Inclusive Leadership and Career Empowerment: Lessons from Margaret Weniger, Founder + Career Coach

Debra Coleman [00:00:08]:
Hello, everyone. Before we get into this week's episode, this week's fantastic conversation, I should say, Let me introduce you to a new podcast on the scene called conversations with men I wish I never had. If you in any way enjoy conversations with women in the workplace, you will absolutely enjoy and get a kick out of this new podcast, Conversations with Men I Wish I Never Had. It is not created by me, though, sidebar. I wish I would have because I absolutely adore that title and the subject matter around it. But don't let me convince you. Here's a little bit more about the podcast, Conversations with Men I Wish I Never Had.

promo speaker [00:00:48]:
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Debra Coleman [00:01:43]:
Welcome back to another episode, another conversation on Have A Seat with Conversations with Women in the Workplace. Today, I have a truly inspiring guest joining me, miss Margaret Weniger. Margaret is a powerhouse who has spent over a decade uncovering what drives people to live their fullest potential both personally and professionally. As a former sales executive herself at top companies like SalesLoft and Mindbody, Margaret realized that true success comes from prioritizing personal development over just hard work and sales tactics. Now as the founder of her own consultancy, she's on a mission. And I mean it, friends. She is on a mission backed by research to empower professionals and champion inclusivity and diversity within the corporate world. So get ready to be inspired and motivated as we dive into Margaret's incredible journey and her insights on achieving our best selves.

Debra Coleman [00:02:45]:
Trust me, women in the workplace, you will not want to miss this one. It is a chock full of incredible insight. So without further ado, here is my conversation with Margaret Winegar, career coach, mom of 3, and norm violator. Well, thank you, miss Margaret Weniger, for having a seat with me this afternoon. I appreciate you so much for taking some time and sitting down with me so we can discuss how we can rise to our fullest potential. Thank you, miss Margaret, for joining me.

margaret [00:03:18]:
Yes, Deb. I'm so excited to be here.

Debra Coleman [00:03:22]:
I am excited to have you here. And as we were chatting about before I hit that big red record button in the sky, that now is the time, I think, for women to really, you know, follow their true path. And so this is exciting to have you on to help, you know, light the way and to give us some good advice and and your expertise in this area. So to get us started, let's see. Let's let's let's take a step back just a bit and, sort of talk to talk to us about what led you after, of course, more than a decade in the field, as a very successful career. What was the pivotal moment that led you to transition from a sales executive into a career more dedicated to empowering others to reach their fullest potential? What kind of led to that beautiful transition for you?

margaret [00:04:17]:
Yeah. Oh my gosh. What a great coming out of the gate with a really powerful question. The it's interesting. Cause, my entire, my entire life of ThruLine has been coaching and a lot of the way, where I was a swimmer growing up and I coached swimming. At one point, I thought I wanted to be a swim coach. And then when I became a manager, coaching coaching kind of very early stage sales reps on the fundamentals of how to sell effectively. And then as I moved into leadership roles higher up, kind of working with managers, first time managers on how to effectively manage.

margaret [00:04:52]:
And so I think there was an element this whole time of so much of coaching is really understanding each person in your care. And what do they kind of what are their unique strengths and experiences and skills that they bring into the room, and how can you support them and kind of engage with them in a way that is is best aligned with how, you know, how they operate. And so I think in many ways, it was something that I've I've practiced for a very long time. But the actual catalyst was, I found in sales leadership that, especially as a female, these were very male dominated spaces. As I became a mother, unfortunately, I very much came head on with the motherhood penalty. And so I had been fired twice the same year as I had had my first two children. And I ended up my last role in sales leadership. I was working for a great leader, really strong company, and the global pandemic decimated the company.

margaret [00:05:52]:
And so I ended up getting let go. And so, you know, at some point, you have to reckon with, I've been fired 3 times in this role. And I really didn't have the love or the passion around sales leadership to continue persevering. And so I set out asking a lot of questions. I I spent the next year kind of on an obsessive search for answers. And during that time, I started hosting a podcast called Rising Tide where I would interview women to tell the stories behind their careers. And these two things started to happen, which was this background of being deeply fascinated by individuals and kind of what made them tick and what brought out the best in them. And then I was getting to learn from incredible women who were sharing the stories of how they got to where they were, the actions that they'd taken, and what I started recognizing was patterns in their process.

margaret [00:06:47]:
And so that was really, that was a catalyst for me in that. I could see even though they had vastly different experiences, they work they were from different countries, they worked in different industries, that these women were seemingly operating out of a similar playbook. And so with that information, it kind of became a a shift from this obsessive search for answers to now, how do I help get this information to as many women as possible so that they don't have to to figure things out on their own when there is a a very clear kind of playbook and framework that they can leverage when they start to hear a call telling them that there's more.

