Deep Transformation: From Corporate Ambitions to Valuing Life and Purpose

Deep Transformation: From Corporate Ambitions to Valuing Life and Purpose

In the fast-paced corporate world, success is often defined by prestigious titles and material achievements. In the culture I grew up in, we are taught from a young age to be productive, suppress our strong emotions, and prioritize certain social relationships that value visible success over genuine human interaction. We are judged by our grades, pressured to be the best students, and constantly pushed to compete. We’re told not to be overweight, to look good, and not to show too much emotion. Although my family always allowed me freedom and my parents never demanded perfection, society as a whole seems programmed to create this pressure in our daily lives, limiting the natural range of emotion we experience.

From my youth, I was driven to achieve significant milestones in the corporate world, aspiring one day to leadership positions like General Director or CEO. Recognizing my privileged position and combining it with my discipline and dedication, I had the opportunity to live and work in four different countries. By the age of 24, I was already leading commercial teams and later had the chance to manage operations in a country. At each stage of my life, in various ways, I succeeded, often standing out as the best. These experiences not only advanced my career but also enriched my life, providing valuable lessons and opening new doors that contributed to my personal and professional growth.

However, in 2021, an unexpected melanoma diagnosis abruptly changed the course of my life. This event was the catalyst for a drastic shift in my perspective on both my life and career. While many people associate melanoma exclusively with the skin, in my case, this advanced type of cancer manifested in a lung and the duodenum, further challenging my physical health and shaking the foundations of my daily life philosophy. This diagnosis not only marked the beginning of my cancer journey but also initiated a critical decision-making process, where I had to rethink the relentless pursuit of corporate success that had until then dominated and defined my existence, questioning what I truly valued and considered important in life. My health and care team played a crucial role in guiding me through this transformative period, supporting both my physical and mental health.

Through this process, I educated myself about different types of cancer and understood the importance of a holistic approach to cancer treatment and patient well-being. This involves consulting many specialists, a journey often referred to as the “onco-tour.”

Gratitude or Cancer Diagnosis?

From right to left: my oral chemotherapy for 2 years, the nodule that started it all in 2021, and metastasis in the duodenum in 2021.

Becoming an oncology patient after receiving the devastating news that I had melanoma felt like a brutal blow, an abrupt and profound change in my daily reality. This diagnostic process was complex and filled with uncertainty and guilt. We always think that these things happen to others: to a neighbor, to a distant cousin. We get so caught up in our daily routine that we forget that everything can change at any moment. Every decision we make opens up a range of infinite possibilities, a fact we often overlook.

The routine of meetings and travel that marked my day-to-day life gave way to a schedule dominated by medical appointments and treatments, transforming my reality into a profound “patient experience,” full of constant uncertainty about my future. I made the mistake of searching the internet for survival statistics, carcinogens, life expectancy, risk factors, types of skin cancer, treatment options, and alternative therapies… searches that only fueled my anxiety.

Suddenly, my concerns about promotions and recognition transformed into a daily struggle to maintain my health, well-being, and quality of life, intensely depending on continuous medical care.

One morning after undergoing a medical procedure at 7 a.m. I vividly remember dealing with the side effects while attending a meeting in the restaurant of the hospital, which I had started calling my “coworking space.” This unexpected routine, where I alternated between oncology treatments and work meetings, clearly exemplified how corporate scheduling and the pursuit of success still had a grip on me. In the afternoon, I had more medical appointments, highlighting the challenge and adrenaline of balancing my health with my work responsibilities.

As I sat in the waiting room, surrounded by walls adorned with the doctors’ certificates and academic achievements, I realized that those symbols of success that had once impressed me so much now lost their relevance compared to the hope of receiving good news about my health. At that moment, I understood that my true battle was not for a title or a position, but for something much more fundamental: my own life.

Values in Review: Lifestyles

As my treatment progressed, my perspective on what truly matters began to clear. While I still value my time in the office and productive meetings, I have come to better appreciate the time spent with my family and friends. Additionally, I have found great satisfaction in activities such as cooking my own meals, tending to my terrace garden, and meditating—healthy habits crucial for my well-being. I have discovered that beyond promotions and professional recognition, enjoying these moments and freeing myself from the constant pressure of work is essential for my well-being and quality of life.

I recognize that I still have much to learn. For instance, sometimes I miss the opportunity to greet beloved family members more often, and occasionally I let external situations, both personal and professional, affect me more than they should, even though I eventually find the solution.

