# Freedom, Sacrifice, and Starting Again

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/really-good-conversations-6400609/freedom-sacrifice-and-starting-again
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/really-good-conversations-6400609/freedom-sacrifice-and-starting-again.md
Podcast: [Really Good Conversations](https://stenobird.com/podcast/really-good-conversations-6400609)
Published: 2025-11-24T05:14:00+00:00
Episode link: https://7deda80c-de05-43e6-8c1d-95fa4d966765.libsyn.com/freedom-sacrifice-and-starting-again
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/7deda80c-de05-43e6-8c1d-95fa4d966765/RGC_-_Tina_Tower_-_Edit_001.mp3?dest-id=4027989
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/really-good-conversations-6400609/episodes/freedom-sacrifice-and-starting-again
Duration seconds: 2323

## Resource

What does it take to chase freedom, survive the sacrifices, and rebuild a life on your own terms? In this episode, Amy sits down with award-winning entrepreneur and bestselling author Tina Tower , founder of Her Empire Builder, to unpack the truth behind ambition, reinvention, and the pursuit of freedom. Tina shares her journey from launching a tutoring centre at 20 years old to building a franchise before realising that success had come at a cost. She opens up about the years of missing bedtimes, the burnout that followed, and the decision to sell it all in search of a different way to live and work. They talk about motherhood and identity, and what it means to build something without losing yourself along the way. They touch on cultural differences Tina has experienced between Australia and the US, the fine line between drive and obsession, and why she believes a "healthy dose of delusion" is essential for entrepreneurs. Plus, she explains why she's bringing back in-person coaching, the myth of passive income, and what makes online courses work in an age of AI. A conversation full of honesty, humour, and perspective on redefining success. Key Outtakes: The money hungry 17 year old that fuelled her drive The real cost of building a successful franchise business, from burnout to missing bedtimes, and why she still wouldn't change it What she learned from selling the business and navigating an identity crisis after stepping away Why Australians (and Brits!) need a "healthy dose of delusion" - and how mindset differs from the US The future of online courses in an AI world, and why Tina is returning to in-person coaching for deeper connection For more information about Tina Tower: Her Empire Builder https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Tina Tower https://tinatower.com/

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## Transcript

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