What do you do when your body says "enough" before you're ready?
Patricia's story: From working in finance in Hong Kong, to prison counseling, to stroke recovery - and why slowing down might not be the worst thing that could happen.
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39 minutes about resilience, recovery, and finding meaning when life changes the rules.
Five Lessons from Patricia's Story
1. Your work identity isn't your worthPatricia discovered that the business impact she thought was crucial "actually didn't matter" and "mattered a lot to me" but not to others. Your value exists beyond your professional achievements.
2. Slow down or life will stop youPatricia was working "all hours God said" and "stressed to hell" until her stroke forced a complete halt. If you don't choose to slow down, it chooses you.
3. Adventure requires jumping without a netFrom Hong Kong to prison work to starting a business - Patricia's biggest life changes happened when they took leaps without guaranteed outcomes.
4. Real strength is knowing when to ask for helpPrison work taught Patricia that seeking help is "huge bravery, not failure" and that "backing down is a route you need to take."
5. Kindness is the pointAfter experiencing profound kindness during her recovery, Patricia realized "if you can extend a hand of kindness, it's incredible the amount of difference that can make."
Quotable moments:
"I still wake up every morning and think I'm still alive. I never used to do that but now I know what that feels like."
"Is anybody going to die? This is where we start the measuring from rather than going full-on panic stations."
"The things that are right in front of you that you just bypass... are actually the most important things, but you just walk by them as if they're nothing."
"If you can extend a hand of kindness, it's incredible the amount of difference that sometimes can make."
"Backing off is not a failure and backing down is a route that you need to take."
"I think it's very important for us all to be human and kind."
"There's a freedom in my heart when I hear the music and I hear the voice and that beautiful instrument that is the voice that just soars."
"Sometimes you've just got to present that really outlandish thought that this five foot woman's going to knock out this six foot two guy."
Resources Mentioned:
About the Host:Ben is a qualified coach and creator of Reflective Rebels, a community for people who want to live more authentically. Based in Carlisle, he's on a mission to spread joy because life is too short to be shit. Through honest conversations and practical support, Ben helps people figure out what matters to them and find the courage to make changes.Connect with Patricia's story:If this conversation resonated with you, join the Reflective Rebels email community for honest insights, practical tools and first access to new gatherings. Or if you're ready for a change in your story, contact me about coaching.