This bears repeating: PhDs who end up working outside the academy (for whatever reason) are not failures. The academy has no monopoly on great and important work. There are great success to be had in other sectors. Enough already with the professional elitism.
Who had a Rumspringa before their PhD, what did you do, and how did it affect you? I worked in real estate finance for a year between MSc and PhD. I don't really use the experience in my research, but it gives me insight in understanding the world around me.