Introduction

From Prima Ballerina to Student Midwife

Overcoming the "Too Strong" Label

Embracing Vulnerability and Strength

The Battle with Perfectionism

Transitioning into Midwifery

Navigating Mature-Age Study

Balancing Motherhood and Reinvention

Knowing When to Leave a Career

Letting Go of the First Love

Seeking Professional Support

Starting Fresh in a High-Pressure Role

Lessons from the Delivery Room

The Power of Control and Support

Pride in the Career Journey

Advice for Aspiring Career Changers

For almost two decades, Lana Jones was a principal dancer at the Australian Ballet, celebrated for lead roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty. And still, she was told she was “too strong”. After an illustrious career, Jones stepped away from the spotlight to retrain as a midwife. In this episode, Lana joins Briana Blackett to discuss how being “too strong” has helped her soar – from the stage to the delivery room.
Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

For almost two decades, Lana Jones was a principal dancer at the Australian Ballet, celebrated for lead roles in Swan Lake, Giselle, and The Sleeping Beauty. And still, she was told she was &ldquo;too strong&rdquo;. After an illustrious career, Jones stepped away from the spotlight to retrain as a midwife. In this episode, Lana joins Briana Blackett to discuss how being &ldquo;too strong&rdquo; has helped her soar &ndash; from the stage to the delivery room.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and <a href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-officer-careers?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=fw_au&amp;utm_campaign=rec-jan_2025-mfm">explore a career with Victoria Police</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Become an<a href="http://futurewomen.com/"> FW member</a> to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women">LinkedIn</a>.</li>
</ul>

Ask any woman and she'll tell you about a time when she was too something. At work, women are suffocated by stereotypes about who we should be and how we should behave.

Join Helen McCabe as she speaks with high-achieving women who bucked trends, disrupted systems and refused to quit. Women who built careers by forging their own paths.
Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Explore a career with Victoria Police.
Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. 
Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads and X

Ask any woman and she'll tell you about a time when she was too something. At work, women are suffocated by stereotypes about who we should be and how we should behave.
Join Helen McCabe as she speaks with high-achieving women who bucked trends, disrupted systems and refused to quit. Women who built careers by forging their own paths.
<ul>
<li>Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. <a href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-officer-careers">Explore a career with Victoria Police</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Become an <a href="http://futurewomen.com/">FW member</a> to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. </li>
<li>Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>,<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women"> LinkedIn</a>,<a href="https://www.threads.net/@futurewomen"> Threads</a> and<a href="https://twitter.com/futurewomen?lang=en"> X</a></li>
</ul>

Too Much: The Switch by Future Women

Too Much by Future Women

2. Lana Jones was "too strong": from prima ballerina to delivering babies

She was winning Olympic gold and World Championships. But at 23, Giaan Rooney was burned out. She retired from swimming, became a television presenter, then pivoted again – to a career you’d never expect. Giaan tells Briana Blackett how, at each turn, being “too invested” has seen her succeed. And how putting aside ego has given her the courage to change lanes – and have a crack at something new. 
Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

She was winning Olympic gold and World Championships. But at 23, Giaan Rooney was burned out. She retired from swimming, became a television presenter, then pivoted again &ndash; to a career you&rsquo;d never expect. Giaan tells Briana Blackett how, at each turn, being &ldquo;too invested&rdquo; has seen her succeed. And how putting aside ego has given her the courage to change lanes &ndash; and have a crack at something new.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and<a href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-officer-careers?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=fw_au&amp;utm_campaign=rec-jan_2025-mfm"> explore a career with Victoria Police</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Become an<a href="http://futurewomen.com/"> FW member</a> to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>, and<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women"> LinkedIn</a>.</li>
</ul>

