The Aligned Achiever with Siobhan Barnes
Hosted by Siobhan Barnes, this podcast is designed to support you with CLARITY: Who is the REAL you and how can you show up as her/him/them? IMPACT: How can you make the biggest impact on others (team, clients, family etc) without sacrificing yourself? PURPOSE: How can you translate the deeper reason you're here in this season of your life and work into meaningful goals that you can take action on? I'm here to take a stand for you showing up as the untamed, powerful individual and leader that you are and approaching your life and work not just...
Interview: Know Yourself, Do Work That Actually Fits You. Founder Maggie McDaris on Career Pivots & Biology-Based Productivity For Women.
There's a version of success that looks exactly right on paper. And quietly exhausts you from the inside.
Today's guest knows that version intimately.
Maggie McDaris is the co-founder of Phase App, a registered dietitian turned corporate wellness expert turned entrepreneur — and one of the most candid, joyful conversations I've had on this podcast in a long time.
Maggie spent years scaling a high-growth startup, delivering results, ticking every box. And behind the performance, she was approaching breaking point — in ways that the people closest to her could see far more clea...
The Quiet Pivot: The Loneliest Season Nobody Warned You About
Today, we’re diving into what I call the quiet pivot. The tender, disorienting, and often invisible season between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, and why it can feel like the loneliest chapter of your life that nobody prepared you for.
From the outside, your life may look “perfect”: you’ve built a real career, a solid reputation, a track record of doing the right things and hitting the right milestones. But inside, there’s a whisper you can’t quite shake—a quiet knowing that says, this isn’t it anymore. Maybe it’s...
Personal Mastery: The New Power Skill for Women at Work
Today, we’re diving into the often-misunderstood but absolutely essential role of personal mastery in navigating the chaos of the modern world, and why learning how to work with yourself (rather than against yourself) is one of the most important skills you can cultivate in the age of AI, restructures, and constant change.
In deep conversations with women, especially here in Hong Kong through the Watch Her Lead Academy, I've seen that many of us secretly believe something is “wrong” with us when we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unable to move toward our goals. But when y...
Alignment as Risk Management: Designing Work That Can Survive What’s Coming In 2026
Today, we’re diving into the often-overlooked power of alignment as a form of risk management and how designing your work around who you actually are can become a catalyst for resilience, satisfaction, and career longevity in 2026 and beyond.
In countless conversations with women at different stages of their careers, I’ve realised that “working hard and following the rules” is no longer enough.Â
With AI reshaping roles, restructures becoming more common, and traditional ladders breaking down, the safest strategy isn’t to hustle harder, it’s to get radically honest about your strengths, en...
Unlocking Confidence Through Clothing: Interview with Amanda Leigh Wong
Today, we’re diving into the often-overlooked power of personal style, and how what we wear can become a catalyst for confidence, visibility, and leadership.
In countless conversations with women at different stages of their careers, I’ve realised that style isn’t a superficial extra or something “nice to have when there’s time.” It’s a practical, embodied way of honouring who we are, how we want to feel, and how we choose to show up in rooms that weren’t always designed with us in mind.
In this episode, I’m joined by Wa...
Behind Watch Her Lead: The Movement, the Mission, the Meaning
Today, we're diving into the meaning and movement behind Watch Her Lead, and what it truly takes to create transformational change as women leaders in Asia.
This year, after countless conversations and experiences inside and outside the workplace, I've realised that leadership isn’t just about titles or climbing the ladder, but about taking charge of your own life with authenticity, courage, and community.Â
It’s been powerfully clarifying to see how the real work begins in redefining success for ourselves, embracing our inner wisdom, and supporting one another to thrive in ways that honor both...
How to Build Inner Stability for Sustainable Success
Today we're talking about the power of capacity over hustle and what it really takes to build sustainable success from the inside out.
