Inspired By… Becs Bradley
This time around I am inspired by Becs’ Bradley, she is not just working on having everything she wants, but helping you to do the same (if you want to).
“Looking back, I was fiercely independent, career-driven, and competitive. But I was also disillusioned by the corporate world. I had bought into the narrative that success was linear: by thirty, you climbed the ladder, ticked off milestones, and followed a set path defined by societal expectations. I didn’t realise then that I could create my own version of success—that I could carve a path that truly felt like mine.
Children weren’t in my plan. So, when I unexpectedly became pregnant with my eldest daughter, it was a shock. I couldn’t reconcile the idea of having children with my definition of success. I didn’t believe we, as women, could have it all - it was one or the other.
Returning to work after maternity leave was a pivotal moment. On paper, my employer did everything right—I had HR discussions, (Keeping in Touch days) KiT days, and I was genuinely excited to get back to work. I will never forget the excitement I felt trading in my huge nappy bag for my small work handbag and dancing down the train station platform. But after a few weeks, something still felt off. I was existing, not living. I didn’t recognise myself in the mirror.
At work, I showed up differently. I made decisions I wouldn’t have made before. I felt confused, and that confusion spilled over into my relationships. What I eventually realised was that I had changed. Having a child was a profound, life-altering experience that shifted how I saw the world and how I wanted to show up in it.
But like so many mums, I hadn’t processed that change. Time was scarce, and I was putting everyone else’s needs ahead of my own. My return to work felt like a cold, hard smack in the face, highlighting that I couldn’t show up as I had before—not because I wasn’t capable - I was more than capable- but because my beliefs and priorities had evolved.
Fast forward to now: I have two beautiful children, I’ve been promoted to a Head of Department role, and I’ve built a coaching business that helps other women navigate this complex, transformative journey.
Through my work, I focus on the deeper, often-overlooked aspects of returning to work. It’s not just about childcare logistics or HR policies—it’s about empowering women to process their changes, embrace their evolution, and make choices that feel right for them.
I’ve learned that we can have it all, but “all” isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. My definition of “having it all” used to be handed to me by society. But when I took the time to redefine what it meant for me, I was finally able to create a life that aligned with my values, my ambitions, and my whole self.
We do get to have it all—but your “all” and mine may look completely different, and that’s perfectly okay. The beauty lies in discovering what that means for you.
What inspired you make the big changes/choices in your life?
The short answer? Women simply don’t get the support they need to transition into parenthood and then back to their careers—and that support is so desperately needed.
Yes, there are programs to help women return to work, but let’s be honest: they often focus solely on logistics. They teach women how to arrange childcare, when to take KIT (Keep in Touch) days, and how to ease into phased returns. While those are valuable, they only scratch the surface.
I work with a lot of ambitious, career-focused women who already excel at handling logistics. They might need some guidance navigating tough conversations, but they certainly don’t need to be shown how to schedule childcare. Yet, many of them still feel ‘chaotic’ and struggle to recognise who they are or what they should be doing. What they truly need is something deeper—support that acknowledges the personal transformation they’ve undergone.
In my view, this is the part of the conversation that’s missing. The Transition. Becoming a parent is a profound, life-altering event, and it changes how we see ourselves and the world. These shifts leave many women feeling different from who they were before. When they return to work, they expect to pick up right where they left off, but something feels off. They can’t pinpoint what it is, and that leads to self-doubt and questioning everything from their decisions to their identity.
My clients often describe this state: juggling exhaustion, navigating careers, and discovering a new version of themselves. They feel pulled in every direction, worry they’re failing, and sometimes struggle in their relationships. Add in hormonal changes and the pressure of “getting it all right,” and it’s no wonder so many women feel stuck in survival mode.
This experience is far too common. When you’re exhausted from lack of sleep, navigating a career, and discovering a new version of yourself, having external support can be game-changing.
Statistics show that 85% of women leave the workforce or reduce their hours within the first four years of returning to work after having their first child. That’s an insane loss of talent—and that cant just be down to logistics!
The real issue lies in how we approach the return to work. It’s not about phased returns or tick-box exercises—it’s about truly understanding the individual. We need to recognise the transition they’ve undergone, explore how their values align with their workplace, and foster a sense of belonging.
Many return-to-work plans assume that women come back with the same skills, mindset, and outlook they had before. But what if we flipped that narrative? What if we assumed they came back with more—more resilience, skills, perspective, leadership and drive? By focusing on the person and rebuilding that connection, we could harness their full potential and create incredible possibilities for individuals and organisations alike.
For the pragmatists, it’s simple: a diverse workforce is a stronger, healthier one, and women are a crucial part of that. Supporting women to return to work is not just the right thing to do—it’s a strategic advantage.
