If you can't see it, you can't be it! EvolveMe's How She Did It series features remarkable women who've reinvented their careers in midlife. Learn how they did it and take away usable tips from their professional journeys.
We're thrilled to introduce Neeta Jain, a powerful example of how to transform corporate success into a mission-driven next chapter. After 14 years in tech, Neeta made a bold pivot to become a board-certified Health Coach. Her transition was sparked by a deep understanding of the toll that high-pressure corporate environments can take on ambitious professionals.
Today, through her company, Her Shakti LLC, and as a sought-after corporate wellness consultant, Neeta helps leaders at Fortune 100 companies create balanced success without burning out. As a TEDx speaker and keynote presenter, she shares her insights on finding balance amidst corporate burnout, while building high-performing teams that thrive both professionally and personally.
Read on to learn how she did it!
What's your personal mantra, mission, or manifesto?
Life is a story, make it a bestseller.
What inspired you to change careers and launch your business?
There were two driving factors that inspired me.
I wanted to do work that felt meaningful to me, where I could see the impact my work was having for the demographic I am most passionate to serve i.e. Women in STEM, women trying to break into middle management and ultimate solving for gender inequity in the C-suite.
I wanted greater flexibility as a caregiver and more control on my work hours.
What's unique about pivoting in midlife? Challenges & opportunities?
Challenges:
Balancing the caregiving needs with work hours and commute if in the caregiving/sandwich season of life.
Navigating unfavorable perceptions from the Employer/Recruiter end when talking about the resume gap.
Keeping up with the innovation and new skill requirements
Opportunities:
The ability to reinvent and start afresh, especially when a skill is new to everyone in the industry, and there is demand for it.
By stepping away and pausing, we see the forest for the trees and can make the next step in our career path to be better aligned with our lifestyle and values. There is also an opportunity to make better decisions for our wellbeing.
What’s one intention you have for your work this year?
I want to be focused on fewer goals and create "deep work" time for them, instead of being spread thin across many milestones and metrics.
What are you most passionate about right now?
Helping women in tech navigate the broken rung in the ladder and also speaking on Balanced Leadership with the rise of AI.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I don't have typical days, but have themes for the day of the week.
For example - one day is focused on creating thought leadership content, one day is spent on coaching, and another is spent on sales and connection calls. However, a big chunk of my day is reserved for my 7-year-old and for my health (reading, gym, therapy, meditation).
What’s one thing that's advanced your career in the last year?
Letting go of older identities that are not aligned with my future goals.
Who’s your “tribe” when it comes to professional inspiration or support?
NSA speaker community and PQ (Positive Intelligence) Coach community.
Favorite book, app, or podcast?
I am currently binging the "The Minimalists" podcast, as I am in the season of rebuilding and reorganizing my business.
You’re granted an extra hour in the day, how do you spend it?
Anything that can fill my cup, be it quiet time, yoga, or Netflix. As a mother to a rambunctious 7-year-old and a spouse who travels a lot for work, I am usually in a self-care deficit.
The advice I would give my 20-year-old self is…
As a recovering people pleaser, create better boundaries by knowing my preferences and dealbreakers and practice (often) communicating them assertively.
The advice that I want to give my 75-year-old self is...
Keep dancing. Keep strengthening those bones. Keep creating. Age is just a number!
Your theme song that plays every time you walk into a room should be?
Unstoppable by Sia
Best career advice for other women in midlife?
Find your Zone of genius and think of all the ways you can create value for others using it.
And surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you - in midlife, there is no room (or mental space) for jealousy or negativity. Let them go!
When did you feel you got “you” back?
I am still in the process of reclaiming all parts of myself which got scattered as I got burnt out between a hectic job and caregiving. But I think it was when my son turned 7 that I found some breathing room to reclaim the childhood essence and tap into the original little Neeta's needs and dreams.
What’s up next?
Lots of great speaking opportunities in 2025.
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