A Day in the Life of a Former CEO Now Leading a Classroom

Following my departure from the role of CEO at WeightWatchers, I reached out to Oprah, seeking guidance. As a friend who was no longer affiliated with the organization, her advice was simple: take a year to embrace saying no, focus on quality time with yourself and loved ones.

Heeding that advice has been invaluable. When opportunities knock, it’s easy to jump to the next venture; instead, this pause allowed me to redefine my path.

Fast forward a year, and I've transitioned to an adjunct professor at Duke University, channeling my energy into a women’s leadership course. I also contribute to the Best Buy board and invest in emerging enterprises and funds.

Embracing the Morning: A New Dawn Routine

The day kicks off at 6 a.m., aided by an alarm clock—a routine I adopted during my WeightWatchers tenure to detach from phone dependency. Immediately falling into phone habits was common, so instead, I start with an empowering reading from Mark Nepo’s 'The Book of Awakening.'

Dressing in Beyond Yoga apparel and applying under-eye patches are my first steps post-bed, followed by preparing coffee mixed with half-and-half, cinnamon, collagen, and Brazil nuts.

Family Breakfast Tradition

Each morning, a lively wake-up call is reserved for my youngest, complete with pop diva tunes, such as Taylor Swift's 'Fate of Ophelia.' Over at my parents' house, just a few homes away, my mom delights the grandchildren with vibrant breakfasts. Meanwhile, my husband Alex handles school drop-offs.

Reading Ritual and Yoga Commitment

Savoring the quietude, I sip coffee and leaf through a physical copy of The New York Times—a personal strategy to combat digital content overwhelm. At 8:30 a.m., I shift from reading to movement, diving into yoga or a nearby fitness class.

Completing a 200-hour yoga teaching training last year has been transformative, offering me a spiritual foundation and redefining my identity beyond professional titles.

Academic Preparation and Professional Engagement

Breakfast, a blend of yogurt, granola, and berries, fuels my focus as I engage with work at the kitchen table. Occasionally, this involves board meetings or brand innovation.

Wednesdays are dedicated to preparing lectures for my class. Initially sparked by a session with Duke’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship students, I proposed a course emphasizing diverse entrepreneurial paths and encouraging women to create new narratives.

Guest Lecturers and Classroom Dynamics

Weekly, I host guest speakers—friends with remarkable journeys. Whether driving through picturesque Duke Forest to campus or showing them iconic venues like Duke Chapel, the exchange enriches both my students and me.

Expanding Perspectives: Classroom Interactions

Classes run for two and a half hours, blending recaps, discussions, and insights from our guest. Students cherish this rare opportunity to dive deep into the guests' experiences beyond the typical podcast narrative.

Post-class, I relax into a communal storytelling over dinner at local favorites like Little Bull.

Winding Down: Evening Reads

Home again, I unwind by connecting with my children, sharing stories of their day. Instead of turning to nightly television, I bury myself in the allure of fantasy romance from the comfort of my bed, diving headfirst into captivating worlds by authors of series like 'A Court of Thorns and Roses.'

Reading offers an escape without late-night repercussions, allowing me to end each day in the company of spellbinding tales.