At the heart of it, I believe that everyone deserves to win at work. Right now, some groups face more barriers than others, and that’s something we need to address. By providing equitable support, we can create workplaces where everyone feels they belong and has the opportunity to thrive.
People often say women—and especially mothers— we can’t “have it all.” I call total BS on that. Women can have it all, and plenty of us do. I want to change those outdated ideas about what it means to be a successful career-driven woman and a parent.
By helping women reconnect with themselves, we can redefine the rules of what being a parent and a professional looks like. If I’m not here doing that, then who will?
Women can have it all—but it starts with redefining what “all” means for them and creating a culture that empowers them to succeed on their terms.
For me, in the next few years I’m looking forward to diving deeper into research and gathering data to better support women in their transitions. Writing more is also a personal goal—sharing insights and stories that can inspire and inform others.
But the ‘what next’ is the launch of my group programme. I believe that women thrive when we lift each other up, and the programme I am planning is built on that very foundation: community, connection, and belonging.
I am excited to build a space where women can come together, share their experiences, and empower one another. It’s about connecting with people who truly understand what you’re going through, lifting one another up and learning from each other. Finding my own tribe was a turning point in my journey, and now I’m passionate about helping others find theirs.
When women unite and invest in these connections, we become a force for change. Together, we can shift workplace cultures, challenge outdated norms, and create environments where everyone feels they belong. That’s why this programme isn’t just about individual growth—it’s about starting a movement.
Of course, my 1:1 clients will always be a cornerstone of my work. The tailored, bespoke support I offer them won’t be going anywhere. But I’m thrilled to soon provide a solution for every woman—whether they’re seeking a highly personal experience or the power of a collective journey.
The gold is in discovering what works best for you and your family. That’s one of the things I love most about working with my clients 1:1: witnessing their “aha” moments as they uncover their unique solutions and find clarity.
A common theme for many of my clients is the search for “balance.” But I have to say, I don’t love the word “balance” because it suggests we need to keep everything in a constant, equal state—and let’s face it, that’s just not realistic.
Instead, I prefer to aim for “harmony” or “synchronisation.” These words better recognise the give-and-take that is required to juggle all the things in our life. This perspective also helps us let go of guilt when one area of our life takes priority over another on a given day because I know the tables will flip the other way at any point! It gives us the permission to do one thing over another and ensures we are kinder to ourselves
One of my favourite tactics to manage this each day is to make a list of my top priorities that day. This list has my top 3 or 4 realistic achievements to complete for the day based on what I need to do and the energy I have to do it. Those could be three things that are purely ‘home’ tasks or ‘work’ tasks or a combination of the two but this gives me a clear focus and a measure of success.
On my list today is:
● Write/ draft newsletter text and socials
● Make notes for this interview piece
● Spend time after picking the kids up from school on activities they choose to do - not the iPad!. (A family Friday night in because I have been away so much working this week.)
● Put the washing on before it overflows!
This tool becomes incredibly important during the school holidays when our schedule is truly thrown up in the air. Having a list like this makes it easy to bring my husband into the list planning! (I keep telling myself -and him- that he loves it!).
Together, we can determine our priorities for the day or week – the non-negotiables - and put a plan in place to make sure we both get the stuff on our lists done (without having to sacrifice our family time).
Then at the end of the week, we can feel a sense of accomplishment having completed our priority tasks while still enjoying family time with our two happy kids and the dog!
One of the funniest moments in my journey happened a year or so ago during a virtual coaching session. I was deep in conversation with a client, completely focused on their challenges and offering guidance. Unknown to me, my eldest daughter had wandered into the background, spotted herself on camera, and decided it was her moment to shine.
For several minutes, she twirled, danced, and struck dramatic poses, completely oblivious to the serious discussion happening in the foreground. I didn’t notice at all—so engrossed in the conversation—until my husband appeared to quietly usher her away. That’s when I realised what had been going on, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry - I was just very grateful that she was wearing clothes!
Thankfully, my client found it hilarious, and we shared a good laugh about the unexpected performance.
Since then, I’ve ensured that my coaching spaces are completely private and confidential, with no surprise guest appearances or impromptu dance routines. But this moment will always remind me why I love what I do: building a life and a business that embrace both the chaos and the joy of family life.
How can people help you get to where you want to be?
To be the change we want to see - we get to go out and create it ourselves. If you, or know someone who is, working in HR—or if you’re navigating the transition back to work after a leave and are ready for support—I’d love to connect. An introduction or conversation could be the start of another ripple effect, creating positive change for individuals and organisations alike”.
Website address: www.becsbradley.com
Social media address: @ becsbradley_coach