Host Lilo talks with Kelly Poquiz-Burke—executive coach, CEO of Career Slay, and former brand marketing executive for Doritos, Chick-fil-A, and Avocados From Mexico—about the lie her ego clung to for decades:
“Quitting is failing.” From a breast cancer diagnosis while pregnant to stress hives, brain scans, and a three-year-old’s pleas—“Don’t leave us”—Kelly shares how she walked away from the corner office, redefined success, and learned that sometimes quitting is actually choosing yourself.
About this episode:Who is Kelly Poquiz-Burke?Kelly Poquiz-Burke is an executive coach and CEO of Career Slay, and a former brand marketing executive who led multi-billion dollar portfolios at major brands. She’s also a breast cancer survivor, keynote speaker, and mom who helps high achievers become fearless leaders without burning out.
Why did quitting her corporate job feel scarier than a cancer diagnosis?Cancer “happened” to her, but quitting was a choice. Leaving her high-status roles felt like letting go of her identity, income, and traditional markers of success. She feared it meant she “couldn’t cut it.” Over time, she realized quitting wasn’t failure—it was reclaiming her power and choosing an environment aligned with her values
What is Career Slay and what does Kelly do now?Career Slay began as a podcast and evolved into a coaching and speaking business. Kelly now coaches high-achieving professionals and leaders to:
- Redefine success beyond titles and salary
- Navigate big career pivots with courage
- Build sustainable careers that honor their health, values, and families
She uses her corporate background and cancer journey to help others create careers that
don’t require self-destruction.
How does Kelly define success?Success is no longer about titles, awards, or massive brand budgets. For Kelly, success means:
- Freedom and flexibility in her work
- Being a present parent and partner
- Doing meaningful, purpose-driven work (coaching, speaking, podcasting)
- Living in alignment with her values instead of chasing external validation
What’s the difference between quitting and giving up?Kelly draws a clear line:
- Giving up is resigning yourself to failure and hopelessness.
- Quitting is a conscious pivot away from harm—leaving environments, roles, or expectations that no longer align with your health, values, or purpose. Quitting can be an act of power, not of defeat.
How can high achievers realign ambition, success, and well-being?Kelly uses a “compass” framework:
- North – North Star: Your long-term vision for life and work
- East – Energy: What genuinely energizes and excites you
- South – Sense of Self: Your core values and priorities (health, family, freedom, creativity, etc.)
- West – Why: Your deeper purpose and impact on others
When your job, goals, and daily actions align with this compass, ambition becomes sustainable instead of destructive.
Resources & Links- Guest: Kelly Poquiz-Burke – Executive Coach & CEO, Career Slay
- Show: Lies My Ego Told Me
- Episode page, resources, and links: liesmyego.com
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