We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Browning a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Heather, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Looking back, walking away from my 14-year career in higher education was easily one of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken. It wasn’t just about leaving behind job security, professional recognition, or all the years I’d poured into that path—though those things certainly weighed on me. The real risk was letting go of everything I thought defined me and questioning what “success” truly meant to me. I was stepping into a life that, for the first time, felt fully and authentically mine. But to do that meant stepping into the unknown.

For years, I had been building a career I was proud of. I had earned the degrees, published, and spoken at national conferences. I was working with some of the top universities in the country, and by all appearances, I had “made it.” But I started to feel stifled, like a supporting character in my own life instead of the lead. I began to crave a different way of living—a more integrated, balanced life where fulfillment wasn’t limited to weekends or days off. I wanted each day to feel meaningful, not just a matter of “getting through” the week while constantly teetering on the edge of burnout.

Part of that desire for fulfillment brought me back to my love of travel. For me, travel isn’t about escaping life; it’s how I truly engage with it. It’s the way I find perspective, challenge my comfort zone, and tune into myself. Yet there I was, spending most of my time indoors, confined by the routines and cycles of a traditional career path that allowed for only the occasional “break.” I realized I wanted my life to feel more connected to the world, to people, and to experiences that would expand me. And I couldn’t shake the feeling that there had to be a way to create a life where travel, connection, and purpose weren’t just sidelines, but at the heart of everything I did.

The moment that finally pushed me was like a whisper, carrying an urgency I couldn’t ignore: “I’m more afraid of who I’ll become if I stay on this path than of the unknown if I leave.” That realization gave me the courage to let go and step toward the life I knew I was meant to create.

Of course, it wasn’t as simple as taking a leap and landing somewhere soft. There were countless moments of doubt where I found myself asking, “Who am I?” My identity had always been tied so closely to my career, achievements, and the sense of worth that came from constantly producing. That’s where the real journey began—untangling who I was from the titles and roles I’d relied on and learning to see my value beyond any external measures. Without that defining label, I had to truly ask myself: Who is Heather, and what kind of life does she actually want to live? It took time, patience, and a fair amount of discomfort, but I began to see that my value, joy, and success weren’t wrapped up in any external marker. They were things I could finally define for myself.

I realized I wanted to help other women find this too – to redefine their own versions of success in a world that loves to dictate what “having it all” should look like. I turned to coaching because it offered a way for me to connect deeply with people, to create real impact, and to use the skills I’d honed over years of working with students, developing programs, and understanding how people grow and see themselves. I wasn’t just creating a business; I was creating a space where women could come together, reflect, and empower one another to live lives aligned with their true selves. My background in higher education shaped so much of this work, giving me insight into the ways we learn about ourselves, the narratives we adopt, and how difficult it can be to rewrite them.

Starting Heather B. Coaching & Consulting wasn’t a neat, linear path. After leaving behind a structured career, I spent a year fully immersed in entrepreneurship, stepping into a world that was unfamiliar and unpredictable. During that time, I worked with incredible women from all over the world—fellow travelers who, like me, were seeking community, connection, and alignment in their lives. Together, we created spaces where women could share their stories, explore their values, and discover new possibilities for themselves. I was able to integrate slow travel into my life, spending extended time in different places, setting my own schedule, and embracing a sense of freedom that transformed how I viewed everything—especially success. No longer was success a checklist to be completed; it became a daily choice to live in a way that felt authentic, fulfilling, and true to who I am.

But the journey didn’t end there. After a year, another opportunity arose – this time, in a new industry that would allow me to carry forward all I’d learned in both higher education and entrepreneurship. It wasn’t a pivot back to traditional work; it was a bridge to the life I’d been building, but with new challenges and a renewed sense of purpose. If I had gone directly into this role from my academic career, I would have brought the same burnout mentality, the same need for external validation. But my time as an entrepreneur shifted me in profound ways. I now had a clearer sense of who I was, what freedom meant to me, and how I wanted to show up in my life.

My mission, which I now share with clients worldwide, is to help high-achieving women step off the conveyor belt of “success” and define it for themselves. “Redefine success” has become something of a catchphrase, but for me, it means reconnecting with who you are at your core, building a life that’s authentic to you, and not shrinking into roles or titles that limit your potential. I’m here to show that there’s another way, one where you don’t have to sacrifice your values, freedom, or joy to live a fulfilling life.

So if there’s a takeaway from my journey, it’s that sometimes the riskiest thing isn’t walking away from security, but stepping fully into the unknown of who you’re becoming. Real fulfillment doesn’t come from a job title or someone else’s version of success. It comes from the courage to create a life that’s aligned with what truly matters to you. And that, I believe, is the truest kind of success we can claim.

Heather, 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?

Absolutely! I’m Heather B., and I’m a success and empowerment coach dedicated to helping high-achieving women redefine what success means to them. My journey to this work is deeply personal and has everything to do with my belief that we each have the power to create lives aligned with our values, joy, and purpose.

For over 14 years, I built a career in higher education, working with some of the nation’s most respected universities. On paper, I had it all—advanced degrees, a published body of work, national speaking engagements. But despite all of that, I felt disconnected from my own life, struggling with burnout and the overwhelming sense that I was living someone else’s definition of success. While I was thriving in the eyes of others, I wasn’t thriving within myself. Eventually, I made the bold decision to walk away from that path, knowing it was a risk, but feeling like it was the only way to forge my own, authentic way forward.

