Jen Scotney - I’ve spent way too long paralysed by fear

About The Adventure

What makes you feel energised and alive? Jen Scotney says that she is still finding her way since she stopped working as a human rights lawyer. She feels like she is forging a unique path which is scary, but she has faith that if she does what she enjoys she can’t go wrong.

Themes during Jen’s interview include running, burnout, chronic fatigue, bereavement, the shame of not being able to cope with work, self-employment and career change. She also talks about the importance of flexibility to allow for time in nature, deep rest, and authentic connection.

At the end of the interview, Jen asks you a really powerful question that might help you to take a step towards making a change in your life.

The first 20 minutes of the episode is focused on running, Jen’s work as a coach, and how osteoarthritis has affected her. In the second part of the interview Jen talks about her career as a lawyer, the effects of burnout and chronic fatigue, and the steps she has taken since she decided to stop working as a lawyer.

Here’s the list of the questions I asked Jen:

• How do you work with people as a running coach?
• How has not running anymore had an impact on your work as a running coach?
• How do you handle stressful times without running?
• Do you give yourself permission to give yourself time off?
• How difficult was it to make the decision to not enter the winter spine race?
• Does choosing yourself and your health apply to your career decisions as well?
• Did the profession disappoint you?
• How did it feel making the decision to step away from your career as a lawyer?
• When you were initially considering a career change, how do you think you got to where you are now and how is that going to guide you?
• Do you ever feel like it can be lonely if most other people are in office jobs?
• Question sent in from Angie: What do you do to stop yourself from spiralling when you’re having a bad day?
• How do these things apply now with your podcast and writing a book?
• Is your relationship with your husband better since you became happier with the work that you’re doing?
• Are there some areas in your life now that you feel resistance towards?
• What’s the motivation to share your story?
• What are you working towards?

Links to Jen’s work:

Read Jen’s substack and subscribe for a small monthly fee

Listen to Resilience Rising Podcast

See her upcoming events

Follow Jen on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

Follow Resilience Rising Podcast on Instagram

References:

Montane Winter Spine

Marcus Scotney

James Reeves

Recording information

This episode was recorded inside a Peak District bothy on 30th June 2023.

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Final notes

Visit About The Adventure website to email Sarah, the podcast host, with your comments, questions or suggestions for future guests. Subscribe to Sarah's newsletter to receive episodes in your inbox, along with career change interviews and career coaching questions.

Podcast music is by Tsarzi and artwork by Tiffany-Francis Baker.

Thanks for listening!