This year, as the demands of family, work, and life accelerate, I've reflected on how true growth isn't just about doing more, but about expanding our internal capacity to navigate challenges with grace, resilience, and self-compassion. I’ve noticed just how vital it is to regulate my nervous system and honour the seasons of busyness and rest, lessons that have been both humbling and deeply clarifying.
In this episode, I’...
BTS: 12 Months of Reinvention as a 3/5 Projector
Today we're talking about my personal journey of career pivots and the lessons learned over the past twelve months.Â
I've been living the very same process that I coach my clients through a pivot, a redefinition of success and a deeper dive into trusting my intuition, and I'll be honest, it's been uncomfortable, really beautiful and clarifying, and honestly, very humbling.Â
In this episode I’m taking you behind the scenes of what this journey has looked like for me, what it’s taken for me to evolve my work, to co create a Wome...
Finish the Year Strong Without Losing Your Sanity: Q4 Strategies for Busy Women
Today we're talking about how to finish the year strong without losing your sanity and I’ll be sharing Q4 strategies for busy women.Â
For most busy professional women, the calendar is already bursting at the seams between work deadlines, family commitments, kids activities and the holiday chaos that will eventually creep in. It's easy to feel like the last few months of the year are all about survival and getting through but I don't want you to just survive.Â
In this episode I’m inviting you to actually use this time to set...
The Unconventional Career Tool I Can't Stop Using
Have you ever felt that the way you’re “meant” to build your career, just doesn’t quite fit?
Maybe you’ve come across competing priorities or seasons in your life where climbing the corporate ladder doesn’t feel right.
This is something that I’ve personally experienced.
For years, I followed the path that I thought I was supposed to: study hard, get the job, work hard, climb the ladder. But no matter how hard I tried, something always felt a little off.
That’s when I decided to try...
The Future of Work & The Non Linear Career
The world of work is changing.
The days of a single, upward linear path within a company or industry is fading away.
What's left is a non-linear career with lateral moves, industry changes, downward moves for greater fulfillment, learning new skills and frequent transitions.
This new style of career path comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities.
In this episode of the Aligned Achiever Podcast, I’m sharing the role of AI and technological change in the world of non-linear careers, my own non-linear career journey from real-estate al...
You Are Not Your Salary: Unhooking Worth from What You Earn
Earning less doesn’t mean you’re worth less.
How much you charge for your service or product, the figure of your salary or your income in general doesn’t define your worth in any way.
Yet, this misconception that price = worth is a common one that keeps women stuck.
In this episode of the Aligned Achiever Podcast, we unpack why this belief can keep you stuck, the difference between price and worth and how to reclaim your inherent value, and how owning your worth might actually lead you to ask for more...
The Real Reason You’re Questioning Everything (And What to Do With That Feeling)
You wake up suddenly one day and you don’t feel like yourself anymore.
That’s how we often describe the feeling that comes up when we start to question everything.
In reality though, it’s not sudden, it’s a slow creep that takes us a little while to notice. Then suddenly, we’re staring at our computer at work wondering why we don’t love our career anymore, and questioning everything.
It feels like an unravelling, like everything is slowly coming undone, but when you dive a little deeper, this questioning pops up when...
The Quiet Question Successful Women Ask Themselves (But Rarely Say Out Loud)
I’ve had the privilege of working closely with hundreds of high-performing, driven women. And no matter how accomplished or put-together someone may appear on the outside, there’s often a quiet question sitting just beneath the surface — one that rarely gets said out loud.
I’ve heard this question whispered in moments of burnout, career crossroads, life transitions, and even during celebrations.Â
While you may not want to say it out loud, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’re paying attention.
In this episode of the Aligned Achiever Podcast...
Career Alignment for HR Professionals (and the Rest of Us Too): Interview with Renee Conklin
Ever felt stuck in a role that once lit you up?Â
Wondered if it’s possible to change careers, prioritise your family, and still thrive professionally?
This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Renee Conklin, a seasoned HR professional turned executive coach.
