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What if your most challenging career moments became the roots of your confidence?

Jen Pestikas shares her unfiltered story of resilience—how stepping into discomfort shaped her confidence and leadership. 

She recounts the profound impact of losing a close colleague, an experience that tested her strength and reshaped her approach to leadership and life. Jen doesn’t sugarcoat it—careers are challenging, and real growth demands embracing the messy parts. 

Real talk highlights: 

🌟 Confidence is built when you step up, even when unprepared 
🌟 Growth is messy—embrace it 
🌟 Moving on is necessary for heart-based career development.

Jen’s journey shows that embracing the tough parts can lead to extraordinary personal and professional growth.

Key Takeaways From Today’s Episode

Authentic Confidence
Building confidence doesn’t come from easy situations. It’s often forged in the most challenging moments—like stepping up when you’re not ready. Jen’s story is a testament to embracing those opportunities, even when they feel overwhelming. 

Growth Requires Getting Messy 
If you want to grow in your career, you must accept that it will get messy. There will be challenges, discomfort, and times when things don’t go as planned, but that’s where the real growth happens. 

Letting Go Can Be Crucial for Heart-Based Growth
Leaving a team or role you love is never easy, but sometimes, it’s a crucial step for heart-based career development. It’s okay to feel emotional, but stepping away from something comfortable can ultimately open the door to greater opportunities for alignment and fulfillment.

Connect with Jen
💛 CLIMB Conferences & Brave Women at Work Breaking Barriers Retreat
💛 Thrive in 2025 Conference – June 25th-28th, 2025
🤝 Jen on the web: Website | Podcast

Jen’s Flourishing Faves
Rocky, The Movie
The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks

Resources Mentioned: Spirit Portraits by Heather Eck: Heather Eck’s Heart-Based Path From Corporate HR to Creative Artist

🌟 The Flourish Careers Podcast is proudly highlighted in the Top Career Podcast Guide 2024

💛 Free Gift: Heart-Based Career Change Checklist

💛 Ways to work with me:
+Join Fried to Flourishing, the self-paced career change course or virtual coaching experience.
+You’re invited to the Gathering Ground, an insider circle where careers take root, grow, and flourish.

👩‍💻 Browse around the shop and check out the playbooks: Make The Leap, Ultimate Playbook for Heart-Based Career Change | The Complete Interview Prep Playbook | Jumpstart Your Job Search, Gift for Grads

HEART-Based Career Clarity Toolkit
Whether redefining or enhancing your current trajectory, this carefully curated resource collection provides the insights to design a fulfilling career path. 

ACCESS THE TOOLKIT HERE

Want more career wisdom? Check out these podcast episodes/blog posts!
+The Fresh Start Effect: A Guide to Reinvigorating Your Career Path
+Maximizing Your PTO: Unplugging with Purpose
+Should I Stay or Go: Heart-Based Career Decisions

For more insider stories, quick tips, and #CareerTalk, I invite you to connect with me on Instagram @flourish.careers.