5. Giaan Rooney was “too invested”: Olympic champion turned macadamia farmer

Introduction to The Switch

STEM Ambition: Breaking Into Formula One

The Sensory Pull of F1 Racing

Reality Check: Life in the F1 Pit

Shifting Identity and Professional Burnout

Perfectionism, Control, and Anorexia

Treating Performance Like a Machine

Finding a New Direction in the Kitchen

From Engineering to Artisan Pastry

Lessons in Excellence from Paris

The Inception of Lune Croissanterie

The Dual Nature of Professional Obsession

Navigating the Transition Period

Building a Sustainable Female-Led Brand

Overcoming Public Expectations

Sustaining Purpose and Long-Term Joy

Kate Reid is the founder of the world-famous Lune Croissanterie. But before creating her own formula for the perfect buttery, flaky croissant, she was a Formula One aerodynamicist, working on some of the fastest cars on the planet. And though she’s been labelled "too lucky", in this episode, she reveals the grit behind every seemingly effortless pivot, the years of hard work, and how a battle with an eating disorder led her to the top of a pastry empire.
Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.
Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Kate Reid is the founder of the world-famous Lune Croissanterie. But before creating her own formula for the perfect buttery, flaky croissant, she was a Formula One aerodynamicist, working on some of the fastest cars on the planet. And though she&rsquo;s been labelled "too lucky", in this episode, she reveals the grit behind every seemingly effortless pivot, the years of hard work, and how a battle with an eating disorder led her to the top of a pastry empire.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and <a href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-officer-careers?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=fw_au&amp;utm_campaign=rec-jan_2025-mfm">explore a career with Victoria Police</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Become an<a href="http://futurewomen.com/"> FW member</a> to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>, and <a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women">LinkedIn</a>.</li>
</ul>

4. Kate Reid was "too lucky": but luck doesn't make the world's best croissant

From Hairdressing to Policing

The "Too Accommodating" Trap

Searching for Professional Purpose

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Transferable Skills: Communication & Trust

Dealing with the Unknown

Life at the Police Academy

The Reality of High-Stakes Work

Navigating New Professional Environments

Diverse Roles in Victoria Police

Preventing Burnout While Saying "Yes"

The Impact of Mentorship

Connecting Personal Values to Work

Advice for the Big Career Switch

From styling hair to fighting crime, Detective Senior Sergeant Leemara Fairgrieve made quite the switch when she left hairdressing to join Victoria Police. These days, she’s busting major drug syndicates and rising through the ranks. But while she’s tough on crime, Leemara admits she can be tough on herself, and at times, ‘too accommodating’. In this episode, Leemara joins Briana Blackett to discuss how her softer side actually helped her build trust, discover her passion, and find success in her role as a police officer.
Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and explore a career with Victoria Police.
Become an FW member to join the movement and fast-track your professional development. 

Keep up with @futurewomen on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

From styling hair to fighting crime, Detective Senior Sergeant Leemara Fairgrieve made quite the switch when she left hairdressing to join Victoria Police. These days, she&rsquo;s busting major drug syndicates and rising through the ranks. But while she&rsquo;s tough on crime, Leemara admits she can be tough on herself, and at times, &lsquo;too accommodating&rsquo;. In this episode, Leemara joins Briana Blackett to discuss how her softer side actually helped her build trust, discover her passion, and find success in her role as a police officer.
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Too Much is a podcast series proudly supported by Victoria Police, who are looking for more women to join their ranks. Consider making the switch and <a href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/police-officer-careers?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=fw_au&amp;utm_campaign=rec-jan_2025-mfm">explore a career with Victoria Police</a>.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Become an <a href="http://futurewomen.com/">FW member</a> to join the movement and fast-track your professional development.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Keep up with @futurewomen on<a href="https://instagram.com/futurewomen"> Instagram</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/FutureWomen"> Facebook</a>,<a href="https://au.linkedin.com/company/future-women"> and LinkedIn</a>.

3. Leemara Fairgrieve was "too accommodating": once a hairdresser, now a police detective

2. Lana Jones was "too strong": from prima ballerina to delivering babies

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Too Much by Future Women

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