Charles Douyon

Discovering a New Passion Beyond the Balance Sheet For professionals entrenched in the finance industry , career satisfaction can begin to wane despite external success. While finance often offers clear metrics for achievement—bonuses, promotions, portfolios—some mid-career individuals begin to crave work with more personal meaning or intellectual depth. Law, with its focus on justice, structure, and problem-solving, can offer an invigorating contrast. The decision to pivot careers is rarely spontaneous; it usually follows years of reflection, a desire for growth, or a realization that one's work no longer aligns with one's values. The legal field attracts people who want to think deeply and influence outcomes, whether for individuals, businesses, or society. Many professionals who started in investment banking, asset management, or accounting begin to see law not as a departure from their prior work, but as an extension of it, where their financial expertise can be paired with...

Law school is a marathon, not a sprint. It demands long hours of reading, relentless critical thinking, and an iron will to endure pressure that rarely lets up. For many law students , preparing for the bar exam becomes the most intense part of this journey. In the face of such academic stress, it’s easy to lose oneself in anxiety, burnout, or isolation. For me, the antidote to this chaos came in the form of an unlikely ally—running. Fitness didn’t just become a hobby during law school; it became a lifeline. As I navigated the emotional turbulence of law school and bar prep, lacing up my sneakers and hitting the pavement was what kept me balanced, focused, and sane. Finding Solace on the Sidewalks I started running casually during my first semester, primarily as a way to avoid sitting for extended periods of time. But the more intense my classes became, the more I found myself needing the mental break that running offered. Each run was a chance to step away from my outlines, flashcards...