A young woman has revealed how a frightening episode of the ‘Sunday scaries’ lead her to quit her corporate job and start her own global business that’s allowed her to live life on her own terms while making a six-figure income.
Alexandria Wombwell-Povey, 31, from the UK, told FEMAIL she was on a train home to London after visiting her parents one weekend when she had a massive panic attack.
She had a fast-paced job in the city and put the moment down to having to go back to work after a relaxing weekend, but the panic never left her.
Alexandria Wombwell-Povey , 31, from the UK, told FEMAIL she was on the train home to London from her parents’ house one weekend when she had a massive panic attack
Now she is living in Tulum with her partner where she runs a business which is making up to 180k in a month
‘I couldn’t stop crying but told myself it was just the “Sunday scaries” and I would be fine on Monday,’ she said.
‘But on Monday I was just completely distraught and couldn’t function.
‘On Tuesday I was in the same sorry state, so I went to see my doctor and they signed me off work – it was a huge shock.’
Alexandria had always been a high-achiever and was terrified of telling her loved ones she had left the corporate world after her breakdown.
She felt even more apprehensive when she decided to start a business making jam from her kitchen.
‘But everyone was super supportive, I thought they would have a lot more to say about it, but it turns out they just wanted me to be happy.’
Alexandria had always ‘followed the right path’, studying hard before moving to Australia to get her master’s degree in business from the University of Sydney.
Alexandria always followed ‘the right path’ until she had the panic attack and realised she needed to chase her own dreams and get off the corporate hamster wheel
Her first venture – selling jam – went surprisingly well but when it was ‘peaking’ Alexandria started feeling like she was back on the hamster wheel which lead to her first mental breakdown.
‘I finished up that business when it was probably at its best,’ she said.
Alexandria decided to start her own coaching business, teaching women how to build and run a successful business so they can be in control of their own lives. It’s now making up to $180,000 a month.
‘I started the coaching business with nothing, I didn’t have any saving because I had poured everything back into the other business so I just had to hustle,’ she said.
‘It started when women asked me for advice after recognising my brand.’
She has been coaching for two years and says she has found her calling and loves the flexibility the job offers.
Her first venture – selling jam – went surprisingly well but when it was ‘peaking’ Alexandria started feeling like she was back on the hamster wheel which lead to her first mental breakdown
Alexandria is now living with her husband in Tulum, Mexico, where they have escaped London’s harsh Covid lockdowns to travel and work in paradise.
The move to Mexico came a year after Alexandria day-dreamed about moving to the country after comparing the prices of beach properties with those in London.
What are Alexandria’s tip for people who feel ‘stuck’ in their lives?
1. Reconnect
Often we have become so used to living life on autopilot, or according to others peoples desires and needs, that we forget to reconnect to what we truly desire. Reconnect with things that bring you joy, that you haven’t maybe connected with in a while- be it picking up a paint brush, having a sing or going to a dance class.
2. Create space
Without space, it’s difficult for us to welcome in fresh energy and opportunities. Strip away everything from your diary that doesn’t feel like a full body yes, and create space for the things that DO light you up.
3. Take action
Nothing changes until something changes- thinking about getting out of a bit won’t get you out of it- taking action will. Take a bold step to start to re-engage with your life. Even if it isn’t the perfect step, you’ll uncover clues about what you truly desire.
4. Find a community
Exploring new sides of yourself can be overwhelming. Finding a like minded community will not only help you feel supported as you navigate change, but help you feel less alone in the process. There are amazing online communities that are a great place to start.
5. Try a life assessment tool, (happy to provide a download link)
A life assessment tool will help you review each area of your life to uncover the root cause of your rut. Once you’ve uncovered the areas you want to work on and what you would like them to look like, you can start to plan and get support with your next steps.
Source: Alexandria Maria
‘My husband was the one who made the decision to move there. We had done one stint in lockdown in the UK and knew we wanted to travel, so moving there seemed like a great idea,’ she said.
‘We had been in Mexico just before Covid hit and have friends here, so it seemed like a great place to be based – and we haven’t had any lockdowns.’
Alexandria revealed her initial jam business was an important stepping stone between her corporate life and the life she wanted.
Now the young woman runs her own successful business and doesn’t get ‘the Sunday scaries’
‘I didn’t do for nothing, I feel like I have grown up and had time to grow into this business,’ she said.
‘I feel a lot more centered.’
She has also done a yoga teacher’s course and said the lessons she learned from that have helped her on her journey to self-fulfilment.
‘I know when to check in with myself, and what to do when things feel out of alignment,’ she said.