One year since I left journalism: A reflection on change, growth and building the life I want

Kimberley Caines • July 11, 2025

One year ago, I closed the door on my 12-year career in journalism.


From the newsroom to Parliament House, I lived and breathed breaking news, told stories that mattered, and worked alongside some of the most talented people I know.


But somewhere along the way, a quiet voice kept getting louder:

Was this still the life I wanted?


The answer surprised me.


It was no.


Not because I didn't love journalism - I did.


But because I was ready for more. More freedom. More creativity. More control over the life I was building.


So, I took the leap.


What's happened since


In the 12 months since leaving journalism, my life has changed in ways I couldn't have imagined. I've:


- Acquired a sustainable underwear brand, NICO Underwear, and learnt every aspect of the business.


- Launched PreservHer - a platform empowering women to understand their fertility options and take control of their future.


- Immersed myself in business education - everything from private equity to leadership, acquisition, marketing and mindset.


- Travelled across New Zealand, the United States, and Canada.


- Created a life built on freedom, flexibility, and purpose.


It's been the most challenging and fulfilling year of my life.


I've made mistakes. I've questioned myself. I've grown - quickly and deeply. And I've never felt more aligned.


What I've learned


Here are a few things this past 12 months has taught me:


1. You're allowed to evolve.


It's okay to outgrow a path, even a successful one. Your identity isn't fixed - and that's a beautiful thing.


2. Starting over isn't starting from scratch.


I didn't leave 12 years of journalism behind - I brought it with me. The skills, the stories, the instinct. All of it now fuels my work in business.


3. You don't need all the answers to begin.


You just need a vision, and the willingness to learn fast. The rest happens step-by-step.


What's next


I'm only just getting started.


With NICO, we're continuing to grow our community and push boundaries in sustainable design, comfort and inclusivity.


With PreservHer, I'm on a mission to change the way women talk about egg freezing and fertility - through education, empowerment, and honest storytelling.


There are more projects on the horizon. More pivots, no doubt. But for now, I'm proud of where I've landed.


A note to anyone dreaming of change


If you're in a season of uncertainty - if you're feeling pulled towards something different - this is your reminder:


- You're allowed to choose a new path.

- You're allowed to back yourself.

- You're allowed to build something you're proud of.


It won't always be easy. But it will be worth it.


Thanks for being part of the journey.

PreservHer is the world’s first dedicated egg freezing education platform.
By Kimberley Caines July 1, 2025
PreservHer has been created to give women real information, not pressure. We offer free resources, expert webinars, and private 1:1 consults to help women make informed decisions about their fertility, on their timeline.
Donald Trump says IVF isn't the way to support reproductive health.
By Kimberley Caines June 23, 2025
We need better education, earlier intervention, and more support for women's fertility. But we also need to be real - sometimes IVF is the only path left.
Serena Williams' experience has sparked change for female athletes thinking about family planning.
By Kimberley Caines June 12, 2025
In a ground-breaking move, the WTA will now protect the rankings of players undergoing fertility procedures like egg freezing - a policy shift sparked in part by Serena Williams' dramatic ranking drop after maternity leave.
Kimberley Caines is 35 and childless - an ache she can’t ignore.
By Kimberley Caines June 9, 2025
This age isn’t just a milestone - it’s a biological marker. A reminder that time matters. For women, fertility isn’t something we can delay indefinitely. It moves forward - even when the rest of our lives aren’t quite ready.
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By Kimberley Caines May 6, 2025
It was a career-defining moment that didn’t happen by chance -I spotted the opportunity and went after it.
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This is the question more women should be asking themselves.
By Kimberley Caines April 11, 2025
Did you know that women are born with every egg they'll ever have, and they never make more?
Kimberley Caines' eggs before being put on ice.
By Kimberley Caines March 13, 2025
Eleven days before Treasurer Jim Chalmers encouraged Australians to have more babies to boost the dwindling birth rate, I received an email from my fertility provider asking for patients to donate their frozen eggs. Australia is experiencing one of the lowest fertility rates in history.
By Kimberley Caines February 26, 2025
No one teaches us about the timing of our fertility - until it’s too late. More women are sharing their struggles with infertility, wishing they had known more when they were younger. I froze my eggs in my 20s to give myself choices for the future, and I’ve been an advocate for fertility education ever since. We need to have these conversations earlier so people can make informed decisions about their bodies. Let’s change the narrative.
Kimberley Caines froze her eggs in her 20s to take control of her future fertility.
By Kimberley Caines February 20, 2025
It’s hard to imagine that at 28 years old, the quality and quantity of my eggs were already deteriorating. This was not due to a medical condition but simply my age.