In this special bonus episode of the Finding Your Freedom Podcast, host Nat Baldwin unpacks five transformative lessons from his conversation with Steve Barrett, who left a 30-year corporate career to build a coaching business in Spain.
Redefining Success Beyond Material Wealth
Steve traded his six-figure salary, designer suits, and Jaguar for a simpler life in Spain
"We live in the smallest house on the street. I drive a Fiat Panda, and I've never been happier"
True fulfilment comes from alignment with deeper purpose, not climbing the corporate ladder
Finding What's Meaningful to You
Steve discovered his purpose was helping others grow and develop
Purpose isn't always a lightning bolt moment-sometimes it emerges slowly during periods of reflection
Ask yourself: What makes you lose track of time? What achievements still make you proud years later?
Embracing Change and Uncertainty
Despite experiencing bankruptcy and divorce, Steve finds energy in change rather than fearing it
"I don't worry too much about the future anymore. The future's not a given, is it?"
Sometimes accepting uncertainty creates more stability than clinging to false security
The Power of Focusing on Strengths
Steve uses the Gallup strengths approach in his coaching practice
Success comes more easily when you leverage natural talents rather than fixing weaknesses
Teams thrive when members bring complementary strengths-Steve's big-picture thinking balances his wife's present-focused approach
Overcoming the Fear of Regret
Steve calls regret "the most toxic thing you can have in your life"
When facing decisions, ask: "What would my 80-year-old self say?"
Reframe setbacks as stories rather than failures
Nat concludes by sharing his experience with Steve's "Freedom Challenge," an exercise in envisioning your best life across three dimensions: experience, growth, and contribution. The episode ends with a preview of an upcoming conversation with Fraser, whose career path zigzagged from law to international work in Abu Dhabi and back to Scotland.
00:00 Introduction and Recap of Last Episode
00:36 Unpacking Five Big Ideas from Steve's Journey
01:49 Lesson 1: Redefining Success Beyond Material Wealth
05:10 Lesson 2: Finding What’s Meaningful to You
08:33 Lesson 3: Embracing Change and Uncertainty
10:15 Lesson 4: The Power of Focusing on Your Strengths
11:50 Lesson 5: Overcoming the Fear of Regret
13:30 Steve's Practical Advice and Freedom Challenge
15:02 Host's Personal Experience with the Freedom Challenge
21:43 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode
