Summer Series #7 - From Burned-Out School Counselor to Medical Interpreter in Guatemala | Heidi Leal's Career Break Story

<p><strong>Summer Series #7 - From Burned-Out School Counselor to Medical Interpreter in Guatemala | Heidi Leal&#39;s Career Break Story</strong></p><p>What happens when you walk away from a stable career without another job lined up?</p><p>In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, Heidi Leal shares her remarkable journey from high school counselor to freelance medical interpreter in Guatemala. After more than 20 years in public education, Heidi knew she could no longer continue in a role that left her feeling exhausted and disconnected. She resigned without a clear next step, spent time in Guatemala, and began exploring what a different kind of life could look like.</p><p>What followed was not a perfectly planned career pivot, but a series of experiments. Heidi tried selling handmade artisan products, creating travel itineraries, hosting Airbnb guests, and volunteering as an interpreter at a nonprofit hospital. Through those experiences, she discovered a skill that truly lit her up and eventually turned it into a flexible freelance business that gives her the freedom and autonomy she had been craving.</p><p>Katrina and Heidi talk about the fear of leaving a secure salary and pension, the guilt many high achievers feel when taking time off, the importance of structure during a career break, and the surprising opportunities that appear when you create space to explore. Heidi also shares the mindset shifts that stayed with her long after coaching ended, including celebrating small wins, letting work be enjoyable, and learning that rest does not have to be earned.</p><p>If you are considering a career break, feeling burned out in a long-term profession, or wondering how to pivot into something completely different, this conversation is full of practical insight and real-life encouragement.</p><p><strong>Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn</strong>: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidileal/</p><p>🎙️ <strong>Enjoying the podcast?</strong></p><p>⭐ Follow or subscribe on your favourite podcast app so you never miss an episode!</p><p>💬 If the show has helped or inspired you, leaving a quick <strong>5-star review</strong> genuinely makes a huge difference and helps more people discover the podcast.</p><p>📲 And if you know someone feeling burned out, stuck in their career, or dreaming about taking a career break, share this episode with them — it might be exactly what they need to hear.</p><p>❤️ Your support helps us continue creating honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiring stories for people ready to make a change.</p><p>▶️ Watching on YouTube? Don’t forget to <strong>like, subscribe, and turn on notifications</strong> so you never miss future episodes and career break conversations - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TakingaCareerBreakwithKatrina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>00:00 Leaving a 20-year career in public education</p><p>05:08 Resigning without another job lined up</p><p>09:03 Discovering the idea of a career break through LinkedIn</p><p>11:07 Why Heidi sought coaching and structure during her break</p><p>15:36 Experimenting with a handmade artisan export business</p><p>20:59 Airbnb hosting and discovering a love for creating experiences</p><p>29:05 Volunteering as a medical interpreter in Guatemala</p><p>33:30 Realizing interpreting could become a paid profession</p><p>40:02 Building a freelance interpreting business for freedom and flexibility</p><p>45:10 The biggest personal lessons from the career break</p><p><br></p><p>Ready to stop &quot;running on empty&quot; and start running toward a life you actually love?</p><p>🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - <a href="www.gobreakspace.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p>🎁Order Katrina&#39;s book (w/ special bonus!) -