I have been fortunate to wear many hats in my life. Each role shaped me and contributed to my success, even though I didn’t realize it at the time. I was always dedicated, hard-working, curious, and eager to learn more.
My first job was as a stock boy at a grocery store when I was 16. It seemed like a normal job until I encountered moments of unfairness—whether from my boss reprimanding me over random things or witnessing my peers get into trouble. I felt an inner fire, a deep urge to defend myself and others.
My second job was one I would return to multiple times over several years. Despite quitting for various reasons, I always found my way back. The owners were kind to me in ways I needed, and that connection kept drawing me back.
My third job was my first managerial role, and I excelled. I was fair, kind, and handled stress well. However, workplace politics were another story. I was a team player, but I wasn’t afraid to call out issues that others stayed silent on.
By my mid-20s, I found myself in a career that truly challenged my mind in rewarding ways. Without a college degree, I was expected to hit a dead end, but I refused to accept that. I started as an assembler, and within five years, I became the supervisor of RF electrical technicians. Problem-solving came naturally to me, and I tackled challenges that even engineers found difficult. Always looking for the next step, I began traveling for work, diagnosing issues in the field, and making necessary repairs.
By my 30s, I started to recognize certain patterns in myself—working days on end without sleep, constantly chasing the high of accomplishment, not for my boss, but for myself. I spent years in this cycle, changing jobs within the same industry, traveling non-stop, and being home only a few days each month. Eventually, I crashed. I retired from traveling and made the choice to understand what I would later learn was bipolar I. I began my journey with medication and faced the unknown, scared of no longer feeling in control of my life.
Looking back, I truly believe my life and successes were shaped by my bipolar abilities—the same abilities that pushed me to achieve so much. Now, I’m learning to navigate them in a new way.
