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Acknowledge Your Inner Compass – A Journey From Investment Banker To DJ | Annie Oelmann | TEDxWHU


yes hello everyone my name is nao

yes hello everyone my name is nao and indeed it is a very special honor to

and indeed it is a very special honor to

and indeed it is a very special honor to be back in the sacred halls of the WSU

be back in the sacred halls of the WSU

be back in the sacred halls of the WSU because I did spend many years here and

because I did spend many years here and

because I did spend many years here and I graduated in 2006 and went to London

I graduated in 2006 and went to London

I graduated in 2006 and went to London to be an investment banker and today I’m

to be an investment banker and today I’m

to be an investment banker and today I’m a professional DJ what the hell happened

a professional DJ what the hell happened

a professional DJ what the hell happened so just to give you an example of the

so just to give you an example of the

so just to give you an example of the difference so I would like to take you

difference so I would like to take you

difference so I would like to take you through my last ten years of the journey

through my last ten years of the journey

through my last ten years of the journey and more importantly I want to talk

and more importantly I want to talk

and more importantly I want to talk about the factors actually that led to

about the factors actually that led to

about the factors actually that led to such a crucial change not only career

such a crucial change not only career

such a crucial change not only career but obviously in lifestyle because many

but obviously in lifestyle because many

but obviously in lifestyle because many people when they hear about the top line

people when they hear about the top line

people when they hear about the top line of the story from banker to DJ they they

of the story from banker to DJ they they

of the story from banker to DJ they they immediately say oh my god that’s so

immediately say oh my god that’s so

immediately say oh my god that’s so courageous of you you know you you left

courageous of you you know you you left

courageous of you you know you you left the corporate world and do your own

the corporate world and do your own

the corporate world and do your own thing and follow your dreams but to be

thing and follow your dreams but to be

thing and follow your dreams but to be honest that’s the only part of the story

honest that’s the only part of the story

honest that’s the only part of the story and actually it’s not the story at all

and actually it’s not the story at all

and actually it’s not the story at all because I don’t think it was courage at

because I don’t think it was courage at

because I don’t think it was courage at all because I want to show that it was a

all because I want to show that it was a

all because I want to show that it was a lot more subtle factors at work and it

lot more subtle factors at work and it

lot more subtle factors at work and it was more like let’s call it a correction

was more like let’s call it a correction

was more like let’s call it a correction on my path towards self-realization but

on my path towards self-realization but

on my path towards self-realization but I’m going to talk more about that so

I’m going to talk more about that so

I’m going to talk more about that so let’s let’s begin so I want to basically

let’s let’s begin so I want to basically

let’s let’s begin so I want to basically walk you through my journey so I brought

walk you through my journey so I brought

walk you through my journey so I brought a few things so I want to put this as my

