From Burnout to Freedom: Starting Over and Rebuilding Life onYour Terms With Mary Mburu
Have you ever looked at your life and thought, "I can't keep doing this forever" - and then immediately talked yourself out of making a change because the risk felt too big?
Most people don't stay where they are because they aren't capable of more. They stay because what's familiar feels safe. A regular paycheck, a routine you know, and the certainty of what tomorrow will look like can be hard to walk away from - even when deep down you know the life you're living isn't the one meant for you.
And yet... What if freedom isn't something you find? What if it's something you create, one small decision at a time?
After years of feeling stuck in work that no longer aligned with the life she wanted, and struggling to balance career ambitions with motherhood, Mary Wanjira Mburu chose a different path. What began as a search for more flexibility eventually led her into online work, entrepreneurship, and helping others build careers that support the lives they want to live.
In this episode, you'll find out why waiting for the perfect time can keep you stuck, how small actions can create life-changing opportunities, and why defining freedom for yourself is the first step toward building a life that feels truly aligned.
IN THIS EPISODE
- Welcome Mary Wanjira Mburu. Her story and how she came to do her work.
- Why so many people stay in situations they've outgrown - and why comfort is often the biggest obstacle to change.
- The surprising difference between chasing freedom and actually defining what freedom means to you.
- How to recognize when security is supporting your growth - and when it's holding you back.
- Why small decisions often create bigger life changes than dramatic leaps of faith.
- The role relationships play in opening doors, creating opportunities, and accelerating growth.
- Why communication and empathy matter more than technical skills when building lasting professional relationships.
- The common mistake many people make when trying to delegate work to others.
- Why clear systems and documented processes can reduce frustration for everyone involved.
- The gap between learning a skill and being truly ready to apply it in the real world.
- How fear of rejection prevents people from pursuing opportunities that could change their lives.
- The importance of taking action before you have certainty, confidence, or a perfect plan.
- Why "work-life balance" may be the wrong goal - and what to focus on instead.
- Mary's #1 way to unleash your freedom today.
RESOURCES
- Connect with Mary on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mburumary/
- Check out ProVAN Africa: https://www.linkedin.com/company/provan-africa/
- DM us TRAINING on Instagram to join the leadership training and transform your life in 90 days: https://www.instagram.com/freedomwithgiorgiaandawn
Transcript
Welcome to another episode.
2
:Today, we have Mary with us.
3
:Mary is a virtual assistant
turned entrepreneur from Kenya.
4
:Before online work, she spent years in
customer support feeling stuck, because
5
:she couldn't find work in her field.
6
:After becoming a mom, she started
questioning whether she wanted the
7
:rest of her life to look the same.
8
:In 2022, she pivoted into the online
space as a VA, and that decision
9
:completely changed her life.
10
:Today, she runs Common Ground Steady,
where she supports founders to create
11
:calmer operations and stronger support
systems, and she also co-founded ProVan
12
:Africa, where she supports aspiring VAs
to become confident and client-ready.
13
:Welcome, Mary.
14
:How are you doing today?
15
:Mary: Thank you, Dawn, for having me
on the Unleash Your Freedom podcast.
16
:I'm so glad to be here.
17
:And I'm doing fantastic, and
I'm excited for this episode.
18
:Dawn: Awesome.
19
:Well, we are equally excited.
20
:So first question that we ask all
of our guests is what led you into
21
:the work that you are doing today?
22
:Mary: Well, what led me into the work that
I'm doing today, I'd say is, my need or
23
:my thirst for living an aligned life, and
that comes with the freedom part of it.
24
:Because, I was in a nine-to-five, for
five years, and that's, a job that I
25
:did because I couldn't find, work in
my field of study, as you said, Dawn.
26
:when I became a mom, things got worse.
27
:I got frustrated.
28
:I wasn't just, losing at work, I was also
losing at home because I could leave when
29
:my baby was asleep, come back when he's
fed and bathed, and warmly tucked in.
30
:At one point, it felt like I was a
surrogate mom to my own child, and I had
31
:to decide- Because it wasn't making any
more sense to keep losing on both ends.
32
:I had to decide which one wins.
33
:And so I chose the freedom, the
alignment, and I chose my child.
34
:I chose motherhood.
35
:That's where everything that
I've built this far began.
