Thinking about a career change? I thought the hardest part of switching careers would be taking the first step. It's not.

It's what happens after.. when there's no roadmap, no validation, and no one telling you if you're doing it right.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what a major career transition actually feels like. Not the highlight reel, but the real truth of leaving corporate to find your own path.

I share my WAVES framework: five things nobody warns you about when you make a big leap, built from my own experience pivoting from Spotify to launching Chasing Waves.

In this episode, we dive into:

• [00:00] The Myth of the First Step: Why the "messy middle" of a career pivot is the part no one prepares you for.

• [01:50] W: Watch Yourself: Why you might become the "worst boss you’ve ever had" and how to stop the high-achiever burnout.

• [04:10] A: Anchor: Navigating the loss of professional identity and community when you strip away your corporate title.

• [06:05] V: Vulnerability: The "independent woman" trap and why asking for help is a career growth strategy, not a weakness.

• [07:25] E: Evolve: How to survive the ego hit of going from industry expert to total beginner overnight.

• [08:45] S: Spark: Finding the unexpected joy and freedom that makes the career uncertainty worth it.

• [11:15] Success Update: What happens when you keep going (How Chasing Waves hit #2 on the Apple Podcast charts!).

If you are navigating a career change, or quietly wondering "is it supposed to feel this lonely?"... this one is for you.

Loved this episode? You can buy me a coffee ☕️ It’s a small way to show your support and means more than you know. buymeacoffee.com/chasingwaves

Resources & Links:

• Connect with Joanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannawong-chasingwaves/

• Follow the Journey on Instagram: @chasingwaveswithjo

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