Debra Coleman [00:07:28]:
Wow. That is so incredible that you sort of recognize that common thread and found a way or found it sort of like your mission then to pivot and to sew that thread together into the betterment of all of us, really.

margaret [00:07:43]:
Oh, I appreciate that. Yeah. It's it's it's interesting. I I knew as a sales leader that I could see patterns in numerical data, so very quantitative data, and that was a strength of mine. I didn't know until I started doing this podcast that that was I could also do it with qualitative data. And so that was, I think, in many ways, a tremendous gift that that experience has given me is that I I realized the skill set that I actually didn't know I had or I didn't realize that it expanded beyond just numbers that I that that ability to see patterns expanded into to qualitative data as well.

Debra Coleman [00:08:18]:
Incredible. That is incredible. Now I know you mentioned your rising tide podcast, and, I know you're on a bit of a hiatus with that right now. Great name, by the way. I meant to say that earlier. I love that. So but you had over a 100 shows in. So that to me says that you had so many conversations, happening as as a result of that podcast.

Debra Coleman [00:08:42]:
What do you think was what would you say was one of your like, personally, maybe one of the biggest takeaways for you for running in that podcast and having these conversations. Yeah.

margaret [00:08:53]:
Yeah. Gosh. There were so there I mean, so there was something really powerful that happened the first especially the 1st year and a half. It felt like every time I sat down with one of these women, it was this bizarre experience where I literally felt like even though she was just telling her story, she was sharing some insight. It was as though she was telling me something that I had been specifically seeking in that week, in that month. And so, I thought, like, even the just that experience was so powerful of almost the timeliness of when the information of risk was received and the, kind of recognition that while I thought my experience was very isolated, I had felt very alone in it. What I was quickly realizing is that that was not the case at all. And that in reality, we we don't oftentimes these are things, you know, when we realize, like, maybe I want to change my career.

margaret [00:09:55]:
I just don't feel the same way that I once did about this job. Is there something wrong? Like, those thoughts that kinda creep in our head are like, I have on paper everything that seems like what I should want. I have a great career. You know, maybe I have a great family. I have great friends, but, like, something's missing, that we we think there's something wrong or potentially defective with us. And so I think one of the gifts of the podcast was that that is it was like normalizing what is a very normal experience, but not, you know, but but, like, it just isn't talked about. So, like, for example, I remember being floored. In the first 30 interviews, 78% of the women I interviewed had made a major career change.

margaret [00:10:37]:
Wow. And I right. I know. Right? And I that was, like, a huge eye opener for me because I just had come from a world where, linear career path was the path, and you don't deviate from the path or else it could really set you back. Right? And so I was blown away at here with these incredible women, and over 3 quarters of them had made at least one significant career change. Like, one woman went from being a television producer to a COO at a one of the largest Jewish nonprofits in the US. Wow. Right? Like so anyway, so that I would say that was probably one of the biggest light bulb moments for me is, again, just how common, making, you know, nonlinear career paths are.

Debra Coleman [00:11:24]:
That is so refreshing to hear because you're right. We get caught in our own little silo thinking this is only happening to me. I'm the only one having these thoughts. What am I doing wrong? You know, and we forget that, no, there's so many more. So that's fascinating. That number, 70%. It's just, like, looming in front of me like a neon sign. That's crazy.

