Aubrey
“I had to remind myself I’m not getting a do-over at life after work, so I learned how to break free from my outdated, toxic habits.”
Hi! I’m Aubrey,
host & creator of the Golden Approach. For almost 10 years I had been dedicated solely to a career as a Pastry Chef. I attended the “world renowned” Culinary Institute of America & worked for Hospitality leaders such as Four Seasons, Montage International, Foreman Wolf, & NOHO. Eventually my own work was featured in publications such as Baltimore Magazine, The Baltimore Sun, & Forbes. I even got to try my hand at competing on Food Network in 2020. [see more media features here]
But despite all my so called “success,” when the pandemic hit, none of that mattered.
I was still furloughed. Even as one of the lucky few to find a new position briefly after there was no denying all the ugly parts of the industry had floated right to the surface, causing people to burn out fast & leave in massive waves. Then in August 2021 I reached full burn-out myself. I pushed myself so hard at work, determined to set everyone else up for success, that I passed out on my kitchen floor afterwards. Bonus I even sprained my ankle on the way down. After spending the night at the ER & the next few weeks on crutches,
I had to be brutally honest with myself about what I wanted for the future; what was most important to me?
To be the “best”? To be some famous Chef? Honestly no. It was the people I care about. I wanted it to be my health & well-being.
I had to remind myself I’m not getting a do-over at life after work, so I learned how to break free from my outdated, toxic habits. On this journey I became a teacher, first as an adjunct professor for an accredited culinary program, then for a small business teaching baking to everyday humans. The latter is the best job I have ever had. There I was able to reconnect with my community, as well as my inner-self, sparking a new purpose. I also discovered I had a knack for making complicated ideas very accessible. Combined with a wide-lens of exposure from a young age, my hospitality background, etc, it all culminated into becoming the Golden Approach.