For ultra-marathon runner, corporate speaker and lawyer Samantha Gash, the legal world was a little too “corporate” and “conventional” for a more creatively-inclined athlete, leading to her recent decision to leave the law for a completely new career.
Having started her career as a lawyer at Baker & McKenzie last year after graduating from Monash University, Gash says her decision to leave wasn’t easy, but one she made based on her passion for creating and collaborating.
Taking five weeks off after leaving the firm, Gash says she took the time to confirm within herself whether the change was the right one for her.
“It wasn’t an easy decision. You do all that study over a long time and I was at a great law firm, but the skills that I felt that I had were skills that you weren’t able to utilise as a junior lawyer – connecting with people, problem solving, collaborating,” she says. “The [legal] environment was a little bit more corporate or conventional. I enjoy engaging with other people and creating something.”
Already an established international ultra-marathon runner and accomplished corporate speaker, Gash made the switch from the legal world to the finance world as head of sports and entertainment for boutique advisory firm, Wealth Enhancers.
A Gen Y firm that focuses on individual life goals as well as achieving financial freedom, Gash says joining Wealth Enhancers has given her the opportunity to help other elite athletes achieve their goals and dreams.
“I was interested in working with people like-minded to me, obviously on the sports and entertainment side, who are focused and goal driven,” says Gash, who now looks after new business and relationship management in her new role.
“I’ve always been interested in finance, but also the ability to maximise your opportunities and goals.
“Now I’m working in a very dynamic environment. I’m a lot more autonomous in this role and I get to be more creative and strategise. I’m now doing what I’m probably more inclined to do naturally.”
Starting ultra-marathon running in 2010, Gash has run 379kms non-stop across the Simpson Desert and completed Racing the Planet’s Four Deserts Grand Slam – that’s four 250km desert ultra-marathons in Chile, China, Egypt and Antarctica.
Gash is also a national crusader for the League of Extraordinary Women.