I went from corporate America to a healthcare field where I specialize in pediatrics. I had enjoyed the corporate job, but a day came when it just seemed clear that it was not feeding me any more.

I had to go back to school, so I had a very scary year of prerequisites where I was not sure I was going to get into a program. I had saved some money, but I still needed to take out some loans which was also frightening. I was without a job for three years, which was terrifying.

I had a lot of authority in my old job, and suddenly I was back to the position of being a rank amateur. I had to let go of a lot of the ego that attached to my old achievements, which was the most difficult part. Then I found a Chinese phrase that said, "before you can do something great, you have to look ridiculous to the crowds." I carried that around with me for a few years. You just have to accept that you will be bad at the new thing till you are good at it.

I am grateful every day that I made the change. It was one of the most radical, and most rewarding things I have ever done.