Meg Hoyle considered herself a risk taker. She'd traveled to far off places like Zimbabwe; worked with exotic animals, alligators and snakes. Meg had planned her entire life from childhood. She knew then that she wanted to be a scientist. She knew where she wanted to go to school, where she wanted to live; Meg was a planner. She was achieving her goals.

She took the "job of a lifetime" with the State of South Carolina as a biologist. It was employment that offered Meg adequate benefits, excellent compensation, and security. But something was missing. Meg was bored. Stuck. She wasn't thriving personally or in her career, even though it was the job she always wanted. Life according to plan was not all it had cracked up to be.

Feeling edgy, Meg was ready for her life to change though she didn't know in what way. She began by engaging in the Cliff Jumping Program. "The goal was to take some risks but this time in a more personal, life-defining kind of way."

On the journey to rediscovering her passion and herself, Meg's Cliff Jumping coach introduced her to the concept of self-care. "I felt extremely uncomfortable with this; doing what best took care of me seemed completely selfish," Meg explained. "I had self-inflicted obligations to fulfill. I should take care of my family. I should visit my mother. I should stick with a secure job."

Meg learned that she was cluttering her life with "shoulds." She began actually choosing rather than "shoulding." "When I choose something rather than thinking I have to do it, I create stronger bonds and a healthier family dynamic, as well as greater satisfaction and fulfillment in my life. Choosing has allowed me to become a mentor to a young boy in my community, and introduce students to careers in science. For me, the power of choice far exceeds the weight of obligation."

Meg knew she wanted to quit her state job and go into business for herself. Yet it didn't make sense that she should leave something secure for the complete unknown. After all, it was so risky! And this time, she didn't have a plan. Meg mulled over how she would ever be able to afford benefits as good as the state provided. What about money? Would she be able to maintain her lifestyle?

In the Cliff Jumping Program Meg was learning to trust herself. She was trying on risk in her relationships.why not use the same skills in her career? Meg learned to let go of thinking about the downsides and get excited about possibilities. Maybe she could get better benefits. Maybe she could be more financially secure. Maybe she could create greater satisfaction and vitality!

"I did in fact quit my state job. And rather than just taking positions as they were offered, I proactively designed a new career for myself that is wonderfully aligned with who I am. I realized I did not have to agree to job responsibilities that were not my desire. In doing so, my financial picture is secure, my level of satisfaction is beyond what I could have imagined, and I am making a difference in the lives of others. I couldn't have planned it any better! Opportunities continue to present themselves in ways I never thought possible. Actively involving myself in the direction of my life, while still allowing the unknowns to unfold, has been an extremely enlightening and joyful experience."

Meg now offers environmental education and ecotourism consulting services. Among other projects, she serves developers who are committed to building a sustainable green community of more than 6,000 acres with 3,100 in a conservation easement just outside of Charleston, SC. Only 800 homes will be built in the new community. Meg's job is to follow lower impact guidelines, protect wildlife and maintain as much natural space as possible. Her contributions are creating interest and awareness while empowering others to live in a more earth-conscious environment.

Being blessed with a mentor in childhood who taught her to appreciate animals, Meg decided to give back. She founded a sea turtle project and encourages high school students to participate. In her hometown of Edisto, SC a small coastal community, opportunities and advantages are scarce. Offering this experience provides students adventure and access to first-time job opportunities. This life work is important to Meg. Not only is she encouraging students to seek careers in science, Meg is also working with a board member of the Friends of the Bermuda Aquarium to set up an exchange among Aquarium interns. The Sea Turtle Intern Program on Botany Island provides students with an exchange of culture and allows them to appreciate a global view of sea turtle conservation. Meg's joy is watching her students light up with the same enthusiasm she had at their age. And still has today!

In many ways, Meg feels her life has come full circle. Her childhood on Edisto Island was full of adventure. By learning to let go of what she "should" do, and engaging in self-care and taking some risks Meg has created a career and lifestyle like the idyllic times of her childhood. Some may wonder if that means Meg hasn't gone anywhere. For Meg, she's been around the world and back again. Meg has found her passion and lives it joyously, proactively and in contribution. As Meg says, "That's all that really matters!"