"I no longer felt I could make the kind of meaningful impact I aspired to."

What work were you doing previously?    

I was an academic researcher in sustainable transport at the University of the West of England in Bristol. 

My research focused on the relationship between transport and social inclusion, promoting ways of travelling that are both accessible and environmentally responsible. 

What are you doing now?    

I now have a portfolio career as a Pilates teacher, wellbeing and personal development coach, and independent researcher.

I gained a professional qualification in Pilates teaching after leaving academia, so I could share the benefits of mindful movement with others – something that has been personally transformative in managing my own chronic pain from a long-term injury.

As a coach, I  design and facilitate outdoor wellbeing workshops, blending coaching, mindfulness, somatic movement, and nature connection. 

I’m currently delivering the Rail Ways of Care project, which provides free wellbeing experiences, accessible via the local rail network, to groups of unpaid carers in the area.

Why did you change?

The nature of my academic work, and particularly the way I was working, became increasingly misaligned with my core values. 

One issue I struggled with for a long time was the exploitative model of academic publishing, where academics provide free labour while commercial publishers profit from restricting access to research.

Beyond that, I found myself disillusioned with the institutional academic culture: the pressure to publish, outdated success and career progression metrics, limited autonomy, lack of control over my workload and project choices. 

I no longer felt that I could fully live my values or make the kind of meaningful impact I aspired to within that system.

When was the moment you decided to make the change?    

There wasn’t a single defining moment, but rather a growing awareness over a couple of years. 

One moment that stands out was during an online introduction to a coaching course I eventually enrolled in.

When we were asked to choose an image that reflected how we felt, I chose a scarecrow. It captured how I felt at the time: exposed, unacknowledged and lonely.

As a single parent in academia, I struggled to find role models who reflected my circumstances or values, and I longed for a different way of working, rooted in human connection, care and alignment with nature. 

That sense of misalignment was deeply felt, and the coaching introductory event helped me name and act on it.

How did you choose your new career?

Before making the shift, I did a lot of inner work, exploring my strengths, values, and purpose, including working with a coach and in a group coaching programme for ex academics. 

This reflection helped me craft a new professional path where I could bring more of myself to the work I do.

I wanted to create a working life that aligned with the lifestyle I value and the kind of impact I want to make; to work independently, mostly outdoors, and in ways that reflect my passion for promoting wellbeing, nature connection and personal growth.

Are you happy with the change?  

Yes, I’m very happy with the change.

It suits both my lifestyle and the way I want to contribute to the world.

I feel more aligned with my values, my need for autonomy, and more able to work in a way that feels human, creative and purposeful. 

What do you miss and what don't you miss?

I sometimes miss the financial stability of a regular salary. 

Income can be unpredictable when you're self-employed, especially early on. 

I also miss having access to an IT department(!) but I’ve learned a great deal and now handle most things myself or outsource what I need.

What I don’t miss is being part of a large institution where it was often hard to see the direct impact of my work. 

Now, I get to witness the difference I make almost in real time, whether that’s supporting someone on a coaching journey, teaching Pilates, or facilitating a group workshop. 

I also have the freedom to choose who I work with and what projects to pursue.

How did you go about making the shift?

I gave myself space to reflect, which was essential. 

I wasn’t in a good place mentally in the months that preceded me leaving my job.

So, I turned to the things that grounded me, like walking in nature, physical activity, and connection with people.

I reached out to others in a similar situation and joined a group coaching programme for people transitioning out of academia.

I also enrolled in a reputable coaching training programme, which was both a professional investment and a personal turning point. 

This helped me clarify my new direction, discover work options I didn’t even know existed, and build the skills and confidence to move forward.

How did you develop (or transfer) the skills you needed for your new role?

Some skills transferred directly. 

For example, in my research and evaluation work, I draw on the same methodological competence, analytical and communication skills I used in academia. 

Running a business, however, required learning new skills. I joined business networks, attended council-run training, and took online courses to understand what was needed.

My background as a researcher helped because I’m self-motivated and quick to learn. 

I also completed a professional coaching programme at Masters level (accredited by the ICF), and gained my Level 3 Pilates teaching qualification. 

I'm now working towards Level 4. I see learning as a lifelong process and am committed to continually developing my skills.

What didn’t go well? What wrong turns did you take?

I wouldn’t describe anything as a wrong turn. 

I approached 2025 as a year of experimentation, trying different things to see what fits. 

I’ve learned from everything I’ve done, even if I decide not to continue in a particular direction. 

The only real wrong turn for me would be doing work that contradicts my values, but even then it would still offer insight and learning.

How did you handle your finances to make your shift possible?    

Finances were my first priority.

I needed time and headspace to reflect, and money helped me buy that time. 