Debra Coleman [00:11:43]:
So along those same lines then to kinda piggyback on that, I guess every not everyone, but many of us, like, our our our passion would be to pursue what drives us, like, that our north star. Like, if we could just dump corporate life or what we really want to be doing. And for many of us, that may involve actually, you know, hanging up our own shingle, so to speak, and going our way own way and forging our own path and becoming our own boss and our own LLC and all that fun stuff, much like you have done with your career. Though without, like, getting into, like, I mean, I'm sure you could do it as a total presentation on this, but, like, maybe I know it's a dangerous slippery slope question, but, like, maybe at a, like, 30,000 foot level, what advice would you give to women who are who are listening right now who are thinking, I I Margaret, I kinda wanna dip my toe in that world. I think I wanna do a similar similar leap. What are some things they should consider, while they're in this thinking about it stage?

margaret [00:12:43]:
Yeah. Yeah. So I think one of the things that I I'll share with the women that I interviewed who went who went on this journey, what what they did. And so I think one of the biggest things that I've learned about women is they are, they're calculated risk takers. So what these women, what they what they do very well is there's there's a few things. So the first is there's the I'll I'll share just the framework at a very high level, because even for somebody who's feeling pulled, but, you know, she's not sure. I don't even know what I would do, but I know I don't want what I have. There is so, like, starting with who you like, starting with you as a foundation.

margaret [00:13:21]:
So do you do you know what's most important to you right now in this season of life? Can you articulate that? Are you do do you have like, can you articulate your superpowers? What are you incredibly great at? What are the experiences that you have? And maybe what are the through lines in that experience? And then what are the skills you love to utilize? So the things that when you'd use them, they bring you tremendous And a lot of times, what I found is that women who want to build something, they've kind of identified, a unique problem that they can see as a result of their experiences, that they feel called to go and and tackle. And so usually then, what I find that works very well is, like, the next step in the process is what I call activation. So it's taking these insights about yourself and starting to share it with a trusted network to gather, gather information. So whether that's, you know, somebody that they maybe should talk to. Where's a place that you could get information, that you don't currently have? Or, you know, even if you're not looking to start a company, but maybe you're looking for a new role, what are roles that sounds like these skills that I have? And then the 4th piece is, this is the piece where you build and test. So for a female founder, you know, something great that they can oftentimes do in this stage is, do some customer discovery. So talking with people about what you're seeing better, you know, getting getting clarity on what it is that, people are struggling with. You might even try to, like, build something on the side.

margaret [00:14:54]:
And oftentimes, what I found is that during this phase, like, they're they're kind of doing both. They're doing their current role and they're building this thing on side until they hit this this tipping point where there's a fork in the road, you know, their business has grown to a size where they have to make the decision of, do I take this leap? Do I make take this risk and invest in my business? And or do I go stick with what I know, stick with what I is stable, and ultimately they have to make a choice. And so by that point, they are able to build on the side. So they have information. They have data. And so it's more of a calculated risk as opposed to a big scary, like, pie in the sky risk that they have no insight if it could work or not. And so and then ultimately, I they the oftentimes, they cross the bridge calculated risk is what I call it. But what I would say, like, if I was gonna boil all of that down into, like, a very simple thing, I would say, get started.

margaret [00:15:57]:
So if you have an idea, or you are curious about something, explore it. There is literally no risk to being curious about that interest. And so getting started could be, going to a workshop. It could be attending an event. It could be just having a conversation. It doesn't you know, the biggest thing is oftentimes when you get started, you gather information, you learn something new often, and it opens it opens up the possibility of of what the next step might look like. And so I find if if women can just focus on the best next step and not worry so much about having all of the steps mapped out, knowing exactly how they're gonna get to where they're going, but just focusing on with the information that you have, what is the best next step, that is that is the most valuable thing you can do.

Debra Coleman [00:16:48]:
Wow. And I like that in best next step advice too because it it seems to break it down into manageable chunks. Like, okay. You've gotten this step. I'm literally picturing a staircase. Like, okay. You've gotten this step. Good.

Debra Coleman [00:17:01]:
Take a look around, front and back. Good. Solid. The step is built solidly. Great. What's next? Step up. Yeah. So that is good.

