The Power of Reinvention: How a Chemical Engineer Turned Author is Transforming Lives
How a fired chemical engineer turned a personal transformation into a mission to uplift others.
Sometimes, life pushes us in a direction we never expected — and that’s where the magic happens. For Lori McDowell, a chemical engineer by trade, what seemed like a career-ending moment turned out to be the beginning of something so much bigger.
Fired from her job, she took a bold step into the unknown, discovering her true passion for helping others live joy-filled, purpose-driven lives. Now a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and mindset coach, Lori has made it her mission to show people that the power to reinvent their lives is always within reach. In this conversation, she shares how she turned adversity into opportunity, and how she’s guiding others to do the same.
Thank you so much for connecting with me and sharing your story. I’m so excited to get started!
Tell me about what you do professionally: I am an author, keynote speaker and mindset and life coach. I am also a trainer who offers workshops and custom training classes.
How did you get into this?
I am a chemical engineer by degree and was fired from my job in a horrific fashion. I decided to change my life and focus on what was meaningful to me. So, I wrote a book, The Reinvention Mindset, and became a coach so that I could help people and make a difference.
That is so interesting! What do you love about it?
I love when I can see results in my clients lives. A client recently told me that her new business was going well, and she couldn’t have done it without my help. I also love when I am speaking and I can see that my message is making a difference to the audience.
Why is this work important to you?
I have learned so much in my life, and now I am at a place where I am joyful, fulfilled, and love what I do. I want to share this with others, so they too can be joyful and fulfilled. I feel like it is my mission to make the world a more joyful place, and I believe everyone should be able to live the life they desire.
Clearly, you’re thriving; your passion is coming through loud and clear! What makes you so great at this?
I think it is what I was always meant to be. I have also learned to listen to my intuition. And I took a lot of courses, obtained numerous certifications and never stop leaning. And I ask for help.
What is the most challenging part of your work?
It is challenging for me when I meet someone who I see suffering from a problem or issue, and I know I can help them, but they aren’t ready yet. I want to help people, and it is hard when they won’t let me.
What kind of impact are you hoping to make through what you do?
I want to help as many people as possible realize that they deserve to live amazing, joy-filled lives, to see how wonderful they are, and to let go of what is holding them back. As I said earlier, I want to make the world a more joyful place and help people see how wonderful life is.
I am a big reader — well, I am more of an audiobook person nowadays. In any case, I love talking about great reads. What is one of your favorite books?
Well, I love my book, The Reinvention Mindset. One of my other favorite books is Hello Fears by Michelle Poler. And I love everything Steven King writes.
If you could talk to your younger self, what would you say?
Don’t ever settle, you can do whatever you set your mind to so shoot for the stars. And you are amazing.
Do you have a favorite quote? What does it mean to you?
I love Maya Angelou, and one of my favorite quotes from her is, “Try to be a Rainbow in Someone’s Cloud.”
Outside of work, what do you love doing? What lights you up?
I love walking my dog Roxie, going to any beach, and being around water. I also love sports and exercise, especially baseball, and watching my son Hunter play.
I believe there is power in having big dreams and audacious goals, and lately, I have been pushing myself and everyone I know to speak them out loud… Do you have any dreams or goals you want to go on record about here?
Yes, I want to be famous, be a guest on the Tonight Show, and maybe make Oprah’s book list. I also want to own a Caribbean Resort where I can hold Mindset Retreats and teach SCUBA.
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Ok, now I for the big question of the interview! What is the biggest lesson you have learned through your life and career journey?
I have learned that life is all about choice. We don’t control what happens, and we have the choice of what we do with it. We can choose to be happy, joyful fulfilled. We always have a choice in our life, we can make it, and we need to be willing to live with it. And it is always better to make that choice than to leave it to someone else.
Finally, what makes you a powerful woman?
I am a powerful woman because I love myself, believe in myself, and know that anything is possible.
How can we support you?
I would love for everyone to read The Reinvention Mindset, watch my TedX talk on YouTube, and let me know what they think. I would also love to learn about other opportunities to speak, share my message, and help other people, especially women, make the choice to live amazing lives.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insights. I know our readers will love learning more about you!
Thank you!
Connect with Lori:
🌸 About the Author:
Natalie Ruiz is the CEO of AnswerConnect. She often says that her path to success has been unconventional — and that’s one of the aspects that fuels her to continue to challenge assumptions about what work, success, and the concept of balance in life look like.
Natalie is an award-winning executive recognized as Female Executive of the Year and for Women Helping Women by the Stevie Award Association, a Woman of Influence by the Portland Business Journal, and one of the 100 Women to Know in America.
Outside of her day job, she volunteers with organizations in the Portland, Oregon area, and is a coveted keynote speaker, podcast guest, and published writer. In all she does, Natalie aims to leave people and places better than she finds them.
Connect with Natalie here: on Medium, on LinkedIn, and Instagram
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