I used personal savings and made significant changes to my lifestyle, including moving house, to make the shift viable. 

I was fortunate to have those resources, but I also made deliberate and quite difficult choices to make the transition possible.

What was the most difficult thing about changing?

Navigating uncertainty and letting go of my professional identity as an academic was the hardest part.

At times I felt like a failure and experienced a lot of vulnerability – I was 50 at the time and had to fight the belief that I was too old to change careers. 

The transition wasn’t linear. It was messy and full of conflicting emotions.

I also projected my insecurities outward, imagining others saw me as a failure, when in fact I was wrestling with my own fears.
 
Accepting that transitions are inherently uncertain and being gentle with myself in the process was key.

What help did you get?

I made use of every form of support I could find, both paid and free. 

My family, though living abroad, were emotionally supportive.

My teenage daughter said I was inspirational, and she’s been really supportive, which has been crucial. 

I leaned on friends and built new networks. I went to networking events, started conversations, and talked openly about my transition, even when I wasn’t sure how to describe what I was doing.

I also used free local resources, including libraries, council-run programmes, and joined online communities on social media platforms, mainly on FB and LinkedIn. 

I saw every interaction as an opportunity to learn and connect.

What have you learnt in the process?    

I’ve learned that I'm resilient, adaptable, and committed to learning. 

Embracing a growth mindset, seeing each step as a learning opportunity, has been vital. 

I’ve also learned that there is room for everyone in a specific profession. Even though many people offer similar services, each of us brings a unique blend of qualifications, lived experience and professional skill.

I’ve learned to let go of perfectionism, sit with discomfort, and accept that my business will evolve, in response to me evolving, and changing circumstances in the context I am operating.

What I do now may not be what I do a year from now, and that’s fine.

What do you wish you'd done differently?

There’s nothing I regret – perhaps believing more in myself a little sooner! 

I did the best I could with the information and resources I had at the time. Every step has contributed to where I am now.

What would you advise others to do in the same situation? 

Take time to reflect on the kind of life you want to lead, not just the job you want. 

Think holistically. Use your financial resources, however limited, to create space for that reflection.

Don’t rush into a completely new career or big shift without first checking whether it aligns with your values and the life you want. Start with small steps, experiment.

Pay attention to your body as well as your thoughts. In my case, it was a gut feeling, a physical response, that told me I had to leave.

Talk to people in your networks, connect to others not yet in your network, find your tribe – people who share similar values, experiences and situations to yours.

Be curious. Learn. Share your fears and dreams.

Listen deeply to your whole self and others, without feeling pressure to act straight away. 

And get your finances in order early, so you’re in a position to act in a way that’s sustainable for your circumstances.

What resources would you recommend to others?

I found Careershifters to be an excellent resource, particularly the podcast and online articles. 

For those leaving academia, there are many helpful groups online, such as the “Leaving Academia” Facebook group run by Dr Naomi Tyrrell (UK-focused) and The Professor is Out (more US-focused). 

Local business networks, council-run support programmes, and business support organisations like Enterprise Nation also offer valuable guidance, especially for those starting out in their own business.

We caught up with Miriam recently to see how her shift was working out, one year on. Here's what she's been up to, and the biggest lessons she's learned.

What's changed for you in your career since we first published your story?

The biggest change has been the emphasis between the areas I work in.

When I originally shifted, I was combining coaching and movement work with a significant amount of consultancy. Over time, I've reduced my consultancy work to focus more on the aspects of my work that I find most enjoyable and energising.

Today, much more of my time is spent working directly with people through coaching, nature-based experiences and teaching Pilates.

In addition to my one-to-one coaching, I've recently launched a facilitated group walking experience, and I now run regular 'netwalks', combining networking with walking and time outdoors.

Pilates has also become a larger part of my work. In addition to my live online workouts, I now run my own community class in Bristol and deliver sessions for businesses and organisations, bringing movement and wellbeing directly into workplaces. I started to work with individual clients too.

Looking back, the overall balance across different parts of my work has changed. What has remained constant is my desire to help people connect: to themselves, to each other and to the natural world. Increasingly, I've found ways to do that with less time behind a desk.

How do you feel about your work now?

I feel very aligned with the work I do now and genuinely happy with the balance I've created.

One of the biggest signs that I've made the right change is that much of my work doesn't feel like work at all. Of course, there are still administrative tasks, but most of my time is spent doing things I genuinely enjoy: creating my offers, coaching people, teaching movement, walking, facilitating conversations, building connections and spending time outdoors.

When I was still employed and thinking about changing careers, I didn't have a perfectly defined vision of what my future would look like. What I did know was that certain ingredients mattered to me: movement, nature, walking, meaningful human connection and in-person experiences. I wanted to spend less time behind a screen and more time working directly with people.