In that year of deep reflection and exploration, I didn’t just find a new career; I found myself. I realized I wanted to help others do the same. Coaching, for me, isn’t just a profession; it’s my purpose. It allows me to bring my skills, insights, and passion into an intentional space where I can support other women in their own journeys toward alignment. With my background in education, I developed a strong understanding of how people learn, grow, and reshape their narratives, and that knowledge is something I bring into my coaching work every day.

Today, I offer a range of coaching services designed to meet my clients wherever they are on their journey. My one-on-one coaching is an intimate experience where we dive deep into personal aspirations and challenges, guiding clients as they navigate change, redefine success, and embrace their own unique path.

I’m currently introducing a new offering that’s particularly close to my heart — Women’s Circle. It’s a space where women can come together, not with the goal of solving problems, but simply to be seen. There’s a special kind of magic in a community where you’re invited to show up as you are – where what you’re experiencing is honored and accepted, where you feel the power of being seen and validated without the pressure to “fix” anything. This space is about embracing our shared experiences and recognizing that what we’re going through is real, valuable, and normal. In a world that often pushes us to achieve and problem-solve constantly, this offering is about creating space for true connection and authenticity.

What sets me apart is that I am a living example of the journey I guide others through. I understand firsthand what it means to break away from societal expectations and embrace the unknown in order to build an authentic, fulfilling life. My work—coaching women from wherever I am in the world—goes beyond just flexibility and adventure; it’s about embodying the freedom and alignment I encourage my clients to pursue. Travel for me isn’t a vacation; it’s an essential part of how I stay connected to myself, to others, and to new perspectives that constantly remind me of what’s possible. By embracing this lifestyle, I’m showing what can be overcome when we choose our own path, redefine our own success, and live life on our terms.

This process of redefining success is often the biggest challenge my clients face. It means letting go of old definitions and the pressure to “prove” their worth through external achievements. In our work together, we unravel those layers, reconnecting to what truly matters so they can create lives aligned with their deepest values. The transformations I witness are incredible – women stepping into careers that energize them, reclaiming time for what they love, building relationships that uplift them, and finally allowing themselves to thrive. I am here to help my clients realize that success isn’t something you achieve on a checklist; it’s a way of being that feels right for you.

I am proud to lead by example, to live out my message every day, and to build spaces for women around the world to find the same freedom, connection, and fulfillment. To me, success is knowing you’re living fully, courageously, and authentically. That’s what I strive to bring to my clients and my community – the permission to live their lives without limits and to redefine what’s possible for themselves.

Can you open up about how you managed the initial funding?

The story of how I secured funding for my coaching practice feels like a blend of vision, preparation, and one great conversation. When I made the leap from higher education to entrepreneurship, I knew I needed a way to bring my vision to life, not just with passion but with resources. It was during this time that an incredible opportunity presented itself: an angel investor who understood my background, believed in the potential of my idea, and resonated with my mission.

I vividly remember our conversation – I shared my journey, my vision, and the work I felt called to do. I walked them through my approach: the deep, purpose-driven coaching I wanted to offer and the unique space I wanted to create, especially for high-achieving women around the world who, like me, were ready to redefine success on their own terms. We discussed the current gaps in the coaching industry, where so much can feel transactional and results-driven, and how I planned to make my work about connection, authenticity, and transformation. I explained how my global network and experience as a digital nomad allowed me to connect with women from diverse backgrounds, building a community that truly understood and celebrated their journeys.

It’s always a powerful moment when someone looks at you and says, “I see it, I believe in you.” That’s what this angel investor offered me – the resources and the trust to build something meaningful. While I won’t share every detail of the deal, let’s just say it was a partnership that worked beautifully for me. Their investment became the foundation of Heather B. Coaching & Consulting, and it provided the initial boost I needed to bring my ideas to life. Without that faith in my vision, I wouldn’t be here today, building spaces where women can thrive, connect, and be seen for who they are.

If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?

This question always makes me pause. I don’t live with regrets – I truly believe that each step we take shapes who we are and what we bring into the world. But I’d be lying if I said those “what if” thoughts don’t pop up now and then. Sometimes, I wonder what life might have looked like if I’d stayed in higher education or started my career in another field altogether. Yet, when those thoughts arise, I remind myself of one simple truth: I’m here, right now, because of the choices I made then, each one building a version of me that’s stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

Every twist and turn, every lesson learned, has informed my work today. I wouldn’t have the same perspective, depth, or empathy for my clients if I hadn’t walked through each phase of my journey. Those years in higher education taught me the nuances of how people learn, grow, and struggle, and I carry that insight into every coaching session. When I coach women to redefine success, I do it with the understanding that our past experiences don’t need to be rewritten; they need to be embraced.

So, would I choose the same path? I think the real answer is that I chose the best path for myself with the knowledge I had at each moment. Trying to reimagine my journey with today’s insights wouldn’t serve me – or my clients. I’ve come to see that every challenge and triumph along the way was exactly what I needed to end up right here, doing work I believe in, work that truly matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.heatherbcoaching.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherb_traveling/