It Was up to Me To Set Myself Free
I know the power of walking away—cleanly, clearly, and without regret.
For years, I’ve watched Brilliant people stall out—stuck in jobs, relationships, and routines that drain them.
I was one of them. Over-delivering, people-pleasing, and tolerating dysfunction.
I ignoring the signs, rationalized my exhaustion, and allowed avoidance to take over.
I already knew what needed to go – but until I made the move, I was silently agreeing to toxic environments, emotional chaos, and an overall diminished quality of life.
It felt like every day I was taking an ‘L’. I lived that. I know the cost.
Now, I’m a cautionary tale, here to help you reclaim your time, energy, and future.
My Story
I was born Brandon Rauzelle Smith, but that name held too much excess—too many expectations that I didn’t agree to.
So I removed the first four letters—B-R-A-N—and the last five—S-M-I-T-H—to get closer to my core values.
What remained was Don Rauzelle.
- Don comes from my uncle on my mother’s side—a man defined by strength, boldness, discretion, and quiet authority.
- Rauzelle is from my father—my moral compass—who modeled patience, kindness, prudence, and grounded integrity.
Together, the name reflects my values. Assertive but grounded. Strategic but principled.
Always the most observant.
I saw what others missed:
- The hidden rules
- The quiet power shifts
- The scripts people followed without question.
Being raised by Black community leaders in 80s/90s Central Virginia, their influence wasn’t loud, and their success wasn’t about titles.
They observed, strategized, and took action.
I watched them build churches, change laws, and craft spaces where Black families could thrive.
That was the standard.
I grew up with the priviledge of being surrounded by Black dignity.
For them, the real game was about understanding how systems shaped behavior.
- The Education System
- The Political System
- The Legal System
- The Tax System
- The Industrial System
- The Hospital System
- [...]
That lens shaped everything for me.
It eventually led me to a Master’s degree in Sociology; studying how systems shape behavior, how culture re-enforces norms, and ultimately – why people stay in places they know are bad for them.
In my early twenties, I stepped into the corporate world, where I found brilliant people getting crushed in the grind.
- Underpaid
- Undervalued
- Disrespected
Everyone was enduring—telling themselves it would get better, making excuses, and staying far longer than they should.
And I did, too—until I realized:
What you tolerate today determines where you end up tomorrow.
I saw some of the most highly educated and well-resourced professionals on the face of the planet, struggle to leave what they knew was bad for them. (?!)
They chose grief over relief – and it made me wonder:
Are these really the people I should be building my life around?
You can’t build a healthy new from an unhealthy now.
I wasted years pouring my energy into fixing, proving, and enduring – believing that if I just worked harder, tolerated more, or stayed long enough, things would change.
Why? Because I never learned how to leave.
Instead, I stayed.
I shrank. I settled. I stalled out.
But I found a way to LEAVE WELL so I could LIVE WELL.
No matter what was happening in my life—personally, professionally, or spiritually—I knew one thing:
I wasn’t going to spread the virus of bitterness, frustration, and negativity to those around me.
I refused to be yet another source of negativity in the world.
There is a better way.
That's why I built The E.X.I.T. Framework
—to help you set yourself free.
When you EXIT well, you accelerate your progress toward what you actually want.
If you’re ready to confirm your feelings, handle your sh*t, and leave with love, let’s begin.
About Don Rauzelle
Don is an EXIT Advisor, Trust Strategist, and Corporate Sociologist who empowers high-achieving individuals to break free from unhealthy personal and professional environments. With nearly two decades of experience in the technology and publishing industries, Don has worked with iconic global brands, including Adobe, Google, and Electronic Arts. Leveraging a fusion of corporate expertise with transformative coaching, he guides clients through high-stakes transitions with precision, confidence, and integrity.
As a Corporate Sociologist, he helps organizations diagnose cultural dynamics and social inefficiencies that impact performance, collaboration, and long-term success. His ability to decode human behavior enables companies to anticipate failures, build alignment, and drive change.
At the individual level, Don is known for his EXIT Framework, helping professionals confront self-doubt, silence fear, and make strategic exits from unaligned roles, toxic relationships, and restrictive lifestyles. His expertise lies in identifying the psychological forces that keep people trapped— then giving them the strategic tools to reclaim their personal agency.
Don holds a master’s degree in Sociology from George Mason University, and his insights have been featured at international conferences, such as the Game Developers Conference, and highlighted in prominent media outlets, including VICE and KTVU Fox 2.
With a focus on underrepresented leaders and purpose-driven professionals, Don’s mission is clear: to help others stand in their dignity, leave negativity, and embrace their authenticity.
