Episode 4: Success That Didn't Feel Like Success (with Barb Wade)

In this Accomplishment Story episode, we look back on the journey of executive coach and speaker Barb Wade, whose career spans Hollywood acting, studio leadership, and more than 25 years of transformational coaching.

From early achievement pressure and a breakout acting role on Saved by the Bell, to running a department at DreamWorks, to realizing that external success wasn’t delivering internal fulfillment, Barb shares what it looked like to give herself permission to change course without making herself wrong.

We dig into imposter syndrome, redefining success, the realities behind six- and seven-figure coaching businesses, and one of Barb’s most powerful frameworks: focusing on what’s on your side of the street and letting go of what isn’t. It’s a grounded, honest conversation about accomplishment from the inside out.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome + What Is an Accomplishment Story?
01:33 – Why Barb’s Story Matters
02:06 – Barb’s Work Today: Coaching, Leadership, and Empowerment
03:03 – Growing Up a High Achiever
04:46 – Theater Dreams, College, and Choosing a “Fallback”
06:02 – Moving to Hollywood and Going All In
06:36 – Landing a Breakout Acting Role
08:20 – Life as a Working Actor (Including Saved by the Bell)
09:27 – Leaving Acting for the Other Side of the Camera
10:59 – A Decade in the Studio System
11:30 – Imposter Syndrome and Anxiety Behind the Scenes
13:10 – Discovering Self-Worth Beyond Achievement
15:15 – Returning to School and Finding Coaching
17:16 – Leaving Hollywood for Good
18:41 – Early Coaching Challenges and Income Uncertainty
21:03 – Parenthood and Designing a Sustainable Career
22:23 – The 2008 Financial Crisis and a Major Pivot
26:43 – The Truth About Six- and Seven-Figure Coaching
30:16 – Burnout, Alignment, and Returning to Core Work
31:19 – Parenting, Special Needs, and Business Boundaries
33:14 – Looking Ahead Without Over-Planning
35:46 – Rethinking Prestige, Money, and Quality of Life
39:39 – Defining Accomplishment: “Your Side of the Street”
42:41 – Icing on the Cake vs. What Really Matters
43:52 – Where to Find Barb + Closing Reflections

Connect with Barb

Barb’s website: barbwade.com

Reflection Prompts

Where in your life might external success be masking what you actually need or want?
What’s one thing on your side of the street you can acknowledge yourself for today?

If you enjoyed this episode, please:

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• Share this episode with someone questioning what “success” really means

Resources

• 🎬 Saved by the Bell clip featuring Barb Wade (YouTube)
• Accountability Success Circle⁠ (Incubator for The Accomplishment Project)