Turn Adversity into Career Purpose: How Jenna Landed Her Dream Job with the Bold Moves Recipe

It’s not every day you get to witness a dear friend navigate some of life's most profound challenges and emerge with such grace, strength, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Recording the Bold Moves podcast episode with Jenna Kolodziejczak was special for so many reasons. Not only was she my first live, in-person guest, but her story is one I’ve watched unfold with awe and admiration for years.

Jenna’s journey is a powerful story of turning adversity into career purpose. From the terrifying, uncertain days of caring for her prematurely born twins in the NICU to landing her absolute dream job supporting other NICU families, it's the epitome of a "full-circle" transformation. While the entire episode is packed with emotion and insight (and I do hope you’ll listen to her tell it in her own powerful words!), I wanted to share a few of my personal top takeaways from our conversation – lessons that resonated deeply with me and I believe will with you too, especially when examining the ingredients of the Bold Moves Recipe.

1. The Unseen Depths of "Survival Mode" and the Courage to Re-Emerge

Jenna spoke so candidly about the years spent in "survival mode" – a state where her own identity faded into the background as she poured every ounce of herself into her boys. She described hitting an emotional "brick wall." What struck me was the immense courage it took not only to endure that adversity, but to eventually recognize the need for help and take that brave first step to turn things around.

My Takeaway: So many of us, in different ways, can find ourselves merely surviving rather than truly living, especially when facing prolonged challenges. Jenna’s story is a powerful reminder that acknowledging this state and seeking support isn't a weakness, but an incredible act of self-awareness and a bold move towards reclaiming yourself and beginning the journey of turning adversity into career purpose.

2. That "Saved for Later" Dream? It’s Probably Your Purpose Calling

Even amidst the exhaustion and fear, a tiny, persistent thought kept nudging Jenna: a desire to help other families navigating the NICU. For a long time, she mentally filed it under "later." Yet, this recurring desire, this whisper of a future self, was the seed of her eventual transformation. It was the "Desire" ingredient of the Bold Moves Recipe, patiently hinting at her future career purpose.

My Takeaway: We all have those quiet, recurring ideas or passions. Jenna’s journey affirmed how crucial it is to pay attention to these whispers. They often hold the key to our deeper purpose, even if the path isn't immediately clear or the timing doesn't feel right. Don't dismiss them; they're trying to tell you something important about where your true fulfillment lies.

3. Transformation is a Series of Stepping Stones, Not One Giant Leap

Jenna didn't magically transport from overwhelmed NICU mom to her dream job. Her path involved crucial "stepping stones": the hard work of therapy, volunteering with the NICU, and taking on a professional role that helped rebuild her confidence and skills. Each step was an "Action," vital for the next, and a critical part of turning adversity into career purpose.

My Takeaway: It’s easy to get daunted by the distance between where we are and where we want to be. Jenna’s experience shows that bold transformations are built through a sequence of smaller, courageous moves. Every step forward, no matter how incremental, builds momentum and self-belief.

4. The "Who" Factor: Bold Moves Aren't Made in a Vacuum

Throughout our conversation, the importance of Jenna’s support system – her "Who’s" – shone through. Her husband, her sister, friends who listened (I was privileged to be one of them!), the connections she made volunteering, and even the inspiration she drew from other Bold Moves guests. As Jenna herself said, "Bold moves are not possible without help."

My Takeaway: We often think of "boldness" as a solo act of heroism, but authentic strength lies in recognizing our need for others and having the courage to ask for and accept support. Nurturing our network and being a supportive "Who" for others is just as vital.

5. The Beautiful Arc of a Full-Circle Journey: Turning Adversity into Career Purpose

The most breathtaking part of Jenna’s story for me is its beautiful, full-circle nature. The NICU, once a place of intense challenge, is now the very environment where she’ll be channeling her passion and extending her support to others. It’s a profound testament to turning one's hardest experiences into a source of strength and meaningful contribution.

My Takeaway: Our most difficult chapters, the ones that test us to our core, often hold the unexpected potential to shape our most impactful contributions. Jenna’s story is an affirmation that with resilience, intention, and support, we can indeed transform pain into profound purpose.

Jenna’s journey is a vivid illustration of the Bold Moves Recipe – Desire, Who, and Action – in action, in real, everyday life. It wasn’t always linear or easy, but her commitment to moving forward, to healing, and to that persistent dream is something that will stick with me for a long time.

No matter where we find ourselves, the possibility for change, for growth, and for achieving what truly matters to us is always present.

If you’re inspired by these takeaways and want to hear Jenna share her incredible journey in her own voice, I encourage you to listen to the full episode. And if you’re working on your own "saved for later" dream, perhaps her story will be the nudge you need to explore that first brave step. The Bold Moves Recipe can help.