With over 15 years of HR experience at companies like IBM, UBS and Barclays and an MBA from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) and PCC coaching accreditation, Renee now supports senior female HR leaders who feel stuck to either love their current work or transition into wor...
From Sled Pushes to Soul Work: The Inner Work of Going After a Goal
When I signed up for my first Hyrox race, I expected a physical challenge.
What I got was an embodied deep dive into mindset, identity, and the quiet stories we tell ourselves about who we are.
So many women I coach are craving change—but wait until they feel “ready.”
Here’s the truth: You become her by doing the thing.
In this episode of The Aligned Achiever, I’m sharing:
The unexpected link between fitness and career growthHow to shift your identity through action4 key lessons that apply way beyond the gym...
The 3 Invisible Blocks You Didn’t Know Were Affecting Your Career
Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not holding you back.
A lot of what I hear from the women that I coach is that they have the skills, the experience, the qualifications, and yet they still feel stuck.
It’s one thing to make sure you’re ticking all the boxes that your boss is looking for or that make your resume stand out, but it’s another thing to address the things you can’t see that are making you unsure or falling back into the same old patterns.
<...Future-Proofing Your Career in Uncertain Times
Future-proofing your career isn’t just about keeping up.
It’s not just about learning new skills, making yourself irreplaceable or being tactical.
Some of it starts within.Â
This part of future-proofing your career is about knowing who you are, what you stand for and how you can adapt without losing yourself in the process.
In this week’s episode of the Aligned Achiever Podcast, we’re redefining what it means to future-proof your career and building strong inner foundations that will stand the test of time and allow you to naviga...
Leadership Starts Within: The Real Work Behind Any Pivot
Not all pivots make headlines.Â
Some happen quietly - in a meeting, in a moment, in the mirror.Â
What if the real pivot isn’t about something you do, but about who you’re becoming?
In this week’s episode of the Aligned Achiever Podcast, we’re redefining what a career pivot really is. It’s not always about a new job or big move. Sometimes, it’s the subtle, powerful shift in how you lead yourself. Because real change? It starts within.Â
🎧 Listen here → https://siobhanbarnes.com/12
The Spring Reset: Aligning with Your Season of Growth
Come and do a Spring Reset with me!
It really doesn’t matter if it’s Spring where you are or not, it’s the end of the first quarter. It’s been 90 days or more since you settled into your work plans for this year, and set goals for your life. Whatever it is that you were working towards at the start of the year, now is the time to have a quick check in and see where you’re at.
In this week’s episode of The Aligned Achiever Podcast, I’m walking you through re...
The 3 Biggest Career Myths Holding Women Back From Their Next-Level Leadership
Are you unconsciously holding yourself back from your next level leadership?
Do you believe you need more qualifications before you deserve that leadership role? Or that it’s too late to change your career or job? Or that your uncertainty and lack of certainty means you’re not good enough?
When we listen to our stories and myths, instead of trusting ourselves, we stay stuck—waiting for the perfect moment, the right title, or external validation before making a move.
But what if these beliefs aren’t facts? What if the path forward is alrea...
The Self-Trust Factor: Navigating Career Pivots & Leadership with Clarity
How is self-doubt holding you back in your career and leadership?
Many women struggle with self-doubt when making big career moves. Instead of trusting themselves, they look outward—seeking validation from mentors, scrolling LinkedIn for inspiration, or consuming leadership books—hoping to find the one answer that will unlock their next step.
But what if the clarity you’re searching for isn’t out there?
What if the key to making bold, aligned decisions is already within you—and all you need is to strengthen your self-trust?
In this week’...
More Than One Way Up: The 5 Career Paths You Need to Know
Do you believe that career success follows a single, linear path? One that goes straight up the corporate ladder?
The truth is, there’s more than one way to build a fulfilling and impactful career, and going in a linear direction doesn’t suit everyone.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day this week, it’s the perfect time to explore the different career paths that are available to you as an ambitious woman. Why? So you can choose what aligns with your strengths, values and aspirations.
