#18 Pivoting with Purpose: Finding Joy in Unexpected Life Changes ft. Kelsey Murray

In this heartwarming episode, Monique reconnects with her college roommate and lifelong friend, Kelsey Murray, a former ad agency director with a deep background in marketing and digital strategy. After more than a decade climbing the corporate ladder, she made the bold decision to step away in pursuit of motherhood and a more intentional way of living.

Her career journey has included becoming a stay-at-home mom, launching a photography business, consulting as a fractional CMO, and ultimately stepping into franchise ownership. Each pivot was less about chasing titles and more about rediscovering what truly lights her up. 

Together, Monique and Kelsey explore how ambition can evolve, how motherhood can feel both sacred and stiffling, and how we can integrate every season of our lives into a more whole version of who we are becoming. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a season that was supposed to fulfill you or if you’re currently navigating a pivot, this episode will remind you that it’s not too late to begin again. Let’s dive in!

In this episode:

((05:19) - Kelsey’s Unexpected Pivot
(07:00) - Motherhood and the Guilt That No One Talks About
(10:20) - Finding Community and the Power of Shared Experiences
(13:04) - The Season of Self-Discovery
(21:33) - Beyond the Resume: Redefining Your Personal Brand
(22:43) - Legacy, Family, and the Story Behind Kelley Blue Book
(29:19) - Releasing the Need for Perfection and External Validation
(32:45) - The Importance of Staying Open to What’s Next
(34:14) - God Whispers and Soul Alignment

Links and Resources:

• Book - The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav | https://a.co/d/byYJUm9 

Connect with Kelsey:

• Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mrsmurray923/ 

Connect with Monique:

• Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
• Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
• Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
• YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 

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