I Started My Career One Month Before COVID — Career Pressure, Identity & Your 20s: Melissa V

Melissa V is a registered massage therapist in Ontario, Canada who started her career in February 2020 — just weeks before the world shut down. In this episode, Melissa shares how growing up as a creative kid and soccer goalie shaped her self-leadership, communication, and ability to handle pressure. We talk about choosing a career when your first plan doesn’t work out, the “big boss” stress of licensing exams, how COVID reshaped her view of job security and financial stability, and why building identity outside work matters. We also dive into her competitive powerlifting journey — and what consistency, patience, and community have taught her about long-term growth.This episode is for students, recent grads, and young professionals who feel pressure to have everything figured out — and need permission to breathe, adapt, and build a path that actually fits.