Ethan Johnson on Balancing Work, Family, & Fulfillment

Tina-Schuricht • May 28, 2025

Share this article

In this episode of Success Your Own Way , “Finding your Agency: Ethan Johnson on Balancing Work, Family, and Fulfillment”,  Yifat Rogers and I sit down with Ethan Johnson who recounts his career journey.  It started with formative experiences like carpentry and washing dishes, which instilled a strong work ethic and creativity. Next, he transitioned to the tech industry where he gained valuable experience in finance and project management as well as roles in payments, marketing, and sales, fostering curiosity and expanding his skill set. Most recently, Ethan pursued entrepreneurial ventures, focusing on advisory roles in startups, gaming studios, SaaS providers, and Athlea – a sports tech company combining AI and physical fitness.

Over the past five years, Ethan’s concept of success evolved from career titles and promotions to empowering teams, fostering collaboration, and creating impactful environments. Drawing on his experience as a rowing coach, he emphasizes understanding individual motivations and tailoring leadership approaches to inspire growth. Ethan advocates for mid-career self-assessment, aligning work with personal values, and prioritizing family dynamics. Ethan highlights the importance of helping others succeed and navigating life transitions with mentorship and coaching. Through deliberate reconnections and holistic exploration, Ethan embraces adaptability, curiosity, and continuous learning as keys to fulfillment.

 

 

About Ethan Johnson

Ethan has over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. He led teams in sales, marketing, finance, and operations across consumer and commercial businesses. He spent 18 years at Microsoft, most recently leading multi-channel Go-To-Market strategy and execution for the Surface line of hardware and services in multiple markets. Recently, Ethan took on advisory roles with small businesses and early-stage ventures supporting business development. Ethan lives in Seattle with his family and two huskies.  He is a sometimes-competitive rower and rowing coach, woodworker, record collector, and live music enthusiast.

Let me know what you are interested in hearing about in future episodes of Success Your Own Way !

Recent Posts

Arrangement of colorful gourds with a crumpled paper that reads
By Tina-Schuricht November 21, 2025
Gratitude as a leadership practice in the workplace is far more than a fleeting “thank you” scribbled on a sticky note or tacked onto the end of an email. For leaders, genuine gratitude is a powerful tool that shapes culture, boosts morale, and helps teams navigate the inevitable storms of high-stress seasons. When leaders weave […] The post Gratitude as a Leadership Practice appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht November 14, 2025
It is the season of harvesting, not just crops, but harvesting wisdom.  This article is my 50th and this isn’t just a creative milestone—it’s a harvest. Each piece represents a seed planted in service of others: a thought offered, a question posed, a perspective shared. Over time, those seeds have grown into a field of […] The post Harvesting Wisdom – 50 Articles appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht November 12, 2025
In this episode of SuccessYourOwnWay, “Success, Self-Leadership, and the Power of Choice”, executive coach and leadership advisor Sadie Wackett shares her journey of redefining success. With 20+ years in global HR leadership, a former CHRO, and as co-founder of Life Intended, Sadie empowers women through self-leadership and intentional living. She reflects on her career and […] The post Success, Self-Leadership, and the Power of Choice appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht November 7, 2025
How are you navigating the fog?  As the calendar inches toward its final pages, many leaders find themselves in a peculiar emotional fog. The year’s momentum slows, yet expectations remain high. Revisiting goals, evaluating performance, and the pressure to “finish strong” collides with fatigue, ambiguity, and the quiet whisper of “what’s next?” This season also […] The post Navigating the Fog appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht October 31, 2025
Unmasking success can feel scary and not just in a creepy, Halloween way.  Halloween is the one day a year we’re encouraged to dress up, play pretend, and step into someone else’s shoes. But what about the other 364 days? As professionals, leaders, and even coaches, we often wear invisible costumes—roles, personas, and expectations that […] The post Unmasking Success appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht October 29, 2025
Do you have the courage to make bold transitions in your life?  If so check out this episode of Success Your Own Way! From First-Gen Student to Corporate Fellow: A Story of Bold Transitions with Christine Nowakowski In this inspiring episode, Dr. Christine Nowakowski—Corporate Fellow at Cargill and one of General Mills’ most prolific female […] The post A Story of Bold Transitions appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht October 24, 2025
Mentorship in motion isn’t just a catchy phrase.  The concept of mentorship being in motion refers to the power created by a reciprocal, dynamic, and evolving relationship. Effective mentorship spans generations, career stages, and even industries, forming a web of support, insight, and growth for everyone involved. Mentorship in Motion At its core, mentorship is […] The post Mentorship in Motion: Building Reciprocal Relationships That Last appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht October 17, 2025
Letting go to lead.  What does that mean for you? Autumn is nature’s quiet invitation to release. As the trees shed their leaves, they remind us that letting go isn’t a loss—it’s a necessary step in renewal. In leadership and life, we often cling to outdated beliefs, roles, or expectations simply because they’ve been with […] The post Letting Go To Lead appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht October 15, 2025
In this powerful episode of  SuccessYourOwnWay, you’ll meet Maychee Mua, a 2025 Bush Fellow, systems change leader, and first-generation Hmong-Chinese American.  Maychee shares her transformative journey of identity, advocacy, and redefining success. Maychee is navigating cultural duality, discovering her own neurodivergence, pioneering autism policy in Minnesota, and raising neurodivergent children. Maychee’s story is one of […] The post Authenticity, Advocacy, and Ancestral Strength with Maychee Mua appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
By Tina-Schuricht October 10, 2025
Parenting in the Fast Lane.  What does that mean and what does it have to do with coaching? Let me explain.  Parenting is a journey I have been on for over a decade – both enjoying and contemplating how to do it better.  One summer day, I was driving kids to their camps, and it […] The post Parenting in the Fast Lane appeared first on McGinty Coaching.
Show More