In this episode, I share my real story of how I came to the USA and why it is important for me to share this story with you. If you are struggling in adapting to the new healthcare and not sure how to pivot, this episode may give you motivation to do so.
Entrepreneurs are unique breeds in many ways. They like challenges and do not like to be controlled by others.
The environment cannot stop them, society cannot stop them, the government cannot stop them, and even their loved ones cannot stop them from pursuing the dreams!!
Listen to this episode as I take you back to the day I came to the USA with very little English and without my family, all alone. It was 1990.
When I look back, now I see the traits of entrepreneurs in me. I was only 19 years old and obviously didn't know why I couldn't be happy where I was in South Korea.
This episode is a very different one because I share my deep story of how I began my journey in the USA, and I hope this story inspires you and motivated you in any way, so you can continue to pivot and adapt to this new environment we are facing.
Enjoy the episode~!
Oh, please don't forget to give thumbs up and subscribe to get updates to the future episodes!!
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What's up, everyone? This is Dr. TJ Ahn, welcome to this podcast episode of podiatry profits. Today, it's going to be different. You know, I want to tell you how I came to the United States. So it's a little bit of my origin story. There's a reason for that is a story inspires you in an entrepreneur spirit way. Does that make sense? Okay, where do I start? I want to just tell you this part. It's 1990 some of you probably born later than this. So 1990 December 13. Imagine that. I was 19 years old. And I am in airplane 747. Left Seoul Korea never been to the United States and I am in the airplane. Going to the state of Tennessee. The airport was Knoxville. Never been to United States, speak only maybe minimum written English. In Korea in order to come to the United States we had to take an English proficiency test. So I I did take that test too. So I know somewhat written English and I can read. But definitely I cannot speak barely understand only basic, I guess. Greetings right. I was I still remember. I was listening to music on Sony Walkman. I don't know some of you remember this Walkman on a headphone song was from the movie Pretty Woman. Original Soundtrack. It was a fallen by Laura wood. I don't know why but I loved that tune. But um, I was listening to that song. And I also remember rock sets. Rock set in must have been love. That song was from also that CD. So whenever I listened to this song that comes out radio is crazy, right? That auditory memory, it triggers that very vivid moment. I'm going to the unknown world for a better future. At 19 years old by myself, you got to understand this too. I was I didn't come to the United States with my family. I was just so independent and different. Being in South Korea, I just felt someone's like choking me. I didn't like to feel like I am being controlled by whatever government parents society. I wanted freedom. I wanted to explore even if I was by myself in the airplane listening to these two songs over and over. Guess how I felt? I didn't feel scared at all. I wasn't afraid. I still remember vividly. I was so relieved and excited for this unknown future. To me, it's like a new frontier world that I am about to land. You know that was again 1990 December 13th. So 30 years have passed. A lot of things have happened of course, went through school, different relationships. martial arts teacher Went through different hobbies. It was, again, my very unique journey that I'm sharing with you. But this whole thing happened from that decision. I decided to leave South Korea and came to United States. You know, that's the, I think entrepreneurial spirit.
I wasn't satisfied was where I was. I feel like I deserved a bigger world. I wanted to be tested. I didn't want to be under someone's control. You know, in that case, my parents, obviously, those are the predominant ones. I know they did it for the best interest of me. Because I have now my children. I mean, how childish and how immature. I looked at my parents when I was 19 years old, I cannot imagine. But they let me go. But I was in the deep process of persuasion of my parents that I needed to go to the United States, I needed to get out of that country. And they saw my desire, strong determination. Believe it or not, since I was 14, I made the decision to come to the United States. I know. So that's maybe another episode, I'll tell you the story. But, so for five years, I've been just visualizing vividly coming to the United States, it took me five years. So when I landed the first day in Knoxville airport of Tennessee in 1990 I wasn't scared. I was ready to accept the new environment to ready to adapt and survive in the new environment. But you know, what? adapting to a new environment is was not the only time I had to consistently adapt to a new environment. It could be your own level goes up. Could it be whole society or economic change, downturn upturn, healthcare change? So I had to pivot adapt to a new environment. Now back in, I mean, just a year ago, and still now is a pandemic global shift. Here we go. I adapt again, nothing scares me. You accept that as a reality but do not give in. You need to always try to become a better version of yourself, maybe for yourself or for your legacy. Your family do not remain. We're being given up the situation, you still got so much life in front of you. So hopefully, this story inspires inspired some doctors who are listening to this episode, I really never had the chance to share that. That moment, that story, the day I came to the United States and then what was going on in my head in the airplane. Whenever I faced a new roadblock or challenge, I remember for some reason, just subconsciously, I remember that day. And then you know, I survived in the United States without my family without the English without a lot of that silver spoon type of environment. But I achieved a lot became a United States citizen, have a successful practice. And then you know, now as you know, in heavily an actively involved in consulting to help my colleagues. So I wanted to tell you about that. That burning desire and making decisions. taking a risk is definitely an essential part of successful Entrepreneurship. Sounds good. I will share another trait of entrepreneurship and different stories in the next upcoming episode. But if you like this episode, please leave me a comment. I want to hear your story. What was your defining moment in your life? Don't forget to give me a thumbs up and five-star review and subscribe to this podcast. And I will see you in next week's episode.