【Midlife Career Change】Former Paramount Vice President Now a Ski Instructor! A 90% Salary Cut in Exchange for a "Zero-Email" Free Life

Being laid off in middle age may feel like rock bottom for most employees. But for a few, it can be a silver lining — the moment a second career begins to bloom.

Douglas Craig, a 58-year-old American ski instructor, was once a media mogul. He was one of the founding figures of Animal Planet, and later served as Senior Vice President of International Content Strategy at Paramount+, the streaming platform owned by entertainment giant Paramount. Last year, he was laid off due to a corporate merger and restructuring.

Craig has now switched careers to become a ski instructor, with his income dropping by 90%. Yet he is neither discouraged nor regretful, because his pace of life is far healthier than it was during his media career.

Co-founded a well-known TV channel

Douglas Craig spent over 30 years in media, working at several traditional companies including Discovery Communications, and helped launch the documentary channel Animal Planet. He later moved into digital media, working at Roku and Comcast.

His most recent job was Senior Vice President of International Content Strategy at Paramount+, where he worked with teams across eight different regions for nearly five years. Craig was proud to have helped build and launch the Paramount+ streaming platform. But last June, amid Skydance's acquisition of Paramount, he became one of the casualties of the corporate restructuring.

▲ Douglas Craig, former SVP of International Content Strategy at Paramount+, switched careers after being laid off. (Craig's LinkedIn profile)

Initially wanted to stay in the industry

"My first reaction after being laid off was to look for another job in media," Douglas Craig told Business Insider. He said he made the shortlist for a few positions he was interested in, but after much thought, he and his wife both felt they should appreciate what they already had.

The main reason was that their three children were now independent. They no longer needed to move frequently for work or maintain a high-pressure, high-income lifestyle. Instead, they wanted to spend more time focusing on health and life meaning.

Last summer, the couple stayed at their townhouse in Colorado, which they had originally intended for retirement. In the fall, his wife returned to the East Coast to teach, while Craig stayed behind to continue job hunting.

Took a 90% pay cut to become a ski instructor

Eventually, Douglas Craig found a seasonal ski instructor position in Colorado. He had loved the sport for years and had even taught his own children the basics. Since he wanted to improve his work-life balance and spend more time enjoying a slower pace, this new job seemed like his ticket.

"I always joked that after retirement, I wanted to be a lift operator or a ski instructor." That joke came true. Craig started teaching at Arapahoe Basin ski area in December, earning one-tenth of his former VP salary.

Although the income drop was significant, the couple began cutting expenses and tracking every dollar more closely. But because Craig had been consistently contributing to his retirement fund for years, and his wife's teaching salary at a local school was similar to her previous pay, they both felt they could adapt.

"We didn't waver. We saw it as an opportunity to live the life we wanted," Craig added. His father's life advice was especially important at this crossroads: "My father passed away young, so I've always held onto this: 'Do it while you can.'"

▲ Arapahoe Basin (often called A-Basin) is a legendary alpine ski area in Colorado's Rocky Mountains.

Leaving media was a financial loss, but came with significant gains

"I really miss working with my media colleagues — that team atmosphere — but not the crazy pace and constant travel."

A 90% pay cut was undoubtedly a heavy financial blow for Douglas Craig, but the biggest gain was a completely renewed pace of life. He is happy to be outdoors all the time, free from email. "It feels very liberating, like a reset."

Even before being laid off, Craig had gone through his own small midlife struggle, feeling that his current life didn't align with what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. Since most of his family and his wife were in education, "I wanted to find something more meaningful, more fulfilling, with a sense of belonging."

To his surprise, being a ski instructor brings a lot of satisfaction. Craig loves seeing students proud of their progress, and watching them enjoy skiing — especially kids.

Midlife career change starting from the bottom, no need to care about others' opinions

Douglas Craig once worried that others would see his departure from a senior media role as a failure. But he quickly let it go: "Why should I care what others think?"

Most importantly, his wife and family did not look down on him; instead, they gave him tremendous support. When he explained to acquaintances that he switched careers for a healthier pace of life, many responded with empathy: "That sounds amazing," or "I wish I could do that too."

As summer arrived, he took on another seasonal job — as a patrol ranger at an Aerial Adventure Park, also staying in the forest and outdoors. Now, when he returns from a trip, he no longer feels the reluctant pressure of "vacation is over, back to hell." "After a recent short trip, I went back to work, but life is simpler and freer now."

He advises anyone considering a career change to be honest with themselves about what they truly want. "Everyone is different, but if you're craving something else, don't ignore that need."

▲ Now working outdoors with a sense of freedom, Craig no longer feels the reluctant pressure of "vacation is over, back to hell" when returning from a trip.

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