

125. Samantha Skelly on Burning Down a 7-Figure Business to Come Alive
What if the bravest way to grow your life is to burn down the business that's "working"?
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Samantha Skelly, founder of Pause Breathwork, to explore her holy-disruptive moment of closing a wildly successful, multi-seven-figure emotional eating company overnight. Following a crystal-clear divine directive, she rebuilt her work around breath as a path to healing and leadership. We dive into the fireworks-in-the-sky signs, middle-of-the-night downloads, and the day she literally hit "cancel" on recurring revenue to honor her soul's assignment.
You'll hear us explore:
- The science and soul of breathwork — How it shifts the body through the amygdala and vagus nerve, creating an 8-minute doorway into altered states, and why gentle, trauma-informed facilitation is essential
- Running a company the feminine way — Embracing spaciousness, cyclical leadership, and building profits without self-betrayal
- Lessons from a year that "built" her — Developing discernment with team dynamics, keeping the main thing the main thing, and choosing depth over novelty for true mastery
- Creating a sustainable daily breath practice — including how to adapt your practice during tender seasons like pregnancy
If you're feeling the nudge to pivot—or simply to soften how you work—this conversation offers both permission and practice. Press play, breathe with us, and let your next chapter arrive with more ease, truth, and plenty.
“We only overthink because we under breathe.” –Samantha Skelly
🎤 Let’s Dive into the Good Stuff on Plenty 🎤
00:26 Samantha Skelly's Journey
02:13 Connection and Generosity
04:14 Transition from Emotional Eating
05:42 Paths to Sobriety and Healing
08:01 Financial Stewardship
12:11 Finding Breathwork
16:04 Breathwork and Self-Love
19:53 Letting Go of the Past
21:28 Navigating Change
26:53 Breathwork and the Nervous System
36:09 Feminine Leadership in Business
41:04 Somatic Work in Business
44:21 The Importance of Discernment
47:59 The Power of Consistency
52:19 Conclusion and Future Directions
Connect with Samantha Skelly:
Instagram
Pause Breath Work
Pause Breath Work App
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