Debra Coleman [00:17:09]:
And I think the reason why that resonated with me is because as women, as you and I kinda chatted about just briefly before we started recording, we naturally have so many balls in the air, you know, that oh my gosh. And and so how do how would or what what is the weight of importance you would place on us if we are going to maybe make that pivot and we do our homework and we decide that I'm going to build up my side hustle. I'm going to build up this interest that I have to gauge to see if it'll be viable business possibly someday. What would you say to or would you agree that we should also get buy in from our fam fam familial units or those that we are closest to to key to maybe, like, bring them into the conversation, not necessarily to get permission, but to just kinda clue them in to, like, what where what our thoughts are, why we're feeling this way, and this is what I'm going to attempt to do. Like, is that necessary or what what weight would you put on

margaret [00:18:10]:
that? Yeah. Oh, that's such a good question. And I it depends on the situation, but I do think, you know, especially in partnerships, you know, with whether that's a spouse or, you know, you know, somebody that you kind of share financials with, you know, to your point, it's not necessarily asking for permission, but having them come along on the journey with you because what's important to realize is that, it's change. And so even though it's good change, right, it's positive change, it's still change. And that means we go through that change curve where, there's unknowns and there's there's anger and there can be resistance to it. And so sharing sharing the sharing why you're doing what you're doing, and kind of having that open dialogue I think is so important and I would be very cautious, honestly, about how many people you want to share it with because what I, again, learned with both my lived experience and then also from these women that I've interviewed is that, you know, it's oftentimes the people closest to us who know us that when our identity shifts Mhmm. From how they know us Right. It it's very disorienting for them, and it can be really hard for them.

margaret [00:19:28]:
And I think being okay knowing that, one, not everybody has to be supportive. That would be nice, but perhaps not everyone will. Not everyone will understand. They they can't see what you see, and that's also okay. It doesn't invalidate your idea or your vision. It it just is. And then not everyone will come with you. So in this process, there are people who, may really struggle to get on board to be supportive, and may unintentionally even sabotage.

margaret [00:20:04]:
And so, you know, being okay with not everyone will come along with you through this next phase of your of your life and that journey. And that's and that's okay. So I think there's there's an element there of of acceptance for people that people who love you, especially family or even very close friends. Like, they very likely won't get it, which also means they're usually not great people to go and elicit advice from because they they're they're going to struggle to kind of understand you in this new context. They're going to want to kind of give you guidance based off of how they've known you, not who you're becoming.

Debra Coleman [00:20:41]:
Oh, wow. That was such a great answer. I mean, if I know we can't see each other, but mine feel like a bobblehead. I'm like, yes. That's it. Nice. Totally. Oh my gosh.

Debra Coleman [00:20:53]:
Yes. Because and I love that you mentioned that it could be unintentional. You know? I mean, there are those who maybe do intentionally want to railroad us, but I think that sometimes it's just unintentional. Maybe it's a a flippant comment or just a not, you know, just other ways of not showing support. But I love that. You're like, you know what? There's gonna be some that come along for the ride and some that don't, and that's okay. Stay, like, just stay true to your north star. You know? Yeah.

Debra Coleman [00:21:18]:
Yeah. Great answer. Gosh.

margaret [00:21:20]:
Yeah. And to that point, like, north star, like, having that is so important because that's what that's what anchors you. So I think that's that, like, when I was talking about that foundation, like, getting that clarity before you go on this journey is really, really important. Because that if you don't have that, then it is very easy to get pulled off your path because it's very easy to to kinda take inputs from other sources or falling into the comparison trap of, should I be doing what they're doing? And so I just I want that's such a great call out on your part of, like, that north star is really having that as a as a critical anchor.

Debra Coleman [00:21:57]:
Critical anchor. Exactly. Because it sounds like you may be falling back on that time and time again. You may be tested. You may be challenged.

margaret [00:22:03]:
Totally. Yes. Good. Good advice. Absolutely.

Debra Coleman [00:22:07]:
Wow. So I mean, another thing I wanna quickly mention or ask you about when in you mentioned in one of your as you were describing, you talked about superpowers. And I love that. I always think of, like, that whole, like, you know, super cape, you know, with your arms akimbo kinda thing. So can you share maybe some common superpowers you've noticed among women in the workplace maybe, that maybe we share or that you've noticed maybe that are developing in these last these last couple of years or that you see kind of forthcoming? What what do you what would you define maybe as a superpower?

margaret [00:22:46]:
Yeah. Yeah. Oh, gosh. It's so interesting. Because I think this is something that is so tricky to answer.

