Hi, I’m Julie – a 49-year-old early retiree, avid runner, habit enthusiast, and proud dog mom finally stepping out of the corporate cocoon and into a big, intentional (and slightly boujee) life. On a random Tuesday in September I chose to close the chapter on a 22-year career in physician recruitment – the last 11 years spent working remotely. While I loved the work realized how much of my identity, my schedule, and even my social life (of lack thereof) revolved around that career.
Retirement at 49 has felt like learning to “go out” again for the first time – rediscovering real-world connections, building new routines outside of Zoom calls, and figuring out how to create a vibrant community when your coworkers are no longer just a Teams message away.
I’m happily married to my husband and between us we’ve successfully launched five kids (two mine, three his) into adulthood. With the house quieter, our goldendoodle Mae has become my daily adventure partner – stick around and you will hear plenty of “Mae’s Big Adventures”.
Running remains my anchor and my moving meditation, but this space is about so much more than fitness. It’s about intentionally building a healthy, joyful life after corporate – one small, consistent habit at a time. We’ll talk morning routines that don’t depend on reoccurring meetings, how to replace water-cooler chats with real community, stress management that actually works when there’s no office to escape, and creating meaningful connections in this next chapter.
If you’re leaving (or dreaming of leaving) the corporate grind, recovering from years of remote-work isolation, or simply ready to build a life that feels richer and more connected, you’re in the right place. This blog is my journey – and I hope it becomes our community. Let’s figure out this post-corporate life together: healthier, happier, and surrounded by people (and pups) who make it all better.