a few things so I want to put this as my

a few things so I want to put this as my that’s my DJ cornerstone and this is my

that’s my DJ cornerstone and this is my

that’s my DJ cornerstone and this is my investment-banking

investment-banking

investment-banking come honest and with a few guys and

come honest and with a few guys and

come honest and with a few guys and actually I want to sail you through my

actually I want to sail you through my

actually I want to sail you through my journey and not walk through my journey

journey and not walk through my journey

journey and not walk through my journey because as you might have seen I liked

because as you might have seen I liked

because as you might have seen I liked the idea the whole framework of my talk

the idea the whole framework of my talk

the idea the whole framework of my talk is the inner compass so I believe that

is the inner compass so I believe that

is the inner compass so I believe that somehow we have

somehow we have

somehow we have something within us that will lead us

something within us that will lead us

something within us that will lead us towards fulfilling our potential but

towards fulfilling our potential but

towards fulfilling our potential but what do I mean my potential well it’s a

what do I mean my potential well it’s a

what do I mean my potential well it’s a bit of an abstract concept but I believe

bit of an abstract concept but I believe

bit of an abstract concept but I believe it’s a mixture of our capabilities and

it’s a mixture of our capabilities and

it’s a mixture of our capabilities and skills our interests and our needs and

skills our interests and our needs and

skills our interests and our needs and there’s a line in psychology that

there’s a line in psychology that

there’s a line in psychology that suggests that an individual will always

suggests that an individual will always

suggests that an individual will always follow a path towards fulfilling their

follow a path towards fulfilling their

follow a path towards fulfilling their potential if the circumstances are

potential if the circumstances are

potential if the circumstances are supportive but however if there’s any

supportive but however if there’s any

supportive but however if there’s any factors hindering them from doing so it

factors hindering them from doing so it

factors hindering them from doing so it can lead to inner conflict so I want to

can lead to inner conflict so I want to

can lead to inner conflict so I want to I want to take this as an idea for my

I want to take this as an idea for my

I want to take this as an idea for my story okay right let’s start so here I

story okay right let’s start so here I

story okay right let’s start so here I am I want to start here Here I am at the

am I want to start here Here I am at the

am I want to start here Here I am at the end of school so I was 18 years old and

end of school so I was 18 years old and

end of school so I was 18 years old and I knew I wanted to study business

I knew I wanted to study business

I knew I wanted to study business because I was quite analytically minded

because I was quite analytically minded

because I was quite analytically minded I liked structure deficiency and I

I liked structure deficiency and I

I liked structure deficiency and I wanted to apply that in real-life

wanted to apply that in real-life

wanted to apply that in real-life situations so also I had always been

situations so also I had always been

situations so also I had always been quite good at school and in my youth I

quite good at school and in my youth I

quite good at school and in my youth I played three different types of sports

played three different types of sports

played three different types of sports or single sports no team sports and in

or single sports no team sports and in

or single sports no team sports and in all of them I ran in competitions so

all of them I ran in competitions so

all of them I ran in competitions so very early on I had internalized a

very early on I had internalized a

very early on I had internalized a liking for competitiveness for

liking for competitiveness for

liking for competitiveness for performance and a belief that I could

performance and a belief that I could

performance and a belief that I could gain validation through achievement so

gain validation through achievement so

gain validation through achievement so no wonder then when I heard about this

no wonder then when I heard about this

no wonder then when I heard about this university I was like alright then so I

university I was like alright then so I

university I was like alright then so I applied only to this University and then

applied only to this University and then

applied only to this University and then you know did that mission test got

you know did that mission test got

you know did that mission test got accepted and started studying so there I

accepted and started studying so there I

accepted and started studying so there I was on the way and naturally this kind

was on the way and naturally this kind

was on the way and naturally this kind of highly achievement and performance

of highly achievement and performance

of highly achievement and performance driven environment kept on feeding into

driven environment kept on feeding into

driven environment kept on feeding into into that focus on achievement in

into that focus on achievement in

into that focus on achievement in hindsight I realized that I’ve been

hindsight I realized that I’ve been

hindsight I realized that I’ve been motivated by you know my own projected

motivated by you know my own projected

motivated by you know my own projected image of a competent and successful

