Why Ryan Hennessey Left Teaching to Build a Life of Purpose and Freedom

What if burnout wasn't the end—but the beginning of your most authentic life?

After ten years in the classroom, Ryan Hennessey realized he was running on fumes. A powerful moment at a heart-led business retreat cracked something open in him and gave him the clarity he’d been chasing. He didn’t just walk away from teaching—he walked toward a life built on freedom, integrity, and impact.

• The exact moment Ryan knew it was time to leave the classroom
• How he navigated grief, guilt, and identity loss in choosing himself
• What abundance looks like when you finally stop people-pleasing and start living aligned

This one’s for anyone standing at the edge of change, wondering if they’re allowed to want more.

Ryan Hennessey is a former beloved science teacher who walked away from the classroom after a decade to pursue a life aligned with purpose, freedom, and impact. After a powerful realization at a heart-led business retreat, Ryan made the courageous decision to leave a career that once defined him to create a life that truly fulfilled him. Now, he hosts adventure-based wellness retreats, coaches others through major life transitions, and helps people reconnect with what sets their soul on fire. His story is one of integrity, reinvention, and what it really means to take back your power.

Connect with Ryan:

Instagram: @IamRyanHennessey

Substack: substack.com/@iamryanhennessey

Website: www.Ryan-Hennessey.com

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The Life Shift Podcast shares real, honest conversations about the pivotal moments that transform lives. Host Matt Gilhooly invites guests to explore the life-changing events, unexpected challenges, and personal awakenings that have shaped who they are today. 

Through candid storytelling, listeners discover powerful journeys of identity, resilience, grief, healing, and growth. If you’re drawn to personal growth stories, inspired by how people rebuild after loss, or fascinated by the quiet moments that spark profound change, The Life Shift offers heartfelt insight and inspiration. New episodes every Tuesday.

Listen in and find connection in the stories that make us who we are.

For more information, please visit: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com