Are you a high achiever looking to elevate your leadership skills and unlock your full potential? In this episode of inhabit with Alessia Citro, we dive deep into the journey of Desiree Petrich, a bestselling author, corporate coach, and podcast host, who turned personal tragedy into a powerful framework for success.

Meet Desiree Petrich

Desiree’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. After a challenging start to her career managing a dementia facility through the pandemic, she transitioned into a role as an events coordinator for the Chamber of Commerce. This shift sparked her passion for business, community building, and leadership. But it was the unexpected loss of her mother, just two months after bringing her newborn son home from the NICU, that truly transformed her life and career.

Desiree founded her company, Intentional Action, in 2022, with a mission to help high achievers become exceptional leaders. Through her coaching, workshops, and team-building activities, she empowers others to lead with confidence and intention.

The Foundation of Self: A Framework for Life and Leadership

In our conversation, Desiree introduces her “Foundation of Self” framework, a powerful tool she developed to help people build a solid foundation for personal and professional growth. This framework is built on three core pillars:

1. Self-Engagement: Engaging in activities that promote personal development, such as reading, exercise, and mindfulness practices. Desiree emphasizes the importance of cultivating habits that support growth, even in the face of adversity. She shares how these habits sustained her through her mother’s passing and how they can help others navigate life’s challenges.

2. Self-Worth: Understanding and defining your own value outside of societal expectations or others’ opinions. Desiree encourages listeners to explore what they truly want from life and to build their self-worth based on their own definitions of success, integrity, and authenticity.

3. Self-Awareness: Developing a keen awareness of your strengths, weaknesses, and triggers. Desiree talks about how self-awareness can empower you to take control of your reactions and make conscious choices that align with your goals and values.

Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Growth

Desiree shares candid insights into the emotional and psychological challenges she faced while writing her book, “Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead.” From dealing with setbacks and rewrites to navigating the fear of vulnerability, Desiree opens up about the personal growth that came from the writing process. She also discusses her ongoing journey with fitness and how maintaining physical health is crucial to mental and emotional resilience.

One of the standout moments in our discussion is when Desiree reveals her approach to managing relationships amid personal growth. She talks about the difficulty of letting go of friendships that no longer serve her and the importance of surrounding herself with a supportive network that aligns with her values and goals.

Practical Tips for Intentional Living

Throughout the episode, Desiree provides practical advice for listeners looking to live more intentionally. From creating “Clarity Walks” to break free from digital distractions to embracing the discomfort of growth, her tips are actionable and inspiring. She also touches on the importance of maintaining balance between professional ambitions and personal well-being, particularly for those juggling multiple roles, such as being a parent and an entrepreneur.

Tune In for an Inspirational Conversation

Whether you’re a leader in the corporate world, an entrepreneur, or someone striving for personal growth, this episode is packed with insights that will help you build a more resilient mindset and lead a more intentional life.

Ready to dive deeper? Check out Desiree’s book, Taking Intentional Action: How to Choose the Life You Lead, listen to Lead with Confidence Podcast, connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn, and visit desireepetrich.com.

Don’t miss out on Desiree’s transformative story and invaluable advice!

Listen to the full episode of inhabit with Alessia Citro now and discover how you can start living the life you’ve always dreamed of. Listen on Apple, or on Spotify below.