image of a competent and successful

image of a competent and successful businesswoman so that was what I was

businesswoman so that was what I was

businesswoman so that was what I was following so I specialized in finance

following so I specialized in finance

following so I specialized in finance and then a year before graduation I went

and then a year before graduation I went

and then a year before graduation I went to London to do an internship with

to London to do an internship with

to London to do an internship with Merrill Lynch and I pretty much enjoyed

Merrill Lynch and I pretty much enjoyed

Merrill Lynch and I pretty much enjoyed it well in hindsight I’m not quite sure

it well in hindsight I’m not quite sure

it well in hindsight I’m not quite sure whether it was the work the job or

whether it was the work the job or

whether it was the work the job or London that I enjoyed more but anyway

London that I enjoyed more but anyway

London that I enjoyed more but anyway when they make me a job offer for the

when they make me a job offer for the

when they make me a job offer for the year after

year after

year after I happily accepted so I went back to uni

I happily accepted so I went back to uni

I happily accepted so I went back to uni for my last year and I danced my way

for my last year and I danced my way

for my last year and I danced my way through school because I was like yeah I

through school because I was like yeah I

through school because I was like yeah I landed a great job and I was proud and

landed a great job and I was proud and

landed a great job and I was proud and happy and elated and you know did the

happy and elated and you know did the

happy and elated and you know did the bare minimum to get my degree and I’m

bare minimum to get my degree and I’m

bare minimum to get my degree and I’m sure professor Rudolph who actually

sure professor Rudolph who actually

sure professor Rudolph who actually wrote my lab final thesis with I think

wrote my lab final thesis with I think

wrote my lab final thesis with I think he can attest that how terrible my final

he can attest that how terrible my final

he can attest that how terrible my final thesis was but anyway so there I was I

thesis was but anyway so there I was I

thesis was but anyway so there I was I handed in my thesis the day after I flew

handed in my thesis the day after I flew

handed in my thesis the day after I flew to New York for investment banking

to New York for investment banking

to New York for investment banking training and you know I had the time of

training and you know I had the time of

training and you know I had the time of my life and then I moved to London to

my life and then I moved to London to

my life and then I moved to London to start working so so far so good I had

start working so so far so good I had

start working so so far so good I had achieved the first cornerstone of being

achieved the first cornerstone of being

achieved the first cornerstone of being that competent and successful

that competent and successful

that competent and successful businesswoman

businesswoman

businesswoman I had achieved validation through

I had achieved validation through

I had achieved validation through achievement I was 22 years old I worked

achievement I was 22 years old I worked

achievement I was 22 years old I worked for one of the most well known

for one of the most well known

for one of the most well known investment banks at the time at least

investment banks at the time at least

investment banks at the time at least and I earned my yearly starting salary

and I earned my yearly starting salary

and I earned my yearly starting salary was close to a hundred thousand euros so

was close to a hundred thousand euros so

was close to a hundred thousand euros so I was proud my parents were proud so

I was proud my parents were proud so

I was proud my parents were proud so what the hell happened then so let me

what the hell happened then so let me

what the hell happened then so let me give you more context about London so I

give you more context about London so I

give you more context about London so I moved to London and I moved into a

moved to London and I moved into a

moved to London and I moved into a six-bedroom place with you know six

six-bedroom place with you know six

six-bedroom place with you know six other young people who were all not

other young people who were all not

other young people who were all not bankers so they were all just normally

bankers so they were all just normally

bankers so they were all just normally young people doing some jobs and you

young people doing some jobs and you

young people doing some jobs and you know doing enjoying life in the meantime

know doing enjoying life in the meantime

know doing enjoying life in the meantime and also a tiny it seems like a tiny

and also a tiny it seems like a tiny

and also a tiny it seems like a tiny factor but actually I think it was

factor but actually I think it was

factor but actually I think it was pretty big was that I had negotiated one

pretty big was that I had negotiated one

pretty big was that I had negotiated one month off with my team so I didn’t start

month off with my team so I didn’t start

month off with my team so I didn’t start working straight away but I had one

working straight away but I had one

working straight away but I had one month off in London fully paid which was

month off in London fully paid which was

month off in London fully paid which was great and so basically I immersed myself

great and so basically I immersed myself

great and so basically I immersed myself into into London and so I went out a lot