In this week's episode of The Alig...
The 5 Career Pivots That Shape a Woman’s Journey
Many of us reach a point in our careers where we feel stuck, uninspired, or even burnt out.Â
I know this feeling first hand. Within the first 12 months of leaving my corporate career behind I went from being a professional working woman with my maiden name to an unemployed first-time mother.
With that transition came a crisis of identity and a major pivot point into another version of life and work.
Over the years, I’ve learned that our careers are not linear, and key...
Navigating Uncertain Times: The Year of the Snake & Staying Resilient
Happy Lunar New Year! We are officially in the year of the Snake and I like to take the Lunar New Year as a great time to pause, reflect and reset.
You may be tuning into this episode and feeling like times are a little uncertain, there might be change happening within your life or your organisation, and it can feel a little overwhelming to navigate the uncertainty or feeling like you’re going backwards.
Managing uncertainty requires resilience, and resilience is a skill that you can build to be...
Aligned Achievement: Redesign Your Work and Life for 2025
Have you been feeling the pressure to get things done this year? To “hit the ground running”?
I started this year in bed with the flu, and while that sounds terrible (and it was), it forced me to have a slower start to the year.Â
Instead of being in the energy of hurrying and getting as much done as possible, I was forced to slow down and settle into what to get intentionally focused on in 2025.Â
Now, I don’t want any of you to get s...
6 Steps to Closing Out 2024 for a Strong 2025
This is the last episode of The Aligned Achiever podcast for 2024, and you know what that means?
It’s time to close out 2024 in a way that is setting you up for success in 2025.
I strongly believe that before we set any intentions for the new year (or at any time really), it’s imperative that we take a moment to pause, and take stock of what’s been working for us and what hasn’t served us so well.
For this episode I recommen...
The Power of Pause: Why It’s Essential for Career Clarity
In a world that glorifies hustle, pausing can feel wrong.
How do you slow down when there’s a never-ending to-do list at work—and home?
Yet, here’s the paradox: making space to pause is often the very thing that creates clarity, energy, and momentum for what truly matters.
This is something I’ve seen transform the careers and lives of so many women I’ve worked with (myself included!) And something 40+ women experienced live with Elaine and I during last week’s webinar training on How To Figur...
Dare to Dream: Why Every Step Counts in Elaine Champion’s Journey from Corporate Life to Purposeful Entrepreneur
What does it take to transition out of corporate and into being a purposeful entrepreneur?
It’s no small feat to take the leap out of a stable, corporate role with career progression and move into entrepreneurship to find location and financial freedom, as well as your professional calling.
It takes determination, perseverance and a lot of commitment, so to answer this very important question, I sat down with Elaine Champion on this week’s podcast.
Elaine is an ex corporate girl turned entrepreneur. She...
What To Do When Things Aren't Working But You Can't Quit
Do you feel like you're bumping into challenge after challenge at work?
Perhaps you’re in a toxic workplace, working with people that you really don’t want to collaborate with?
Do you feel stuck and like you want to throw in the towel, but that’s just not an option for you right now?
Sometimes the answer to difficult situations is drastic change. A new job, a whole new career, a completely new environment. Other times it’s an opportunity to learn and grow in...
Rethinking the Setback: How to Turn Obstacles Into Opportunities
What’s the biggest challenge going on for you in your career right now?
A theme that I see come up time and time again for my clients is letting past setbacks determine what we are capable of now.Â
Most of us have had negative, hard or difficult experiences in our careers.Â
Now this in itself is completely normal, but what can happen is that we can make meaning from those past experiences that can either hinder us or support us.
Wired for Performance: How to Harness Your Nervous System To Navigate Change And Achieve Your Goals
What does your nervous system have to do with your performance?Â
With your well-being?
With your ability to be resilient?
In short, everything.
