Join Coach AnnaJo as she delves into a conversation with Banu Tomruk, a leader and coach with over 25 years of experience in corporate HR. Discover Banu's inspiring journey from a traditional upbringing in Turkey to becoming a global HR leader and founder of Ascend, a career coaching company. This episode explores themes of authenticity, resilience, and the power of embracing one's true self in both personal and professional life.

Key Takeaways:

Banu's pivotal moments that shaped her career and personal growth. The importance of authenticity in leadership and life. Balancing a thriving career with motherhood. Insights into building a meaningful career aligned with personal values.

Guest Bio: Banu Tomruk is a former global HR leader and certified professional coach dedicated to helping individuals and organizations thrive. With a multicultural perspective and deep expertise, she empowers professionals to design intentional and meaningful careers.

Connect with Banu:

Tune in to hear Banu's inspiring story and learn how to live life on your own terms.

Subscribe now to never miss an episode!

This episode is a personal one.

I used to hear it all the time: "You're too intense."
And without even noticing, I started to shrink , questioning my tone, my energy, my ideas.
It chipped away at my confidence.

But you know what changed everything?
I started blogging. Just for me. No approval, no editing, no politics. And that gave me my voice back.

If you've ever felt like you had to dim your light to make others comfortable , come sit with me in this conversation.
Because one day, the thing they said was "too much" will be the reason they call you a leader.

This is a big one.

After months (actually… 70 Mondays!) of going live on Instagram, streaming across platforms, and showing up imperfectly , Mondays with Coach AnnaJo is officially part of the podcast!

Yep, you asked for it, and I listened.

I started Mondays with Coach AnnaJo back on March 11, 2024, and it's been evolving ever since. Not polished. Not rehearsed. But real. And now, this energy, this weekly moment of reflection and fire, gets to live here too.

"Because momentum matters more than perfection."

In this episode, I talk about what it means to do it anyway.
Even when it's messy. Even when you don't feel ready.
This one's about evolving, reinventing, and growing , not in theory, but in real-time.

So here it is: Episode 32, the #70 of Mondays with Coach AnnaJo.
Live. Unfiltered. Encouraging.
Mondays with Coach AnnaJo.

Thank you for being part of this. I'm doing it — imperfectly — but I'm doing it.
And I hope it gives you the spark to do your thing, too.

What happens when life throws you a curveball, right after maternity leave?

In this episode, Coach AnnaJo sits down with Tonye Medley, a seasoned biomedical scientist and project manager, who shares how she navigated a company-wide layoff just five months after giving birth to her second child. With honesty and strength, Tonye walks us through how she created structure in chaos, building a job search system, tracking her progress, and stepping outside her comfort zone to find her next role.

We also explore Tonye's personal path to motherhood later in life, the challenges she faced with infertility and hormonal shifts, and how she stays grounded through community, movement, and mindset.

This conversation is about more than bouncing back, it's about rising with intention and becoming a role model for what's possible.

What we cover:

• Strategic job searching after a layoff

• Juggling career, motherhood, and personal healing

• Vulnerability and leadership in the corporate world

• Why self-care, dance, and systems matter

• The power of showing up when it matters most

Tonye's story is a beautiful reminder: resilience isn't loud, it's consistent, thoughtful, and deeply human.

Follow Tonye Medley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyebriggsmedley/

In this episode of AnnaJoTalks: Work Life for Badasses, Coach AnnaJo walks you through the exact framework she's used to reinvent her life and career, not just once, but again and again.

Recorded during a powerful moment of reflection (not quite on her birthday, but with all the same heart and fire), she introduces her signature Reinvention Triangle:
✨ Own Your Story
✨ Create a Vision
✨ Experiment Boldly

If you're craving a shift in your career, your lifestyle, or your identity, this episode gives you the permission and the practical tools to begin.

You'll hear real examples from her journey, simple steps to get started, and a reminder that reinvention doesn't require perfection it starts with a tiny spark and a whole lot of courage.

This isn't just an episode it's a gift to help you live life on your own terms. 🎁

Press play and let the reinvention begin.

Secrets of a Supermom

How does she do it all?