into into London and so I went out a lot

into into London and so I went out a lot I watched lots of live bands and I was

I watched lots of live bands and I was

I watched lots of live bands and I was really soaking up that live that

really soaking up that live that

really soaking up that live that exciting life and it felt like I was

exciting life and it felt like I was

exciting life and it felt like I was kind of you know catching up on

kind of you know catching up on

kind of you know catching up on everything that I that I haven’t had in

everything that I that I haven’t had in

everything that I that I haven’t had in my performance focus student years so

my performance focus student years so

my performance focus student years so then when I then started working after a

then when I then started working after a

then when I then started working after a month it was like I had kind of two

month it was like I had kind of two

month it was like I had kind of two personas it felt like you know during

personas it felt like you know during

personas it felt like you know during the day I was the investment banker and

the day I was the investment banker and

the day I was the investment banker and doing all other times I was that

doing all other times I was that

doing all other times I was that you know experience seeking fun-loving

you know experience seeking fun-loving

you know experience seeking fun-loving rock chick and but I was determined to

rock chick and but I was determined to

rock chick and but I was determined to be able to combine those two it actually

be able to combine those two it actually

be able to combine those two it actually gave me a lot of strength to know I had

gave me a lot of strength to know I had

gave me a lot of strength to know I had two personas and I was like yeah I’m

two personas and I was like yeah I’m

two personas and I was like yeah I’m gonna do this well if you go you know as

gonna do this well if you go you know as

gonna do this well if you go you know as you can imagine that didn’t quite work

you can imagine that didn’t quite work

you can imagine that didn’t quite work out so you know working 12 hours a day

out so you know working 12 hours a day

out so you know working 12 hours a day alone actually takes a lot out of you so

alone actually takes a lot out of you so

alone actually takes a lot out of you so you know I got more and more physically

you know I got more and more physically

you know I got more and more physically exhausted at first so lack of sleep

exhausted at first so lack of sleep

exhausted at first so lack of sleep exhaustion and you know and I felt more

exhaustion and you know and I felt more

exhaustion and you know and I felt more and more suffocated and during the day

and more suffocated and during the day

and more suffocated and during the day so at work I was getting more and more

so at work I was getting more and more

so at work I was getting more and more lethargic and unmotivated and I couldn’t

lethargic and unmotivated and I couldn’t

lethargic and unmotivated and I couldn’t wait the day was over so I could do all

wait the day was over so I could do all

wait the day was over so I could do all these other things that you know I

these other things that you know I

these other things that you know I wanted to be doing and to live that life

wanted to be doing and to live that life

wanted to be doing and to live that life that I had just about discovered for

that I had just about discovered for

that I had just about discovered for myself so that inner conflict between my

myself so that inner conflict between my

myself so that inner conflict between my two personas grow grew stronger and

two personas grow grew stronger and

two personas grow grew stronger and stronger and I felt so suffocated and

stronger and I felt so suffocated and

stronger and I felt so suffocated and also my my private persona started

also my my private persona started

also my my private persona started infiltrating my professional one so I

infiltrating my professional one so I

infiltrating my professional one so I think I stretched the dress code at the

think I stretched the dress code at the

think I stretched the dress code at the bank as far as I could and in my breaks

bank as far as I could and in my breaks

bank as far as I could and in my breaks I was smoking roll up cigarettes so I

I was smoking roll up cigarettes so I

I was smoking roll up cigarettes so I was kind of becoming this a rebel and

was kind of becoming this a rebel and

was kind of becoming this a rebel and after a while I realized it just it got

after a while I realized it just it got

after a while I realized it just it got so bad so did this inner conflict I knew

so bad so did this inner conflict I knew

so bad so did this inner conflict I knew I was wrong I had to get out and I knew

I was wrong I had to get out and I knew

I was wrong I had to get out and I knew it wasn’t just a decision about the

it wasn’t just a decision about the

it wasn’t just a decision about the career I knew it was a decision about

career I knew it was a decision about

career I knew it was a decision about how I wanted to live my life so after

how I wanted to live my life so after

how I wanted to live my life so after six months of banking here I quit so let

six months of banking here I quit so let

six months of banking here I quit so let me symbolize that by taking my jacket

me symbolize that by taking my jacket

me symbolize that by taking my jacket off

off

off so this is my investment-banking jacket

so this is my investment-banking jacket

so this is my investment-banking jacket right so what happened then I had no

right so what happened then I had no

right so what happened then I had no idea what to do next I mean I had no

idea what to do next I mean I had no

idea what to do next I mean I had no goal I had no further go I had all these

goal I had no further go I had all these

goal I had no further go I had all these years I had set my sales straight to

years I had set my sales straight to

years I had set my sales straight to here and suddenly I was like I don’t

here and suddenly I was like I don’t

here and suddenly I was like I don’t know I had no idea but this is what I

know I had no idea but this is what I

know I had no idea but this is what I think this is pretty crucial because

think this is pretty crucial because

think this is pretty crucial because metaphorically I took my sales down and

metaphorically I took my sales down and

