How Debra Eckerling Transformed Burnout into a Purpose-Driven Life with The DEB Method

What if the key to your dream life wasn’t a dramatic career leap, a lottery win, or going viral on social media—but simply choosing yourself every single day? That’s the powerful and personal message Debra Eckerling shares in this episode of Living Ageless and Bold.

Debra’s journey is a testament to the quiet strength of consistency, the bravery of listening to your intuition, and the transformation that happens when you give yourself permission to dream on your own terms. As a goal-setting expert, author of Your Goal Guide, speaker, workshop leader, and host of The DEB Show, Debra has spent her life helping others define and achieve their own versions of success. But before she became the guide for so many others, she had to first learn how to guide herself out of burnout, away from expectations, and into alignment with her own passions.

In this episode, Debra opens up about her early love for planning and creativity, the turning point that forced her to reevaluate everything, and how that moment of clarity led to the creation of her signature framework—The DEB Method. She shares how she built a community, redefined her purpose, and leaned into what truly lights her up: helping people find joy, fulfillment, and direction in their lives. Her story is filled with wisdom, gentle humor, and encouragement, reminding us that life doesn’t have to be perfect or flashy to be meaningful. It just has to be yours.

Whether you’re stuck in burnout, struggling to find your next step, or simply yearning for more, Debra’s relatable journey and practical, heartfelt advice will inspire you to pause, reflect, and take that first small but significant step toward the life you truly want.

A Natural Planner From the Start

Debra Eckerling’s journey began with a natural inclination that would later define her life’s work—planning. As early as elementary school, Debra was mapping out neighborhood plays, organizing scripts, and gathering friends to bring her creative visions to life. That inner drive to create, organize, and inspire others didn’t fade. In fact, it became the foundation for everything she’s built.

But the path wasn’t always clear. Debra didn’t wake up one day and decide to become a goal-setting expert. Her story is one of self-discovery, of realizing her gift for helping others articulate their dreams and take tangible action—and it took years of experimenting, growing, and, yes, struggling to get there.

The Creative Career That Almost Consumed Her

For much of her early career, Debra was immersed in the world of writing. From journalism and corporate communications to event planning and beyond, she followed a creative path but often found herself adapting to fit into other people’s boxes.

She hit a turning point while working in a corporate job that looked great on paper but was draining her soul. She was doing all the right things, showing up, checking the boxes, doing good work but she was burnt out. The energy she once had for her work was gone. And perhaps most alarming of all, she realized she was living a life based on expectations, not passion.

Her health took a hit. Her spark dimmed. And that’s when she realized: something had to change.

Choosing Herself and Creating “The DEB Method”

Debra made a bold decision—she chose herself. She didn’t have all the answers, but she knew she couldn’t continue on autopilot. She stepped away from what wasn’t working and leaned into what she loved: helping people identify their goals and take purposeful action.

What emerged from that leap of faith was her signature framework—The DEB Method. DEB stands for:

D: Determine Your Mission
E: Explore Your Options
B: Brainstorm Your Path

This method didn’t come from theory—it came from real-life trial, error, and experience. As she helped friends and peers through job loss, career pivots, and creative blocks, she realized she had a gift for breaking down overwhelm into manageable steps. The DEB Method became her tool to help others find clarity, regain confidence, and start taking action toward their dreams.

Building a Community Around Her Purpose

Debra didn’t stop at just coaching or writing about goals. She created Write On Online, a group that started as a live community in Los Angeles and later blossomed into a vibrant digital space for writers and creatives. What started as monthly meetings at coffee shops evolved into a safe and supportive place where people from all walks of life could share their goals, celebrate progress, and stay accountable.

This community wasn’t just about writing—it was about connection. Debra built a culture of encouragement and celebration, where wins of all sizes were acknowledged. Through Facebook groups, Twitter chats, and more, she brought people together and reminded them that they weren’t alone on their journeys.