36
:It began with me quitting the
nine-to-five, feeling frustrated, feeling
37
:stuck, and feeling like I was losing.
38
:That's everything that has gotten me here.
39
:Giorgia: Oh, that is amazing.
40
:So obviously we talked a little bit
before as well, and I just would love
41
:to hear a bit more about all those
different transitions, because a lot of
42
:people, they are stuck in the wrong job,
and yet they don't have that courage
43
:to actually admit that and start over.
44
:So what was it like,
this experience for you?
45
:Mary: Well, you said it so well, that,
most people are stuck in the wrong
46
:careers or in the wrong jobs, and I
think the main reason they are stuck
47
:there is the comfort that they get
from those jobs, the salary at the end
48
:of the month that they are sure of.
49
:And, what they know about the other
side of freedom being a business
50
:owner, a freelancer, or something like
that, that guarantees you freedom,
51
:they know that it's something that
they have to build from scratch.
52
:And once they leave the salary they are
used to every month, they are risking
53
:a lot, their families, themselves,
their careers, and they are afraid.
54
:For me, I'd say, mm, when I decided
to quit, I didn't just quit.
55
:I thought in my mind, or what was
in my mind, I had an idea that
56
:I'll start a physical business.
57
:The plan failed,
58
:in less than two months of quitting.
59
:again, I had a cushion because my husband
took care of, and still does, takes
60
:care of the house bills and everything.
61
:So even if things didn't go as planned,
I didn't have to worry about, food, rent,
62
:or the basic needs or the household needs.
63
:That was taken care of,
but now my plan failed.
64
:What I had in mind failed, and
that's turned into the frustration
65
:that I was running away from
while quitting the nine to five.
66
:I was running away from frustration,
and now my plan is not going to work,
67
:so I'm facing the same frustration, and
on top of that, I'm facing being broke.
68
:It was tough.
69
:It wasn't the easiest, phase of life.
70
:then I had friends who were
working online even before I found
71
:my job, the nine-to-five job.
72
:Those are the people that I got
in touch with I think they say
73
:that the word of mouth works
wonders and referrals work wonders.
74
:So those are the people that I went to.
75
:I just tell you what's up to them.
76
:While on commute or just seated at home,
and one of them is the one who gave me
77
:an email address and told me it was, an
email address of a lady who was looking
78
:for someone to work remotely in a customer
service related field, which is the same
79
:thing I was doing in my nine-to-five.
80
:I reached out to the lady, and
that's how I got my first online gig.
81
:And luckily, it came just before
I got to the broke phase and
82
:before the frustration kicked in.
83
:And, I did that job from, October
of twenty nineteen, twenty twenty,
84
:and then twenty twenty-one I was
pregnant with my second child.
85
:And it happens that my
pregnancies aren't the lazy kind.
86
:And I know we are many in that.
87
:So, I pushed through
this work while pregnant.
88
:At the same time, virtual assistance
was gaining popularity and I was,
89
:learning just a little bit when I
wanted to, not because I felt the need.
90
:When I wanted to because I
still had this other income.
91
:So I pushed through this job.
92
:Came twenty twenty-one
November, I got my second child.
93
:They gave me two months
of, maternity leave.
94
:I took my leave days as
well, and I got three months.
95
:when I went back mid-January
of twenty twenty-two, yes.
96
:Now we are in twenty twenty-two.
97
:I now have the second child.
98
:I'm still running this other online job.
99
:less than a month into it, I
realized I still couldn't do it.
100
:I still couldn't hold on to the shifts
while my baby is here maybe crying.
101
:They want to breastfeed.
102
:They are a newborn.
103
:They can't be fed anything else.
104
:The warning emails, the warning
letters started coming in.
105
:I got two of them, and I decided,
no, I'm not waiting for, the firing
106
:email or the termination email.
107
:So I just quit it again.
108
:Again, chasing the freedom, choosing
motherhood, choosing my child.
109
:And there again I was, no job, no income.
110
:Deep down I knew even if I'm quitting
all these things, I'm meant for more.
111
:There's something inside me
that I need to keep pursuing.
112
:I just hadn't found it yet.
113
:So, the baby was growing, and when he was,
a-asleep during the day or whatever time,
114
:I'd find myself sitting at my doorstep
on the steps and wondering, "What now?"