metaphorically I took my sales down and just started drifting on the waves of

just started drifting on the waves of

just started drifting on the waves of life

life

life and I think this is unconsciously of

and I think this is unconsciously of

and I think this is unconsciously of course this is when my inner compass

course this is when my inner compass

course this is when my inner compass actually started being able to work and

actually started being able to work and

actually started being able to work and to guide me so this is so the black

to guide me so this is so the black

to guide me so this is so the black compass was meant to be the one that was

compass was meant to be the one that was

compass was meant to be the one that was really you know the conscious decision

really you know the conscious decision

really you know the conscious decision to be in amazement banker and now the

to be in amazement banker and now the

to be in amazement banker and now the red compass is kind of guiding me into

red compass is kind of guiding me into

red compass is kind of guiding me into another direction so what happened well

another direction so what happened well

another direction so what happened well there’s 10 years between here and there

there’s 10 years between here and there

there’s 10 years between here and there so I got to kind of summarize the

so I got to kind of summarize the

so I got to kind of summarize the important part basically professionally

important part basically professionally

important part basically professionally you could say it was a disaster so I was

you could say it was a disaster so I was

you could say it was a disaster so I was working in lots of freelance part-time

working in lots of freelance part-time

working in lots of freelance part-time jobs I was working in PR advertising

jobs I was working in PR advertising

jobs I was working in PR advertising marketing admin I was working in cafes

marketing admin I was working in cafes

marketing admin I was working in cafes and at one point I worked at Topshop of

and at one point I worked at Topshop of

and at one point I worked at Topshop of clothing retail store on Oxford Circus

clothing retail store on Oxford Circus

clothing retail store on Oxford Circus for six pounds an hour but it didn’t

for six pounds an hour but it didn’t

for six pounds an hour but it didn’t matter because on the other hand on the

matter because on the other hand on the

matter because on the other hand on the private side of things other things

private side of things other things

private side of things other things happen so to start with one turning

happen so to start with one turning

happen so to start with one turning point was pretty much still when I was a

point was pretty much still when I was a

point was pretty much still when I was a banker but I was you know I was at a

banker but I was you know I was at a

banker but I was you know I was at a live concert and as I you know watch

live concert and as I you know watch

live concert and as I you know watch quite a lot of good live gigs and then

quite a lot of good live gigs and then

quite a lot of good live gigs and then one night I realized that I was always

one night I realized that I was always

one night I realized that I was always watching the drummer and total

watching the drummer and total

watching the drummer and total fascination and then I was like I had a

fascination and then I was like I had a

fascination and then I was like I had a lightbulb moment I was like I’m gonna

lightbulb moment I was like I’m gonna

lightbulb moment I was like I’m gonna learn the drums and so I did I bought

learn the drums and so I did I bought

learn the drums and so I did I bought myself a drum kit and started taught

myself a drum kit and started taught

myself a drum kit and started taught myself drumming and it was so it was so

myself drumming and it was so it was so

myself drumming and it was so it was so easy it was so like natural I learned so

easy it was so like natural I learned so

easy it was so like natural I learned so quickly my brain was soaking it up it

quickly my brain was soaking it up it

quickly my brain was soaking it up it was literally like as if something came

was literally like as if something came

was literally like as if something came out that was already there it was really

out that was already there it was really

out that was already there it was really crazy

crazy

crazy so I started drumming and at the exact

so I started drumming and at the exact

so I started drumming and at the exact same time I met again fait compass

same time I met again fait compass

same time I met again fait compass whatever I met a guy a lovely guy at a

whatever I met a guy a lovely guy at a

whatever I met a guy a lovely guy at a pub and he played in a band and he was

pub and he played in a band and he was

pub and he played in a band and he was like well our drama is about to quit do

like well our drama is about to quit do

like well our drama is about to quit do you not want to maybe step in and I was

you not want to maybe step in and I was

you not want to maybe step in and I was like I was I was terrified

like I was I was terrified

like I was I was terrified but I was like hell yeah my got to step

but I was like hell yeah my got to step

but I was like hell yeah my got to step in so after about three months of

in so after about three months of

in so after about three months of drumming I think I played my first gig

drumming I think I played my first gig

drumming I think I played my first gig in a band so great and I mean that band

in a band so great and I mean that band

in a band so great and I mean that band didn’t ask very long but this lovely guy

didn’t ask very long but this lovely guy

didn’t ask very long but this lovely guy and me we founded our own band and that

and me we founded our own band and that

and me we founded our own band and that was to become our baby for quite a few

was to become our baby for quite a few

was to become our baby for quite a few years

years

years so that band was called road caption

so that band was called road caption

so that band was called road caption which is German for Little Red Riding

which is German for Little Red Riding

which is German for Little Red Riding Hood and well in London no one could

Hood and well in London no one could

Hood and well in London no one could pronounce or even write our name on any

pronounce or even write our name on any

pronounce or even write our name on any bloody flyer but anyway so we did life

