ReAmbitioning Stories is a series featuring real people who have redefined ambition, success, and purpose on their own terms.

Aline Davies spent over a decade building a career in marketing across London, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. On paper, her life looked successful; fast-paced roles across industries, international experience, and upward mobility. But when burnout hit, she was forced to question everything: her work, her values, and her sense of identity.

What followed was a slow but intentional shift—from corporate ambition to personal alignment, from performance to purpose.

Meet Aline Davies

🔹 Previous Career: Brand marketing across F&B, hospitality, and design
🔹 Current Focus: Food, well-being, and purpose-led marketing communications and consulting
🔹 Platform: Sincerely Aline
🔹 Key Shift: From achievement-based identity to nourishment-focused alignment

Q: What did ambition and success mean to you earlier in your career?

I often measured my self-worth based on what I was achieving at work. From my salary and title to work accomplishments and even material possessions—those became my benchmarks. But deep down, that’s not who I am. I never wanted to be defined by those things. Still, I found myself in that corporate structure, and before I knew it, my ambition and success were being shaped by it.

Q: What made you start to question that definition?

After 10 years of non-stop working, I hit a glass ceiling. I felt stuck, close to burnout, and lost. I wasn’t progressing in the way I wanted and felt a disconnect between my values and long-term goals. I went through a moment where I felt I’d lost part of my identity. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was always questioning my abilities and what I really wanted. It took a toll on my mental and emotional health. After careful thought, I daringly decided to take a career break.

Q: How did you begin to re-evaluate your path?

During that time, I worked with a career coach. She helped me reflect on what I truly wanted. I wrote everything down: I wanted work that aligned with my purpose and passions. I wanted to connect my work to my personal values. I wanted flexible working. I wanted to give back. I wanted to be happy. That list became my reference point

Q: What was the hardest part of shifting your path?

It meant constantly being true to myself and my belief system—and learning not to question myself at every turn. I had so many moments where I had to work against that inner voice telling me I wasn’t good enough. I struggled with comparison—seeing others advance in their careers while I was still pivoting, exploring, and figuring things out. It took time and deep inner work to shift my mindset.

Q: What does success mean to you now?

Success is being of service—to others and to myself. It’s supporting individuals and communities to live healthy lives through food. It’s someone telling me they made one of my recipes and loved it. It’s collaborating on projects that align with my values and working with mission-driven businesses. It’s showing up for myself and living joyfully. It’s not comparing anymore.

Q: What are you working on right now that reflects your redefined ambition?

In 2024, I co-authored and self-published my first cookbook: Happy Hormones: Recipes to Balance and Thrive—in collaboration with functional nutrition coach and good friend, Beth Wright. It was the most challenging yet rewarding experience of my career to date. I’ve been creating recipes for years, but developing over 60 recipes and doing the photography for a book was a whole new level. It challenged me creatively and mentally.

Through Sincerely Aline, I’m building a platform that promotes nourishment through food, hormonal health, and healthier, more sustainable food systems. I want to continue sharing recipes, workshops, and collaborations that reflect who I am and what I value.

I also recently partnered with a former colleague, friend and designer of the cookbook, Cristina Stoian, to support mission-driven solopreneurs and small business owners in food, health, and well-being—helping them build and grow their brands. We both know that building a business is hard work and can often feel incredibly lonely; we wanted to create something meaningful and offer services combining our various marketing/ design skills and backgrounds.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who’s questioning their career or ambition?

Know that this too shall pass—and that you are much stronger than you realise. Ask yourself if you’re aligned with your values—both professionally and personally. Be honest with yourself. That’s the only way to stay true.

Final Thoughts: What Does ReAmbitioning Mean to You?

ReAmbitioning, to me, means realigning. It’s letting go of what no longer fits and making space for something that feels true. It’s not about playing small—it’s about playing honest.

What About You?

Aline’s story is a reminder that ambition doesn’t always mean pushing harder—it can mean getting clearer, moving slower, and choosing alignment over approval.

💬 What would your career look like if it were truly aligned with your values?
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Learn More About Aline

🌿 Website: www.sincerelyaline.com
📷 Instagram: @sincerelyaline
🔗 LinkedIn: Aline Davies

Aline Davies is a self-taught home chef, certified health coach, cookbook author, and marketing consultant. Through Sincerely Aline, she explores food as nourishment, wellness as balance, and ambition as alignment.

📌 About ReAmbitioning

ReAmbitioning is a platform exploring new ways to think about ambition, success, and purpose. If you have a story to share—or know someone who’s rethinking what ambition looks like—reach out. We’d love to hear from you.

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