Looking back, it's satisfying to realise that, although I couldn't have predicted exactly where the journey would lead, those instincts led me to build a portfolio business that brings together different areas of work in a way that feels authentic to who I am.

What challenges have you come up against since making your shift, and how exactly have you dealt with them?

One challenge I hadn't fully anticipated was how much there was to learn about running a business itself.

When I started, I didn't even have a business bank account. There were countless practical things to figure out, from insurance, invoicing and legal responsibilities to creating a website and developing offers that clearly communicated what I do.

I found the learning curve quite demanding, particularly because much of it involved desk-based work, which isn't where my energy naturally lies. However, I tackled it by focusing on one task at a time and accepting that I didn't need to know or do everything straight away.

Another challenge has been finding the right balance between the different strands of my work. Building a portfolio business has involved a lot of experimentation, trying things out, learning what works and being prepared to adapt when circumstances change.

For example, a significant consultancy project came to an unexpected end part-way through, which meant losing a source of anticipated income. At the time, that felt like a setback, but it also gave me the opportunity to reflect on how much consultancy work I actually wanted to do.

I realised that, while I value the knowledge and experience I have in research and impact evaluation, too much consultancy was keeping me behind a desk, which was exactly what I had wanted to move away from when I changed careers. In hindsight, there was a silver lining.

It prompted me to be more intentional about the consultancy work I take on and focus on projects that genuinely align with my values and interests. I still enjoy supporting organisations with evaluation, learning and funding applications, particularly when the work contributes to wellbeing, community or nature-based initiatives, but I'm more mindful of how much of that work I do and who I work with.

Running a business on my own can also be surprisingly solitary, and promoting my work requires energy and persistence. I've never been particularly enthusiastic about social media, but I learned the basics so I can be more visible. I've also looked for other ways to connect with people, such as building relationships in person through walks, workshops, community events and networking activities.

Perhaps the most important way I've dealt with challenges is by not trying to do everything alone. Over the years, I've built a strong network of supportive collaborators, friends and fellow business owners. Whenever I've faced uncertainty or difficult decisions, I've reached out, asked for help and shared experiences with others.

For me, community has been one of the most valuable resources in navigating the ups and downs of self-employment. The challenges haven't disappeared, but I've become more comfortable seeing them as part of an ongoing process of shaping a career that reflects my values and the way I want to live and work.

How is the financial side of things panning out, and is this what you'd expected?

Financially, things have worked out better than I expected.

I'm meeting my financial goals, but perhaps more importantly, I'm doing so while working in a way that feels sustainable and enjoyable.

I know there are opportunities to grow the business further if I choose to. I can see ways to reach more people or increase my income. However, I've made a conscious decision to grow gradually and at a pace that feels right for me.

One of the reasons I changed careers was to create a different relationship with work, not simply to recreate the same pressures in a different form. While financial stability is important, so is having time for the rest of my life and maintaining a balance that allows me to enjoy the work I'm doing.

What have you learned, since making your shift?

The biggest lesson I've learned is the value of experimentation.

Earlier in my career, particularly in academia, I was used to spending a long time refining and perfecting things before putting them out into the world. Running my own business has taught me a different approach.

Now, when I have an idea, I try to make it as good as it needs to be, put it out there, see how people respond, ask for feedback and learn from the experience. My standards haven't become lower, but I've become better at recognising when something is good enough to launch.

I've also learned that there is no single right way to build a business. I thrive on variety and genuinely enjoy combining the different aspects of my portfolio business in a way that feels both sustainable and fulfilling.

Another important lesson has been not to take things too personally. When an event attracts fewer people than expected or an opportunity doesn't materialise, it's easy to assume it's a reflection on me or my work. I've learned to focus less on individual setbacks and more on the overall pattern of feedback, which continues to tell me that the work I do is valued and appreciated.

Building strong networks and communities has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey. Whenever I've faced challenges or uncertainty, support has usually come through conversations, collaborations and relationships with others. I've been reminded repeatedly that people are often willing to help if you ask.

Perhaps most importantly, I've learned to trust my own way of doing things. It's easy to compare myself with others, especially in professions where there are many coaches, consultants or movement teachers.

Over time, I've become more confident that what matters is not being the only person doing something, but bringing my own perspective, experience and personality to it. I've learned to own my voice and what I offer with pride.

Finally, I've learned that running a business can be demanding and uncertain at times, and there are always moments of doubt. I've learned to lean into courage, which isn't the absence of fear. It's being willing to keep moving forward, ask for help when needed and continue building something I genuinely believe in.

Find out more about Miriam's services at https://www.miriamriccicoaching.com/

What lessons could you take from Miriam's story to use in your own career change? Let us know in the comments below.