Podcast Summary: "Take a Break" – Episode #532 of The Life Coach School Podcast
Host: Brooke Castillo
Release Date: June 26, 2025
Podcast Description: The Life Coach School Podcast is your go-to resource for learning, growing, and becoming certified as a Life Coach & Weight Loss Coach. Hosted by Master Coach Brooke Castillo, the podcast delves into real clients, real problems, and real coaching to help listeners understand life coaching, develop essential skills and mindsets, and achieve desired results through client-focused strategies.
1. Introduction
In episode #532, titled "Take a Break," Brooke Castillo addresses a topic that is both personal and universally relevant: the importance of taking a planned break from one’s life or work to reevaluate and gain perspective. Responding to listener enthusiasm, Brooke explains her motivation for creating this episode early, aiming to answer questions and share her insights on taking significant pauses in life.
Notable Quote:
"I have so many thoughts and so many ideas about taking a break from life, from work... to really re-evaluate your life." [00:00]
2. The Concept of a Midlife Break
a. Definition and Purpose
Brooke introduces the idea of a midlife break, comparing it to retirement planning. She advocates for a structured pause of at least three months, allowing individuals to detach from their daily obligations and gain clarity on their life's direction.
Notable Quote:
"I think we should plan for our midlife break... a minimum of three months." [02:30]
b. Planning and Requirements
She emphasizes the necessity of meticulous planning to ensure financial stability and the ability to disengage from work responsibilities. The break should be pre-planned, undertaken during a stable emotional period, and not as an immediate response to crises.
Notable Quote:
"It's a planned break where you step out of your life to reconsider your life from a place of abundance." [03:15]
3. Brooke's Personal Experience
a. Reasons for Taking a Break
Brooke shares her personal motivations for taking a break, which include reaching significant career milestones, realizing the diminishing joy in her work due to business scaling, and desiring more quality time with her children.
Notable Quote:
"The work for me had become a lot less of what I really loved to do... I wanted to spend more time with my kids." [05:45]
b. The Process and Challenges
She recounts the three-year planning process that culminated in her taking a year off. Initially, the break was challenging as she adjusted to the absence of her usual work-related activities and support systems.
Notable Quote:
"Those first three months were the first three months of this year. It was really challenging for me..." [10:20]
c. Activities During the Break
During her break, Brooke engaged in activities that she typically didn't have time for, such as organizing personal finances, cooking, reading fiction, spending time outdoors, and reconnecting with her children without work distractions.
Notable Quote:
"I spent a lot of time on the golf course with Christian... just fully able to be there." [15:35]
4. Insights and Benefits of Taking a Break
Brooke highlights several benefits of taking a planned break, including increased personal organization, enhanced relationships, a deeper understanding of one's past and present, and the opportunity to pursue personal projects like photography and journaling.
Notable Quote:
"I felt like I had taken back control of everything in my life for a minute." [12:50]
She also discusses the psychological shift from anxiety to peace, allowing for genuine self-reflection and personal growth.
Notable Quote:
"It went from anxiety in the beginning because I didn't know what was happening to complete peace." [18:10]
5. Recommendations and Steps for Listeners
Brooke provides a structured approach for listeners considering a similar break:
- Stop and Be Disciplined: Completely disengage from work-related activities for at least three months.
- Celebrate the Past with Gratitude: Reflect on achievements and express gratitude for personal growth.
- Reflect Honestly on Mistakes: Acknowledge and learn from past errors without judgment.
- Avoid Making Immediate Decisions: Allow thoughts and desires to surface without acting on them impulsively.
- Pursue Heart-Led Activities: Engage in activities that resonate personally without obligation.
Notable Quote:
"First stop, second celebrate, third reflect, fourth don’t make decisions, and fifth follow your heart." [25:00]
6. Personal Announcements
Towards the end of the episode, Brooke shares exciting personal news about her engagement to Elijah, highlighting the positive changes and happiness that have resulted from her break. She expresses gratitude for the support of her family and the transformative impact Elijah has had on her life.
Notable Quote:
"We are going to get married next year... it's such a beautiful experience to be able to share with my family." [35:20]
7. Conclusion
Brooke wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to consider taking a midlife break, emphasizing its potential to reduce unnecessary suffering and enhance life satisfaction. She reassures those feeling lost or overwhelmed that taking time to pause and reflect is a valuable investment in one’s personal and professional well-being.
Notable Quote:
"I want to really encourage you all to consider this idea of taking three months in the middle of your life to look back and look forward." [45:05]
She announces her return in 2026, committed to coaching her audience weekly, and hints at an upcoming podcast series exploring her personal reflections and growth during her break.
Final Thoughts
Episode #532 of The Life Coach School Podcast offers a deep dive into the concept of taking a planned life break. Brooke Castillo not only defines and advocates for this practice but also provides a heartfelt account of her own experiences and transformations. Her structured recommendations serve as a practical guide for listeners contemplating similar pauses, emphasizing the profound personal and professional benefits that can arise from such intentional breaks.