What if the very pain you're trying to escape is actually guiding you toward your purpose? In this deeply moving conversation, Jill Butler opens her heart and shares her remarkable journey from corporate finance professional to purpose-driven educator helping others with estate planning.
Jill's story begins in 1960s New York, where she grew up in a sheltered environment before losing her mother to cancer at just seven years old. Without grief counseling or emotional support, young Jill turned to food for comfort, beginning a decades-long struggle with emotional eating and identity. Despite building a successful 16-year career at Charles Schwab as a licensed stockbroker, she constantly felt something was missing—that elusive "more" that kept her searching across multiple cities, careers, and entrepreneurial ventures.
The turning point came unexpectedly when Jill helped her elderly aunt with financial matters. Suddenly, she realized the professional knowledge she'd accumulated wasn't just job expertise—it was valuable information people desperately needed. "I had absolutely no idea the level of information that I was holding on to that was pertinent to others," she reflects. This revelation transformed her perspective on her experiences and skills, revealing how her purpose had been forming all along.
Throughout our conversation, Jill vulnerably shares her struggles with identity ("I honestly did not know that my voice mattered"), her health transformation after reaching nearly 350 pounds, and her spiritual journey to understand her worth. Her powerful acronym for PAIN—Purposeful Alignment Is Necessary—encapsulates her belief that our deepest struggles often lead to our most meaningful contributions.
Now at 61, Jill lives authentically "beyond the mask," embracing her purpose with the wisdom gained through decades of searching. Her parting message resonates with anyone wondering if it's too late to find their calling: "Never stop dreaming and going for your more... Don't leave this earth without fulfilling your purpose."
If you're searching for your own purpose or trying to understand how your past experiences might be shaping your future calling, this episode will inspire you to look at your pain through a new lens and consider how it might be guiding you toward your most meaningful work.