In this episode of The Fearless Foodie, Amy Wilkinson is joined by food industry veteran and coach, Gail Paddy, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what it really takes to thrive in food and retail. Gail shares her inspiring (and delightfully unplanned!) journey from passionate “foodie” teen to senior leadership roles at top retailers like Sainsbury’s, Asda, and Morrisons. They dive deep into the highs, lows, and learning curves of life in food retail—from building a career without a strict game plan, to navigating the fast-paced demands of the sector, to busting the myth that you can “have it all” as a leader and parent. The conversation is loaded with real-world lessons: the importance of flexibility, the power of cross-functional experience, the impact of supportive work cultures, and hard-won wisdom on working motherhood and guilt. Gail also demystifies what happens behind retail’s closed doors, offers advice for suppliers and aspiring foodies, and dishes on her transition from corporate director to consulting, coaching, and mentoring. If you’re looking for a relatable, empowering take on building a career (and life) you love in the food industry—this one’s for you.