What’s Your Passion?

What’s Your Passion?

by Rochelle Griffin

How does a well-established nurse with over 20 years experience make a decision to leave her career and take a flying leap into something that not only becomes her passion but also unleashes freedom in ways she never imagined? More importantly, WHY would she even do so? Mid-life crisis? Temporary insanity? Perhaps a little of both? Well, this is exactly what I did but before I get into the how and why, I must first give you a bit of background.

I often hear how people have dreamed about becoming nurses since they were little children…how they would nurse their dolls, apply pretend bandages, and save imaginary patients. This was never me.

Growing up a physician’s daughter, it wasn’t uncommon to hear about the day’s surgeries while at the dinner table. I remember that my favorite set of books wasn’t Nancy Drew or Little House on the Prairie, but a green 5-book set of my dad’s anatomy books. In fact, I still love to look at these when I visit. I knew that 1) I loved the human body and 2) I loved to help people. I figured that I would grow up to do something in the medical profession but I didn’t know what.

Fast forward to my first year in college. I was still undecided on my career path, vacillating between pharmacy and physical therapy, but also I discovered the thrill of being on my own for the first time. I went from being an A student to…well, let’s just say that I had “fun.”

I felt so confused about the future. I will never forget the moment that I decided to pursue nursing. I took my then boyfriend (and now my hubby) to my mom’s house for a visit. I sat in the living room with both of them and flat out exclaimed with exasperation “I’m just going to be a bag lady.” Looking at me, my mom said, “Why don’t you become a nurse? The local hospital needs nurses so badly that they are paying for nursing school.” My reply? “Hmmmmm, ok.” Thus my nursing career was born.  I kid you not.

Everything fell into place. I aced entrance exams, the hospital paid for my nursing education, and I loved all of the medical talk. Also turns out that I was pretty darn good at it!

Over the next 20 years, I worked in departments from intensive care to the recovery room, from staff nurse to nurse manager, finding the most fulfillment as a Hospice nurse. The only problem that plagued me was the lingering feeling deep in my gut that I wasn’t called to be a nurse. This confused me because technically, I was excellent at it.

However, every few months to few years, I would try a different specialty or different department in search of the “something” that would click and I would know “THIS is what I’m supposed to do.”

I didn’t find it. Quite frankly, nursing stressed me out. I didn’t like the hours, I didn’t like on-call, and I didn’t like the pressure of knowing someone’s life was literally in my hands. As a self-proclaimed emotional eater, I gained weight.

Who knew that gaining weight would lead me to my passion? I certainly didn’t. I was up really early one morning and saw one of those infomercials about a workout program. I NEVER order from infomercials but something told me to just try it. I did…and 3-months later, my health & fitness coaching career was born. Six years after that, coaching led to my Functional Diagnostic Nutrition career.

Now 7 years later, I am in LOVE with my career choices. Although stepping away from nursing was scary, it allowed me to step into everything that I was destined to become. I finally found that “something” that I had been searching for…my true passion.

All of the elements that I loved about nursing…teaching, empowering, helping people figure out how their body works and how to feel better, I am still able to do. However, my coaching & Functional Nutrition careers have also allowed me to be a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom.

By taking a leap of faith, my family now has the ultimate freedom of being together whenever we want to be AND I’m earning 7x my old nursing salary. That “blah, I have to work” feeling is completely gone.

Look…we are all designed for greatness. What are you passionate about? Don’t settle. I did that for 20 years. You don’t have to. Listen to your gut…open your ears & hear what God is telling you. When you align yourself with His plan, you will be amazed how doors will open. The sky will be the limit! 

To Living Your Best Life,

Rochelle Griffin, RN BSN FDN-P

Rochelle Griffin, The Wellness Detective™, is a Registered Nurse (with over 22 years experience) & a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition™ Practitioner who has transitioned her love for fitness, health, & freedom into a 7-figure International company that now helps others live Their Best Life.

She founded Your Best Life, Inc with her husband Keith after stepping onto the edge of physical ruin with her health & the health of their young son. Having experienced a complete turn-around, they now desire to give hope & support to those who are dissatisfied with their current situation.

PS. If you found this post to be of any value to you, please COMMENT below!