We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Mpala recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?

Corporate America often misses the mark when it comes to truly understanding the unique challenges that women face in the workplace. One of the biggest mistakes is the assumption that gender equality has been achieved simply because we’ve made marginal progress. Yes, we’ve seen more women in leadership roles, but the reality for many working women, regardless of their level, is still fraught with bias, burnout, and a sense of isolation.

Early in my career, I was laser-focused on climbing the corporate ladder. I followed all the advice that was supposed to lead to success—lean in, act like a leader, hone in on my executive presence, adopt a more assertive style—essentially, act more like a man. And while I did achieve “success” on paper, it came at a steep cost. On top of having no personal life, terrible health, and crippling anxiety, I was constantly battling imposter syndrome, which is often dismissed as a personal issue but is, in fact, deeply rooted in the gender biases that permeate the corporate world.

One particular experience stands out. I was leading a major project, and despite having more experience and expertise than some of my male counterparts, I found myself second-guessing every decision. Why? Because I’d been conditioned to believe that I needed to work twice as hard to be seen as half as competent. This constant self-doubt wasn’t just in my head—it was reinforced by the subtle, often unconscious, biases of those around me. And it wasn’t just me; I saw this same pattern with many other talented women. We were all playing by rules that were never designed with us in mind.

Corporate America often offers solutions like leadership coaching or mentoring programs, which are valuable but don’t address the root of the problem. What we really need is a redefinition of success, one that doesn’t force women to fit into a mold created by men. The traditional corporate structure is still very much a man’s world, and as long as women are expected to conform to that, they will continue to feel like imposters in their own careers.
This matters because it’s not just about getting more women into leadership roles—it’s about creating an environment where women can thrive without having to sacrifice their authenticity or well-being. The current system sets women up to fail by making them feel like they have to choose between success and sanity. It’s time for a new approach, one that values the unique strengths women bring to the table and allows them to define success on their own terms.

Rachel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

By trade, I’m a Senior Creative Director who has spent years navigating the highs and lows of Corporate America, particularly as a woman in a male-dominated industry. My journey into this field began with an ambitious drive to succeed in the corporate world—a world that often demanded I adapt and conform to standards that didn’t align with who I truly am. Like many women, I was determined to break through the glass ceiling, but I quickly realized that the path to success was filled with obstacles that weren’t just challenging—they were deeply unfair.

I founded my business because I recognized that the struggles I faced weren’t just personal—they were systemic. Gender bias, burnout, and the overwhelming pressure to fit into a mold that wasn’t designed for us are issues that many women encounter at every stage of their careers. I knew I had to do more than just survive in this environment; I had to find a way to help other women thrive.

My work focuses on empowering women to redefine success on their own terms. I offer transformational career mentoring and workshops that go beyond the typical leadership coaching. My approach is different because it’s not just about helping women climb the corporate ladder—it’s about challenging the very structure of that ladder. I help women navigate the unique challenges they face, from overcoming imposter syndrome to setting boundaries that protect their well-being, all while staying true to their authentic selves.

What sets me apart is my deep understanding of the lived experiences of women in the workplace. I don’t just offer strategies for success; I offer a safe space where women can share their struggles, knowing they’re not alone. My services are tailored to meet each client where they are, whether they’re just starting out or looking to pivot their career entirely. I focus on helping women build careers that are sustainable, fulfilling, and aligned with their personal values.

I’m most proud of the impact I’ve been able to make on the lives of the women I work with. Seeing my clients break through barriers, regain their confidence, and redefine what success means to them is incredibly rewarding. I want potential clients to know that my work is rooted in a deep commitment to their growth and well-being. I believe that every woman deserves to thrive in her career, and I’m here to provide the guidance and support needed to make that happen.

At the core of my brand is the belief that the traditional measures of success—titles, salaries, and status—aren’t the only markers of a fulfilling career. I want women to know that they have the power to define success on their own terms, without sacrificing their authenticity or mental health. My mission is to help them do just that, by providing the tools, insights, and support they need to navigate the corporate world and build careers that truly reflect who they are.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn is the notion that success requires blood, sweat, and tears. For a long time, I believed that to achieve anything meaningful, I had to work myself to the bone—sacrificing my time, energy, and well-being along the way. It was ingrained in me that hard work equated to success, and if I wasn’t pushing myself to the brink, I wasn’t doing enough.

