OUTLINE
00:00 – Welcome & intro to Ange McDonald
01:00 – Ange’s background and legal career
04:30 – Moving back to the Hunter Valley
08:00 – Building community beyond the city
10:45 – Running, connection & parkrun friendship
12:00 – Early money memories and beliefs
16:00 – Shifting from employee to business owner
20:00 – Why Ange chose to become a barrister
24:00 – Defining success & “rich girl life”
30:00 – Daily habits for financial and personal wellbeing
36:00 – Quick fire: rituals, beliefs & values
42:00 – Where to find Ange & closing notes
THE ERIN DAVIS SHOW
Erin Davis (Host): Erin, welcome to the podcast. This week, we have Ange McDonald with us. Ange and I met at parkrun, and she’s a super keen runner like I am, but she’s also a phenomenal woman who I just want to get to know more personally. We’ve connected, but not deeply yet. Ange, I’d love for you to introduce yourself and tell us who you are and what you do.
Ange McDonald (Guest): Hi everyone, I’m Ange McDonald. I’m a barrister — that’s the lawyer who talks in court and sometimes wears the wig and robes, though in my area of law I don’t often have to, which is a blessing. I live in the Hunter Valley with my wife and our 11-year-old daughter. Running has become a real passion since we moved back here. I grew up in the Hunter but spent 15 years in Sydney working in corporate law. I now also run my own business and podcast. My business is a membership that helps small business owners understand their legal obligations without huge legal fees. We offer one-on-one calls, a template library, and monthly coaching calls. Our podcast, Start Up and Running, is about business and running — combining my passions. We talk about how physical activity helps business owners and interview other runners who are entrepreneurs, including Erin, whose episode is coming soon. I also have a lovely dog called Clover. Life in the country is pretty good these days.
Erin Davis: That’s amazing! What made you decide to move back to the Hunter Valley?
Ange McDonald: I grew up in Kurri Kurri and went to high school there. I did my first degree in Communications at Newcastle Uni — I thought I’d be a film director and even worked at NBN for a while. When my wife got a job in Sydney, we moved and I ended up at SBS. Her family encouraged me to consider law, so I studied at UNSW and moved into corporate law, specialising in intellectual property — trademarks, copyright, patents. Most of the work was in Sydney or Melbourne, so I thought I had to stay there. Then COVID hit, and it turned out I could work from anywhere. We realised we could swap our Sydney apartment for a house in the Hunter, be close to family and nature, and give our daughter more freedom. We moved quickly and bought the first house we saw — and it’s been the best decision. There’s such a sense of community here that you just don’t get in the city.
Erin Davis: Yes! In the city it’s so easy to get caught up in that isolating routine, whereas community feels so different in regional areas.
Ange McDonald: Exactly. In Sydney, even living in an apartment block, I might only know two people. Here, I know all my neighbours, we have street Christmas parties, and I run into people all the time while walking Clover or getting coffee. The interactions keep you grounded and connected. It’s such a different quality of life.
Erin Davis: I love that we first connected at parkrun. We were both out there doing what we love. It’s funny how those small conversations can grow into real friendships.
Ange McDonald: Yes! I saw you and your sister in your Runlee packs and struck up a chat. That led to running together, podcast swaps, and even signing up for UTA.
Erin Davis: Haha, yes, I may have pushed you into that!
Ange McDonald: I didn’t need much convincing. I’d been talking about it on my podcast, so it was good to get the nudge. Thanks for that!
Erin Davis: Ange, what’s your earliest memory of money, and how has it shaped your beliefs around it?
Ange McDonald: I remember in kindergarten putting coins into the little yellow envelopes for our bank accounts — learning the value of saving. My parents were working-class, so while I never felt I went without, I was aware we didn’t have endless money. That gave me respect for it, but also some anxiety. As a barrister and business owner now, income can fluctuate month to month, which can be stressful. I try to adopt a zen mindset — that money will flow in if I focus on adding value. I’ve learned to embrace the ups and downs rather than fight them.
Erin Davis: Yes, that shift from employee to business owner is huge. As a business owner, there’s no guaranteed pay cheque, and you carry the responsibility for everything.
Ange McDonald: Exactly. Billing as a barrister takes so much time, with detailed invoices for every hour. That’s one part of the job I don’t love. But the flexibility is worth it. I’d never go back to being an employee. I love being able to control my work, take time off for my daughter, or go for a run when I need to.
Erin Davis: So why did you choose to become a barrister?
Ange McDonald: I wanted to specialise in court work, especially strategy. As a barrister, you’re self-employed and can choose the cases you take on. I’m part of a chambers in Sydney that focuses on commercial and intellectual property law. It’s challenging but rewarding. Passing the bar exam was tough — most people fail — but I wanted the independence and the challenge.
Erin Davis: What’s your version of being “rich” or living a “rich girl life”?
Ange McDonald: For me, it’s waking up early, enjoying coffee, time with my wife and daughter, walking Clover, and chatting with neighbours. That’s real wealth. In Sydney I had the “successful” career, but I was missing the simple joys. Now, success for me is happiness, gratitude, and flexibility, not material things.
Erin Davis: Beautifully said. What are some small habits that support that life?
Ange McDonald: Financially, I focus on earning consistently through barrister work, but with my membership, I focus less on numbers and more on helping people. I know that if I provide value, the income follows. Personally, running is my anchor. It keeps me fit physically and mentally, and it gives me space to process ideas.
Erin Davis: Quick fire before we wrap up: favourite “rich girl ritual”?
Ange McDonald: Coffee!
Erin Davis: Something you no longer apologise for spending on?
Ange McDonald: Coffee and avocado toast.
Erin Davis: Debt-free joy or designer splurges?
Ange McDonald: Debt-free joy.
Erin Davis: What’s the money belief you’ve let go of?
Ange McDonald: That money doesn’t grow on trees.
Erin Davis: Value you live by daily?
Ange McDonald: Gratitude.
Erin Davis: Love that. Ange, where can people find you?
Ange McDonald: Instagram is where I’m most active — @startupandrunning_au. I’m also on TikTok and YouTube. My website is stan.store/startupandrunning where you can learn more about my membership. And of course, my podcast Start Up and Running with my co-host Peter, where we talk about business, running, and interview inspiring entrepreneurs.
Erin Davis: Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your story, Ange. I love how you’ve created a career that works for your life, not the other way around.
Ange McDonald: Thank you Erin, this has been such a joy.
Erin Davis: Thanks everyone for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe, share this episode, and tag me on Instagram @erindavismoney. You can find more info and shownotes at www.erindavis.com.au/podcast