Life Changing
Trading places
Apr 17, 2024
Dan Simmonds, a former oil trader turned zookeeper, shares his transformative journey from the high-stakes world of finance to caring for animals at London Zoo. He reflects on the intense pressures of trading, and how a chance encounter during a jog ignited his desire for a more fulfilling life. Dan describes the joy and challenges of working with gorillas, emphasizing the deep connections formed with these intelligent creatures. His story is an inspiring testament to the importance of passion and personal fulfillment in one’s career.
28:21
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Quick takeaways
- Dan Simmonds transitioned from a high-stakes finance career to a fulfilling role in animal care, rediscovering his passion for life.
- His experience highlights the importance of aligning one's career with personal values and pursuing interests without fear of failure.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Oil to Financial Industry
At age 18, the individual transitioned from a university education path to entering the oil industry, landing a role with a major company where he experienced the perks of corporate life, including an office and a personal assistant. Despite these luxuries, he quickly found himself bored and unchallenged, prompting him to seek excitement in a high-stakes investment banking environment. Upon joining the trading floor, he was met with a harsh reality of a ruthless, competitive culture, evidenced by a colleague's medical emergency on his first day. This environment was drastically different from the ease of his previous role, and he realized the cutthroat nature of finance demanded more than he was willing to compromise regarding his values.
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