In this episode, I sit down with Lori Whitney Oberbroeckling, a powerhouse mom of four, corporate leader, author, podcaster, and founder of Secrets of Supermom. Lori shares how she manages a family of six while building a thriving career and helping other women do the same. We talk about routines, boundaries, ambition, and the myth of "doing it all", and what actually works instead.

Whether you're a working parent, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying to juggle a lot without burning out, this conversation is packed with honest insights, real-life strategies, and a whole lot of encouragement.

🎧 Listen in and learn:

• How Lori structures her days as a corporate leader and mom of four

• Her best-kept secrets for managing energy, not just time

• Why boundaries are essential—and how to create them

• The truth behind "Supermom" and how to redefine success on your own terms

You're Invited to Supermom Summer Camp!

This is your official invitation to Supermom Summer Camp —, a totally FREE virtual event just for moms who are done with burnout and ready for better.
🗓️ June 16–20
- Choose your own trail (Clarity, Momentum, Energy, or Boundaries)
- Earn badges, gain practical tools, and join me at the campfire!

💥 I'll be speaking on Day 1, sharing how to build boundaries in work and in life — don't miss it!

Grab your free camp pass here:
https://secretsofsupermom.mykajabi.com/a/2148123648/ChM2Laze

✨ Connect with Lori:

Website: https://www.secretsofsupermom.com
Podcast: https://secretsofsupermom.com/the-blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/secretsofsupermom
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/secretsofsupermom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsofsupermom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/secretsofsupermom

In this episode, Coach AnnaJo sits down with the brilliant and bold Catarina Abreu, a healthcare strategist, consultant, and soon-to-be author, to talk about career reinvention, leadership, and living life on your own terms.

From growing up across six countries and witnessing her mother's healthcare journey, to navigating burnout, loss, and the toxic trap of "success on paper", Catarina's path is anything but linear. But through resilience, vision, and a researcher's mindset, she carved out a life and career that aligns with her purpose.

💡 Spoiler: It involved saying no to becoming a doctor or PhD, yes to a leap of faith with Columbia University, and total transformation after the worst year of her life.

This conversation is a deep dive into:

• The emotional turning points that catalyze reinvention

• Why rejecting traditional career paths doesn't mean failure—it means courage

• How Catarina designed a new leadership identity rooted in authenticity

• The power of using your values (not a perfect plan) to build what's next

🌟 About Catarina Abreu

Catarina is a strategist and educator who defies norms in AI, healthcare, and leadership. With 12+ years in the field and a multicultural background, she's now empowering women in research to become mission-driven thought leaders. Her upcoming book captures leadership lessons through the lens of personal growth and professional disruption.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adasiainsights

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catarina-bcla-abreu/

Substack: https://catarinacostaabreu.substack.com/

🗣 Favorite Quotes

"I didn't want a traditional career. I wanted to build one that felt true."
"You don't always need the perfect vision—just the courage to explore your values."
"Sometimes the year everything falls apart is the year you finally find yourself."

🎧 Listen Now

Join us for this powerful and honest episode, and find the inspiration to build the next chapter of your own story, without waiting for permission.

Feeling stuck? You're not.
You're simply between versions of yourself, and that's where reinvention begins.

In this episode, Coach AnnaJo shares the truth about what it really takes to step into a new chapter in your life and career. No quick fixes. No glamorous overnight success stories. Just the raw, honest, science-backed reality of building a new identity.

She brings her experience as a scientist working with iconic brands like Oreo and Ritz, where reinvention was part of the job, and draws powerful parallels to personal growth, career pivots, and becoming the version of yourself you've been dreaming about.

This episode is for you if:

• You're no longer fulfilled in your current role but don't know what's next

• You're craving change, but fear keeps slowing you down

• You're curious about building a new identity, not just a new title

• You're ready to take a leap—but want to do it with clarity

🎓 And if you're ready for more, join her free masterclass:
Corporate to Entrepreneur: Build a New Identity
RSVP here: https://offers.annajocoaching.com/freedom-masterclass

You don't need to have it all figured out.
You just need to decide you're not staying stuck.

#Reinvention #WorkLifeHarmony #CareerPivot #FromCorporateToEntrepreneur #CoachAnnaJo #AnnaJoTalks #YoureNotStuck #NextChapter