On this day, the 24th of June, exactly one year ago, my life dramatically changed. That was the day I finally worked up the courage to quit my job on Wall Street to pursue my passion for health & wellness.
This wasn’t just saying bye to five years of work at JP Morgan...this dates all the way back to middle school, when my parents encouraged me to apply to one of the specialized programs in my high school district. I was presented with all of about 3 options: law, medicine or business. I was too scared of blood at the time and didn’t like the thought of needing to go to grad school, so law and medicine were out. Having no idea what I wanted to do, I went with business, which felt like the broadest option available.
Naturally I continued the business education in college. My dad encouraged me to study finance because let’s face it: it’s where the money is. So I did and I’m not going to lie I crushed it. I graduated with a 3.99 gpa (1 b+ thanks ops management 😂) and I got what then seemed like dream job on Wall Street: sales and trading at JP Morgan. I remember crying when I found out I got that internship; I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t wait to call my dad when I found out I got my full time offer, since I knew he was going to finally be so proud of me.
See my parents came to this country with very little, all so they could provide for a better life for me and my siblings. They built an incredible life for us and achieved so much (truly the American dream). The bar was set high & the last thing I ever wanted to do was disappoint them...
Despite growing to hate my job I stayed...for 5 years. I was pretty damn good at it too. I climbed up the ladder, I was given opportunity, I was making a TON of money. But...I was also miserable. I was going through the motions. I was crying on the regular. I was longing for the day I could finally quit and do something I was passionate about.
Being on a trading floor was stressful. But not for the reasons that automatically jump to mind. The long hours, the ability to lose or gain massive amounts of money in a second, and the competitive nature of the job were not the worst part for me. I more so dreading the after hours... at the client & networking events. Which in a sales & trading job happened on the regular. I’ll spare the details of the multiple times that I was put in extremely uncomfortable situations, the multiple times that people saw and looked away, the multiple times that I was triggered to remember a past I burried deep inside.
After five years, it’s no surprise I started to get sick. No surprise my anxiety was through the roof. No surprise I wanted out. I guess you can say around this time last year I hit my breakthrough moment. The weekend before I was about to quit, I told my parents & boyfriend who were super supportive. I knew my dad still wished deep down I wouldn’t make this “mistake” but he didn’t stop me. I was an adult now. I realized that if I wanted to be happy, it was time that I started to figure out what I wanted. It was time I started living my life for me and no body else.
June 24th last year was a great day. I can’t explain the exhilaration, the freedom & the happiness I felt walking out of those revolving doors for the last time.
Looking back I wouldn’t change a thing. I met the love of my life at JP Morgan. I met some of my lifelong best friends. I made enough money to save up to be able to take a pay cut stress free. Most importantly, those years taught me who I was. I now have the confidence to realize that I am strong. I now know that I can get through anything. I now am able to help transform people’s lives, all because of my experiences.
So if you’re feeling a little lost, if you hate your job but are not sure where to start, if you feel like you’re going through the motions, I would love to help you find clarity and figure out what’s next. See health is about so much more than just about the food we put in our mouths, our career and environment matter just as much. I want to help you. I hope by me sharing my story you see just how much can change in one year...or how much you can let pass by. LETS DO THIS!! 2020 can still be the year your life changes.