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The Leader Unmasked: Hayley Heath on Shedding the Corporate Mask
Feeling trapped in a role that drains you, even if it looks successful from the outside? Ready to let go of the pressure to perform?
In this episode of The Leader Unmasked, host Angela Cox sits down with Hayley Heath, an IT leader turned transformational coach, to explore her journey from hiding behind a mask to embracing her true self. Hayley opens up about 24 years in corporate life—leading teams in male-dominated settings—where she masked her unhappiness with a smile, battling anxiety and exhaustion daily.
Training with Paseda360 sparked her shift, and now she’s thriving as a coach, planning retreats and courses on self-trust. If you’re a leader in the “silent middle” juggling stress and self-doubt, this chat offers hope and practical steps to live authentically.
Tune in and subscribe for more stories that inspire you to lead as your real self.Here are three reasons to give it a listen:
- Hear how Hayley moved from corporate burnout to finding joy by dropping her mask.
- Pick up insights on managing anxiety and overthinking as a leader in a tough environment.
- Learn about Hayley’s plans to help others build self-awareness and trust through coaching.
Resources:
- Contact Angela Cox on LinkedIn
- Visit The Leader Unmasked Podcast
- Explore coaching at Paseda360
Episode Highlights:
[00:01:48 – 00:02:47] The Hidden Struggle: Hayley reveals how she hid her unhappiness behind a smile, feeling pressured to achieve and suppress her personality in corporate roles.
[00:03:44 – 00:05:12] Daily Masking: She describes the anxiety of putting on a mask each morning, dreading meetings, and holding back her true voice while leading teams.
[00:05:37 – 00:06:26] Exhaustion and Relief: Hayley shares how her passion for teams kept her going, but the drive home was her only decompression, leaving her with little social life.
[00:37:00 – 00:38:17] A New Path: Hayley talks about her exciting future—retreats, a self-trust course, and moving to full-time coaching—embracing the unknown with enthusiasm.
Three Powerful Quotes:
[00:02:12] “I was very unhappy inside… I didn’t really feel like I experienced a lot of joy in life.”
[00:04:48] “I would feel a lot of anxiety… I would often hold back, and it became draining.”
[00:35:30] “Knowing that you’ve got a choice and it’s your choice to make has made a massive difference.”
About the Guest:
Hayley Heath is an IT leader turned transformational coach who’s turned her corporate struggles into a force for good. After 24 years in senior management and C-suite roles, often in male-dominated settings, Hayley masked her true self—smiling through anxiety and exhaustion—until training with Paseda360 opened her eyes. Now, she facilitates Paseda courses and is building a coaching career, with plans for retreats and a self-trust course. Her journey from corporate burnout to authenticity speaks to the “silent middle”—leaders quietly battling pressure—and her wisdom helps others find their voice. As a soon-to-be master practitioner, Hayley’s passion for empowering people shines through.
Enjoy This Podcast?
Authenticity is the key to great leadership. If you learned something new from Rob Regan’s story on The Leader Unmasked, hit subscribe and share it with your colleagues and friends! Post a review and share your thoughts online—tell us how embracing authenticity has inspired you.
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Thanks for listening! For more updates and episodes, visit theleaderunmaskedpodcast.podbean.com.
Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or PodBean.
To unmasking your brilliance, Angela
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