Hardwired for Growth 2.0: Stop Guessing, Start Growing!

What does “retirement” really look like for Gen Xers—and why do so many struggle with it?

In this episode, I sit down with Joy Levin, market research consultant turned retirement coach, who helps Gen X professionals design their encore years with purpose, connection, and freedom.

We dive into:

• Why retirement is no longer a five-year chapter but a 30-year journey—and what that means for planning.
• How our latchkey kid upbringing shaped Gen X resilience, adaptability, and desire for freedom.
• The social side of retirement—why isolation is one of the biggest post-corporate risks and how to avoid it.
• Common mistakes people make when transitioning out of corporate life.
• How to create your own “portfolio life” built on purpose, flexibility, and joy.
• Why couples need to plan their next chapter together—before one person books the world trip and the other says, “But what about the grandkids?”

Whether you’re years away from leaving corporate or already in your next chapter, Joy’s insights will help you think bigger, plan smarter, and make the most of the decades ahead.

Connect with Joy Levin:

• LinkedIn: Joy Levin

• Website: Gen X Exec Encore

Episode Summary:

Think UGC (User Generated Content) is only for 20-somethings? Think again.

In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Collier—UGC creator, coach, and champion for Gen Xers and Boomers who want to turn their creativity into a revenue stream. Megan shares how she went from scrolling TikTok with just 200 followers to replacing her six-figure corporate income in just 14 months.

We break down exactly what UGC is, why brands want creators over traditional actors, and how YOU can get started—no big following required. If you’ve ever wondered whether you could make money creating content from home (without becoming an influencer), this conversation will open your eyes to what’s possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What UGC is (and isn’t) — and why brands are spending big on it

• How Megan replaced her six-figure corporate income with UGC in 14 months

• Why Gen Xers and Boomers are in high demand in this space

• How to build a simple portfolio (even with zero experience)

• Where to find your first UGC clients

• The right way to pitch brands so you stand out

• Pricing tips, contracts, and the AI “likeness” clause you must watch for

Whether you want a creative outlet, extra cash, or a full-time business, UGC could be your next big opportunity.

Connect with Megan:

• TikTok & Instagram: @megan_ugc

• Ultimate UGC Course: Learn More Here

In this special episode, Brett flips the mic and joins John Browning on the Building Your Life Podcast. They dive deep into what it really means to escape corporate life and build something better—on your terms.

Brett shares:

• His journey from 25 years in corporate to solo consulting and fractional work

• Why GenX is waking up to the reality that corporate won’t take care of them

• How he found his first customers (and how you can too)

• The rise of solo businesses—and why GenX is perfectly positioned to thrive

• A powerful mindset shift: It’s not a tightrope 75 feet off the ground… it’s just 16 inches

• The BAM Framework: Belief. Action. Momentum.

• And why chasing time and experiences is the new chasing titles

Whether you’re still in corporate, recently laid off, or already solo, this episode will get you fired up to take action—and find your path to freedom.

Connect with John Browning:

🔗 Website: https://www.guardianrockwealth.com

🎙️ Podcast: Building Your Life Podcast

📧 Email: info@guardianrockwealth.com

Resources Mentioned:

• Take the GBL Happiness Scorecard: Get Busy Living Quiz

• Join Escapee Plus for $20/month: Join Here

• Follow Brett: Linktree

She’s back for part two! Shelley McIntyre returns to break down the exact framework she uses to help burned-out GenX professionals escape corporate life—without hitting rock bottom first.

If part one was about why we escape, this one is about how to do it—mentally, emotionally, and tactically.

We cover:

• Why grief is a part of every transition (yes, even the good ones)

• How to rediscover your identity after decades in corporate

• The key mindset shift GenXers must make to take action before it’s too late

• A practical coaching framework for reclaiming your life

• The power of “micro experiments” and how to take action before you’re ready

• Why curiosity isn’t a personality trait—it’s a muscle you can rebuild

• How to perform your way into a more fulfilling future

Shelley’s unique approach combines compassion with clarity—and if you’ve been stuck in analysis paralysis, this episode is your permission slip to move.

🎁 BONUS: Shelley is offering 10 FREE discovery calls to podcast listeners. DM her on LinkedIn to claim one: Shelley’s LinkedIn

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🔗 Links & Resources:

• Shelley’s Website: shelleymcintyre.com

• Shelley on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shelley-mcintyre

• Download the Escapee Starter Kit: bit.ly/escapee-starterkit

• Join the Escapee Collective Plus: escapee-collective.circle.so

Joe McKay left a government job in Australia to raise his family in rural France—and stumbled into the solopreneur life along the way. In this episode, Joe shares how one consulting gig turned into a thriving ghostwriting business and agency, all built on the back of his personal brand on LinkedIn.

We talk about:

• The “fork in the road” moment that launched his corporate escape

• Why solopreneurship gave him a taste of freedom he couldn’t un-taste

• The mindset shift from resume-building to brand-building

• How to optimize your LinkedIn profile for connection—not just credibility

• His “Lurker Strategy” that turns profile views into potential clients

• Why FOPO (Fear of Other People’s Opinions) is real—and how to beat it

• Why the 1:1:1 model (1 Problem, 1 Person, 1 Offer) works best when you’re starting

If you’re on the fence about escaping corporate—or building something on the side—this episode is packed with real talk and proven tactics.

Links Mentioned:

• Joe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemckay/

• Solo Success School Playbook: joemckay.info

• Join the Escapee Collective: https://escapee-collective.circle.so

This isn’t a future-of-work episode. It’s a how-to-work-differently episode.

Paul Shirley returns for his third appearance on the show—and this time, we go deep. We’re talking focus, structure, guilt, failure, personal infrastructure, and why GenX escapees need systems more than strategies.