Debra Coleman [00:22:53]:
That's true.

margaret [00:22:54]:
Because it, but, you know, I'll I'll kind of call to, so different different research. So, there's been a lot of studies on, women who are leading during times of crisis. And so what they have found is that they are oftentimes, they are not risk averse but they make less risky decisions and so part of that is there's an element of of patience and kind of a seeking to gather information to inform a decision rather than a knee jerk response. So women typically, especially during times of crisis, are very good at not responding impulsively, but more so, again, making those calculated risks. And so taking less making less risky. They also typically are, create more safe environments for customers. So, they usually are very good at kind of putting the customer at the center of what they're doing and being sure to create, you know, safe, and powerful experiences for the customer. So, I I'll I'll see if I can send you the article that actually has, like, the specific data and the research that was done on women in leadership roles during times of crisis.

margaret [00:24:11]:
The other thing that I've also seen is, you know, women are they are in general. This one's kinda tough again because I don't, you know, broad strokes here.

Debra Coleman [00:24:26]:
Mhmm.

margaret [00:24:26]:
But, they tend to hold a longer view. So when we think about our work environment, so much of how that's it's set up currently is is very shortsighted. Simon Sinek wrote a book called, The Infinite Game, and he talks about infinite versus finite gaming strategy and how it manifests in the corporate environment. And, essentially, finite games are, there are clearly defined players. There's a beginning, middle, and end. There are clear rules and at the end there is a a winner and therefore there is also a loser. So if you think about, like, sports is a great example of an infinite game or, excuse me, a finite game.

Debra Coleman [00:25:09]:
Mhmm.

margaret [00:25:10]:
If you look at something like business, that is a better example of infinite where, the goal is to stay in the game as long as possible. There the rules can change at any time. Players can come and go. So if you think about a company like Best Buy, you know, when Circuit City goes out of business, Best Buy doesn't win. Like, the it's just the market shifts. The the rules of the game have changed. And so, oftentimes, the strategies that are being deployed right now are very short term. Right? Public companies are looking to hit quarterly and annual objectives to ensure the company is profitable for shareholders.

margaret [00:25:51]:
And so what they end up doing is unnatural things that focus purely on that quarter to hit that arbitrary metric rather than understanding the long term consequences of those actions. And so something that's been really fascinating in studying female founders has been, how they build is very different. They are very much focused on how do I create a a business that is, has long term has longevity, that has a strong enough foundation that it ensures that this is able to not only grow, but can also continue, addressing the problem and being a solution to solve for the problem that I see in the world. And so that's an that's another big thing that I think is a really important counterbalance to more masculine energy is is providing more of that longer term view of what are the consequences in the in, you know, a year from now, 2 years from now by making this choice that will help us short term, but what will that cost us if we look a year out, 2 years out?

Debra Coleman [00:26:54]:
What a difference between between the male kind of yeah. And and fascinating that the different perspectives. I bet if I had if we had a 3rd guest on here who had more of a male view, the answer would be probably very different just because of the way they attack business or they look at business or whatever. You know? I mean, it's just a different perspectives. Not good, not better, but just different. Like, you know, marketing is kind of thing. Yeah. Mhmm.

margaret [00:27:19]:
Totally. Right. And it's it's balance. Right? I think that's so much of what is blocking right now is, you know, we we we don't have balance in leadership. We don't have a basket balance of masculine and feminine energy. And so and there's there's balance and there's there's mutual respect. Right? Because there are things that men do that are fantastic and incredible, and they have a set of skills and superpowers.

Debra Coleman [00:27:40]:
Mhmm.

margaret [00:27:41]:
And so there there's an element of kind of mutually respecting one another, and together kind of combining those superpowers is is can do really incredible things. We're just not there right now.

Debra Coleman [00:27:55]:
I hope we get there.

margaret [00:27:56]:
Yes. Me too. Me too.

Debra Coleman [00:28:01]:
I mean, because I know we have male allies out there, but I just think the number is still small, in the corporate world, in the workplace anyway. And and I think those that get it understand exactly what you just said, the synergy that can happen when we work in alignment with each other. You know, we don't have to always be in competition. You know? We want the same things. We just may attack it differently, but we still want the same result, for the most part. Yes. You know, like you said, Bronte. But yeah.

margaret [00:28:27]:
Yes. Exactly. Where's the common ground? Mhmm. And not, they are not the enemy. I think that's the other piece of this. It's, like, it's not a zero sum game. It's not, you know, us versus them. And I think that is where Mhmm.

margaret [00:28:39]:
Unfortunately, there's a lot of polarization. And so I think inviting inviting men to understand, knowing that at the end of the day, they can't fully grasp the experience of what it means to be a woman. But,

Debra Coleman [00:28:53]:
you know,

margaret [00:28:53]:
creating a space for them to engage and learn. And and, you know, but also, right, in a in response that they are respectful and curious and keep an open mind as well. So I think I have a lot of I have a lot of hope that we can make we can make progress there, and that's kind of my big, you know, if if I could have it just the way I want it in the future, the work that I'm doing ultimately serves a higher purpose of creating creating that balance of masculine feminine energy and that mutual respect in in the world and in the work environment.

