S1 E05: What Playing It Safe Is Really Costing You?

What if the next step doesn't have to be a giant leap?In this episode of Courage Loading Moments, I'm joined by Marcelle Jans, a trainer, coach and founder of the Self-Leadership Academy, who found the courage to leave a secure role as a results coach and business mentor without knowing exactly what came next.Marcelle shares what it was like to walk away from a job that gave her stability, security and growth, and why the fear that came with that decision was really about trusting herself.We also explore identity, unlearning the need to be perfect, leading from the heart, and how community and self-leadership shape the work she does today.In this conversation, we talk about:Why courage is the only way out when we feel fearHow fear often comes down to trusting yourselfIdentity as a jacket: comfortable and well worn, but not always the one that fitsUnlearning the need to be perfectLeading from the head or from the heartWhat self-leadership means, and why community mattersMaking the next step small enough to take, and letting momentum do the restMarcelle also shares who showed her what courage looks like, the advice she'd give her younger self, and the song she's adding to our Courage Loading playlist.It's a conversation about finding your own voice, trusting yourself and taking the next step, however small.My top three takeawaysRead my top three takeaways from this conversation, Marcelle's quick-fire answers and the full transcript on the episode page:https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/episodes/make-the-step-small-enough-to-take/Connect with MarcelleFind out more about Marcelle's work, the Self-Leadership Academy and SPARK!, a month virtual get-together for women who want to grow, share and learn from one another, and it's all about building real connection.You can find out more here: https://theselfleadershipacademy.com/Courage Loading playlistMarcelle's song choice: Confident by Demi Lovato. Listen to the playlist on Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/courage-loading/pl.u-55D6677cYX4YlZWondering whether you're ready for your next career move?Take my free assessment, Are You Positioned for Your Next Move?, to reflect on where you are and what might help you move forward.https://positionedforyournextmove.scoreapp.comWant to share your story?If you've navigated a career or leadership transition, or you're finding the courage to make your next move, I'd love to hear from you. Email [email protected] to explore being a guest on Courage Loading.Interested in working with me?I work with organisations and individuals to navigate career and leadership transitions with greater clarity, confidence and purpose.Organisations, Noble Arc: https://www.noblearc.co.uk/Individuals, Alicia Noble: https://www.alicianoble.com/Book a Connection Call: https://calendly.com/alicianoble/connection-callCourage Loading website: https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/Remember, every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. So, what's yours going to be?

What happens when the career you've built over more than 20 years no longer feels like the right fit?In the first episode of Courage Loading Moments, I'm joined by Millie McDevitt, a former British diplomat who made the courageous decision to leave the career that had shaped so much of her identity and start a new chapter as an international executive life coach.Millie shares what it was like to step away from a career she had once dreamed of, and how she navigated the uncertainty of leaving behind the security, purpose and identity that came with being a diplomat.We also explore her experiences of living and working across different countries and cultures, and how communication, connection and belonging have shaped both her career and the work she does today.In this conversation, we talk about:Finding the courage to leave a career that has become part of your identityRecognising the signs that it might be time for a changeNavigating identity and belonging across different cultures and environmentsThe power of sponsorship, mentorship and finding your peopleWhy small acts of support can make a lasting differenceCreating a life that feels meaningful wherever you areKnowing when courage means taking the leap, and when it means stepping awayMillie also shares what her daughters taught her about courage during an unexpected mountain adventure, the advice she'd give her younger self, and the song she's adding to our Courage Loading playlist.It's a conversation about recognising what matters to you, trusting yourself and finding the courage to make choices that fit the life you want to live.My top three takeawaysRead my top three takeaways from this conversation, Millie's quick-fire answers and the full transcript on the episode page:https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/episodes/brave-enough-to-change-direction/Connect with MillieFind out more about Millie's coaching work and sign up for her weekly email:https://www.milliemcdevitt.com/Courage Loading playlistMillie's song choice: Mr Brightside by The Killers. Listen to the playlist on Apple Music:https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/courage-loading/pl.u-55D6677cYX4YlZFree career assessmentWondering whether you're ready for your next career move?Take my free assessment, Are You Positioned for Your Next Move?, to reflect on where you are and what might help you move forward.https://positionedforyournextmove.scoreapp.comWant to share your story?If you've navigated a career or leadership transition, or you're finding the courage to make your next move, I'd love to hear from you. Email [email protected] to explore being a guest on Courage Loading.Interested in working with me?I work with organisations and individuals to navigate career and leadership transitions with greater clarity, confidence and purpose.Organisations, Noble Arc: https://www.noblearc.co.uk/Individuals, Alicia Noble: https://www.alicianoble.com/Book a Connection Call: https://calendly.com/alicianoble/connection-callCourage Loading website: https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/Remember, every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. So, what's yours going to be?

