# Summer Series #5 - Henriette Left a Successful Corporate Career at 55 — And It Changed Everything

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/taking-a-career-break-with-katrina-mcghee-7039735/summer-series-5-henriette-left-a-successful-corporate-career-at-55-and-it-changed-everything
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/taking-a-career-break-with-katrina-mcghee-7039735/summer-series-5-henriette-left-a-successful-corporate-career-at-55-and-it-changed-everything.md
Podcast: [Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee](https://stenobird.com/podcast/taking-a-career-break-with-katrina-mcghee-7039735)
Published: 2026-07-29T13:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wingingitproductions/episodes/Summer-Series-5---Henriette-Left-a-Successful-Corporate-Career-at-55--And-It-Changed-Everything-e3mklte
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/10363f8cc/podcast/play/123409774/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-6-28%2F428736842-44100-2-712abfe9ab596.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/taking-a-career-break-with-katrina-mcghee-7039735/episodes/summer-series-5-henriette-left-a-successful-corporate-career-at-55-and-it-changed-everything
Duration seconds: 3923

## Resource

Summer Series #5 - Henriette Left a Successful Corporate Career at 55 — And It Changed Everything Henriette was a successful engineering manager leading multiple corporate teams, but behind the achievements, she was exhausted, disconnected from herself, and asking a question many high achievers quietly carry: “Is this all there is to life?” In this inspiring Summer Series conversation, Henriette shares how she went from burnout and late-night tears to taking a fully intentional career break at the age of 55. Guided by a powerful vision she called Vision 60, she began redesigning her health, relationships, adventures, and future instead of simply escaping a demanding job. Katrina and Henriette explore the moment she realised work was crowding out the life she truly wanted, how she created a purpose-driven career break, and why she was surprised to discover she had more financial freedom than she thought. They also discuss the fears that almost stopped her, including the belief that you do not walk away from a well-paid corporate role and the uncertainty of re-entering the workforce later in life. During her break, Henriette filled her days with long walks, slow running, forest adventures, national park visits, family travel, and meaningful time with her husband, sons, grandchildren, and even her 80-year-old father. She also shares the unexpected joy of making new friendships and learning how to bring celebration and fun into ordinary life. The conversation takes a powerful turn when Henriette explains how she applied for a dream management role from a lake house while visiting family in the United States, despite not planning to return to work for several more months. What happened next challenged every fear she had about career breaks and re-entry after 50. This episod…

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