bloody flyer but anyway so we did life

bloody flyer but anyway so we did life electronic music so during that time you

electronic music so during that time you

electronic music so during that time you know we we were so passionate about it

know we we were so passionate about it

know we we were so passionate about it and I also discovered London clubs and

and I also discovered London clubs and

and I also discovered London clubs and electronic music and we spent every

electronic music and we spent every

electronic music and we spent every single minute of our time to create new

single minute of our time to create new

single minute of our time to create new music to learn the technology the

music to learn the technology the

music to learn the technology the software the equipment and everything

software the equipment and everything

software the equipment and everything went to lots of gigs and it was just

went to lots of gigs and it was just

went to lots of gigs and it was just really really passionate inspiring time

really really passionate inspiring time

really really passionate inspiring time and so you know we played in that band

and so you know we played in that band

and so you know we played in that band for many years and it became a hobby I

for many years and it became a hobby I

for many years and it became a hobby I mean at first you play for free for like

mean at first you play for free for like

mean at first you play for free for like two years and then you get maybe 10

two years and then you get maybe 10

two years and then you get maybe 10 pounds and then and then you build up

pounds and then and then you build up

pounds and then and then you build up from there

from there

from there and then at some point we reached a

and then at some point we reached a

and then at some point we reached a point that was fairly professional and

point that was fairly professional and

point that was fairly professional and well I gave it my all I said this was

well I gave it my all I said this was

well I gave it my all I said this was this was my focus this is why I didn’t

this was my focus this is why I didn’t

this was my focus this is why I didn’t matter you know play we were working in

matter you know play we were working in

matter you know play we were working in Topshop you know because I had add the

Topshop you know because I had add the

Topshop you know because I had add the music but at some point somehow we

music but at some point somehow we

music but at some point somehow we didn’t quite make it enough to live of

didn’t quite make it enough to live of

didn’t quite make it enough to live of it so at some point the band ran out of

it so at some point the band ran out of

it so at some point the band ran out of steam and I ran out of money because I

steam and I ran out of money because I

steam and I ran out of money because I still had set all these times you know

still had set all these times you know

still had set all these times you know only five six years I still had savings

only five six years I still had savings

only five six years I still had savings from from these six months of investment

from from these six months of investment

from from these six months of investment making so I mean you know obviously I

making so I mean you know obviously I

making so I mean you know obviously I was very very diligently I was really

was very very diligently I was really

was very very diligently I was really afraid of kind of tucking into it but it

afraid of kind of tucking into it but it

afraid of kind of tucking into it but it was always a little reserved in the back

was always a little reserved in the back

was always a little reserved in the back and it was kind of eaten away very very

and it was kind of eaten away very very

and it was kind of eaten away very very slowly like you know maybe a few hundred

slowly like you know maybe a few hundred

slowly like you know maybe a few hundred pounds each month but at some point

pounds each month but at some point

pounds each month but at some point after five years it was gone so I was

after five years it was gone so I was

after five years it was gone so I was like okay I’m gonna do now hey I need

like okay I’m gonna do now hey I need

like okay I’m gonna do now hey I need money okay so I tried myself at another

money okay so I tried myself at another

money okay so I tried myself at another couple of full-time jobs didn’t last

couple of full-time jobs didn’t last

couple of full-time jobs didn’t last very long and musically I was like okay

very long and musically I was like okay

very long and musically I was like okay ban does know more what am I gonna do

ban does know more what am I gonna do

ban does know more what am I gonna do I’m by myself

I’m by myself

I’m by myself okay well DJ great I’m gonna be a DJ and

okay well DJ great I’m gonna be a DJ and

okay well DJ great I’m gonna be a DJ and this is when a neo was born at the same

this is when a neo was born at the same

this is when a neo was born at the same time I started spending more and more

time I started spending more and more

time I started spending more and more time in Berlin so I did for two three

time in Berlin so I did for two three

time in Berlin so I did for two three years I did the Berlin London maybe like

years I did the Berlin London maybe like

years I did the Berlin London maybe like half half and Berlin was a whole new

half half and Berlin was a whole new

half half and Berlin was a whole new playground and I I went out

playground and I I went out

playground and I I went out I met lots of people and lots of

I met lots of people and lots of

I met lots of people and lots of contacts and also got my first DJ gigs

contacts and also got my first DJ gigs

contacts and also got my first DJ gigs and that’s great but that was really

and that’s great but that was really

and that’s great but that was really also I want to say that was a difficult

also I want to say that was a difficult

also I want to say that was a difficult time because it wasn’t all roses because

time because it wasn’t all roses because

time because it wasn’t all roses because at that time as I said I had no savings

at that time as I said I had no savings

at that time as I said I had no savings left and I really really struggled

left and I really really struggled

left and I really really struggled financially I had to do lots and lots of

financially I had to do lots and lots of

financially I had to do lots and lots of jobs on the side I struggled financially

