how coach jay fields improvised an alternative to cubicle life

“The message was clear: good people work at the expense of their happiness and health to provide for their family,” says Jay Moon Fields, reflecting on the stories she internalized growing up about what adulthood looked like.

A lot of us grow up thinking that the pursuit of happiness is somehow wrong — like it makes us selfish, or like joy just isn’t a realistic life goal. And wellbeing? That’s a nice-to-have, not a necessity.

As obviously misguided as this way of thinking may be, it still permeates our culture in a big way. Which is why I love Jay’s story. Jay looked around at the life she saw modeled by the adults in her life and said, “No, thank you.” She summoned the courage she needed to carve her own path in life, a path that centered meaning and fulfillment and wellbeing — her own and other people’s.

I’m excited to share her story with you.

Click the button below for an illustrated version of Jay’s story.