When was the last time you allowed yourself permission to want something different?
Not because things were falling apart, but because deep down, you knew you were meant for more. More of what felt good. 

In the latest Eating your Cake too episode (available on YouTube and your favourite podcast app), I had the joy of chatting with my fabulous friend Dr Katherine Iscoe. Kat joined me from her brand new home in sunny Dubai, and together, we had a real, unfiltered conversation about what it truly means to make bold moves in life and leadership.

For those who don’t know her, Kat is a powerhouse. She’s a motivational speaker who challenges leaders to take bigger risks by letting go of imaginary judgment and criticism. She’s also a board member, former tech CEO of a dually-listed public company, and soon-to-be author.
But what I love most about Kat isn’t the resume. It’s her honesty about what used to sit underneath it all: severe depression, a debilitating eating disorder, and the constant pull of people pleasing. 

The messy, unglamorous 20%

In our chat, Kat shared what it’s really been like to move across the world and start again.
Not just the highlight reel you might see online. But the unglamorous side - walking her dogs in 45-degree heat. The efforts of building new friendship groups & networking circles all over again. The 3am doubts that whisper, “What if this was a mistake?”

She’s also the first to admit that even when you choose change for the right reasons, it is still going to feel hard, annoying, and, at times, downright scary. And that doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. It means you’re human.

As Kat so perfectly puts it: “Bold moves need planning, self-awareness, and the courage to keep going when that 20% shows up.”

Beyond the masks

Kat’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about perfection or unshakeable confidence. It’s about self-respect. About doing the thing you know is right for you, even when the critics (real or imagined) are loud.

It’s also about dropping the masks - the ones that look shiny on paper, but weigh us down in the quiet moments. True leadership isn’t about being everyone’s best friend or ticking every box. It’s about having the courage to say, “This is what I want. And it’s okay if it looks different from what I wanted before.”

So, what might it look like for you?

Maybe it’s not a move to Dubai. Maybe it’s a new role, a creative project, a conversation you’ve been putting off, or simply allowing yourself permission to rest.

Whatever it is, let this be your reminder: our careers (and lives) are like rollercoasters. The bravest thing we can do isn’t to avoid the loops, but to choose the next one ourselves.

🎧 Listen to the episode here.

Learn more about Dr Katherine Iscoe:
 🌐 Website
 📸 Instagram
 💼 LinkedIn
 ▶️ YouTube