Introduction
The Sparks Series is a special series within The SoulFire Sessions.
While our regular episodes explore a wide range of conversations around purpose, leadership, and growth, the Sparks Series is dedicated to spotlighting purpose-driven leaders who are creating meaningful impact in their work and communities. Each episode centers on their story, their leadership, and the moments that sparked the work they’re doing today.
Summary
In this episode of Sparks, Alex sits down with June Spark, Alex Hawkins, founder of Wildwood Connections, a nature-based community experience company helping people reconnect with themselves, each other, and the outdoors.
After years of pursuing success as a compliance lawyer, Alex found herself burned out, disconnected, and questioning whether the path she had worked so hard to achieve was truly her own. What followed was a season of slowing down, healing, and rediscovering what brought her to life.
Together, Alex and Alex explore burnout, perfectionism, identity, entrepreneurship, the healing power of nature, and the courage it takes to choose a different path. They discuss the importance of listening to your body, finding community during seasons of transition, and why resilience sometimes looks less like pushing through and more like stepping back.
This conversation is a reminder that purpose isn’t always found by doing more. Sometimes it’s found by slowing down enough to hear what’s calling you forward.
Takeaways
~ Burnout can be an invitation to reevaluate what truly matters.
~ The path that looks successful isn’t always the path that’s right for you.
~ Resilience isn’t about pushing through everything—it can also mean resting and recalibrating.
~ Nature has a unique ability to reconnect us with ourselves and what matters most.
~ Community and meaningful connection are powerful catalysts for healing and growth.
~ Small, intentional habits can create lasting change over time.
~ It’s never too late to come back to yourself.
In this episode
00:00: Welcome to Sparks & Introducing Alex Hawkins
04:45: Life on the Achievement Treadmill
10:40: The Conversation That Changed Everything
17:15: Burnout, Resilience & Choosing a Different Path
16:20: Identity Beyond Job Titles & Leadership Through Influence
26:30: Healing Through Nature
36:00: Building Wildwood Connections
40:55: Advice for Finding Your Spark
47:10: Connecting with Alex & Final Reflections