing what you “should” or “can” but what you genuinely want to do.”
About Jeff:
Jeff spent the early part of his career working for others. Jeff had started 5 businesses that failed before he had his first success. Since that time he has learned the principles of a successful business and has been able to build and grow multiple seven-figure businesses. Jeff lives in the Austin area and is actively working in his community and supporting the growth of small businesses. He is a board member of the Incubator.Edu program at Vista Ridge High School and is on the board of directors of the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation
Connect with the Freedom Nation podcast at https://freedom-nation-podcast.captivate.fm/
Connect with Jeff:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/freedomnationpodcast/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeffKikel
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffkikel/
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