Chief Change Officer Podcast Episode #326: Nina Sossamon-Pogue – Building a Life You’re Proud Of

Release Date: April 27, 2025

In Episode #326 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, host Vince Chan engages in an inspiring conversation with Nina Sossamon-Pogue, a former professional gymnast, seasoned journalist, and now a solo entrepreneur in the technology sector. This episode, titled “Build a Life You’re Proud Of—Not Just a Career You Survive,” delves deep into Nina’s transformative journey and the innovative tools she has developed to help others navigate their own personal and professional transitions.

From Gymnastics to Journalism: A Journey of Resilience

Nina Sossamon-Pogue’s story is one of relentless perseverance and adaptability. Starting her gymnastics career at the tender age of four, Nina rose to join the US gymnastics team. However, her path was not without obstacles. As she puts it, “Gymnastics is a perfect example of resilience. You literally fall down and get back up all day, every day as you learn new skills” (Vince Chen, 02:29). This mindset of enduring setbacks became ingrained in her DNA, helping her through significant challenges such as not making the Olympic team and dealing with a career-ending injury.

Transitioning from athletics to a 17-year-long career in journalism, Nina thrived as a beloved news anchor. Yet, life had more twists in store when she was let go from her position. Instead of succumbing to despair, Nina embraced change once again, this time venturing into the technology sector. Starting from scratch, she reinvented herself as an entrepreneur, author, and speaker, embodying the very essence of resilience and transformation.

Introducing the Reverse Resume: A New Perspective on Personal Achievements

One of the standout tools Nina discusses is the Reverse Resume, a concept she developed to help individuals reframe their personal narratives beyond traditional resumes. Vince Chen introduces the topic by asking Nina to explain the Reverse Resume and its significance (Vince Chen, 07:59).

Nina Sossamon-Pogue: “Sometimes we get really frustrated and we think, can I even keep going? What is my next thing? I'm tired, I'm exhausted, I'm anxious. What I have people do is to draw a line across a piece of paper and then put little dots across that line so it looks like a timeline. I call that your lifetime timeline.”

The Reverse Resume divides a person's life into two segments:

1. Achievements (Above the Line): This section mirrors a traditional resume, listing academic degrees, job titles, awards, and other notable accomplishments.

2. Challenges Overcome (Below the Line): Here, individuals note significant personal challenges such as overcoming an illness, dealing with a personal loss, or navigating a difficult relationship.

Nina emphasizes that the Reverse Resume is not just a static document but a dynamic tool that individuals can continuously update. It serves as a comprehensive representation of one’s strengths, not just through successes but also through the adversities one has overcome. This holistic view fosters a deeper understanding of one’s resilience and capabilities.

Notable Quote:

Nina Sossamon-Pogue: “The bottom part is what makes you who you are… Your reverse resume shows you all you've overcome and all those things that you have managed through. There are hidden gems in there that can tell you who you really are” (Nina Sossamon-Pogue, 09:06).

The Successful Timeline: Defining Personal Success

Building upon the concept of the Reverse Resume, Nina introduces the Successful Timeline, a tool designed to help individuals define and visualize their own unique notions of success. Vince Chan probes deeper into this idea, leading Nina to elaborate on how success is inherently personal and varies from person to person.

Nina Sossamon-Pogue: “If you look at your life like you have your own bag of Legos, the pieces you have are unique to you, and what you build with them is completely your own. Your definition of success is very personal because you are using your own pieces to create something that fulfills you” (Nina Sossamon-Pogue, 18:53).

The Successful Timeline encourages individuals to:

• Identify Personal Milestones: Not confined to conventional markers like job titles or financial achievements, but also personal growth, relationships, and contributions to the community.

• Visualize Future Goals: By mapping out past achievements and challenges, individuals can better envision their future aspirations and the steps needed to achieve them.

• Embrace Individuality: Recognizing that each person’s path to success is unique, akin to building different structures with the same set of Lego blocks.

Practical Application of the Reverse Resume and Successful Timeline

Throughout the episode, Vince and Nina discuss practical ways listeners can implement these tools in their lives, especially those undergoing career transitions or personal reinventions.

Nina Sossamon-Pogue: “If you're in the middle of a reinvention, on those tough days, you can see that there's all this blank space ahead. You could be something different. You could have more above” (Nina Sossamon-Pogue, 13:42).

By continuously updating the Reverse Resume and Successful Timeline, individuals can maintain a balanced perspective on their journeys, recognizing both their achievements and the challenges they have surmounted. This practice not only boosts morale during tough times but also provides a clear roadmap for future growth and success.

Redefining Resilience: More Than Just Bouncing Back

The conversation also delves into Nina’s definition of resilience, which goes beyond mere recovery from setbacks. For her, resilience encompasses learning, growing stronger, and adapting positively.

Nina Sossamon-Pogue: “The definition of resilience that I use is the ability to learn, grow stronger, and adapt in a positive way. That adapt piece is really important so you have persistence and grit that's double down and go hard and just keep going” (Nina Sossamon-Pogue, 22:12).

This nuanced understanding of resilience highlights the importance of adaptability and continuous personal development, encouraging listeners to not just endure challenges but to emerge from them more equipped and enlightened.

Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

The episode wraps up with Vince and Nina summarizing the profound insights shared throughout their conversation. The key takeaways include:

1. Holistic Self-Assessment: Utilizing tools like the Reverse Resume and Successful Timeline to gain a comprehensive view of one’s life, encompassing both achievements and challenges.

2. Personalized Definitions of Success: Encouraging individuals to define success on their own terms, rather than adhering to societal or external expectations.

3. Continuous Adaptation and Growth: Emphasizing the importance of resilience that includes learning and adapting positively to foster ongoing personal and professional growth.

4. The Power of External Perspectives: Highlighting the value of seeking outside opinions to uncover strengths and potential that one might not recognize internally.

Vince Chen: “These tools can really help you navigate that journey” (Vince Chen, 20:44).

Conclusion

Episode #326 of the Chief Change Officer podcast offers a rich and engaging exploration of personal transformation through the lens of Nina Sossamon-Pogue’s multifaceted career journey. Her innovative tools—the Reverse Resume and Successful Timeline—provide listeners with practical methods to redefine their personal and professional lives, fostering resilience and individualized success.

For anyone grappling with career transitions, personal setbacks, or seeking to build a life they are truly proud of, this episode serves as a beacon of inspiration and actionable advice. By embracing Nina’s insights, listeners can embark on their own paths of transformation, equipped with the tools to not just survive but thrive amidst change.

Links and Resources:

• Follow Chief Change Officer: LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
• Subscribe to the Podcast: Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
• Connect with Nina Sossamon-Pogue: [Website/LinkedIn] (if available)

Notable Quotes:

• “Gymnastics is a perfect example of resilience. You literally fall down and get back up all day, every day as you learn new skills.” – Nina Sossamon-Pogue (02:29)

• “The bottom part is what makes you who you are… Your reverse resume shows you all you've overcome and all those things that you have managed through.” – Nina Sossamon-Pogue (09:06)

• “Your definition of success is very personal because you are using your own pieces to create something that fulfills you.” – Nina Sossamon-Pogue (18:53)

• “The definition of resilience that I use is the ability to learn, grow stronger, and adapt in a positive way.” – Nina Sossamon-Pogue (22:12)

This summary encapsulates the essence of Episode #326 of the Chief Change Officer podcast, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t had the chance to listen. It highlights the key discussions, insights, and practical tools shared by Nina Sossamon-Pogue, offering valuable lessons on building a fulfilling and resilient life.