Episode 287 - Exercising Agency: Choosing Change and Growth with Meg Trucano

High performers like us can get stuck chasing outcomes, living by ‘shoulds,’ and searching for the perfect choice. That black-and-white thinking keeps us on autopilot and robs us of momentum. Today’s guest, coach and Changeology host Meg Trucano, has lived this work. After burning out in a prestigious research career, a single question, ‘How will you feel a year from now if nothing changes?’, sparked a complete pivot. Now she helps high-achieving women create identity-level change with what she calls small acts of rebellion, like dropping old rules that don’t serve you and reclaiming your time.      If you’re ready to trade perfectionism for progress, you’ll learn how intention, agency, and aligned action create real movement, and how to give yourself permission to change your mind. ------------------------------- About the Guest: Meg Trucano is a coach, podcaster, and change advocate who helps high-achieving women navigate major life transitions with clarity and intention. Through her coaching practice and her podcast Changeology, she empowers clients to rediscover their agency, break free from limiting “shoulds,” and create meaningful, identity-level transformation. Episode Summary: In this powerful conversation, Steve sits down with Meg Trucano to explore what it really means to be growth ready. Meg shares her perspective on the trifecta of growth—intention, agency, and aligned action—and how choosing to “exercise agency” is the key to creating lasting change. Together, they dive into why we’re so prone to black-and-white thinking, the cultural obsession with productivity and outcomes, and how self-awareness often defaults to self-criticism rather than possibility. Meg introduces her concept of “small acts of rebellion” and reveals how choice and ownership transform how we show up in life. From her personal burnout story to her mission of guiding others through life’s biggest shifts, Meg’s wisdom is equal parts practical and inspiring. If you’ve ever wondered how to stop coasting and start choosing the life you want, this episode is for you. Key Topics & Themes:What it means to be growth readyThe trifecta: intention, agency, aligned actionThe difference between coasting and exercising agencyWhy black-and-white thinking dominates our mindsShifting self-awareness from criticism to compassionSmall acts of rebellion as tools for changeChoice as the foundation of growthMeg’s journey from burnout to coachingThe courage to embrace change without fear Links & Resources Mentioned:Meg’s Website: https://megtrucano.comMeg’s Podcast: Changeology (search on all major platforms) https://changeology.buzzsprout.comThe Real Change Kickstart: Meg’s 45-day 1:1 coaching intensive This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout #GrowthReadyPodcast #PersonalGrowth #SelfDevelopment #Mind Send us a text Support the show This podcast was produced on Riverside and released via Buzzsprout Sign up for the monthly newsletter with Steve and GrowthReady (formerly known as Career Competitor) by providing your details here - Request to become part of our community Also be sure to give him and the show a follow on Instagram @coachstevemellor