At 22, I got an offer from Google and thought, “This is it. I’ve made it.” I imagined the next chapters unfolding neatly: a successful tech career, a high-ranking title and salary, marriage, weekends filled with travel and family life.

And for a while, that vision came true. I built a strong resume, earned respect at companies like YouTube, Twitter, and Meta, and led teams I was proud of. I married my incredible partner and we welcomed two amazing sons. On paper, I had it all: success, stability, and a clear path to being a tech leader.

But beneath it, I constantly questioned myself. I worried I wasn’t smart enough, fast enough, connected enough. Despite my accomplishments, I feared my luck would run out. I kept pushing—driven by ego, fear, and the need to keep up.

In 2023, after 15+ years in corporate tech, I took a break to figure out my next move. That break became a year and a half of reflection. I slowed down. I listened inward. I gave energy to the people and practices that genuinely nourished me. Without the noise of striving, I saw my value more clearly and realized I had been seeking validation in the wrong places.

Now, as a coach, I partner with others to rediscover who they are beneath the titles, expectations, and “shoulds” —to open a world of possibility.