What if that “wrong turn” is actually the path to purpose?
In this heartwarming and candid episode, Gia chats with Matthew Alamar—co-lead of Financial Literacy PH, host of the Upward Stream podcast, and a fellow electronics engineering graduate. Together, they unpack his wildly unexpected career journey: from aspiring MassComm student to Biomed engineer, hopeful OFW to pharmacy sales assistant, to finally building one of the Philippines’ most trusted financial education communities.
Matt opens up about the twists in his journey—missed applications, failed exams, visa issues, burnout—and how each one led to growth, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose. This episode is a masterclass in grit, pivots, and finding your ikigai through service.
🎙️ In this episode, we talk about:
· How a college mishap landed Matt in ECE
· Falling in love with Biomed through field exposure
· The job hunt struggle in Dubai—and working in sales despite being an engineer
· Rising from shelf-wiping to becoming the first Filipino manager in his company
· People management lessons and Middle East leadership growth
· The pivotal family losses that led him into financial literacy
· Growing Financial Literacy PH from 200 to 200,000+ members—and why trust is everything
· Why ikigai can evolve, but core values stay the same
· Rejecting the myth of being “self-made” and sowing good seeds
· Books that helped him navigate major transitions
· Why podcasting became his go-to creative outlet
This episode is for anyone navigating change, stuck in-between, or trying to reconnect with purpose. Matt’s story reminds us that detours have value—especially when you keep showing up for your growth and for others.
📚 Books & Authors Mentioned:
📖 Life Is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler – on navigating nonlinear lives
📖 The Earned Life by Marshall Goldsmith – on letting go of success myths and starting anew each breath
📖 How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World by Dorie Clark – on patience and legacy thinking
📖 Works by Mark Manson – for his bold, truth-telling approach to mindset and meaning
📖 How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick – on being a multi-passionate multipotentialite
📚 REKO Staff Pick for This Episode:
✨ Ang Autobiografia ng Ibang Lady Gaga by Stefani J. Alvarez — A witty take on identity, reinvention, and OFW life. Perfect for those who resonated with Matt’s Middle East journey.
📌 ABOUT THE GUEST
Matthew Alamar is a financial literacy advocate, content creator, and podcaster. He co-leads Financial Literacy PH, a Facebook community with 200,000+ members dedicated to empowering Filipinos through accessible finance education. A former electronics engineer and Biomed professional, Matt now uses his platform to guide others through stories of service and self-discovery.
From board exams to Dubai pharmacy shelves to building inclusive online communities, Matt’s journey reflects what it means to stay grounded in growth and purpose.
⏳ Episode Timeline (Condensed):
00:00:00 – Selling vitamins in Dubai: the unexpected starting point
00:03:00 – Missing MassComm, ending up in ECE, falling for Biomed
00:08:30 – Working in Manila and flying around PH for Biomed
00:15:00 – Moving to Dubai, facing visa setbacks, working retail
00:23:00 – From shelf-wiper to manager: habits, exams, and hustle
00:34:00 – Going home, discovering Financial Literacy PH
00:43:00 – Trust and growth in online communities
00:48:00 – Matt’s evolving ikigai and multipotentialite life
01:00:00 – Sunk cost fallacy and breath as reset
01:07:30 – Final advice: sow good seeds, no one is self-made
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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By Gia SantosWhat if that “wrong turn” is actually the path to purpose?
In this heartwarming and candid episode, Gia chats with Matthew Alamar—co-lead of Financial Literacy PH, host of the Upward Stream podcast, and a fellow electronics engineering graduate. Together, they unpack his wildly unexpected career journey: from aspiring MassComm student to Biomed engineer, hopeful OFW to pharmacy sales assistant, to finally building one of the Philippines’ most trusted financial education communities.
Matt opens up about the twists in his journey—missed applications, failed exams, visa issues, burnout—and how each one led to growth, resilience, and a deeper sense of purpose. This episode is a masterclass in grit, pivots, and finding your ikigai through service.
🎙️ In this episode, we talk about:
· How a college mishap landed Matt in ECE
· Falling in love with Biomed through field exposure
· The job hunt struggle in Dubai—and working in sales despite being an engineer
· Rising from shelf-wiping to becoming the first Filipino manager in his company
· People management lessons and Middle East leadership growth
· The pivotal family losses that led him into financial literacy
· Growing Financial Literacy PH from 200 to 200,000+ members—and why trust is everything
· Why ikigai can evolve, but core values stay the same
· Rejecting the myth of being “self-made” and sowing good seeds
· Books that helped him navigate major transitions
· Why podcasting became his go-to creative outlet
This episode is for anyone navigating change, stuck in-between, or trying to reconnect with purpose. Matt’s story reminds us that detours have value—especially when you keep showing up for your growth and for others.
📚 Books & Authors Mentioned:
📖 Life Is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler – on navigating nonlinear lives
📖 The Earned Life by Marshall Goldsmith – on letting go of success myths and starting anew each breath
📖 How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World by Dorie Clark – on patience and legacy thinking
📖 Works by Mark Manson – for his bold, truth-telling approach to mindset and meaning
📖 How to Be Everything by Emilie Wapnick – on being a multi-passionate multipotentialite
📚 REKO Staff Pick for This Episode:
✨ Ang Autobiografia ng Ibang Lady Gaga by Stefani J. Alvarez — A witty take on identity, reinvention, and OFW life. Perfect for those who resonated with Matt’s Middle East journey.
📌 ABOUT THE GUEST
Matthew Alamar is a financial literacy advocate, content creator, and podcaster. He co-leads Financial Literacy PH, a Facebook community with 200,000+ members dedicated to empowering Filipinos through accessible finance education. A former electronics engineer and Biomed professional, Matt now uses his platform to guide others through stories of service and self-discovery.
From board exams to Dubai pharmacy shelves to building inclusive online communities, Matt’s journey reflects what it means to stay grounded in growth and purpose.
⏳ Episode Timeline (Condensed):
00:00:00 – Selling vitamins in Dubai: the unexpected starting point
00:03:00 – Missing MassComm, ending up in ECE, falling for Biomed
00:08:30 – Working in Manila and flying around PH for Biomed
00:15:00 – Moving to Dubai, facing visa setbacks, working retail
00:23:00 – From shelf-wiper to manager: habits, exams, and hustle
00:34:00 – Going home, discovering Financial Literacy PH
00:43:00 – Trust and growth in online communities
00:48:00 – Matt’s evolving ikigai and multipotentialite life
01:00:00 – Sunk cost fallacy and breath as reset
01:07:30 – Final advice: sow good seeds, no one is self-made
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.