Welcome to Season 2 of Courage Loading!Eight months after leaving my corporate career to build my own business, I'm reflecting on the highs, the challenges and what I've learnt about confidence, courage and navigating change.In this episode, I share some personal updates, why confidence comes from taking action (even when we don't feel ready), and what you can expect from the new season.I also introduce my new group programme for women in finance, risk and audit, a free career positioning assessment, and Courage Loading Moments — a new guest series featuring women sharing their stories of courage and transition.Links and resources mentionedAre You Positioned for Your Next Move? – Take the free quiz:https://positionedforyournextmove.scoreapp.comGroup Programme – Find out more about my small-group programme for women in finance, risk and audit:https://www.positioned.alicianoble.com/Courage Loading website:https://www.courageloadingpodcast.com/Other events mentionedSpeak and Shine:https://kieradair.com/speak-and-shine-summit/Ideas Fest:https://ideasfest.uk/Want to share your story?If you've navigated a career or leadership transition, or you're finding the courage to make your next move, I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch to explore being a guest on Courage Loading.Interested in working with me?I work with organisations and individuals to navigate career and leadership transitions with greater clarity, confidence and purpose.Find out more here:Organisations – Noble Arc:https://www.noblearc.co.uk/Individuals – Alicia Noble:https://www.alicianoble.com/Book a Connection Call:https://calendly.com/alicianoble/connection-callRemember, every story of change begins with a single moment of courage. What's yours going to be?

EPISODE SUMMARYAlicia shares the talk she delivered at Speak and Shine Summit (7 May 2026), exploring her nine-month journey from audience member to speaker. Using the OWN framework (Origins, Worth, Narrative), she breaks down how identity - not career moves - drives real change. A raw, personal exploration of what it means to stop playing it safe and start living authentically.KEY TOPICSFramework: OWN (Origins, Worth, Narrative) | Core Concept: Identity before strategy Keywords: Career identity, career transition, leadership, burnout recovery, authenticity, mid-career change, women's empowerment, executive coachingEPISODE BREAKDOWNCold Open (0:00–1:30): The Promise — Speak and Shine Summit journey (Sept 2025–May 2026) Intro (1:30–2:30): Welcome + Event context (12 speakers, Andrea Rainsford keynote) Main Talk (2:30–17:30): Bold Enough to Own Your StoryNelson Mandela quote: "There is no passion to be found in playing small"Living a B+ life: mortgage, pension, adulting league tableThe three inner voices: "This isn't it" | "This is not you" | "There's something missing"Playing safe vs playing small (the difference matters)Origins: Apartheid South Africa → unsegregated school → bold 21-year-old → corporate masking → burnoutWorth: Outsourcing validation to performance metrics (companies, qualifications, ratings)Narrative: Inherited stories ("not the right time," "not the right person," glass ceilings)The turning point: Leaving corporate from trust, not desperationNew script: Truly mine, trusts my worth, ownedWHO THIS IS FORWomen navigating mid-career transitions | Professionals stuck in "B+ lives" | Anyone considering a bold move held back by fear | Leaders seeking authenticity over performance | People rebuilding after burnoutSpecial mention: Speak and Shine Collection - Kier AdairContact Alicia:Website: Alicia Noble | Leadership Coach & Career Transition Coach | Alicia NobleEmail: [email protected]: Alicia Noble | LinkedInInstagram: @alicianoble.co