115
:So the baby will grow, and what will
happen if I allow this gap to keep
116
:growing, the career gap that I've
now created for the second time?
117
:What will I do if I
allow it to keep growing?
118
:And then something just told
me, "Remember you were learning
119
:about virtual assistance?"
120
:And luckily, an agency reached out
to me, a virtual assistance a-agency.
121
:They reached out to me through LinkedIn.
122
:They asked me to apply to be a
virtual assistant in their agency.
123
:I joined, and I didn't have the
basics of what virtual assistance is.
124
:I didn't know what the next step will be.
125
:I hadn't asked for a client.
126
:Then, this is 2022, mid-February,
I'm there sitting on, the steps at my
127
:door wondering what next, and I just
decided, let me just learn a little
128
:bit more about the, this virtual
assistance and ask for a client from
129
:the agency, which is what I did.
130
:And I got my first client in April,
my first virtual assistance, client.
131
:I got this client with
very little knowledge.
132
:What I was relying on was
my customer service skills.
133
:everything that I got from there, the
communication skills, the empathy,
134
:the Google workspace skills that I got
there, The tools they use for making
135
:the calls, that is what I was relying
on as I went into virtual assistance.
136
:basically, that's how I started, and
surprisingly, I'm still working with
137
:that client to date, since 2022 April.
138
:Dawn: That's wonderful.
139
:I hear so much going on here.
140
:First of all, I hear that you have
created freedom, or what looks
141
:like freedom to you in this moment,
with having an almost five-year-old
142
:and another child as well, right?
143
:There's one older?
144
:Yes.
145
:Mm-hmm.
146
:Okay.
147
:And that you took the leap of
faith of, I'm gonna create a both
148
:and in motherhood and work and
be able to have that together.
149
:Did I understand that correctly?
150
:Mary: Mm-hmm.
151
:Yes, you got it correctly, Dawn.
152
:I didn't want to lose, my career.
153
:I didn't want to stay without an income,
and I wanted to make sure that I am
154
:not just physically present for my
family, I'm also emotionally there.
155
:And just me quitting these two jobs
and choosing the virtual assistance
156
:route gave me the two of them.
157
:it wasn't the case before as
I was learning, because, I
158
:was bringing up the two kids.
159
:Of course, the family needs more in
other ways other than just parenting.
160
:I was doing that.
161
:I took it up to myself to
take online courses on virtual
162
:assistance, which I did in 2023.
163
:So at one point, it wasn't
as easy as it might look.
164
:It was a lot, I just kept going.
165
:I think a day at a time, a step at a
time, a break at a time, and eventually,
166
:or if I can say at this point, I became
so comfortable with virtual assistance
167
:that it took me to the next level.
168
:I no longer want to just
remain a virtual assistant.
169
:I'm somehow pulling away from it
and now building more on Provan
170
:Africa and Common Ground Steady.
171
:Dawn: Well, what can you tell
us about the Provan Africa?
172
:Give us a synopsis of this.
173
:What are you doing with this company?
174
:How are you supporting people?
175
:Mary: All right, great.
176
:And I love that question.
177
:So ProVan Africa was founded
last year in July on my birthday.
178
:I went for a lunch date with a
friend, and I hadn't mentioned
179
:that it was my birthday.
180
:I just decided, let me go and
I will tell her once we were
181
:there, which is what I did.
182
:She told me she wanted
to discuss business.
183
:I wasn't aware what exactly she
wanted us to discuss about, but
184
:that's when she opened up about,
mentorship for virtual assistants.
185
:And when she told me about the idea she
had, it was something I had in mind.
186
:After doing online courses, I realized
these courses give virtual assistants
187
:the skills, and then they leave them
with the skills, but they don't know
188
:how to move from just owning and
having skills into having paying
189
:clients, and that's where we come in.
190
:It's a community program.
191
:We do mentorship programs.
192
:We have digital products, and we
offer free and paid, master classes.
193
:All of them, they are all based on helping
our new, aspiring, and transitioning
194
:VAs, those coming from nine-to-fives,
from just being skilled to client ready.
195
:Giorgia: Wow, that is so powerful.
196
:And one thing that I am hearing
throughout your story is relationships.
