On the Pursuit of Wellness podcast, Hannah Chody shares her journey from the high-stakes world of finance at Goldman Sachs to co-founding a nut milk brand and working with an iconic popcorn company. She discusses the lifestyle shifts between New York and Austin, with the latter allowing for more spontaneity and a focus on meaningful relationships.
Chody also provides personal insights into her relationship with husband Chad, offering advice for couples on enjoying the wedding experience. Additionally, she reveals her passion for luxury fashion and tips for building an affordable designer wardrobe, reflecting on her appreciation for iconic Birkin bags from a young age.
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Hannah Chody transitioned from finance at Goldman Sachs to content creation and entrepreneurship, realizing her passion. Her shift exemplifies a move from a regulated industry to the creative freedoms of business development and online content.
Hannah worked on Goldman Sachs' high-intensity trading floor for over six years. The relentless schedule, early mornings, and regimented lifestyle ultimately led her to leave finance, as Chody says the intense culture was unsustainable.
Hannah is now co-founder of nut milk brand Fronx with her husband Chad. She also leads Garrett Popcorn's ecommerce and strategy initiatives, appreciating working with a brand she grew up with.
Moving from New York to Austin transformed Hannah's pace of life and priorities regarding social connections and spontaneity.
In Austin, Hannah embraces a less regimented lifestyle focused on meaningful friendships. Contrasting her strict New York routine, Austin allows spontaneity while still making time for wellness activities like Pilates and Forma.
Hannah and Chad met at Goldman Sachs, where he soon began pursuing her. After dating for five years, Chad proposed in Cabo. They married in Lake Como, Italy in June 2022 with 190 guests.
Hannah advises delegating organization to ensure presence on the big day itself. She stresses minimizing phone use to fully embrace the intimate moments with loved ones.
From a young age, Hannah developed a genuine curiosity about luxury fashion, particularly iconic Birkin bags. She remains unapologetic about investing in designer goods that spark her interest.
To build a luxury wardrobe on a budget, Hannah recommends focusing on key wardrobe staples, tailoring for a polished look, and exploring pre-owned designer items. Mixing in quality basics and accessories can also create sophisticated looks more affordably.
1-Page Summary
Hannah, a Chicago-born, LA-educated individual, has pivoted from a high-intensity job in finance to finding her passion as a content creator and entrepreneur. Her journey reflects a dynamic shift from the regulated world of finance to the creative and strategic arena of business development and online content production.
Hannah Chody describes her previous work in finance as a stark contrast to her current role in content creation and entrepreneurship, where she finds more joy and freedom to express her personal beliefs. Her viral TikTok video about Bachelorette party outfits catalyzed her shift from fashion posts to a more diverse array of content covering beauty, vlogging, and lifestyle topics.
Starting out of college in 2015, Hannah worked at Goldman Sachs’ sales and trading division. The trading floor, she recounts, was bustling with activity, housing 400 to 600 employees, akin to two football fields. The environment was relentless, due to the serious nature of the work, with multiple screens per employee and a flurry of phone conversations contributing to the cacophony of the space. Over the years, it became quieter with the shift towards electronic trading. Hannah’s routine was rigid, beginning early mornings, often by 6:45 a.m., for a 7 a.m. start, and ending after the market closed, typically between 6 and 7 p.m.
Towards the end of 2021, after more than six years at Goldman Sachs, Hannah left, citing the intense culture as unsustainable. The burnout made her question her future in finance and ultimately led her to pursue a path more aligned with her interests and wellbeing.
Hannah currently throws herself into various entrepreneurial efforts, combini ...
Hannah's Professional and Entrepreneurial Journey
Hannah gives insights into how her move from New York to Austin transformed her pace of life and her approach to work-life balance, social activities, and daily routines.
Hannah reflects on her experience of transitioning from the high-paced, energetic New York lifestyle to a more relaxed way of living in Austin.
She acknowledges that the move forced her to slow down and embrace the realization that life does not need to be continuously regimented. In New York, Hannah felt bound to a strict schedule, often declining social invitations to stick to her routine, including early morning workouts before heading to work.
However, since relocating to Austin, Hannah finds herself dedicating more energy to friendships. Investing in these relationships has become a vital part of her life, a stark contrast to her time in New York, where self-imposed rules limited her social engagements. She finds Austin's social climate more welcoming, allowing for the easier formation of new friendships compared to cities like New York and Los Angeles.
Hannah discusses the adaptations she's made in her daily life since moving to Austin, emphasizing a shift toward spontaneity and wellness activities.
While she maintains a fondness for her morning routine, Hannah appreciates that her day in Austin doesn't require as much structure ...
Lifestyle Differences Between New York and Austin
Personal anecdotes and observations on weddings and relationships are shared, offering insights into the journey from meeting a significant other to celebrating a decade of togetherness.
Hannah and Chad's love story showcases how a workplace introduction can blossom into a lasting relationship.
Hannah met Chad at Goldman Sachs where Chad, recognizing her from her resume, introduced himself during her early days on the trading desk. Their initial interaction was brief and though Hannah didn't think much of it at the time, they eventually went out for drinks through a mutual friend. Chad, a polite Texas native, began pursuing Hannah soon after their outing. A few months after meeting, they started dating, and Chad left Goldman Sachs while Hannah continued to work there.
After five years of dating, Chad planned a surprise proposal during a family Thanksgiving trip to Cabo. He arranged a brunch at the Waldorf under the pretext of taking family Christmas card pictures. Hannah was completely caught off guard by the surprise, which left her feeling mad for being so unsuspecting but undoubtedly elated.
Mari Llewellyn notes that Hannah regards her wedding as her "pride and joy," and Hannah shares that she and Chad tied the knot in June 2022 in Lake Como, Italy, a place of special significance for them. Despite it being a destination wedding, a noteworthy turnout of 190 guests attended the event.
Drawing from her experiences, Hannah offers candid advice to alleviate stress and enhance the wedding experience.
Hannah advises brides to lean on trusted individuals to help manage the wedding day's organization. She emphasizes planning, ...
Relationships, Weddings, and Personal Life Advice
Hannah Chody's passion for high-end fashion and luxury items is evident in her unapologetic pursuit of designer goods, including iconic items like the Birkin bags.
Since a young age of seven or eight, Hannah Chody has harbored an interest in fashion which stems from genuine curiosity rather than a desire to show off. Her fascination with luxury fashion is particularly captured in her encounter with Birkin bags. Popularized by Jane Birkin and known for their exquisite craftsmanship by the Hermes brand, these bags have grabbed Chody's attention.
Despite facing criticism for splurging on designer items, Hannah remains unapologetic about her luxury purchases, insisting that her spending choices affect no one but herself. When faced with negative feedback, especially from anonymous sources on social media, she does not hesitate to use the block button. Chody goes on to express her opinions on celebrities' fashion choices, arguing for simple and refined styles, a preference that also influences her own personal style. She also appreciates Mari Llewellyn's acknowledgment of her genuine interest and fact-based approach to luxury content.
Hannah and Mari Llewellyn discuss strategies for assembling a luxury wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Hannah recommends starting with key wardrobe staples like good jeans, pants, shirts, sweaters, blazers, and a black midi dress. She stresses the importance of tailoring these pieces to enhance their appearance and fit.
Chody advises exploring pre-owned options for luxury items such as handbags and jewelry, sharing her positive experience with purchasing like-new boots from The RealReal. Mari hints at using accessories like unique socks to enrich one's personal style.
Luxury Fashion, Beauty, and Personal Style
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