Launching this website and transitioning into fitness has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life. Not because fitness is such a challenging career path, but because it required a mental transformation.
Initially, I went into finance with the intention of getting a couple years of financial experience, which I could leverage to start my own business. Little did I know 5 years later, I would still be plugging away reading 10K’s and listening to earnings calls.
In my heart, I knew being a finance professional wasn’t for me. I’m really a right brained, creative type of guy; I play the drums and guitar, and enjoy web and graphic design to name a few interests. I like to build things and I like helping people. I’m not saying you can’t help people in finance, but finance is far too intangible for me to really enjoy. I also wanted to be my own boss and have the freedom to do what I want, when I want, for how long I want.
I left the finance world to go down the entrepreneurial path. I didn’t have a “big” business idea, but I had a mission to help overstressed working professionals improve their health and change their bodies in less time and with less hassle. I believed I could connect my insights into the urban professional lifestyle with my passion for fitness to help fundamentally change the lives of others.
Within a few months, I started a personal training and fitness coaching business to deepen my knowledge and experience. I went from eating filet mignon’s at The New York Palace while wearing tailored Zegna suits, to running around NYC training people in gym gear.
I must admit I had some moments of self doubt during this transition, even though I now know it’s my destiny. I had preconceived notions about what the right career path should be after graduating from Yale, which ended up holding me back. Most of my friends were still working in finance, or law. I always seemed to be avoiding risk, taking myself way too seriously, and sometimes felt uncomfortable with the career path I had chosen.
In addition, my interest (and at times obsession) with fitness is something that’s deeply personal. It’s like my little secret that only my close friends and family know about me. I felt that if I shared this passion with others, I would leave myself vulnerable. In a way, I was scared to embrace who I really am for fear of what others would think of me.
While there were certainly some road bumps along the way, I think there was an invisible force that pushed me down the fitness path. Maybe it was my subconscious mind that was driving me, but where I am now was inevitable.
I absolutely love my new career path and my life has changed in every way for the better. I’m laser focused on helping others and making an impact. My metamorphosis from finance professional to fitness coach and entrepreneur is complete.
I am jealous! I work in finance and wish I had the guts to change career paths like you did. Until I do, I am going to need your help in how to manage a hectic work schedule and staying in shape and feeling good about myself.
Congrats finishing the transition! Very inspirational to see you get this done.
Glad that you finally made the commitment to fitness. It seems a much better lifestyle than finance.
Looks like you found your niche!
Can I quit my job and come work for you?!
Today being properly fit is a must, I have suffered difficulties before because I don’t dare to exercise everyday but because I have seen people using exercises as a way of meditating themselves I realized that fitness is one of the most important thing to do.