Like many women, I started out with big dreams and a relentless work ethic. I was determined to prove myself in a corporate world that often felt like it wasn’t built for me. I threw myself into my work, taking on more responsibilities, working longer hours, and pushing through exhaustion because that’s what I thought it took to succeed. I’d been told that success demanded sacrifice, and I accepted that without question.

But over time, I started to notice the toll it was taking on me—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. I was constantly exhausted, and despite my achievements, I felt empty. The burnout was real, and it made me question if this was the kind of “success” I really wanted.

The turning point came when I found myself in the emergency room. I thought for sure I was having a heart attack in the middle of an intense project. I had been working 15-20 hour days for weeks, with no break, and suddenly I couldn’t function. The doctor at the hospital kindly told me, no, I was, in fact, not having a heart attack. I was suffering from extreme burnout and quite literally having a physical (and emotional) breakdown. My body had had ENOUGH. As I lay there, being pumped with IV fluids and getting a stern lecture from the doctor, I got a work notification. “We know you’re in the hospital, but this deliverable is super important. Any chance you can still deliver by EOD?” That was when I realized that the blood, sweat, and tears (or burnout, sacrifice, and trauma, as I like to think of it) was just not worth the toll it took. Not to mention, the sting I felt realizing that many of my male peers were finding similar success without having to go to the extremes that I was.

It wasn’t just about me either—I saw so many other women around me facing the same struggles, sacrificing their well-being for a version of success that didn’t even feel fulfilling. It was then that I started to question the entire narrative. Why do we have to sacrifice so much to achieve our goals? Why is success so often associated with pain and exhaustion?

Unlearning this lesson wasn’t easy because it meant challenging a deeply ingrained belief system. But it was necessary. I began to redefine what success meant for me—not as a relentless pursuit of external validation, but as a journey that honors my values, my well-being, and my authenticity. Success, I learned, doesn’t have to come at the cost of your health or happiness. In fact, true success is about finding balance, fulfillment, and joy in the work you do.

This realization has become a cornerstone of the work I do with other women. I help them see that they don’t have to buy into the toxic hustle culture that tells us we’re only as good as our last overworked achievement. Instead, I encourage them to build careers that are not just successful on paper, but also sustainable and aligned with their true selves.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most defining moments of my life came when I decided to start my business while bed-ridden and battling severe chronic Lyme disease. At the time, most people thought I was crazy. I was in the midst of one of the toughest health challenges of my life, and the idea of launching a business seemed impossible to many. But I felt an unshakable passion to help women navigate the challenges I knew all too well—the obstacles of working in a world that often wasn’t built for us.

The decision wasn’t easy. I knew that pushing myself too hard could have serious consequences for my health, so I enforced strict boundaries from the very beginning. I made a commitment to honor my body and well-being, even as I pursued this new venture. That meant setting limits on my work hours, prioritizing rest, and being mindful of my energy levels. In fact, most of my business was built and developed from my bed. It was a delicate balance, but one that I knew I had to maintain if I wanted to sustain both my health and my passion.

Despite the challenges, I kept going because I believed so deeply in the mission of empowering women. I knew firsthand the struggles women face in the corporate world, and I was determined to create a space where they could find the support and guidance they needed to thrive. The thought of helping even one woman overcome the barriers that had held me back for so long kept me motivated, even on the days when my body felt like it couldn’t go on.

Starting my business during that time taught me so much about resilience—not just in terms of pushing through adversity, but in learning how to adapt, set boundaries, and care for myself along the way. It reinforced my belief that you don’t have to sacrifice your health or well-being to make an impact. In fact, honoring your own needs can make you even more effective in the long run.

This experience has deeply influenced the way I work with my clients today. I’m passionate about helping women find their own balance, and I encourage them to pursue their goals in a way that honors their whole selves. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that true resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs—it’s about finding strength in self-compassion and staying true to what you believe in, no matter the obstacles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rachelmpala.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genderbiascoach/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmpala/
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@genderbiascoach
  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/genderbiascoach/
  My Podcast (Working Girl): https://www.rachelmpala.com/podcast

Image Credits

Monika Normand