Sometime when we don’t want to feel alone in the struggle.
I know what it is like.
Working in academia can be tough.
We want to do all the things: publish our work, teach our students, make an impact, lead teams, create international communities and mentor those who follow us.
We also want to live a balanced life, with partners, kids, friends and hobbies.
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And we want to write with joy, to follow our curiosity, and to be passionate about the work we do.
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But navigating academia is not always easy.
Especially right now.
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Global tensions are impacting our funding and research freedom.
Academic relationships take us down winding emotional roads to nowhere.
The inner critic is lurking and ready to jump forward
as we become more visible.
We fall out of love with our research or our writing.
Because what is the point of it all?
We face insecurity...
Am I doing the right thing?
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This can leave us feeling alone, powerless and ashamed.
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This is where the Breakthrough Club comes in. ​
The breakthrough CLUB is for you if ...
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You no longer want to do it alone...
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But you want support for achieving your dreams
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You want to get help prioritising amid all the things
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You want to get more writing done
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You want to quiet that inner critic
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You want ideas on how to figure out challenging relationships
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You want to take courages next step and stand confidently in your work
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You want to start playing bigger (but still need to figure out what it looks like)
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You want to gather and be in community with like-minded women
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You want to feel that academia can be fun and joyful (again) ​​​​
A heart space for women in academia
At The Breakthrough Club, we are creating a space together.
A space to just be when the world demands doing.
A space to slow down when the world demands speed.
A space to reflect and nuance.
A space for deep, meaningful conversations.
A space that helps, moves, and changes women.
And it is also a space that creates real results.
Over time, this shows up as:
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better wellbeing and a more sustainable pace
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renewed confidence and clarity about what matters
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inspiration to make career changes — big or small
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writing momentum and manuscripts that move forward and get published
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teams and groups that are led with more care, presence, and integrity
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women stepping into their light and making their work visible​
Not through pressure or performance.
But through community, reflection, and shared wisdom.
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How The Breakthough CLUB works
Who is The Breakthrough Club for?
I am currently running three groups: one for the original members of The Breakthrough Club, one for post-tenure women, and one for early career women.
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What do we do in The Breakthrough Club?
We meet online once a month for 120 minutes. The meetings are structured in a specific way, where each member, in turn, takes “the hot seat” and lays out a problem or challenge they have encountered in pursuit of their goals—something they would like help with from the mastermind group. The other members share their own (similar) experiences and brainstorm different ways to approach the situation.
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In addition to the live meetings, participants get access to a library of recorded workshops, the Big Career Without Tears course, and an exclusive library of writing prompts for inner work related to typical challenges in academic life. These writing prompts are developed specifically for The Breakthrough Club and support reflection and integration of insights between meetings. All meetings, recorded material, and community interaction take place on our private community platform, Circle.
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How big are the groups?
The groups consist of about five women each, ensuring that we get to hear everyone in each session.
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How about confidentiality?
Everything that happens in The Breakthrough Club stays in The Breakthrough Club.
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How is The Breakthrough Club different from individual coaching?
Individual coaching is a conversation between you and me as a coach. In The Breakthrough Club, you get input from every group member as well as the coach—an explosion of ideas, experiences, knowledge, and solutions. In addition to the live conversations, you also get access to a library of recorded workshops, the Big Career Without Tears course, and the exclusive writing-prompt library.
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What is Sanne Frandsen’s role in the club?
I facilitate the meetings, ensuring that everyone gets their time in the hot seat and that everyone has space to discuss their situation. I listen and provide input and feedback alongside the rest of the group members, based on my knowledge and experience.
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What is my commitment to the club?
When you sign up, you commit to participating in all meetings. Should you miss one, they are recorded and shared with the group.
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Groups and Meeting Times
The Breakthrough Club:
Original Members
For women who have previously participated in The Breakthrough Club.
Meets online once a month for 120 minutes.
Meeting time: Wednesday, 13.00 CET/12.00 PM BST
Dates:
February 4th
March 4th
April 8th
May 6th
June 3rd
July 1st
August no call
September 2nd
October 7th
November 4th
December 2nd
Who Am I?
I'm an associate professor in organization and management studies and an academic coach who has guided many women in academia to clarify their academic profiles, replacing self-doubt and setbacks with excitement, purpose, and productivity. My coaching approach is enriched by the principles of Women-Centered Coaching developed by Dr. Claire Zammit.
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What am I all about?
I focus less on traditional masculine approaches such as goal setting and pushing through, and more on nurturing female values like community, connection, process, and creativity. I believe that to enact change in our lives, we must work with intention, shift our mindsets, and enhance our practices. From my own experience – having navigated through near-burnout twice as a post-tenure academic – I am passionate about helping others craft the academic careers they've dreamed of. I've successfully secured over 1 million euros in research funding, served as head of a section, been involved in professorial recruitment, published consistently, and still found joy and time with my family, friends, and hobbies outside academia, such as yoga, nature walks, arts and crafts, writing poetry, and yes, indulging in the guilty pleasure of Netflix!