Choosing Peace Over Pay - Maryben's Story of Courage in the Face of Workplace Toxicity

Introduction

Ambassador Maryben Omollo is a globally recognised Mental Health and Leadership Coach, a 17-time award-winning speaker, and the Founder of the Maryben Foundation. With a global reach of over 50 million people, she has dedicated her life to building resilient and inclusive workplaces across Africa. But long before the accolades and influence, Maryben was a young professional navigating a toxic work environment—one that tested her boundaries, her mental health, and her sense of self-worth. In June 2025, she shared a deeply personal story from 2013, when she made a life-changing decision to walk away from a high-paying job at the age of 22. Her story is not just about leaving a job—it’s about reclaiming dignity, setting boundaries, and choosing peace over pressure.

The Hidden Cost of a Paycheck

In 2013, Maryben was working in a well-paying sales role. For a 22-year-old, the salary was impressive. On the surface, it seemed like a dream job. But behind the paycheck was a reality she could no longer ignore. She was enduring sexual harassment from her supervisor—an experience that left her feeling unsafe, silenced, and emotionally drained. At first, she stayed quiet. Fear and uncertainty kept her from speaking out. She didn’t know who to trust or where to turn. Each morning became heavier than the last. To cope, she began avoiding the office. She would leave under the pretense of meeting clients, only to sit in her car or hide out at a favorite café, trying to escape the pressure and anxiety that had become part of her daily routine.

A Culture of Silence and Disrespect

The harassment wasn’t limited to her supervisor. Even some clients crossed boundaries, making inappropriate comments and advances. As a young woman in sales, she felt the unspoken expectation to tolerate this behaviour in order to succeed. Despite the emotional toll, she kept showing up. She smiled through the pain, performed her duties, and tried to maintain a sense of normalcy. But inside, she was breaking. Then came the final straw. Her supervisor issued a threat: “If you don’t agree, you’ll lose your job.” That moment forced a decision. And Maryben chose herself.

Walking Away Without a Plan

She resigned. There was no backup plan, no new job waiting, no financial cushion. But what she did have was peace—and that, she realized, was more valuable than any paycheck. Leaving wasn’t easy. It meant uncertainty, financial strain, and starting over. But it also meant freedom. It meant no longer compromising her dignity for a salary. It meant reclaiming her voice and her power.

Lessons from the Journey

Looking back, Maryben reflects on the lessons that experience taught her—lessons she now shares with others navigating similar challenges:

1. No Job Is Worth Your Mental Health: A toxic work environment can erode your confidence, your peace, and your well-being. No amount of money can compensate for the damage it causes. Your mental health is not negotiable.
2. Silence Is Not Strength: Staying silent in the face of abuse is not a sign of strength—it’s a survival mechanism. But true strength lies in speaking up, setting boundaries, and walking away when necessary.
3. Boundaries Are Essential: Setting boundaries is not rude—it’s responsible. It’s how we protect ourselves from harm and preserve our sense of self. Boundaries are not barriers; they are safeguards.
4. Toxic Bosses Are Temporary—Your Future Is Not: Bad leaders come and go. But the choices you make today shape your future. Don’t let someone else’s toxicity derail your potential. Protect your path.

A Message to Those Still Enduring

To anyone silently enduring a toxic workplace, Maryben offers this message:

1. You deserve better.
2. You deserve to work in an environment where you feel safe, respected, and valued. You deserve to be heard, not harassed. You deserve to thrive, not just survive.
3. Walking away is not weakness—it’s wisdom. It’s the courage to choose yourself. It’s the strength to say, “I matter.”

The Broader Workplace Conversation

Maryben’s story is not unique. Across industries and continents, countless professionals—especially women—face harassment, discrimination, and toxic work cultures. Many stay silent out of fear, financial dependence, or lack of support. Her story is a call to action for organisations to do better. It’s a reminder that workplace culture is not defined by policies alone, but by the everyday behaviours, attitudes, and values of its people. Leaders must create environments where employees feel safe to speak up. HR departments must be equipped to handle complaints with sensitivity and urgency. And colleagues must stand in solidarity with those who are vulnerable.

Reflection

Ambassador Maryben Omollo’s decision to walk away from a toxic job at 22 was not just an act of self-preservation—it was a declaration of self-worth. It was a turning point that shaped her journey as a leader, advocate, and voice for mental health and workplace dignity. Her story reminds us that courage is not always loud. Sometimes, it’s the quiet decision to leave. Sometimes, it’s the whispered “no” that changes everything. In a world that often glorifies endurance, Maryben’s story teaches us to honour our limits, protect our peace, and choose ourselves—no matter the cost. Because no job is worth your silence. No salary is worth your suffering. And no title is worth your trauma. You are worth more.