Reinvention in the Face of a Global Shift

The world changed dramatically with the onset of the pandemic. For many, the sudden shift was disorienting, and feelings of uncertainty and being lost were common. But for Debra Eckerling, the chaos presented an unexpected opportunity for reinvention—a chance to expand her impact in ways she had never imagined before.

Rather than succumb to the uncertainty that many were experiencing, Debra chose to embrace it as a catalyst for change. She saw an opening to deepen her connection with others, to provide them with not just goal-setting advice, but with a platform that could help them navigate the overwhelming sea of doubt and confusion that came with such an abrupt global shift. In that moment, Debra didn’t just react to the pandemic—she responded by pivoting and embracing the digital space.

She leaned into technology and launched The DEB Show, a livestream and podcast where she interviews authors, entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and other inspiring individuals who have navigated their own journeys of growth, reinvention, and success. It was a space where Debra could marry her passion for goal-setting with her love of interviewing others, creating a dynamic platform for both herself and her community.

The DEB Show became more than just a podcast for Debra. It became a lifeline for herself and others. It was a space where she could offer valuable insights on goal-setting, personal growth, and resilience, all while building a community that could share and support each other through these challenging times. What Debra created wasn’t about her chasing the spotlight—it was about connecting people who needed encouragement, direction, and permission to pursue what mattered most to them in the midst of a world that had turned upside down.

The Struggles Behind the Success

Debra is transparent about the ups and downs of her journey. There were times when she questioned whether she was doing the right thing. Times when her energy wavered, or when comparison crept in. But what makes her story resonate is her honesty: she doesn’t pretend the path to living your dream life is linear or easy.

She talks openly about burnout, self-doubt, and learning to navigate her own expectations. But rather than let those struggles define her, she turned them into stepping stones. Every misstep became a lesson, every setback a chance to refine her approach.

One of Debra’s core beliefs is that you always have the power to course-correct. If something isn’t working, change it. If you feel off—pause and reassess. That self-awareness and resilience are central to her story.

A Heart for Helping Others

At the core of Debra’s work is an unwavering desire to help people live better lives. Whether through one-on-one coaching, workshops, or her writing, her mission is clear: she wants people to thrive—not just survive.

Her book, Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals, distills her method into a practical, user-friendly format. It’s not just a motivational book—it’s a toolbox. Readers are guided to define what they want, explore options, and map out clear steps to make it happen.

What sets Debra apart is her empathy. She doesn’t preach from a pedestal. She walks beside you, cheering you on with practical advice, genuine encouragement, and a reminder that yes—you can do this.

Debra’s Simple Yet Profound Advice

Debra shares tips that are deceptively simple but incredibly powerful. Here are just a few gems:

Define your mission. Know what you want, why you want it, and who it helps.
Take small, consistent steps. Progress isn’t about leaps—it’s about momentum.
Check in with yourself. Ask: Is this goal still serving me?
Celebrate everything. Every step forward matters—acknowledge it.
Find your community. Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you.

She reminds listeners that goal-setting isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters. It’s not about being productive for the sake of productivity, but about aligning your actions with your true values and passions.

What Makes Debra Stand Out

Debra’s journey is inspiring not because it’s filled with flashy moments or dramatic reinventions, but because it’s real. It’s the story of a woman who listened to her inner voice, made a choice to change, and used her experience to lift others.

She’s consistent, thoughtful, and deeply intentional. Her calm energy is contagious, and her methods are rooted in both empathy and practicality. She doesn’t just talk about change—she embodies it.

And perhaps most importantly, she offers hope. Hope that it’s never too late to pivot. Hope that even in the messiness of life, you can find clarity. And hope that you don’t have to do it all at once—you just have to begin.

Start With One Small Step

If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or like your dreams are on the back burner, Debra Eckerling’s story is your sign to start again. To pick up the pen, write a new chapter, and choose yourself.

Her message isn’t just about goals, it’s about self-trust. About giving yourself permission to want more, and having the courage to pursue it in your own way, on your own terms.

So what’s your next small step?

As Debra would say: determine your mission, explore your options, brainstorm your path, and take action. You’ve got this.

Watch the full episode here: