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ExclusiveInterviewIG: @GYDALOVERESQ: Can you tell us more about your journey from the Philippines to Arizona and how that transition shaped who you are today?A: Absolutely! I moved to the U.S. when I was 18, barely speaking English. I remember experiencing %u201cculture shock,%u201d but I knew I had to adapt quickly to thrive, so I did. I enrolled in a community college to study business, which also forced me to learn English. Not only did I graduate with honors, but I also founded my first organization, FWBO%u2014Future Women in Business Organization. Our mission is to help other women understand what it takes to be future female entrepreneurs. Q: Can you tell us more about your journey from the Philippines to Arizona and how that transition shaped who you are today?A: Adapting to %u201cAmerican culture,%u201d or becoming %u201cAmericanized,%u201d was a huge challenge, especially moving here at 18. It was a massive shock that led me to suffer from severe anxiety and depression. In the Philippines, at least in my generation, these issues weren%u2019t discussed%u2014everything was about survival and taking care of your family.Q: What inspired you to transition from banking to the fitness and wellness industry?A: My eagerness to help others with their fitness and health journey inspired me to transition. When I first moved to the U.S., I used working out to cope with anxiety and depression.While working in banking, I also competed in bodybuilding, which taught me about fitness, nutrition, and self-discipline. I wanted to share that knowledge with others, so I left banking to become a certified personal trainer and nutrition consultant.10 MOST MAGAZINE - ISSUE 62