One night, after an emergency hospitalization, I had an experience that perfectly captures the surreal and intense nature of those moments. Amid fever and chronic pain, I became obsessed with the idea that the room thermostat was to blame. In my delirium, I convinced my mom around 2 a.m. to look up the brand and instructions for the device on her phone. Though the task was improbable, she humored me, trying to “fix” the air conditioning by attempting to remove an imaginary screw from the thermostat, which was actually just a button. By daylight, with a clear mind and pain under control, this episode turned into a memory that is both comic and touching, a testament to how love and support manifest in the most unexpected acts.

Keeping myself busy with work was my strategy to avoid drowning in the uncertainty of the awaited results. It was a necessary distraction, a way to maintain a sense of purpose and normalcy in a situation that was anything but normal.

Nowadays, I find happiness as an individual contributor. Around me, I see most of my colleagues and those starting their careers focused on climbing the corporate ladder; they want more titles, they aspire to lead teams. While I value the professional experiences I’ve had, I long for a quieter phase in my career. I dream of the possibility of retiring soon or perhaps dedicating myself to helping people going through similar situations as mine. This desire reflects a profound transformation in my priorities and how I define success on a personal and professional level. It’s increasingly evident that many people with successful careers face personal issues, find themselves lonely, and suffer from health problems caused by stress, impacting their quality of life.

From right to left: Udemy team event in 2022 and conference in 2023

I admit that this change hasn’t been easy. Deciding to step away from the adrenaline and endorphins of recognized success was just the first step; the real struggle has been internal, facing and letting go of the anxiety about the material things I might lose or stop receiving. If you’re experiencing something similar in your career and are considering a change, it’s important to recognize that while deciding to change can be simple, letting go of the anxiety about material achievements, recognition, power, and the lifestyle you’re accustomed to can be truly challenging. Prioritizing your quality of life over these aspects can be a very difficult transition—a tough process that requires great mental strength.

Fortunately, I deeply enjoy my work: I love collaborating with my clients, colleagues, and Udemy instructors, and I find great satisfaction in my daily tasks within an organization that truly has a purpose. As with any rapidly growing global company, we face the challenge of adapting and understanding the different realities of each market we operate in. We navigate through a mix of right decisions and mistakes, typical of the dynamics of a large organization. Despite these challenges, considering everything, the balance clearly tilts towards the positive; my work has a significant impact and helps thousands of people.

The Art of the Unpredictable in Everyday Life

With each follow-up exam, the shadow of uncertainty grew denser, bringing with it many negative feelings. I learned to live with the constant fear of receiving bad news, an unwelcome companion that daily reminded me of the challenges I faced. However, amid this anguish, I found strength in the most unexpected places. The support of my family, encouraging messages from friends and colleagues, and each small victory in my cancer treatment became beacons of hope.

Moreover, the support of my health and care team has been invaluable. One of my doctors, recognizing the emotional burden of my diagnosis, introduced me to meditation and breathing practices. These techniques have been fundamental in complementing my treatment, helping me better manage stress and keep my mind centered and serene amidst the whirlwind of emotions and medical appointments.

These gestures of support not only helped me stay focused but also reinforced my optimism, fueling my resolve to keep fighting and believe in the better days still to come.

Conclusions: Writing to Heal and Help

I write this testimony not only because my therapist has strongly encouraged me to document this process for healing, reflection, and confronting my fears, but also because I know many people who are going through similar situations. Many of them, perhaps not due to illness, are seeking to rethink life in a different way and want to free themselves from the socially accepted definition of success that goes against the quality of life. Additionally, I want to connect with others with cancer who are facing similar situations; sharing real testimonies can be a source of support.

I’m not an expert in writing; in fact, drafting these thoughts and experiences has been a great challenge for me. I am deeply grateful to artificial intelligence and the courses I’ve taken on Udemy, which have given me the tools to articulate my experiences and share this final article. And, of course, I can’t help but be a natural salesperson—it’s not easy—so I had to throw in a bit of publicity for them too. Through these lines, I hope to inspire others to reconsider what they value, to find strength in challenges, and to define success on their own terms.

This process has cultivated a tolerance and resilience in me that I never imagined having, giving me the unique ability to creatively face and solve any challenge. Where some see problems and negativity, I have learned to see love, options, and solutions. Everything can be solved, even changing cancer cells for normal cells—I CHOOSE TO LIVE! for my friends who have closely shared this journey with me.