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Sabbatical Stories

Sabbatical Stories

By: Rebecca Thomas
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Summary

 Unlock the power of taking a break with Sabbatical Stories, a podcast hosted by Rebecca Thomas from Feel Good Getaways. Through insightful and engaging discussions, Rebecca explores the motivations behind career breaks and sabbaticals, debunks myths, and highlights their invaluable benefits. With a mission to inspire courage and normalise taking time off for personal growth, Sabbatical Stories is a beacon for those seeking inspiration, encouragement, and guidance on their journey to self-discovery. Tune in to learn how taking a break can transform your life and career.Rebecca Thomas Career Success Economics
Episodes
  • Taking a Career Break to Reclaim Yourself: Sabbatical, Identity & Personal Awakening with Danielle Zellman

    Taking a Career Break to Reclaim Yourself: Sabbatical, Identity & Personal Awakening with Danielle Zellman
    May 7 2026
    In this episode of Sabbatical Stories, Danielle Zellman shares the deeply personal journey behind her career break and sabbatical.Danielle spent two decades operating at pace in startups and scaling organisations. But beneath the success was exhaustion and emotional avoidance. Her sabbatical wasn’t about a polished pivot, it was about surrender.From New York City to Vermont, Turkey and Bolivia, Danielle used her career break to explore new environments, identities and ways of being. A pivotal retreat experience including an ayahuasca ceremony challenged her to confront what she had long avoided and to sit in the uncomfortable “messy middle” of personal growth.In this conversation, we explore what happens when high performers step away from achievement and into self-discovery. We dive into:Why high achievers often avoid their emotionsMaking the decision to take a career break without a fixed planThe lessons learned from an ayahuasca experience in BoliviaRedefining “home” during a sabbaticalReconnecting with family during personal transitionEmbracing the messy middle of career changeCommunity, connection and self-compassionSurrendering control as a leadership practiceOther episodes you may enjoy: Discovering Inner Wisdom Through a Career Break: Danielle Dacunha-Howarth’s Sabbatical JourneyHow a career break can prepare you for emigration: Liz Ferguson’s sabbatical storyGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Danielle Zellman is a People Experience & Culture Leader turned fractional consultant, partnering with mission-driven companies to translate employee signals into durable strategy and measurable follow-through. As employee 20 at Cedar, she built the People Experience function from the ground up, helping scale the company to 450+ employees and $100M in revenue while sustaining engagement above 88% and eNPS above 50 through hypergrowth, restructuring, and acquisition. Get in touch with Danielle directly on LinkedIn or using the links below:Substack: https://zellyd44.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zellyd11/With special thanks to:Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.Joanna Cooke, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EyKy53TsVFLJFZFyYzBZQ?si=HaCSIRCETS2uYB3LBLcrWAWebsite - https://joannacooke.co.ukYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacookeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/
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    41 mins
  • Returning to Work After a Career Break or Sabbatical: Navigating Ambivalence, Purpose and Career Clarity with Mark Hughes

    Returning to Work After a Career Break or Sabbatical: Navigating Ambivalence, Purpose and Career Clarity with Mark Hughes
    Apr 30 2026
    In this thoughtful episode of Sabbatical Stories, Bex sits down with Mark Hughes, leadership coach, facilitator and former CEO to explore the often-overlooked emotional landscape of going back to work after time away.His reflections reveal the complexity of returning to a role that is both purposeful and familiar and how ambivalence can be a healthy, insightful response rather than a problem to fix.For high-achieving professionals who assume a sabbatical must result in a bold reinvention, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective. Sometimes the value of a break lies not in radical change, but in deeper self-awareness and renewed appreciation for work that already fits.We dive into:The emotional reality of returning to work after a career breakWhy you don’t need a dramatic epiphany for a sabbatical to be valuableThe role of curiosity in navigating career transitionsHow to interpret feelings of ambivalence towards workThe difference between dissatisfaction and healthy reflectionWhy wanting more time away doesn’t necessarily mean you need a new careerThe complexity of work-related emotions during life transitionsOther episodes you may enjoy: How to take a career break like a pro: Katerina McGee, The Queen of time offFrom Career Break to Creative Passion: How Santosh Mahale Rediscovered Art During His SabbaticalGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Mark Hughes is an experienced trainer, mentor, coach and facilitator with a strong track record of developing leaders across sectors and continents. Mark works one-to-one with individuals from a wide range of professional and cultural backgrounds, both in the UK and internationally, and facilitates board away days, multi-day residential programmes and complex team conversations. As Director of mch, he also speaks at regional and national conferences, delivers high-impact workshops, and provides consultancy, team development and non-executive support to organisations seeking to strengthen their leadership capability and positive impact.Get in touch with Mark via LinkedIn or directly through his website mchWith special thanks to: Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.Joanna Cooke, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EyKy53TsVFLJFZFyYzBZQ?si=HaCSIRCETS2uYB3LBLcrWAWebsite - https://joannacooke.co.ukYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacookeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/
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    39 mins
  • How to Stay Healthy, Fit and Confident on a Sabbatical or Career Break, Fitness, Identity & Wellbeing with Shantelle Ekermans

