Rebecca Nwankwo: The Second Act—How She Rewrote Her Life at 40

At 40, Rebecca Nwankwo found herself staring down a question many silently carry: Is this it? The spark was gone, the routine no longer fulfilling, and the future looked more like a loop than a ladder. But instead of settling, Rebecca chose to rise, boldly enrolling in a global Executive MBA program while balancing motherhood, work, and the weight of self-doubt. What followed was a transformation not just of career, but of confidence, clarity, and calling. In this exclusive story, she shares how she turned restlessness into reinvention—and why your second act might just be your most powerful one yet.

What moment made you realize it was time for a change?

I started feeling a constant restlessness—like I was meant for more but didn’t quite know what that “more” was. I’d lost the spark at work, and the road ahead just didn’t excite me anymore. This feeling crept in not long after I turned 40. I asked myself, “Is this what I want to be doing for the next 20 years?” The answer came loud and clear: “No.” I realised my 40s weren’t the end of the road—they were the second act. And I wanted that act to be driven by purpose.

Going back to school in your 40s is bold—what gave you the courage to do it?

Honestly, I knew that if I wanted a different outcome, I had to do something bold. Around that time, my cousin had just finished her full-time MBA at Wharton,and I saw how it opened new doors for her. It lit a fire in me. I started researching business schools—not just for the prestige, but because I wanted a reset. I didn’t want to drift into the next phase of my career. I wanted to design it.

How did you balance work, study, and family during your Executive MBA?

I had to get honest with myself: I couldn’t give 100% to everything at once without burning out. So I built a routine and stuck to it—study in the evenings, weekends, and during any break I could find. During my study time, I made it clear to my kids that unless it was urgent (which, let’s face it, it rarely was), mum was in “study mode.” But I also carved out protected family time—occasional Saturday afternoons for meals, movies, or just hanging out. I wanted my girls to feel my presence even if I couldn’t be around all the time. And because they knew what to expect, it helped us all stay grounded.

What was the hardest part of that journey, and how did you get through it?

The guilt. Missing birthdays, not always being there when my eldest needed me during her transition to secondary school—it stung. But before the program began, I wrote letters to both my daughters and my partner. I explained why I wanted to do the global executive MBA at IESE Business School, how it would benefit all of us, and why I needed their support. Putting it in writing felt powerful. They could reread it anytime they forgot the “why”,—and so could I.

Did you ever doubt yourself along the way? What helped you push through?

Absolutely. Imposter syndrome showed up a lot, especially at the start. I was in a cohort of 39 brilliant people from 27 countries—many from industries I’d never worked in. At first, I shrank back. But over time, I realised: I earned my seat at the table. We all had different strengths, and we were there to learn from each other. That mindset shift changed everything. I didn’t need to be perfect—just present.

What do you say to people who think it’s “too late” to start something new?

That’s just fear talking—and I get it. But honestly? Your 40s and 50s can be your most powerful years. You bring real-life experience, emotional intelligence, and resilience to the table. In my class, the average age was 40, and the oldest student was in their 50s. You don’t need to have it all figured out to start—you just need to start. Taking consistent baby steps will always get you further than waiting for the “perfect” moment.

What inspired you to start helping others apply to business school?

Going through the process myself showed me just how overwhelming and time-consuming it can be. There’s so much information for full-time MBAs and very little guidance tailored to people who already have long careers, families, and other responsibilities. I wanted to help others in this group, typically in their late 30s to 50s, get through it faster, with more clarity and less stress. One of my classmates told me she spent three years just researching options, which is mind-blowing.  With my coaching and consultancy business EMAP (Executive MBA Admissions Playbook), I help people make confident decisions in just a few months and keep them sane while they go through the journey.

What kind of transformation do you see in the people you coach?

The change is often both professional and personal. I’ve seen people land promotions, secure bigger roles, and even start new businesses. But it’s more than the CV wins. There’s a shift in how they show up. More confidence, clearer vision, and a renewed sense of purpose. Before I did my own global executive MBA, alumni kept calling it “transformational.” At the time, I thought it was just a nice buzzword. Now, I know exactly what they meant.

Your book is called The Lies We Tell Ourselves—what’s one lie you used to believe?

I used to believe I wasn’t good enough to be in the room. That little voice in my head would whisper, “You don’t belong here,” especially when I was surrounded by brilliant people with impressive titles and backgrounds. It made me shrink in moments when I should have spoken up. What changed things for me was admitting it—first to myself, then to a few classmates. And you know what? So many of them had felt the same way. That’s when I realised impostor syndrome is far more common than we think. Research shows that around 70% of people experience it at some point in their lives.

I learned that the goal isn’t to eliminate imposter syndrome—it’s to stop letting it take the wheel. It still shows up from time to time, especially when I’m doing something new or stretching myself. But now I know how to quiet that inner critic and keep going anyway. I realised that if you’re in the room, you’ve earned your spot because you’ve done something to be there. 

What does growth look like to you now, in this season of your life?

Growth now means impact. I want to do more speaking, share my story, and help people realise it’s never too late to rewrite their narrative, no matter where they are. I want to see EMAP grow into a global platform that helps mid-career professionals get into top business schools and get through them without burning out. And yes, there may just be another book coming. Let’s just say… the best is yet to come.