What Happens When You Walk Away from the Dream Job? - Sarah Walton - S2 - E11

Podcast

A Founder's Life:

Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, Health, & Fun

Podcast

A Founder's Life:

Balancing Entrepreneurship, Family, Health, & Fun

What Happens When You Walk Away from the Dream Job? - Sarah Walton - S2 - E11

In this episode of A Founder’s Life, Leo Gestetner sits down with Sarah Walton—former Nike executive and founder of Better Meant—to explore what happens when you stop chasing titles and start designing your life. From corporate burnout to rediscovering purpose through health, family, and freedom, Sarah shares how quitting without a plan led her to build something even better.

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Guest Info

Sarah Walton is the Founder of Bettermeant, a leadership and advisory company reimagining what it means to lead: at work and in life. After 15 years climbing the ranks of corporate America, Sarah left her senior role at Nike to build the company she wished had existed: one that blends emotional intelligence, strategic clarity, and just-in-time support for leaders who are navigating growth, change, and complexity.

Equal parts coach, strategist, and founder-whisperer, Sarah has spent the last few years guiding teams, founders, and individuals to lead with purpose, clarity, and confidence. She’s passionate about redefining leadership as a mindset, not a title, and helping everyone learn how to lead.

With a knack for seeing both the big picture and the human beneath it, Sarah brings vulnerability, humor, and lived wisdom to every conversation. Whether she’s mapping strategy in the boardroom or talking mindset with an entrepreneur, her work is grounded in one belief: you’re not meant to do it all alone, but you are meant to do something that matters.

Show Notes

About this Episode

Highlights

Early Career: 15-year corporate career with high-level roles at Nike, traveled globally, rose through the ranks.
Big Challenge: Hit burnout post-COVID and realized she was living someone else’s dream—not her own.
Turning Point: Walked away from Nike without a plan, seeking space to rediscover herself and her values.
Personal Growth: Prioritized family, health, and intentionality; started cooking and reconnecting with her identity.
Business Success: Accidentally founded Betterment, a company now impacting lives through coaching and mental health-focused frameworks.
Future Vision: Living life on her terms—freedom, flexibility, and helping others find fulfillment without sacrificing balance.