Debra Coleman [00:29:25]:
Love that. Love that. If you pick up the torch, we will follow you, Margaret, into the we will do that. Absolutely. Oh, I love that. Yep. Oh, yeah. As you to echo you, I do hope we get there someday.

Debra Coleman [00:29:40]:
And I think we're on the right track with others that are like minded like yourself. They'll they'll lead the way and they'll get us there. At least start having the conversations anyway. You know?

margaret [00:29:47]:
Mhmm. Yes.

Debra Coleman [00:29:49]:
Wow. Well, Margaret, what we're winding down to the end of the of our time together. So I just have a just 1 or 2 more questions for you. Though I could go on and on because every time you answer, I'm like, 5 more questions that I would love to ask her. Oh, so to to borrow a phrase from you, what does this statement mean to you if you had to define it? You are powerful beyond measure. What does that mean?

margaret [00:30:24]:
Isn't that just so

Debra Coleman [00:30:26]:
Yeah.

margaret [00:30:26]:
Imagine being have like, right, like, everyone listening, I want you just to envision that Deb just said that to you and just sit with how how that feels. What I have found is that, you know, so many women that I know are so hard on themselves. And because they don't have the ability to kinda zoom out and see how others do things, their extraordinariness is seeming as normal because it's their normal. And I think there's something what I I've learned from my work with women is that, when you say that to a woman and you mean it, right, it's very genuine, you unlock something in her. You plant a seed. And I found with women that that is all it that is that that's really all that's needed to just unleash her. And from there, like, it becomes a force. She becomes a force of nature.

margaret [00:31:30]:
And so I think this powerful that powerfulness is, I think, just the acceptance that it's there. And I think what I see so often is, we get hung up on how powerful is defined or, you know, how success is defined, and it looks different for all of us. How we wanna make an impact looks different for all of us, but that each one of us has this greatness inside of us. And so whether that's in our family, whether that's in our local community, whether that's a global stage. Right? Like that there you are powerful beyond measure. And so I think really internalizing that, understanding that, and kind of accepting and embracing that to be true.

Debra Coleman [00:32:21]:
Accepting and embracing that to be true right there. That's it. That's the golden ticket right there. Oh, slow clap. That is beautiful answer. I think you're right. That is a message we all should hear. We should hear your words, take them to heart, and then pay it forward.

Debra Coleman [00:32:40]:
Mhmm.

margaret [00:32:41]:
Yes. Yes.

Debra Coleman [00:32:43]:
Absolutely.

margaret [00:32:43]:
Yeah. You have no and I think men too. Like, when we talk about allies, like, I oftentimes tell men, like, when you see a woman doing something special, amazing, just tell her. Mhmm. When you see a potential in her, just tell her. Mhmm. You have no idea what you are unlocking for her when you do that. Gosh.

margaret [00:33:03]:
So true.

Debra Coleman [00:33:04]:
So true. Because, too often we hear the the exact opposite. That's too easy. That's too easy to hear the exact opposite. Mhmm. But to hear the more encouraging and more empowering acknowledgments, those are few and far between and they carry the most weight. Yeah. Beautifully said.

Debra Coleman [00:33:23]:
Oh, I love it. Margaret, it is incredibly obvious to me that you are you are 100% a champion for change within our corporate landscape, and you absolutely walk the walk when it comes to inclusivity and diversity of thought. This I mean, honestly, you're this conversation was so enlightening. I thank you so much for this. And so if anyone listening wants to hear more of what you have to say and teach and advise, where can my listeners find you?

margaret [00:33:51]:
Yeah. Oh, thank you for that. So I I post fairly regularly on LinkedIn, so I think we'll be sharing that in the show notes. I I jokingly say that TikTok gets my juiciest content. So that is a great place. I actually do a lot more, I do some education too of, like, sharing some of the patterns and talking through and and kind of pulling in research. So I say juicy, but it's also educational. And then my website is margaretwiniger.

margaret [00:34:21]:
Com. That's more that's less informational, but if you're wanting to connect with me, that's probably a great way to at least initiate having a conversation. I'd be more than happy to to connect and and talk more about any and everything that I talk about on the website and on social.

