In this episode of Successful AF, host Jess West interviews Lauren Brighton, a London-born change manager whose career journey has been refreshingly non-linear. From creating legacy films to navigating the male-dominated property world, Lauren has embraced being a generalist over a specialist with infectious enthusiasm.
Lauren's story is one of evolution - from prioritising appearance over intellect in early corporate environments to showing up authentically confident in trainers and minimal makeup. She redefines success as "perma happiness" - a bubbling groove where family, friends, career, and wellbeing exist in harmony. With candid honesty, she discusses self-doubt, the challenges of working in unsupportive environments, and the importance of making space for fun in adult life. And yes, we get the delightful story of how she almost ended up on Married at First Sight after a casual office email led to full psychometric testing and studio recordings.
About Lauren Brighton
Lauren started her career at Bucket List Film, creating short documentary films about people's legacies, before moving through various roles in marketing, communications, and property. She's passionate about women's networks in corporate environments and brings her creative background to everything she does - including change management where she applies her "jazz hands" approach to transformation projects. Based in London, she's someone who genuinely knows how to prioritise relationships, wellbeing, and joy alongside professional growth.
Connect with Lauren:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-brighton-49a00257/
Instagram: @llbrighton
Reflection Questions

• Where in your life are you doubting yourself unnecessarily?
• How do you define success beyond traditional markers like salary or job title?
• What would it look like to prioritise fun as consciously as you prioritise work?
• How can you embrace being a generalist in a world that often rewards specialisation?

Lauren's story reminds us that career paths don't have to be linear, that success is individually defined, and that sometimes the most authentic version of ourselves emerges when we stop trying to fit into someone else's definition of professional success. Her journey from self-doubt to self-advocacy shows that confidence isn't about having all the answers - it's about trusting yourself enough to lean into opportunities with passion and commitment.

Love this episode? Hit subscribe and leave us a review! And if you know someone who's redefining success on their own terms, nominate them at [email protected] - we're always looking for incredible people to feature.

Connect with Jess:

Instagram: @compasscoaching.co

Website: www.compasscoachingandyoga.com