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July 29, 2025 34 mins

In This Episode: midlife burnout, high-achieving women, self-worth, chasing success, how to feel fulfilled, midlife contentment

Episode Summary

You know that feeling after you’ve finished something big—landed the promotion, crossed the finish line, or completed a huge goal—and almost instantly your brain goes: “What’s next?”

For decades, that was Laurie Reynoldson’s default. Achieve something. Celebrate for a hot minute. Then immediately start chasing the next bigger, harder, shinier thing.

But in this episode of The School of Midlife podcast, Laurie shares what happened after she finished the 29029 TRAIL Challenge—and didn’t feel the need to do that for the first time. Instead, she felt grounded. Relaxed. Proud. Content.

She explains why high-achieving women get stuck in the “What’s Next?” loop, why it never works, and how you can finally break free.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • The real reason we keep chasing the next thing (and why it’s never enough)
  • How ambition can become avoidance
  • Why no amount of gold stars or blue ribbons will fill the void
  • The three simple steps Laurie uses to break the “What’s Next?” cycle
  • How to start feeling good about your life now—not someday

Big Takeaway

“The most powerful flex in midlife isn’t how much you can do.
 It’s being able to say: I’m good.
 I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.
 I like where I am.”


Resources & Links

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Know a friend who is always chasing the next big thing? Share this episode with her. It just might help her step off the hamster wheel.

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