Why you’re procrastinating on your career change isn’t laziness — it’s emotional regulation. Learn the 4 feelings behind it and 5 questions to move forward.Episode summaryIn this episode of Courage Loading, leadership coach and career transition strategist Alicia Noble reframes procrastination as an emotional regulation strategy, not a time management problem. When you’re in the messy middle of a career change, stepping into leadership, or building professional visibility, procrastination often gets louder — and for good reason. It’s trying to protect you. The question is, from what?Alicia looks at three dynamics that make procrastination spike during career transitions, the four feelings that most often sit underneath it, and a five-question framework you can use the next time you catch yourself putting something off.Key themes coveredWhy procrastination is emotional regulation, not poor disciplineThe three dynamics that amplify procrastination during career transitions: uncertainty, identity, and the performance gapHow procrastination can quietly fuel burnout in high achieversThe four feelings underneath procrastination: fear, shame, overwhelm, and boredom — and what each one is really telling youHow to treat procrastination as information, not a character flawThe one actionThe next time you notice yourself procrastinating, pause and work through the five questions in the episode. Don’t shame yourself out of it — get curious about what it’s trying to protect you from.Reflection promptsWhat exactly am I avoiding?What am I feeling, and where is it showing up in my body?What might this be trying to tell me?What needs to shift?What’s one small action that will help me make this shift?Your next stepIf this episode landed, download the BRAVE Life Audit — https://alicia-scph0aky.scoreapp.comAlicia offers 1:1 coaching and you can book a call to explore the options here: https://calendly.com/alicia-noblearc/connection-callFollow and subscribe to Courage Loading wherever you listen, and if this episode helped, a review makes a real difference in helping others find the conversation.

Courage Loading | Episode 7Are You Coping or Thriving? Why “Fine” Is the Hardest Place to LeaveMost of us were never taught to recognise when a career that looks successful on paper is quietly wrong for us. In this episode, Alicia Noble explores why “fine” is often the hardest place to leave — and the psychology behind what keeps high-achieving women coping instead of thriving.What You’ll LearnThe Region-Beta Paradox (Daniel Gilbert) - why moderate dissatisfaction is harder to escape than miseryThe sunk cost fallacy - and how to stop letting past investment drive future decisionsJames Clear’s 'hats, haircuts, and tattoos' - a different way to look at risk and career decisionsWhy many decisions that feel permanent are far more reversible than fear suggestsConnectFollow Alicia on LinkedIn - Alicia Noble | LinkedInDownload the free BRAVE Life Audit - The BRAVE Life Audit

Most leadership development focuses on leading others. But the skill that actually determines whether you can navigate a career transition successfully? Leading yourself. In this episode, I break down what self-leadership really means, why the knowing-doing gap isn’t a willpower problem, and the four dimensions of self-leadership you need to work on right now.I talk about:Why self-leadership is the most overlooked skill in leadership developmentThe belief iceberg: why surface behaviour change doesn’t stickHow Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness) explains why career transitions leave us feeling stuckThe four dimensions of self-leadership in a career transitionResources & Links📥 Download the free BRAVE Life Audit: The BRAVE Life Audit🎤 Subscribe to Courage Loading on Spotify / Apple Podcasts🔗 Connect with Alicia: Alicia Noble | LinkedIn

IN THIS EPISODEFrom quietly competent to visibly credible — why letting the work speak for itself could be costing you more than you think, and how to share your achievements using the who, what, so what frameworkFrom automatic yes to intentional choices — how over-commitment quietly competes with your future ambitions, and why learning to pause is the first step to making intentional choicesFrom proving to trusting — why you're still waiting for permission that only you can give, and a four-step reflection to help you move from proving to trusting yourself THE FOUR-STEP REFLECTION: FROM PROVING TO TRUSTING What are you putting off - and what's it really costing you? Use questions to find out:What am I trying to prove?What am I really waiting for?What permission do I need to give myself?What is the one trust-based step I can take today?REFLECTION FOR THIS WEEKWhich of these three shifts is costing you the most — and what's one thing you're willing to do differently, starting now?RESOURCES MENTIONEDHow Women Rise — Marshall Goldsmith & Sally Helgesen - Amazon.co.uk : how women rise bookMcKinsey & LeanIn Women in the Workplace report - https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace-2024BRAVE Life Audit — The BRAVE Life AuditBook a discovery call — https://link.noblearc.co.uk/widget/bookings/discovery-call-idLinkedIN - Alicia Noble | LinkedInInsta - @courage_loading

In this episode of Courage Loading…, Alicia Noble explores why successful career transitions aren’t meant to be done alone.If you’re navigating a career change or feeling stuck in the messy middle, this episode will help you build the support network you need to move forward with confidence.Alicia introduces your personal Career Board of Directors — the four key roles that support women through change:Courage (belief)Truth (honest perspective)Intelligence (guidance)Opportunity (connections)You’ll learn:Why support is a strategy, not a weaknessHow to audit your current support systemHow to fill the gaps with intentionResources:Brave Life Audit The BRAVE Life AuditBook a discovery call https://link.noblearc.co.uk/widget/bookings/discovery-call-idConnect: Alicia Noble | LinkedIn