From Burnout to Freedom: A Journey to Reinvention and Inner Wisdom

Welcome to our Q&A series, where we share stories of women who’ve made meaningful shifts later in life—reminding us all that change doesn’t have a deadline. Whether it’s a bold move, a new romance, or a career pivot, these conversations celebrate the power of experience and the freedom that comes with knowing yourself better.

After decades in the fast-paced world of advertising, including a senior role as deputy head of planning at Leo Burnett, London-based Anna Coscia experienced a series of life-altering events that reshaped her path—and her sense of self. What followed was not just a career change but a deeper return to who she truly is. Now a somatic coach, she helps others reconnect with their inner wisdom and live more fully aligned lives. In this 5.1, she opens up about grief, reinvention, and the magic of embracing all the rooms within us—at any age. I personally worked with Anna after being laid off from my agency job last year, and she was truly the light that helped guide my journey toward a more rewarding position. I’m thrilled that she is sharing her story with Chapter 51 Collective today.

Q: What unexpected turn or choice has shaped who you are today?

A: Hard to mention just one – but it is for sure the period between 2016 and 2018. Three key things happened then. First becoming deputy head of planning at Leo Burnett; then losing my father to a long illness; and last, I being made redundant. As deputy head of planning I realised how much I loved looking after people and their growth, how good I was at creating a very safe space them, and also that I could deal with the deep and painful stories that at times people shared with me. Then when my father passed away I was hit by an urge to live my life to the full (and the awareness that I wasn’t), to not hold back, and to follow my heart, because one day it may be too late. Finally, when I was made redundant I unexpectedly reacted to it with extreme joy, a beautiful sense of freedom and possibility, and a feeling of a massive weight being taken off my shoulders. It’s these 3 events that ultimately led me to make a big change in my life. It is how I got to coaching and to who I am today.

Q: What made you decide to change your career?

A: Burnout, deep unhappiness, and a clear sense that I was only bringing to life a small part of me. There is an image I love, which is that of us being a 20-room mansion, but only living in one room (maybe the lobby), totally unaware that there are another 19 rooms. I am becoming more and more aware of the other rooms, and starting to open them. I won’t stop till I am a beautiful, 20-room mansion.

Q: Was it scary doing it a bit later in life?

A: Yes, it was, especially because I had spent so much time in advertising, building knowledge and skills, and building a career. It felt like throwing away way too many years of my life. At times it seemed really silly. Plus the cheeky question ‘Isn’t it too late?’ kept creeping up. Yet, knowing that your time is limited can be an incredible motivator to change. You know that the time between now and the moment when it will truly be too late is getting shorter, and you need to act.

Q: What would you say to women who want to make a big change, as you have done, but feel it's too late?

A: The obvious thing to say is that it is never too late. But it is also important for them to understand that fear will be a companion in their journey. If they wait to get rid of fear they will never do it. They have to do it scared. Also, they need to make sure they have plenty of support, because it is not easy. But there is so much joy, power, and freedom on the other side.

Q: How would you describe how you feel now, versus how you felt when you were in the marketing/ad world?

A: I feel so much bigger. And happier, more connected, and freer. I am discovering who I truly am, day after day. I feel like I dropped a massive weight, I am lighter, and I am expanding. I went from ‘This is not me’ to ‘This is me, this is what I was meant to do’. It is a beautiful feeling.

Q: What made you choose coaching as a profession?

A: What made me choose coaching is the impact I saw I could have on people. How I could help them grow and lift the weight of the ‘shoulds’, of low self-esteem, of lack of self-trust off their shoulders and live lives more aligned with who they truly are and what they truly want.

I guess it is the path I have been on, and I am keen to help people walk the same path.

“All this also leads to a much deeper connection with others and the world (including nature) which is ultimately the real success. I think this is what I always wanted, but because of family and societal conditioning I chased a success that was never really mine.”

Q: How has your definition of success evolved over time?

It has changed a lot. From climbing the corporate ladder, collecting titles, and making money – and pushing, pushing, pushing! – to wanting to do something meaningful and having a positive impact on people and the world. At the core of my definition of success now is the ability to connect deeply with myself, my body, and my emotions. To allow myself to be vulnerable and be compassionate, leaving behind self-judgement, fear, and the constant need to push and strive.


All this also leads to a much deeper connection with others and the world (including nature) which is ultimately the real success. I think this is what I always wanted, but because of family and societal conditioning I chased a success that was never really mine.

Q: What lesson has taken you the longest to learn, but has made the biggest impact?

A: Connecting with my body and my inner wisdom. I was raised to trust my head and not my body (which is true for most of us), and this disconnected me with a much deeper intelligence. I am now learning to get out of my head and listen to my instincts and to the wise voice inside. To connect with a different way of knowing that does not come from the rational brain. When I do, I am a much better coach, and human being.

Q: What’s one misconception about women in their 50s (or beyond) that you wish society would rethink?

A: So many. It really pisses me off that society does not acknowledge the incredible value that we bring (and that we are surely not done yet!). But the one thing I want to mention here is that I wished we were all able to see the beauty of women in their 50s and beyond. Not just because there is experience in every wrinkle, and lots of knowledge in a body that has walked the earth for decades.

It is because we have so much beauty inside too, so much wisdom, power and confidence; so much aliveness, richness, wildness; and also so much softness. All this can be seen on the outside too, if only we were able to look with the right eyes, not clouded by stupid ageism and all the wrong beliefs that our society carries around older women and our value. I really think that in our 50s we are better able to connect deeply with ourselves and our body – and thus our inner wisdom. We can be truly magical and healing – and there is nothing more beautiful than that. Perfect bodies, perfect hair, perfect skin are nothing compared to that.

Q: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

A: To stop making myself small and embrace who I truly am, which is BIG! And to check out somatic coaching earlier.

Q: Your one word for what's still to come?
A: Magic.

To learn more about Anna and her coaching offering, visit her website: https://www.annacoscia.com/