jobs on the side I struggled financially

jobs on the side I struggled financially and sometimes didn’t know how to pay my

and sometimes didn’t know how to pay my

and sometimes didn’t know how to pay my rent I got into debt and it was really

rent I got into debt and it was really

rent I got into debt and it was really it was really really challenging however

it was really really challenging however

it was really really challenging however somehow I you know I stayed with it I

somehow I you know I stayed with it I

somehow I you know I stayed with it I went through and got more and more gigs

went through and got more and more gigs

went through and got more and more gigs and at some point about two years ago

and at some point about two years ago

and at some point about two years ago there came a turning point where I

there came a turning point where I

there came a turning point where I suddenly met started making enough money

suddenly met started making enough money

suddenly met started making enough money of teaching so that I could just not

of teaching so that I could just not

of teaching so that I could just not have to do any other job and stay here

have to do any other job and stay here

have to do any other job and stay here so I arrived somewhere so and I couldn’t

so I arrived somewhere so and I couldn’t

so I arrived somewhere so and I couldn’t believe it at first because all these

believe it at first because all these

believe it at first because all these years you know they were music was my

years you know they were music was my

years you know they were music was my focus but I had learned that it was

focus but I had learned that it was

focus but I had learned that it was always a struggle you know it was always

always a struggle you know it was always

always a struggle you know it was always just on the side I had to do other

just on the side I had to do other

just on the side I had to do other things and suddenly I couldn’t believe

things and suddenly I couldn’t believe

things and suddenly I couldn’t believe it that I get actually paid for

it that I get actually paid for

it that I get actually paid for something that doesn’t feel like work it

something that doesn’t feel like work it

something that doesn’t feel like work it actually feels like a privilege and

actually feels like a privilege and

actually feels like a privilege and someone actually choose to pay you for

someone actually choose to pay you for

someone actually choose to pay you for it

it

it I just care it was imagined go to your

I just care it was imagined go to your

I just care it was imagined go to your favorite club and all your friends are

favorite club and all your friends are

favorite club and all your friends are there and you have fun at your party and

there and you have fun at your party and

there and you have fun at your party and you play your own music and you get paid

you play your own music and you get paid

you play your own music and you get paid for it I mean that’s ours impossible and

for it I mean that’s ours impossible and

for it I mean that’s ours impossible and the most wonderful thing about it is

the most wonderful thing about it is

the most wonderful thing about it is that I have now reached a point of total

that I have now reached a point of total

that I have now reached a point of total congruence you know I was saying about

congruence you know I was saying about

congruence you know I was saying about this conflict which I had between the

this conflict which I had between the

this conflict which I had between the two personas but now basically I you

two personas but now basically I you

two personas but now basically I you know everything I do maybe

know everything I do maybe

know everything I do maybe professionally as a DJ or privately you

professionally as a DJ or privately you

professionally as a DJ or privately you know going out meeting people actually

know going out meeting people actually

know going out meeting people actually it there’s no difference anymore between

it there’s no difference anymore between

it there’s no difference anymore between professionally and privately so whatever

professionally and privately so whatever

professionally and privately so whatever I do going out meeting people you know

I do going out meeting people you know

I do going out meeting people you know partying DJing doing modeling jobs

partying DJing doing modeling jobs

partying DJing doing modeling jobs writing an article for a newspaper

writing an article for a newspaper

writing an article for a newspaper whatever whatever I do it all feeds back

whatever whatever I do it all feeds back

whatever whatever I do it all feeds back into each other and it’s one in the same

into each other and it’s one in the same

into each other and it’s one in the same person it’s all as all a neo and that is