We live in a very cognitive, cerebral, strategic world, which is an important part of your career strategy, but if you’re not feeling motivated, confident or in alignment, then it’s simply not enough to get the outcome that you desire.
This is where your nervous system comes in so that...
How to Plan For The Busiest Quarter of the Year (Q4)
The busy season is almost upon us and in this episode I want to help set you up to get the most out of the remainder of 2024 whilst feeling present and spacious.
Regardless of whether you’re in the northern hemisphere, like I am in Hong Kong or in the southern hemisphere, the final few months of the year can bring about some extra time management challenges.
There’s often increased social gatherings, tight deadlines and projects to finish up before holidays, and all the fun festive activities that happ...
Gold Medal Standard: The Intersection of Ambition and Achievement for Women in the Workplace
Olympians are driven by an unyielding ambition.
They pursue excellence and have high standards.
You may not be looking to achieve gold at the next olympics, but my guess is that you too are in pursuit of excellence and have gold medal standards in the work you do.
This requires that you embrace your drive to succeed, beginning with defining your goals with clarity.
In this week's episode of The Aligned Achiever Podcast I’m talking about how yo...
Navigating Change: Thriving in Uncertainty
Change is the only constant in life.
Recently, I’ve been having a number of conversations with people who are in a period of transition or change.
The reasons for change vary greatly. From organisation restructuring, promotions or redundancy, or a change in a personal situation.
This means that navigating change is a crucial skill that can make or break your success and happiness.
In this week's episode of The Aligned Achiever Podcast I’m sharing with you why chan...
Your Guide to Why, When and How To Work With A Coach
Do you find yourself feeling stuck?
Perhaps you find yourself procrastinating or you’re not clear on what you want to do. Maybe your self-critic is getting a little bit too loud these days and holding you back from taking action.
Coaches are trained professionals who help you navigate your own path, overcome obstacles that are unique to you and achieve the goals that you desire.
The important thing to know here is that coaches aren’t consultants in that they don’t just provid...
Interview with Bonnie Hayden Cheng: Embracing Kind Leadership In the Workplace
Have you ever found yourself struggling in a work environment, wondering if you’re meant to be there?
Maybe you’re unsure if your kindness and empathy belongs in the workplace that you’re in? Or if kindness belongs in leadership and successful companies at all?
Dr Bonnie Hayden Cheng is an Organisational Psychologist, Associate Professor of Management and MBA programme director at the Hong Kong University Business school.
Bonnie is super passionate about corporate wellness and holds a unique position designing and implementing cuttin...
A Simple 4 Question Review for Getting Back on Track
The middle of 2024 is fast approaching and whether you feel like everything is going to plan or if you feel like you need to hit reset, this is for you.
It’s not unusual to look back on 3, 6 or 12 months and realise that somewhere along the way life happened and you feel like you haven’t gotten a whole lot closer to achieving your goals, or that things seem to be taking much longer than anticipated.
Whether this relates to your career goals or life goals, putting aside some time...
How to Cope with Terrible Bosses and Painful Endings Like Redundancy, Quitting or Being Let Go Of
Have you ever had to deal with a “bad” boss, a challenging work culture or felt like you’re not sure if you’re in the right place to work anymore?Â
This thinking is something that a lot of us struggle with (past me included).
When you’re in a toxic work environment, we often feel like we can fix the situation on our own if only we could do more. In reality this usually doesn’t work and we end up leaving or being let go which we can take very...
Interview with Steph Poelman: How to Achieve Your Goals and Grow A Successful Business In the Fitness Industry
Health and fitness matters…we all know that. Multiple studies speak to not just the physical benefits but the mental and emotional ones too. And yet finding the time and motivation to get healthy can be hard. Especially when you’re busy doing all the things at work and at home.Â
Personally, figuring out a routine to stay healthy and fit has been a journey. I’ve transitioned from team sports (netball) in my twenties and early thirties to needing to shift things up to do something else that fits in around my life with 3...