197
:Because you didn't always know how to do
things, even your plans sometimes didn't
198
:go according to what you wanted, and yet
I heard you say, "Well, at some point I
199
:had my partner supporting me," or, "I had
referrals," or, "I got this client that's
200
:staying with me for so many years now."
201
:And now even what you're doing,
as you're transitioning, you
202
:are mentoring other people.
203
:So that theme of relationships,
yes, you did so much yourself, doing
204
:the work to get out of your comfort
zone and make your dreams come true.
205
:At the same time, you also used the
power of relationships and getting
206
:everyone to support you as well.
207
:So can you share more on how you can build
those successful relationships that just
208
:make people want to refer you and clients
want to stay with you for years and years?
209
:Mary: Very great.
210
:So, for this client that I've been serving
for those years, I'd say what has kept
211
:me with her is, first of all, ensuring
I understand her business and her needs.
212
:and again, the big thing is being human.
213
:We are all human.
214
:Sometimes we want so much
to work, but life happens.
215
:Communicating.
216
:And as I always say, and I think so many
people say out there, it's better to
217
:over-communicate than under-communicate.
218
:So combining empathy, knowing what my work
is, how to ensure I'm delivering quality,
219
:and then the communication part keeps
me as indispensable with this client.
220
:and not just indispensable.
221
:I think, Every other client
that I have had as a VA has
222
:come from her as a referral.
223
:I haven't gone out
looking for more clients.
224
:I've done that as just willingness
from me, she brings me referrals.
225
:Even the first, client I've had for
Common Ground Steady, the company
226
:that I'm building now, it's online.
227
:she brought me that referral, the
first client whom I've built a LinkedIn
228
:visibility system for this year.
229
:And I think it all comes from,
knowing what you're doing, and
230
:as I've said, communicating.
231
:The empathy and everything.
232
:Understanding who you're working
with, not just showing up to deliver
233
:or complete tasks or tick off tasks.
234
:Be there to understand the person
or the people you're working with.
235
:And on building communities, just like,
you found me or I found you on LinkedIn,
236
:Giorgia, once someone, connects with you,
it's always courteous to send a DM, even
237
:just to say thank you for connecting.
238
:You never know what lies
beyond that thank you message.
239
:You never know what lies
beyond that connection.
240
:Reach out to them, just say hi.
241
:be curious to know what they're
doing in their businesses or in
242
:their lives, and that's how we
start building relationships.
243
:You might find that you're sharing things
that are common in your worlds, and
244
:these are things that you can also work
or collaborate together in business.
245
:That's how we start building
the relationships, bringing in
246
:collaborations and other things.
247
:Dawn: I love what you're sharing here,
Mary, because I am a medical massage
248
:therapist and a functional nutritionist on
top of the podcast and being an emotional
249
:intelligence coach with Giorgia, and word
of mouth literally is, in my opinion,
250
:one of the best ways to get clients.
251
:And I can tell you for both nutrition
and massage, it's the main way that
252
:I have created my clientele base.
253
:You have one person who has a great
experience, and they tell everyone.
254
:And the thing that I love about
what you just shared is how it
255
:isn't just about I wanna take your
money, it's who are you as a person?
256
:How can I empathize with you?
257
:What is it that you are looking for?
258
:How do I get to support
you and raise you up?
259
:And the other thing that I love about what
you are bringing to the table is there
260
:are so many people today who are like,
"I just wanna be a virtual assistant.
261
:How hard can it be?"
262
:And I've had terrible virtual assistants.
263
:So I think- Yeah … what you are
creating is amazing to support not
264
:just the confidence, that they're
able to actually produce, because
265
:I think that's really important for
people who are looking for somebody.
266
:I think it's really important when someone
is looking for someone to do that work for
267
:them, that it takes off of their plate.
268
:Now, I know Giorgia has had an
amazing virtual assistant in the past.
269
:I'm not sure if she's still
working with this person.
270
:And I was sharing with Giorgia,
I was like, "I was never able
271
:to just say, 'Okay, go.'"
272
:Because the parameters that I gave
my VAs, they never followed them,
273
:and I always had to go back and be
like, "I told you never use this word.
274
:I told you I want it like this.
275
:I told you I want it like that."
276
:Yeah.
