Learning’s Second Act: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

Just over a year ago, I was invited by the inspiring Jane Tyson to share a short Random Dialogue on what I call Learning’s Second Act -  the chapter of life where experience, resilience and possibility meet. It was a chance to reflect on the twists, breaks, mentors and moments of courage that shaped my own journey and the journeys of the women I now support.

I began with the idea of rewriting your future and a reminder that it is never too late to learn, to lead or to begin again. My first act in learning was shaped by circumstance: loving learning but not school, losing my parents young and stepping into work out of necessity. Those early years taught me grit, adaptability and the quiet strength of “learning by doing.”

My second act began much later, after motherhood, a long career break, and a painful loss of confidence. Like so many women, I underestimated the skills I had gained outside traditional work. I will be honest here, for me, returning was not easy at first. Technology had moved on, expectations had shifted, juggling work/home-life but a barrier‑breaking boss saw something in me I couldn’t yet see in myself. With her support, I stepped into Level 7 qualifications, then an MBA, then an MA in Coaching & Mentoring. I loved it! What I was learning one day, I was teaching the next to leaders, senior managers and colleagues.

That second act carried me into executive roles in tech, property, and science often as the only woman in the Senior Leadership Team. Mentors and allies helped me break barriers I once thought were fixed. Inspired by my late Daughter’s words, I dedicate now my work to helping other women create their own new futures.

As I said in my Random Dialogue: It’s never too late to learn, to lead or to rewrite your story.

If you would like to watch the full 6‑minute dialogue, you will find it here:
Random Dialogues 28, Thursday 14th November 2024 - YouTube (35:22 minutes in)

These chapters -  the breaks, the barriers, the moments of feeling lost  - are why I now dedicate my work to supporting women through their own second acts. Whether you are returning after a long pause, navigating midlife change or simply unsure of your direction, I offer coaching that creates room for clarity and the quiet courage to begin again. If you would like to explore this work or to can find more about my coaching approach, and you can book a free, no obligation 30-minutes discovery call with me.