Leaving Burnout Behind: How Jen Melville Redesigned Her Career and Life

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone sits down with Jen Melville to discuss Jen’s unexpected journey from a career in higher education administration to entrepreneurship and coaching. Together, they dive deep into topics like career pivots, the pursuit of security, infertility struggles, and the evolution of self-confidence through adulthood. Jen shares her personal story of surviving burnout, navigating significant life changes, and ultimately finding fulfillment and purpose in relationship coaching.

About the Guest:

Jen Melville is a Relationship Coach and Household Systems Strategist who helps busy couples create fair, stress-free household systems that lighten the mental load—so they can actually enjoy their time together. As a mom to energetic six-year-old boy/girl twins and a ridiculously needy French Bulldog, she knows firsthand the chaos of balancing it all. She survives entrepreneurship and motherhood with a mix of sarcasm, iced coffee, and a deep passion for helping couples thrive.

Main Topics Covered:

• Overcoming burnout & leaving a stable career in higher education
• Navigating financial security, risk, and confidence as an adult
• Dealing with infertility and the emotional rollercoaster of IVF
• The realities of motherhood and work-life balance
• Reinventing oneself through entrepreneurship with Pure Romance parties
• Transitioning into coaching, especially for couples and families
• Using the "Fair Play" system to address household labor and intimacy
• The value of self-care through practices like “momcations”

Quote from the Episode:

“I was forced to do something that was probably beneficial to my health… I would have never excelled [in higher ed]. What I know my skills to be now, although I still doubt them sometimes, I would have not been successful there.” — Jen Melville

Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Introduction and Jen’s New England roots
• 02:13 — Hobbies, thrifting, and work-life quirks
• 03:29 — Jen’s background in higher education administration
• 04:42 — Choosing a career out of necessity and confidence
• 10:22 — Long-term job expectations and real-life transitions
• 12:46 — The exit from higher ed: burnout and being pushed out
• 16:59 — Life after higher ed: entrepreneurship and anxiety
• 23:16 — Personal stressors: infertility and miscarriage
• 28:25 — Never looking back at higher ed & redefining career ambitions
• 32:18 — Quitting the bank job and transitioning to coaching
• 33:59 — Adapting business during the pandemic & moving states
• 38:12 — Coaching focus: intimacy, communication, and “Fair Play”
• 43:23 — Details on Jen’s Divide and Thrive workshop
• 45:05 — Final three questions: introversion, momcations, and choosing courage

Connect with Jen Melville:

Website: jennifer-melville.com

Special Offer: Divide + Thrive Workshop

The Divide + Thrive Couple's Workshop is all about helping couples finally figure out who does what at home—without the nagging, frustration, or “I’ll just do it myself” moments. In this session, we’ll break down household tasks, make sure both partners take full ownership of their share, and create a system that actually works (so you’re not stuck managing it all). The goal? Less stress, more sanity, and a home that doesn’t run solely on your mental load.

Value: $399

Offered: $50 off

Use code BYE50 at https://link.automationonamission.com/payment-link/67c07b51eba43a791d3546ba

Note from the show host: Often special offers