Are you thinking about leaving your stable 9–5 to pursue something more meaningful — like starting your own business or making a major career shift? Or maybe you're already in the messy middle of that transition, wondering why no one talks about how hard it actually is?

In this solo episode of Poncha Talk, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my own career pivot in my late 20s — the financial sacrifices, the internal struggles, and the quiet wins that keep me going.

A few years ago, I had a stable job, a comfortable income, and the freedom to book flights or order food whenever I wanted. Now, I’m self-employed, navigating a completely new path, earning far less (for now), and learning how to rebuild both my career and my sense of self-worth from the ground up.

This episode is for anyone who’s:

• switching careers in their late 20s or early 30s

• starting their first business or creative project

• leaving behind financial security to pursue a passion

• struggling to stay motivated in the early stages of entrepreneurship

• wondering if it’s normal to feel lost, broke, or behind

You’ll hear honest insights into what it’s really like to start over — from major mindset shifts to invisible progress — and why learning to celebrate the smallest wins matters more than ever when building something new.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 Intro: Why this episode is so personal
03:25 Lesson 1: Your relationship with money will change
06:36 Lesson 2: You’ll need to rebuild your self-worth
09:50 Lesson 3: Progress often feels invisible
13:19 Lesson 4: Structure is something you have to create
16:09 Lesson 5: Support is nice, but understanding is rare
18:13 Final thoughts

🎙️ Listen to this related episode:
👉 Finding Balance in Chaos – Creating Routines That Support You

Let’s connect:
📸 Podcast: @ponchatalk
📍 Travel Blog: @your_madeira
🌐 Website: www.your-madeira.com