Before launching her fitness studio, Michelle Gross dedicated her career to being an operating room nurse in New York City and Greenwich, CT, where she built a strong foundation in health and wellness. But after years of treating patients, Michelle finally discovered her true passion was rooted in prevention, inspiring her to empower individuals to avoid illness altogether! A transformative moment, influenced by her young (and super talented) Broadway star daughter, Leila, compelled Michelle to take a bold step and establish Studio50Fitness in Mamaroneck, NY, just before the onset of the pandemic. Originally focused on dynamic group fitness classes like Mega, Hot Barre, Scorch HIIT, and Hot Flow Yoga, the studio has since expanded to include health coaching, weight loss programs, and non-surgical cosmetic and wellness treatments. In this episode, Michelle shares her journey of overcoming the challenges of running a fitness studio during COVID-induced closures and restrictions. She reflects on the valuable insights she has gained about herself along the way and highlights the essential mindset that she believes can lead anyone to cultivate a fulfilling career at any stage of life!

Christa opens 2025 with a deeply personal solo episode focused on self-growth! She introduces "The Let Them Theory" from Mel Robbins' inspiring book, encouraging listeners to let go of others' opinions and prioritize what truly matters to them. Sharing her own struggle to balance dreams and family responsibilities, she connects the theory to the show's theme of pursuing professional fulfillment and encourages listeners to free themselves from the burden of controlling external situations. This uplifting episode sets a positive tone for the year ahead, inviting meaningful self-reflection and growth!

Cheryl Brause co-founded Pause To Be Present in Westchester, NY, a premier mindfulness and meditation studio. However, she wasn’t always an entrepreneur! Cheryl spent most of her career as an investment banker with Goldman Sachs and then as a corporate litigator. After a decade of personal practice and training, she decided to pivot her career to focus on something that truly inspires her: teaching the transformative practice of mindfulness meditation! With Pause To Be Present, Cheryl has created and led hundreds of indoor and outdoor programs, teaching mindfulness to thousands of adults, teens, and children in schools, businesses, and private settings, both locally and nationally. Don't miss this episode of Bucket List Careers, where you’ll discover the powerful story of Cheryl’s “next act” and learn how she successfully made this life-changing leap!

Learn more about Pause To Be Present here:

https://pausetobepresent.com/

Jeremy George, founder of BucketMatch.ai and TEDx speaker, left behind 10+ years working at software and tech companies in sales and business development roles to build something that empowers people to pursue their bucket lists! Jeremy walks us through his transformative journey, including a 52-Week Challenge, his "what a year project", where he completed 52 bucket list items in a year, serving as the foundation for BucketMatch.ai, an online platform that helps individuals pursue their dream goals.  In this episode, Jeremy unpacks the importance of finding one's purpose, the impact of COVID-19 on his life choices, and the concept of Ikigai, emphasizing the significance of community support, goal setting, and the courage to take leaps of faith in pursuing a fulfilling life. He offers valuable lessons from this pivotal experience, illustrating how it informs his vision for helping others realize their potential. Tune in to learn how BucketMatch.ai encourages individuals to actively pursue their life goals!

Links:

Jeremy's TEDx Talk ⁠https://www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_geor... BucketMatch.ai ⁠https://www.bucketmatch.ai/⁠ Jeremy's Year in Review ⁠https://www.whatayearproject.com/⁠

Mary Olson-Menzel's impressive career journey began in TV news, but after several successful transitions, she found her ideal role as an executive coach, entrepreneur, and author of the national bestseller “What Lights You Up?” Mary shares how her new book guides readers in navigating the complexities of the modern world to uncover their professional purpose! With over 30 years of leadership experience across diverse industries, including media, technology, and healthcare, she has collaborated with a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies to startups. And in this episode, Mary unpacks the importance of storytelling in career change, mastering your online presence, excelling in job interviews, and staying committed to achieving success in a new role. Listen in to this week’s episode of Bucket List Careers for an insightful conversation about transforming your career to find fulfillment and growth!

Aviva Kamander, a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and psychotherapist for two decades in New York, discusses her transformative journey from traditional therapy to coaching mission-driven business owners. She shares valuable insights in this episode on overcoming limiting beliefs, staying true to one’s values, and achieving a balanced, fulfilling life. Listen in for inspiration from her perspective on career changes at any stage and her ongoing challenge with self-promotion in her coaching business. Tune in to explore Aviva's journey and the lessons she’s learned along the way!

Shani Lynn Sherman is proud co-owner of Locals 10538, a vibrant dining and event space dedicated to fostering a sense of community through its engaging live music performances, private party offerings and the tantalizing, locally-sourced seasonal cuisine crafted by her husband, acclaimed New York chef Peter Sherman. Drawing from her performance experience including notable musical theatre, TV and film roles (not to mention her title of Miss Indiana 1996), Shani's professional journey has seamlessly integrated critical facets of business she picked up along the way, leading to what she calls her most meaningful role as a successful restaurateur in her own hometown. In this insightful episode, Shani shares her pivot narrative highlighting how to achieve a delicate equilibrium in your career—a path that is not only personally rewarding and driven by passion, but also optimally harnessing a distinct skill set!

Jess Galica has an extensive business background, working in management consulting at Bain & Company and holding positions at Apple, Siemens, and various start-ups. In 2020, she shifted her focus to researching and writing about women's experiences in the workplace, driven by her own journey into motherhood. Drawing from her personal story and research involving over 150 successful women, she has become a leading authority on women's career reinvention. Jessica holds an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management and a BA from Georgetown University, and she is dedicated to being a present mother to her two young children. Today, she serves as a business leader, executive coach for high-performing women, and a corporate speaker and podcast host, addressing topics such as building meaningful careers, advocating for workplace equity, and balancing motherhood with professional ambitions!

The brains behind Su Casa Mezcal and a well-known name in the wine and spirits industry, Joey Angelo had twenty years of sales and marketing experience before his "aha moment" led to the creation of his own unique brand of mezcal, the fastest-growing liquor category in the US.  Su Casa Mezcal was born after Joey co-founded the popular canned margarita brand MARGS and served as President/Co-Owner of VIVA XXXII Tequila. Additionally, he was an early investor in Rumble Boxing, a high-profile fitness concept that was later acquired in a deal valued at over $300 million. Come along as we delve into Joey Angelo's evolution and gain valuable insights into the realm of liquor sales, marketing, branding, and entrepreneurial triumph!

In this episode, we dive into Jennifer Mullen's inspiring journey from a successful career in education to becoming a holistic health coach. Jennifer shares how she found her true passion in guiding others toward transformative wellness after transitioning from special education and sales for a clean-crafted wine company. She opens up about the bold decision to pursue her calling in integrative health coaching and discusses her experiences with imposter syndrome during her career pivot. This empowering conversation sheds light on how Jennifer became her own boss and is a must-listen for anyone seeking motivation and insights into following their passion. Tune in to the full episode on your preferred podcast platform or watch the video version on YouTube!