Member Highlight: Shelley Paxton, Author and Leadership Coach
Oct 28, 2020
The following is an interview conducted by and for Spirit Magazine with Midtown Member, Author, and Leadership Coach, Shelley Paxton.
From Corporate Life to Soulbbatical
I spent 26 years as an advertising and marketing executive working with iconic brands like Visa and Harley-Davidson. The truth is I didn’t choose it; it chose me. Or maybe I defaulted to it because of my dad’s successful career with brands like Alka-Seltzer and Haagen-Dazs. Decades later, I realized I was living my dad’s dream, not mine. That was the beginning of Soulbbatical. I now like to ask my clients, “What would change in your life if you were being 100% true to you right now?”
Midtown Life
You’ll find me in Julian’s EBF Boxing classes—the perfect combination of cardio, strength, clubbing, and therapy. I can also be spotted in Body Pump, 312, the occasional Vibe Ride, and sipping a little vino with friends at Chromium. Midtown is like having access to a 5-star spa resort every day of the week, and you meet the most incredible people! My heart is wide open after writing my book last year, so I’ve declared 2020 “The Year of Love.” (Who knows, maybe my future life partner is a Midtown Athletic Club member!)
What prompted you to leave a wildly successful career and initiate your Soulbbatical journey?
During my decades in the advertising industry, I honestly believed that success and fulfillment were mutually exclusive; that success required sacrificing soul for salary. But I found myself dying on the inside. I felt success-EMPTY, not success-FULL. The mission of Soulbbatical is to rewrite the script of success.
What goals did you set for yourself?
My initial intention for Soulbbatical was to nurture my creative soul in an attempt to reconnect with who I am—beyond titles, brands, and paychecks—starting with my passion for travel, writing, and photography. I committed to exploring what it would mean to live more authentically, courageously, and purposefully. What I thought was a temporary journey became my calling and a way of being.
Where did you travel and why?
I traveled to France, New Zealand, the California Coast, the Canadian Rockies, and many other inspiring destinations. I soon realized that the power of place can feed our soul, but it can’t fix it. That’s our work: looking inward, not outward.
What were some of the successes and pitfalls along the way?
The biggest pitfall for me was realizing that, like many fellow overachievers, I was addicted to busyness. The magic happened when I finally prioritized being over doing, slowed way down, and reconnected with the deepest fears and desires of my soul.
What changes in your physical and mental health have resulted from your Soulbbatical?
I feel happier, healthier, and more alive than I have in decades. That can’t be measured by pounds on a scale, only presence and alignment of mind, body, and spirit. I strive for progress, not perfection. And I punch the sh*t out of the EBF bags.
What advice can you give others who may be feeling the itch to follow a journey such as yours?
On the other side of fear is everything you’ve ever wanted. Seriously. If you’re asking yourself, “Is this all there is?” and/or feeling burnt out and empty on the inside, read Soulbbatical: A Corporate Rebel’s Guide to Finding Your Best Life. And commit to doing the work. It’s equal parts memoir, manifesto, and interactive guide for a reason. This is my way of putting an arm around you and saying, “I got you.”