If you’ve ever felt like:

• You “should be able to do more” but can’t quite get there…

• You’ve got time now, but not the energy or structure to use it…

• You miss having a rhythm but hate the idea of being back in a box…

Then this episode is your reset.

What we cover:

• How Paul’s focus system helped me become 100x more effective

• Why 15 minutes of deep work beats 2 hours of chaos

• The science (and myth) behind your tired brain

• Guilt, failure, and why most productivity advice is toxic

• How rituals become your “Turbo button” for meaningful work

• The connection between food, flow, and freedom

• How to plan your days so you don’t burn out—or break down

This one isn’t about getting more done. It’s about getting the right things done—and feeling good doing it.

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📍 Denver Escapees — Listen Up:

If you’re anywhere near Denver, go visit The Process—Paul’s workspace for focused humans. Not a coworking space. Not a cafe. This is structured productivity, in community. Absolute game changer.

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📚 Paul’s Books:

• The Art of Focused Work (2025) – A must-read manual for modern cognitive athletes

• The Process Is the Product (2020) – The original that started it all

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Connect with Paul:

• theprocess.work

• Instagram @theprocesswork

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🎧 Hosted by Brett Trainor

Helping GenX Escape Corporate and Get Busy Living

• Newsletter + Free Starter Kit → linktr.ee/bretttrainor

• Join The Escapee Collective →https://escapee-collective.circle.so/checkout/escapee-plus-subscriptions 

Feeling stuck between your 6-figure corporate salary and the dream of going solo? You’re not alone—and the fear is real. But the risk? It’s not as big as you think.

In this Cliff Notes solo episode, Brett breaks down “The Salary Gap Illusion”—why so many GenXers stay stuck in jobs they’ve outgrown, and how to start building your bridge to freedom today.

🎯 In this episode:

• Why the fear of replacing your salary keeps you stuck

• The real risk of staying in corporate

• The 3 post-corporate paths: Go Big, Replace Income with Time, or Lifestyle First

• Why you don’t have to pick just one (and how Brett moved between all three)

• 5 steps to get started before you quit your job

• The BAM framework: Belief, Action, Momentum

📥 Mentioned in this episode:

• Free Escapee Starter Kit

• Join The Escapee Collective – Founders Rate Ends Soon

🎧 Whether you’re still in corporate or already on the escape path, this episode gives you a clear, simple starting point—and the mindset shift you need to take the next step.

In this inspiring episode, Brett chats with PR powerhouse Tonya McKenzie, a true OG in the escapee world, having built her own agency nearly a decade ago. Tonya shares the story of how her husband (a fellow escapee) gave her the push she needed to leap from corporate—and how she turned that leap into a thriving PR and media business. From launching a local real estate magazine to running full-service communications and now building a new Substack community, Tonya unpacks what it really takes to go solo and control your own narrative.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Tonya left a corporate role in frustration over outdated practices

• How her husband gave her the nudge to take the leap

• What she learned from cold calling, local networking, and starting with community

• The critical PR advice solo business owners need (especially GenX escapees!)

• How personal storytelling and vulnerability are your greatest marketing tools

• Why community-driven platforms like Substack are the new PR powerhouses

Key Quotes:

“Listen to hear, not to respond. That’s the foundation of all good PR.”

“Your personal brand will attract the right customers—and repel the wrong ones.”

“Everyone has a story. But not everyone is willing to be vulnerable enough to share it.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Sand & Shores – Tonya’s PR & communications agency

• CTRL the Narrative – Tonya’s Substack community

• Connect with Tonya on LinkedIn

• Ray McKenzie’s past episodes: [Oct 2021] & [Oct 2024]

If you’re ready to get comfortable telling your story and positioning yourself for solo success, this episode is a must-listen. And don’t forget—if you’re looking to join a supportive community of fellow GenX escapees, check out The Escapee Collective.

Shelley McIntyre didn’t just leave corporate—she walked away from a long career in tech and consulting and into something completely unexpected: grief coaching. But as Shelley quickly discovered, grief isn’t just about death—it’s also what we experience when leaving jobs, identities, and entire versions of ourselves behind.

In this candid conversation, Shelley shares her journey of transformation, from leading corporate strategy to coaching GenXers who feel stuck, burned out, and unsure of what’s next. Brett and Shelley talk about grief, imposter syndrome (or why we need to stop calling it that), purpose as a moving target, and the creative rediscovery that often happens post-corporate.

This episode is a must-listen for any GenXer wondering if they’re alone in feeling “done” with corporate life—and what the other side might look like.

What We Cover:

• Shelley’s surprising path from tech to grief coaching to GenX transition work

• Why grief is at the heart of every major life and work change

• The hidden cost of staying in corporate too long

• How to recognize your “hell yes” moments (and why they matter)

• Why imposter syndrome might just be learning in disguise

• Why purpose isn’t a prerequisite—it’s a result of action

• Creativity as a gateway to rediscovery

• What Shelley listens for when helping people “deprogram” their corporate identity

Quotes Worth Sharing:

“All knowledge is rumor until it is in the bones.” – Shelley

“We don’t pathologize a kid learning math…so why do we call it imposter syndrome when we’re learning something new as adults?” – Shelley

“Purpose is a trailing indicator—it’s not something you find on a worksheet.” – Shelley

“You don’t need to pick one path out of corporate. There are many. Just start walking.” – Brett

Connect with Shelley:

🌐 ShelleyMcIntyre.com

🔗 Follow Shelley on LinkedIn

More Free Resources:

🎒 Grab the Escapee Starter Kit

👥 Join the Escapee Collective

🎧 Follow the podcast for more inspiring escapee stories and expert insights