Breaking Free from the Exception Trap: Redefining Success on Your Own Terms

💡 Episode Summary:

In this deeply honest and empowering solo episode, Lori Pine shares her personal story of breaking free from The Exception Trap—the pressure to always overperform, over-deliver, and prove your worth. As a former corporate VP and now executive coach, Lori invites listeners into the emotional cost of being “the one who makes it”—and the quiet burnout that often comes with it.

Through the lens of her own professional success and personal loss, Lori unpacks what it means to redefine success on your own terms. If you’ve ever felt like you had to earn your seat every day, this episode offers the permission slip you didn’t know you needed: to rest, to realign, and to lead with joy—not exhaustion.

Whether you're navigating corporate life, entrepreneurship, or a leadership transition, this episode will help you return to yourself—and your true definition of success.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

The Exception Trap is Real

Being “the exception” can feel like a badge of honor—but it often comes with invisible emotional labor.

Success Without Alignment Is Exhausting

Lori shares how she climbed the ladder only to realize it was leaning against the wrong wall.

Let Go of What’s Not Yours to Carry

From grief to corporate pressure, Lori walks through how she learned to release responsibilities that didn’t belong to her.

Stop Performing, Start Leading with Presence

Authentic leadership isn’t about always having it together—it’s about being real, being present, and being human.

From Approval to Alignment

This episode is a roadmap for shifting your motivation from external validation to internal alignment.

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

• Lori’s journey from VP to Executive Coach
• The concept of The Exception Trap—and how it sneaks into ambition
• Reflection practices for redefining success
• Leadership lessons born from grief, burnout, and transformation

✨ Reflection Prompts:

• What am I chasing—and who am I chasing it for?
• Where am I operating from approval instead of alignment?
• How would I lead differently if I didn’t have to prove myself?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

• High-achieving professionals struggling with burnout
• Women in leadership redefining what success means
• Executives ready to lead with authenticity instead of perfection
• Coaches and mentors navigating personal transformation

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Reflect on your own Exception Trap using Lori’s journal prompts
• Follow Lori Pine on LinkedIn for weekly insights and leadership tools
• Book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Lori: loripine.com

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📲 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder: they’re allowed to rest, realign, and rise on their own terms