3 Major Reasons I Launched My YouTube Channel at 47 as Part of My Career Pivot

Never in a million years did I think I’d be launching my first YouTube channel at 47! Yet, here I am, hitting “publish” on my first video as part of a journey I never saw coming. This unexpected twist is part of a bigger story—one of healing from chronic career burnout and reinventing myself outside of the corporate world.

For years, I climbed the corporate ladder, chasing success but finding myself burnt out and unfulfilled. Although, truth be told, I've LOVED my corporate career at every stage.  I've met some of the most incredible mentors and colleagues, most of whom I still call friends today.

Add to this the years of graduate school, amazing professional development trainings, and so much success along the way, it's hard for the sunk cost fallacy (and the high you get from extraordinary achievement) not to play a factor in why I stayed much longer than I wanted to. 

Still, the anxiety, long hours, PTO left to expire, and guilt over taking time off, all led to serious physical and mental health decline. 

In 2019, I began a journey to recover from chronic burnout and realized that the career I once thought defined me no longer aligned with my purpose. This realization was both freeing and terrifying. It was time to pivot, but how? Launching this YouTube channel became a critical piece of the puzzle.

In this post, I’m sharing the 3 (or rather, 4) major reasons why I decided to launch my YouTube channel at 47 and how it’s helping me navigate this new chapter of my career.

1. Finding Purpose After Career Burnout

Experiencing chronic career burnout was a wake-up call that I couldn’t ignore. It made me question my career choices and reevaluate my definition of success.

I realized that I was chasing external validation and achievements that left me feeling empty. It was time for a change.

Sharing my journey of recovery and transformation felt purposeful and meaningful. I wanted to help others who were silently struggling, just like I was.

Launching my YouTube channel will be one vehicle to turn my experiences into something positive—a platform to inspire and guide others through career burnout and reinvention.

Through my channel, as I've been doing with this blog, I’ll open up about my challenges, lessons learned, and the tools and practices that helped me heal, in a more personal and immersive way.

I hope to build a community of like-minded individuals who are also seeking purpose, growth, and well-being in their lives.

2. Embracing Reinvention and Growth

Starting a YouTube channel at 47 is pushing me out of my comfort zone in ways I never anticipated. It requires me to confront my fears, self-doubt, and the voice that constantly asks, “Am I too old for this?”

But that’s exactly why I need to do it. Reinvention means stepping into the unknown and being willing to grow through discomfort. I realized that in order to truly pivot my career, I had to embrace change and challenge myself in new ways.

Learning video creation, editing, and building an online presence is not just about content—it's about developing resilience, adaptability, and confidence. This journey is helping me grow not just professionally but personally as well.

3. Building Community and Inspiring Others

One of the most fulfilling aspects of launching my channel has been connecting with others who resonate with my story.

Career burnout and reinvention are deeply personal experiences, but they’re also incredibly common—especially for mid-career professionals.

By sharing my journey authentically, I hope to inspire others to prioritize their well-being, pursue their passions, and not be afraid to pivot, no matter their age. I’m building a community where we can learn, grow, and support each other through these transitions.

Knowing that my experiences and insights could help someone else feel less alone or inspire them to take action is incredibly motivating. This sense of purpose keeps me going, even on days when self-doubt creeps in.

4. Upleveling Essential Skills for My New Career

One of the most strategic reasons I started my YouTube channel was to develop essential skills for my career pivot.

Public speaking, presenting, researching, and synthesizing information are all crucial leadership skills for my new career path, and creating video content is a powerful way to hone them.

Each video challenges me to organize my thoughts clearly, communicate effectively, and engage with an audience. It’s a practice ground for storytelling and building my confidence as a speaker.

Additionally, the process of researching, scripting, and presenting complex topics in an accessible way is sharpening my ability to synthesize information—a skill that’s valuable in any field.

I’m using my channel as a way to grow professionally while sharing valuable insights with my audience. It’s a win-win that’s helping me lay the foundation for my next career chapter.

Nurturing Passion Through Purpose

Launching my YouTube channel at 47 wasn’t just about trying something new—it was about finding purpose, embracing growth, building community, and strategically up-leveling my skills.

It’s about transforming my burnout experience into a journey of reinvention and inspiring others to do the same.

I have such a long road ahead but I'm excited and optimistic about this exciting new phase of my career reinvention. 

If you’re feeling stuck in your career, experiencing burnout, or considering a big pivot, I hope my story encourages you to take the first step. It’s never too late to redefine your path and pursue a life that truly aligns with who you are.

Thank you for joining me on this journey! If you found this post inspiring or relatable, I’d love for you to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow along as I continue to grow, learn, and share.

Let’s navigate our midcareer together! And remember, it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.