Ready for a Career Switch with Erika & Genar
The theme this month on the podcast is careers! We're covering everything from switching to leveling up in your career, salary negotiations, and everything in between. This is a huge conversation topic with our clients at Financial Gym because so many factors are at play when making decisions around our career choices. Spoiler alert: it's not all about money.
Joining me today are Erika and Genar, two Trainers at Financial Gym who recently made a career switch to become Financial Gym employees. They joined today to share the factors that led to their personal decisions, how they help clients assess whether or not it's time to make a career shift, and the best ways to do it.
What are we drinking?
Erika - Coffee (light & sweet)
Genar - Ashwagandha tea
Shannon - Coffee (light & sweet)
Podcast Notes
How did you find your way to The Financial Gym?
Erika’s personal finance journey started after a breakup, and in her research, she first found Martinis and Your Money. Her friends and family started coming to her for money advice, and she realized she wanted to transition her current position managing a customer service team to something that aligned with her personal values, like helping others. After completing the CFT program, Erika was offered a job at The Gym.
Genar had been bouncing around different industries but hadn’t thought seriously about what he wanted to do long-term. Two years into his personal development/finance journey, he learned about The Financial Gym. He felt like this was his opportunity to do something truly meaningful. After being denied initially, the interview process took a year and ten months, but he was persistent and was hired to be part of the team.
Shannon had the idea for Financial Gym when she was 35 years old. For 9 years, her career goals revolved around making money. She went from making six figures to $0 pursuing her Financial Gym dream. There have been challenges on the path, but she knows it’s her soul’s journey to help people, and she’s never questioned her choice.
What keeps people from making a change?
Shannon loves coaching clients through significant changes. There are so many reasons people stay stagnant, even if their gut is telling them something needs to shift.
It can be the fear of change in general or a fear of a different financial situation. You can make a plan for the financial side, but it is essential to also look at the situation holistically.
Some people have fine or good jobs, making leaving even more challenging. It’s hard to let go of something good for something great. You have to trade in something that may not align with you.
If you’ve been with a company for a long time, you may feel loyal to them. Or even if you like the people that you work with.
Sometimes, we’re scared that we won’t have support from our family, friends, or community.
Erika and Genar had supportive partners through their transition, making the process easier, but that isn’t always the case when you’re shifting.
When Shannon shared her idea with her now ex-husband, he was frustrated with her. All of Shannon’s family thought she was out of her mind, except Nana. After Shannon was on The Today Show, it legitimized The Financial Gym for the people in her life.
Tips and thoughts for making a career switch.
Listen to your gut. If you feel like you need to make a change, lean in and don’t be afraid to start taking steps to make it happen.
If you are considering a career shift, sitting down and reflecting on your current job can be helpful. What do you like about it? What do you not like about it? Write down your reflections so you have a clear visual reference.
Get clear about what you want. Once you know, take courageous action to find what feels true for you.
It is easier to find a new job while you’re already employed. Don’t be afraid to look for other jobs. You have to take care of yourself and your family. The ride of a change is much smoother when you are in control rather than waiting for the universe to take the reins.
Sometimes a job is just a job that pays, and that’s totally okay. You do not have to love your work. If you find meaning elsewhere in life that makes you happy, you do not have to find fulfillment in your job.
Get creative about how you approach the switch. You do not need to return to school or take on debt for most industries. There are ways you can get into a new industry without a lot of money.
Start networking with people who are in the industry or have the job you want. Ask them what their day looks like. This can help you determine if this job you’d enjoy doing.
If you are worried about the finances, you can make a plan (A Financial Trainer can help with this)
At the Gym, they see people switch to a lower salary, but their overall financial health improves. This is because when people are happier at work, there are shifts in their spending habits.
Sometimes you need to make a radical shift, like moving in with your family. It can be scary, but it can be what you need. Don’t shy away from tough decisions and radical shifts.
Takeaway: My biggest takeaway is the importance of viewing your job through a number of different lenses. Making a job shift shouldn’t just be about money and if you don’t weigh all of the factors, you may end up making a poor choice for you personally.
Random Three Questions
Appetizers or dessert?
Morning person or night person?
Travel or stay home?
Connect with the Guests
Meet Erika Moromisato, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer
Meet Genar Mendez, Level 2 Certified Financial Trainer
If you have any topics you would like me to cover on this podcast, or if you’d like to get in the financially naked hot seat, I encourage you to email me at Shannon@fingyms.com, or join the private Martinis and Your Money Face, and let me know what you want to hear.
A recent Financial Health Network study revealed that only 31% of Americans were financially healthy. Only 23% of women and only 15% of black people were. Financial health is a crisis in the US but it doesn’t need to stay that way. At the Financial Gym, we’ve spent the last 10 years working one-on-one with our members to help them achieve their financial health goals.
With a 90% success rate and with memberships starting as low as $35 a month, Financial Gym is not only the inflation-proof source for financial wellness for anyone but also a trusted and capable partner for your financial wellness journey. Head over to, or send friends to, financialgym.com and schedule a warm up call today. As a reminder, our warm up call team is staffed with amazing and current Financial Gym clients that can answer any of your questions about our program without any pressure to join. The call is free, so you have nothing to lose.