She Had the Career She Wanted, Then God Told Her to Start Over with Brittany Ingram
Have you ever felt that quiet whisper telling you it's time for something different? That gentle nudge suggesting your current path, no matter how successful, might be coming to an end? In this episode, I kick back with Brittany Ingram, a former Hollywood celebrity makeup artist turned military wife, stay-at-home mom and content creator living in Japan. Brittany shares her journey from working with stars like Tyra Banks and THE Phylicia Rashad to stepping away from her career when she felt a divine calling to pivot. We talk about listening to those whispers of change, the challenges of transitioning into new roles, and how to embrace reinvention without guilt.
The Whisper That Changed Everything
At the height of her success, while working on the CBS show "All Rise," Brittany began receiving "downloads" about her career. She kept hearing the word "bigger," but couldn't understand what could be bigger than television work with consistent pay and union benefits. "I wanted to do television, and in a way that I was doing, like, episodic. So you're making more money, it's more consistent... You have made it."
When God Says "It's Over"
The confirmation came during the 2020 pandemic. With her husband deployed and managing two children during lockdown, Brittany created a prayer closet where she could connect deeply with God. It was during this time that she received unmistakable confirmation: her makeup career was over.
"I was laying in bed one night... and that's when the confirmation came. Like, this is over. And the only thing I could do, Keri, was cry, but the tears were not tears of sadness. It was almost like a chapter was closed."
The Challenges of Transition: From Working Mom to Stay-at-Home Mother
Moving from Japan back to the States and then returning to Japan as a military family, Brittany faced the reality of transitioning from a career-driven identity to full-time motherhood. The challenges were numerous including going through an identify shift, finding fullfillment outside of parenthood, solo parenting, feeling isolated in a foreign country, postpartum depression and missing being a financial contributor to her family.
Redefining Success and Purpose
Our conversion revealed important insights about living in purpose and surrendering to what God is calling you to do:
It's Not Just About Career
"I'm always associating that ['bigger'] with career and money and things, and now I have to realize that it's more than that. It is these little human lives that I have been so preciously gifted."
Multiple Reinventions Are Normal
As Brittany notes from an Instagram meme that resonated with her: "Reinvent yourself as many times as you need to." This challenges the cultural narrative that suggests changing careers or life paths is somehow failure or instability.
Purpose Over Paycheck
"Whatever I do, I want it to be purpose driven. I want God to have me on this assignment, I wanna feel good about this thing. I don't wanna just go clock in and make money."
Finding Balance: Self-Care and New Creative Outlets
Recognizing the need to maintain her own identity while serving her family, Brittany has implemented several strategies:
Intentional Self-Care
Taking small moments throughout the day for herself
Being flexible when family needs interrupt plans
Accepting that self-care doesn't always fit into neat schedules
YouTube as Creative Expression
Brittany has returned to YouTube as what she calls a "super hobby"—creating vlogs and content that allow her to maintain her creative side while staying present for her family. Her goal is eventually to work with brands and have management, but she's strategic about timing.
The Bigger Picture: Embracing Life's Seasons
This conversation challenges several cultural narratives:
Linear career progression isn't the only path to success
Stay-at-home motherhood is a valid and valuable calling
It's okay to not have all the answers immediately
Purpose can shift throughout different life seasons
Financial contribution isn't the only way to add value to a family
When God Calls, Answer
Brittany remind us that sometimes the biggest growth comes from the most unexpected pivots. Her journey demonstrate that when God calls you to something new, the path forward may not be immediately clear, but it will ultimately lead to where you need to be.
Whether you're sensing a call to leave your career, start something new, or simply shift your priorities, their message is clear: be obedient, be strategic, and trust the process.
The courage to pivot when called isn't just about career changes, it's about being open to the bigger purpose God has for your life, even when you can't see the full picture yet.