277
:And so what you are creating, my
experience, is you are creating VAs who
278
:are able to be trusted to just handle it.
279
:Mm-hmm.
280
:You are giving them the confidence
to do that, and they are
281
:ready to provide that service.
282
:How did you decide that this was
the step that you wanted to take
283
:to go into supporting others to do
the same thing that you were doing?
284
:I know you had the meeting
with the person to be a mentor.
285
:What actually led you to
say, "Yeah, I wanna do it"?
286
:Mary: Well, because, I've
worked with clients myself,
287
:and you've also mentioned it.
288
:You kept repeating
yourself, "Don't do this.
289
:Don't use these words."
290
:That was one of the things.
291
:I've worked with clients,
and I went through the same.
292
:You said this, we didn't record it,
and probably I missed something, and
293
:somehow you came in with something
new, which probably I also missed.
294
:So we just decided instead of having
both the client and the virtual assistant
295
:frustrated, let's do the mentorship
so that as the VA goes into this
296
:work, they are number one, confident.
297
:They have even just their first step to be
able to serve this client in the best way.
298
:to guide them on how to make sure
they're not missing these small very
299
:important details from a client.
300
:That is the part of the ProVan mentorship.
301
:And then in my Common Ground Steady
Business, I now bridge the client
302
:and the VA to avoid the back and
forth, because I've experienced it,
303
:and I've been a virtual assistant.
304
:It's embarrassing to keep
asking the same question.
305
:You answered me, again, I have to come
back to you asking the same question.
306
:Recording that meeting is one small
step that changes a lot of things.
307
:The other thing as a business
owner, instead of using word
308
:of mouth- Alum is as important.
309
:, SOPs are also important.
310
:Documenting your processes.
311
:Anything that you do more than
twice a week, just document it.
312
:It makes your delegation easier.
313
:You don't have to keep repeating yourself.
314
:The VA doesn't have to come back asking
you the same question twice, thrice.
315
:Assuming you have a team of five
people, if everyone comes with
316
:questions every morning, how many
questions will you answer in the
317
:morning before you start your work?
318
:It's a lot.
319
:So that's why I decided, instead of,
business owners feeling like having a
320
:team or bringing in a VA is adding more
work to an already overwhelmed calendar
321
:that you're trying to delegate, let
me now come in and help build these
322
:systems that will, one, reduce the back
and forth, that, will make sure the VA
323
:knows exactly what is expected of them.
324
:They know exactly what done right
looks like, and that's where the
325
:common ground steady came in.
326
:It builds the system, and then the,
PtoVan Africa mentors VAs, guides
327
:them, gives them these skills they're
not getting from the online courses.
328
:Because the online courses give them
the technical skills, 90% of them,
329
:what about these other things that
are required to make a VA-client
330
:partnership, thrive, make it a success?
331
:That's where we come in as ProVan Africa.
332
:Giorgia: That is amazing, that
you provide, mentorship on
333
:all these different levels.
334
:Mm-hmm.
335
:And when people come to you, they don't
just learn to be a VA, I mean, it's the
336
:first step for them as well to create the
life of freedom for themselves, right?
337
:And so when they come to you, I'm
curious to know, are there any common
338
:blocks or maybe beliefs that are getting
in their way, challenges they have?
339
:it can be in any realm.
340
:So are there any challenges that you
see over and over that are really
341
:common for people starting out?
342
:And if so, what advice
would you give to them?
343
:Mary: Well, on the, virtual assistant
side, the challenges most of them are
344
:facing is being stuck in nine-to-fives
that are frustrating them, and they
345
:are afraid to take the next step.
346
:And, they are afraid to show up, to take
the first step and pitch to clients.
347
:One thing I know about pitching, and it's
something that I've done through LinkedIn,
348
:I've sent DMs to clients pitching my
services to them, and I noticed that,
349
:they will receive the messages, read
them, they won't even respond with a
350
:hi, but months later, four, five, six,
seven, eight months later, they come
351
:inquiring about these VA services.
352
:So what I would say to a VA who is
afraid of pitching, who is afraid
353
:of, taking the first step, even
when they are in their nine-to-five-
354
:Please don't let the fear take over.
355
:Even if you pitch and they
ignore you, we get nos even
356
:in other aspects of our lives.
357
:A no is an answer like any other.
358
:Don't let it bring you down.
359
:Take it as another answer.
360
:A quiet or a no response
is also an answer.
361
:it's also communication.
362
:again, there's the aspect
of timing and being ready.
363
:You might be pitching to someone
who knows probably next year
364
:I need a virtual assistant.
365
:I'm not ready now.
366
:They sent me a message, and I
have no business telling them
367
:that I'll look for them next year.
368
:The message sits there with them,
and when that time comes, next year
369
:comes, they know where to look.
370
:They'll come and inquire more about
your services, and if you can't
371
:offer those services, probably
you have someone you know, another
372
:virtual assistant who can help.
373
:So don't be afraid to take the first step.
374
:write that pitch.
375
:Write that DM.
376
:Write that email.
377
:Send it.
378
:Even if you're in your 9 to 5, spare
one to two hours a day to build your
379
:business, because if you're chasing the
freedom, if you're chasing the alignment,
380
:it's not going to just come to you.
381
:You have to go looking for it.
382
:I believe even in 9 to 5, on commute,
on your lunch breaks, you can find five
383
:minutes to reach out, because you have to
go looking for that freedom that you want.
384
:You have to go chasing the
alignment that you want.
385
:It won't come to you.
386
:It won't come to you when you're
just there complaining, feeling
387
:stuck, feeling frustrated.
388
:And, on the founder side, I think,
for those that I've met, those that
389
:have come through referrals, they
feel the confidence in me even if
390
:they don't know anything about me.
391
:They haven't seen my portfolio, but
because someone whom they know has
392
:recommended me, they feel confident in
having me as their virtual assistant.
393
:what I would say is there are so many
capable virtual assistants out there.
394
:I'm mostly on LinkedIn, and the market
is saturated with virtual assistants.
395
:Don't be afraid.
396
:You can have a VA, even a new
VA who hasn't worked before.
397
:Just make sure you have
your structure set.
398
:You're not figuring out,
what CRM do I need to use?
399
:What system do I need to use for this?
400
:Have your systems set up, have your
structure set up, and have your
401
:delegation systems as well set up, your
SOPs, the Loom videos, even if it's a
402
:Google Doc that can help take your VA
through much of the training so that
403
:it doesn't have to take your time that
you're already trying to protect away.
404
:When all this is in place, the partnership
between a VA and a client becomes so easy.
405
:Dawn: One thing that I hear you
saying in reference to the people
406
:who feel afraid to leave their 9 to
5, the security that they have, the
407
:regular paycheck, the consistency.
408
:They know that nothing
is gonna change, right?
409
:What I hear you saying to those who are
on the fence and thinking- I don't know
410
:if I really want this nine to five.
411
:I think I want freedom more,
is to be in their vision.
412
:And one thing that you mentioned to us
was that you really liked our tagline,
413
:"Be in your vision, fly high, fly free."
414
:And that you stated it resonated
with your life's mission.
415
:And that's what I hear you
saying, that you're telling
416
:the VAs, "Be in your vision."
417
:So can you share more about
this, about how this resonates
418
:with your, life's mission?
419
:Mary: Well, when you say fly
high, it takes me back to when
420
:I was sitting, in my doorstep.
421
:And I felt like I'll just
be a stay-at-home mom, which
422
:is nothing wrong with that.
423
:There's nothing wrong with that.
424
:It's so rewarding to be there for your
kids, every milestone and everything.
425
:But then there's this other side of me
that kept telling me, "No, you just can't
426
:sit and bring up kids, and then when
they are grown, what about your brain?"
427
:We are advised to keep reading, to keep
challenging our brains and all these
428
:things, and I knew I was capable of more.
429
:So when you say fly high, this
is something I had to push.
430
:I couldn't just sit and watch myself,
waiting for everything to be done for me.
431
:If I saw a good outfit there, a cute
outfit for my kids out there, I can't buy
432
:it because I have to go asking for money.
433
:I know not all of us want to do that.
434
:So these are some of the
reasons that kept me going.
435
:I had to keep pushing my dreams.
436
:The vision that I had in mind
is that I will stand on my own.
437
:Eventually, I want to have both online
businesses and physical businesses,
438
:I couldn't have achieved this by just
staying or sitting at my doorstep.
439
:I had to do something to build that brick
after another, one step after another.
440
:Lessons keep coming, challenges keep
coming, wins coming, and eventually
441
:at this point, I'm somewhere.
442
:I can say I'm now flying high.
443
:I've earned the title CEO and
founder, and co-founder as well.
444
:It all started with very small steps.
445
:It all started with believing
that I'm capable of more, and
446
:having a vision of what I want
for myself as the years pass by.
447
:Giorgia: Well, I think there's
so much pressure in having it
448
:all figured out before you start.
449
:as your story is proof, you just
take one step, and then that is
450
:going to direct you to the next one
and the next one and the next one.
451
:So there's so much wisdom in that.
452
:And is there anything that you would like
to share that we haven't asked you yet?
453
:Mary: Well, I think the one thing that I'd
like to say to anyone who is looking for
454
:freedom, know what freedom means for you.
455
:Do you just want to have free time and you
don't know what to do with your free time?
456
:Does freedom for you means every
aspect of your life feels aligned?
457
:Because, there are people out there
who in their mind believe freedom
458
:comes with, work-life balance, which
if you ask me, it's never really
459
:possible, especially for us who, have
families, it's not really possible.
460
:But having alignment, knowing you can
have time for yourself, you can have
461
:time for your family, you have time
to, keep building your career, to
462
:bring in an income and support your
family, please keep going for that.
463
:Don't just sit and wait.
464
:Freedom doesn't find you
in your comfort zone.
465
:You have to earn it, and define it first.
466
:Before you earn it, define what
kind of freedom you're looking for.
467
:That way you'll know
the next steps to take.
468
:Dawn: I really like that response.
469
:Know what freedom looks like to you.
470
:Mm-hmm.
471
:And I know often we come across, Giorgia
and I, when we're coaching somebody, and
472
:they'll say, "That doesn't support me.
473
:That doesn't support me," or whatever
the situation happens to be, and
474
:the first question is, What does it
look like to you to be supported?"
475
:So great question.
476
:I love that you are posing that to our
audience, because I think it's really
477
:important that we get clear on what these
things look like to us as individuals.
478
:Mm-hmm.
479
:And so that being said, if any of
our audience wanted to reach out to
480
:you, how would they connect with you?
481
:Mary: so right now I'm mainly on LinkedIn.
482
:Provan is on LinkedIn as well.
483
:I'm currently building my
website behind the scenes.
484
:It's not yet out there.
485
:So, the best way to reach out
to me is through my LinkedIn.
486
:My name is Mary Wanjira Mburu on LinkedIn.
487
:I know that's difficult for people out
there to type or look out for, it's
488
:something I'll give you guys, and then you
can have it in your marketing materials.
489
:It's Mary Wanjira Mburu on LinkedIn.
490
:Provan is, Provan Africa,
just that, P-R-O-V-A-N Africa.
491
:That's, for Provan Africa.
492
:When the website is ready, I'll have
all that out there, even on my LinkedIn.
493
:Awesome.
494
:Giorgia: That sounds great.
495
:Of course, we're gonna put all the
links in the show notes below, and we
496
:highly encourage you to reach out to
Mary so create your life of freedom.
497
:And the last question that we have
for all our guests, what's one
498
:way that our listeners can start
unleashing their freedom today?
499
:Mary: I think in one sentence I'd
say for anyone out there looking for
500
:freedom, please don't wait for it to
look perfect before you move toward it.
501
:Just start with one small
action, with one small step.
502
:Don't wait for it to look perfect,
or don't wait to feel ready, or
503
:don't wait for it to feel now
this is what I define as freedom.
504
:For you to get there, you have to make it
work, or you have to go looking for it.
505
:Dawn: I love that response.
506
:It's like the, you've got to crawl before
you walk, you've got to walk before you
507
:run type thing, and if you don't start
in these phases, you're not going to
508
:achieve it, Beautiful response, Mary.
509
:I really like that, and you just
sharing, just take that next step,
510
:whatever that step looks like
for you, to create the freedom,
511
:whatever freedom looks like to you.
512
:Thank you so much for today, Mary.
513
:This was a beautiful interview.
514
:Greatly appreciate you being on with us.
515
:Mary: Thank you so much, Dawn and Giorgia.
516
:I appreciate you guys
having me on your podcast.
