125. Samantha Skelly on Burning Down a 7-Figure Business to Come Alive
What if the bravest way to grow your life is to burn down the business that's "working"? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Samantha Skelly, founder of Pause Breathwork, to explore her holy-disruptive moment of closing a wildly successful, multi-seven-figure emotional eating company overnight. Following a crystal-clear divine directive, she rebuilt her work around breath as a path to healing and leadership. We dive into the fireworks-in-the-sky signs, middle-of-the-night downloads, and the day she literally hit "cancel" on recurring revenue to honor her soul's assignment. You'll hear us explore: The science and soul of breathwork — How it shifts the body through the amygdala and vagus nerve, creating an 8-minute doorway into altered states, and why gentle, trauma-informed facilitation is essential Running a company the feminine way — Embracing spaciousness, cyclical leadership, and building profits without self-betrayal Lessons from a year that "built" her — Developing discernment with team dynamics, keeping the main thing the main thing, and choosing depth over novelty for true mastery Creating a sustainable daily breath practice — including how to adapt your practice during tender seasons like pregnancy If you're feeling the nudge to pivot—or simply to soften how you work—this conversation offers both permission and practice. Press play, breathe with us, and let your next chapter arrive with more ease, truth, and plenty. “We only overthink because we under breathe.” –Samantha Skelly 🎤 Let’s Dive into the Good Stuff on Plenty 🎤 00:26 Samantha Skelly's Journey 02:13 Connection and Generosity 04:14 Transition from Emotional Eating 05:42 Paths to Sobriety and Healing 08:01 Financial Stewardship 12:11 Finding Breathwork 16:04 Breathwork and Self-Love 19:53 Letting Go of the Past 21:28 Navigating Change 26:53 Breathwork and the Nervous System 36:09 Feminine Leadership in Business 41:04 Somatic Work in Business 44:21 The Importance of Discernment 47:59 The Power of Consistency 52:19 Conclusion and Future Directions Connect with Samantha Skelly: Instagram Pause Breath Work Pause Breath Work App ✨ Effortless Skincare That Actually Works ✨ I have something to share that's been truly transformative in my daily routine. You know I'm always looking for ways to boost productivity while nurturing my well-being—and Gloci has delivered on both fronts. Gloci is an incredible drinkable skincare line that makes caring for your skin effortless and impactful. It's like having a skincare specialist that fits right in your pocket. I love how easily it integrates into my schedule while giving my skin a healthy glow—all with so much less hassle. If you're ready to bring more ease into your skincare routine, I highly recommend checking out Gloci. It's been such a positive addition to my life, and I know you'll love it too. Just head over to katenorthrup.com/gloci and see for yourself.