Burnout, Reinvention & The Surf Shop That Sparked a Dream with Marcia Heath

In this episode of Message in the Middle, I sit down with Marcia Heath, professional editor, writer, and founder of Bungalow Hill. Marcia’s career was the kind most people would envy—publicist at Simon & Schuster, executive editor at Harcourt, brand strategist for startups and Fortune 500s. But by her early sixties, she found herself burnt out and questioning what came next.

Then came Aruba and a small, soulful surf shop that changed everything.

Marcia’s debut book, The Little Giant: The Story of Aruba’s Surf Shop and the Rebels Who Built It, is more than a story about a store—it’s a celebration of risk-taking, reinvention, and the surprising places inspiration can live.

💬 In this episode, we talk about:

• How a “successful” career can still leave you feeling unfulfilled—and what to do when burnout hits in midlife
• Why The Little Giant was the book Marcia had circled her whole life, but only found the courage to write now
• The emotional and practical hurdles of publishing your first book later in life
• Self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and starting over at sixty
• The surprising lessons we learn when we step away from our corporate life and toward creativity
• A message of hope and courage for anyone who feels like they’ve missed their chance
• How writing changed Marcia’s perspective—and her life

✨ Whether you're standing at a crossroads or simply looking for permission to dream again, this episode will meet you in the middle—with honesty, wisdom, and warmth.

🔗 Connect with Marcia Heath
Visit Bungalow Hill: https://www.bungalow-hill.com/
Explore The Little Giant: https://littlegiantbook.com

Connect with Marianne:

• Website: Message In The Middle with Marianne
• Message In the Middle Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/422430469323847/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MessageInTheMiddle/playlists
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-demello-smith-678b9966
• Email: Contact | Message In The Middle with Marianne

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