    How to Stay Healthy, Fit and Confident on a Sabbatical or Career Break, Fitness, Identity & Wellbeing with Shantelle Ekermans
    Apr 23 2026
    In this episode of Sabbatical Stories, Bex sits down with Shantelle to explore how to stay grounded, energised and confident during a sabbatical or career break without turning it into another pressure-filled performance.For many professionals, stepping away from work can feel freeing and destabilising at the same time. Your identity shifts. Your routine disappears. Travel disrupts habits. And suddenly, the structure that once held your health and fitness in place is gone.This conversation is packed with insight for anyone trying to stay fit on a career break or sabbatical.We dive into:Why giving yourself permission to take a break without guilt is foundational to real restPractical ways to stay active and healthy while travelling or living more flexiblyThe power of maintaining small anchor routines to support motivationHow online fitness platforms can provide structure without rigidityWhy self-love and confidence are key drivers of sustainable healthHow wearables and technology can support wellbeing without becoming obsessiveStrategies for staying motivated when routines change or travel disrupts habitsOther episodes you may enjoy: How to take a career break like a pro: Katerina McGee, The Queen of time offHow a career break can prepare you for emigration: Liz Ferguson’s sabbatical storyGet in touch: If you are interested in sharing your sabbatical story, we would love to hear from you. Buzz us a DM on Instagram - ⁠@Sabbatical_Stories⁠ or reach out on LinkedIn - ⁠Bex Thomas.⁠Career transition, sabbatical and career break coaching: As a career transition, sabbatical, and career break coach, I inspire, challenge, and support people like you to create a life that feels deeply aligned with your values, dreams, and authentic self. Whether you’re craving a new direction, a chance to pause, or the courage to pursue what really matters, I’m here to guide you toward your own version of success on your terms.Together, we’ll break free from societal blueprints, rewrite the rules, and design a future you’re excited to wake up to. Learn more ⁠here⁠💫 Ready to make the most of your time away from work? Download my free guide, "5 Ways to Maximise Your Career Break", packed with practical tips and soulful insights to help you pause with purpose and return with clarity. Whether you're dreaming, planning, or already on sabbatical, this is your essential companion.👉 Grab your free copy ⁠here⁠Guest bio: Shantelle Ekermans is the founder of The SET Life, a high-support online coaching practice designed specifically for executive women 40+ navigating shifts in energy, sleep, strength and body composition. With over 18 years in the fitness industry and a foundation in sports science, she delivers a private, fully managed 12-week transformation built around biology, workload and nervous system regulation, not willpower. Her work supports high-performing women whose bodies have changed but whose standards have not, restoring strength, metabolic health and composure without extremes.Get in touch with Shantelle on LinkedIn, via Facebook or Instagram.Or, even better book an intro chat hereWith special thanks to: Aunty B at The Flaxen, our amazing, talented and patient producer whose expertise helps make this podcast shine. Nicky Sweetland, our brilliant creative force behind all things social media and visual, whose eye for detail and design brings the podcast to life beyond the mic.Joanna Cooke, whose soulful blend of smooth vocals we are lucky enough to use throughout the show. Listen and connect with Joanna via your favourite medium:https://open.spotify.com/artist/7EyKy53TsVFLJFZFyYzBZQ?si=HaCSIRCETS2uYB3LBLcrWAWebsite - https://joannacooke.co.ukYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/joannacookeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/joanna.cooke/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joannacookemusic/
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
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