Follow Your Passion
A Podcast Conversation
“The quality of my work, is the quality of their life.” -Katelyn Toole
How you show up in life is a major factor that steers your success. And by success, I don’t just mean money. As I grow older in years, I try to grow younger in spirit1. Spirit for the things I’m passionate about; passions that move me forward. Outside of money, success can be measured by the level of fulfillment you have for the things you’re doing in life, and for life itself. Passion is what fuels fulfillment, and your passion will reflect in all aspects of your work and life.
In 2020, one of the things I was passionate about was starting a podcast. Following that passion, I started the Stranger Conversations Podcast, where total strangers – the not-so-average that walk among us – could sign up to be interviewed about their life’s adventures and share the lessons they learned along the way with those outside their circle. I ran eight episodes of the show before putting it on pause in mid-2021.
In Episode 2 of the podcast, I spoke with Katelyn Toole, a veterinary nurse who’s spent most of her adult life helping animals, working closely with tigers, lions and giraffes, who has worked at many places, including Safari West in Santa Rosa, CA. During our conversation, Katelyn expressed an immense amount of passion for her work, and I could tell by the way she talked that she’s also tremendously fulfilled in her life.
Katelyn said her passion doesn’t pay well, which has caused financial struggles. However, when I asked her if she’d ever regretted not following the money, she said she would never do anything else. She said she owes it to the animals to keep doing what she does, and it would be selfish of her to take away from them by doing something else. As she eloquently put it, “the quality of my work, is the quality of their life.”
I love Katelyn’s view on life. One of the most poignant things she said regarding passion was, “your actions and your job and your career has an impact, and I think it’s important for people to be invested in that.” Powerful words from a powerful woman.
What would it be like if everyone took Katelyn’s sentiments to heart and fully committed themselves to the passions that drive them forward? Who knows, maybe the results would be powerful enough to change the tide of humanity. Or, at the very least, send a small ripple to the shores of our future. A ripple that could ultimately change the world.
I challenge everyone to heed Katelyn’s advice and follow their passions. Follow your passions and remember that what you do, no matter what it is, has an impact. Be invested in your work and fulfilment, and ultimately success, will follow.
I’m excited to share that I’m taking Katelyn’s advice and bringing the Stranger Conversations Podcast back to life after this three-year hiatus. All the previous episodes are now available at my website, or on YouTube and wherever you find your podcasts. What will effectively be Season 2 of the show is going to be a lot of fun and I’m excited to see who signs up.
If you’d like to sign up and be the next guest on the Stranger Conversations Podcast, visit my website or follow this link to the show’s calendar. Find a date and time that works for you, and I’ll be in touch to hit record on your life!
Until then, stay passionate.
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