Debra Coleman [00:34:37]:
Oh, I love it. Very easily to access you. That is fantastic. I love that. Thank you for providing that. I will be sure to have all of those links in the show notes as well. So be sure to check out those show notes for more Margaret. Absolutely.

Debra Coleman [00:34:50]:
I know I'm gonna be connecting with her. TikTok ready to go and LinkedIn ready to go. Yeah. Absolutely. More of what Mark is bringing, please, yes, to everything on the menu. I just wanna hear more of it. That is great. Oh, well, before I let you hop, do you have time for one more quick bonus question?

margaret [00:35:11]:
Of course.

Debra Coleman [00:35:12]:
Alright. Thank you. Thank you. Alright. So, Margaret, when life gets a little crazy and you are in this vortex of everyone wanting a PCU all at once, what do you do or what sort of activity do you like to do that helps you sort of reset and rebalance and sort of bring it back to ground 0 so you can start fresh and keep continuing to live your best life?

margaret [00:35:38]:
That's such a good question. And I, oh, I have to practice this a lot. I'm a work in progress here of, trying not to oscillate in and out of burnout.

Debra Coleman [00:35:53]:
Oh, yeah.

margaret [00:35:55]:
So I I have found exercise I was a I've mentioned earlier I was a swimmer, and I have found personally that in this season of my life, exercise is less about, gains and more about just a release. And so I am a really big fan of, I I still run and I go to I I go to solidcore, which is like a Pilates reformer. And I found solidcore is is wonderful too because, I've never done anything like it before, so I feel like I can make progress in there. It's very easy to let everyone else fall away, and I can just focus on myself, and I don't see anyone else. And then, you're sweating so much, nobody can tell if you're crying. So I found I found that's really good. And I also the I mean, there's that, and then I'm an extrovert. So I also, I try to make a point to, like, create space to to kind of be around people that I know are life giving.

margaret [00:37:02]:
The the kind of the support network I have around myself to just kind of, be be in community with them where I could just be myself. There there is no expectations and, and I can just laugh and, you know, rest and and be known by them. So I think those are kinda like the 2 the 2 things that I try to make space for, and trust that the energy will come back. I just need to give myself a little bit of room.

Debra Coleman [00:37:31]:
I love that. Well, listen. Speaking as you're from, you know, you're an unofficial, president of your fan club, we are grateful for the classes that make you sweat so they can see you cry and and for your life giving, orbit of poke. So thank you for that, for bringing Margaret's best foot forward to us every day. Oh, that is great. I love it. I love it. Margaret, this has just been so delightful and really empowering conversation.

Debra Coleman [00:37:59]:
You've really brought to light some things that I know I haven't thought of, and I know I'm sure it'll be the same for my listeners. And I'm really excited now to learn more and and to connect with you on your social. So thank you so much. I really appreciate you having a seat with me today.

margaret [00:38:12]:
Oh, my gosh. Yes. And Deb, thank you for the work you're doing. Thank you for this beautiful platform and I this has been such a treat to connect with you. So thank you. I've really enjoyed this.

Debra Coleman [00:38:22]:
And that's a wrap for today's episode. I hope you enjoyed this incredible conversation with Margaret as much as I did. Her journey from sales executive to empowering life coach is nothing short of inspiring. And her passion, which was so obvious for helping others unlock their full potential is truly contagious. Remember, if you want to connect with Margaret and learn more about her work, be sure to check out the show notes for all the details. And don't forget to visit the Have A Seat website for more empowering conversations with incredible women like Margaret. Thank you, Margaret, once again for this incredible conversation. Episodes, I would love to hear from you.

Debra Coleman [00:39:07]:
Stay inspired. Episodes, I would love to hear from you. Stay inspired, keep growing, and as always, stay safe, be well, and remember, keep having those conversations.