person it’s all as all a neo and that is

person it’s all as all a neo and that is hugely hugely liberating

hugely hugely liberating

hugely hugely liberating whoo so I mean it would be consistent to

whoo so I mean it would be consistent to

whoo so I mean it would be consistent to take my trousers off now but I’m not

take my trousers off now but I’m not

take my trousers off now but I’m not going to do that so but I’m gonna put

going to do that so but I’m gonna put

going to do that so but I’m gonna put these on ah that feels good so now in my

these on ah that feels good so now in my

these on ah that feels good so now in my element again okay so the big question

element again okay so the big question

element again okay so the big question is why didn’t I so remember that was the

is why didn’t I so remember that was the

is why didn’t I so remember that was the end of school why didn’t I go straight

end of school why didn’t I go straight

end of school why didn’t I go straight to here why did I have to do all this

to here why did I have to do all this

to here why did I have to do all this detour that is a very good question

detour that is a very good question

detour that is a very good question because that is you know I I really had

because that is you know I I really had

because that is you know I I really had to reflect on that myself because as I

to reflect on that myself because as I

to reflect on that myself because as I said this these ten years were pretty

said this these ten years were pretty

said this these ten years were pretty much a very unconscious way I didn’t

much a very unconscious way I didn’t

much a very unconscious way I didn’t plan this so basically my explanation is

plan this so basically my explanation is

plan this so basically my explanation is this

this

this I now know now that I’m in tune with my

I now know now that I’m in tune with my

I now know now that I’m in tune with my internal compass I know that I have

internal compass I know that I have

internal compass I know that I have certain needs and certain personality

certain needs and certain personality

certain needs and certain personality traits which kind of the same thing so I

traits which kind of the same thing so I

traits which kind of the same thing so I have certain needs that are very very

have certain needs that are very very

have certain needs that are very very crucial to my well-being and I know now

crucial to my well-being and I know now

crucial to my well-being and I know now that when I look back on my ten years I

that when I look back on my ten years I

that when I look back on my ten years I realize now that they have been acting

realize now that they have been acting

realize now that they have been acting as unconscious driving forces let’s say

as unconscious driving forces let’s say

as unconscious driving forces let’s say like the motor to my boat without sail

like the motor to my boat without sail

like the motor to my boat without sail so basically these were the things that

so basically these were the things that

so basically these were the things that were driving me all along and I can

were driving me all along and I can

were driving me all along and I can identify them now and I want to tell you

identify them now and I want to tell you

identify them now and I want to tell you what it is so a autonomy and

what it is so a autonomy and

what it is so a autonomy and self-determination I personally as a

self-determination I personally as a

self-determination I personally as a person I need total freedom I need a

person I need total freedom I need a

person I need total freedom I need a high degree of freedom I need to be

high degree of freedom I need to be

high degree of freedom I need to be independent and I need to be in control

independent and I need to be in control

independent and I need to be in control of my life and I know that now because I

of my life and I know that now because I

of my life and I know that now because I tried myself at four full time jobs that

tried myself at four full time jobs that

tried myself at four full time jobs that won’t be in the first one and I never

won’t be in the first one and I never

won’t be in the first one and I never lasted more than seven months in any of

lasted more than seven months in any of

lasted more than seven months in any of them because for some reason whatever it

them because for some reason whatever it

them because for some reason whatever it is but being in a full-time role just

is but being in a full-time role just

is but being in a full-time role just suffocates me so much that every time my

suffocates me so much that every time my

suffocates me so much that every time my boat has been pulling me away from it

boat has been pulling me away from it

boat has been pulling me away from it again number two variety and adventure

again number two variety and adventure

again number two variety and adventure so today I travel a lot and no week is

so today I travel a lot and no week is

so today I travel a lot and no week is the same so I want to give you an

the same so I want to give you an

the same so I want to give you an example week of my working week so for

example week of my working week so for

example week of my working week so for example on the Thursday night I might DJ

example on the Thursday night I might DJ

example on the Thursday night I might DJ at a corporate event so let’s say the

at a corporate event so let’s say the

at a corporate event so let’s say the annual conference of American

annual conference of American

annual conference of American pharmaceutical company at the Hilton

pharmaceutical company at the Hilton

pharmaceutical company at the Hilton Hotel in Berlin

Hotel in Berlin

Hotel in Berlin and then on a Friday I might play at my

and then on a Friday I might play at my

and then on a Friday I might play at my residency at Kit Kat club and which is a

residency at Kit Kat club and which is a

residency at Kit Kat club and which is a well-known naughty Club and I’m a I

well-known naughty Club and I’m a I

well-known naughty Club and I’m a I might play at a so I played at a gay

might play at a so I played at a gay

might play at a so I played at a gay fetish night

fetish night

fetish night so I’m playing mm masuleh hot gay guys

so I’m playing mm masuleh hot gay guys

so I’m playing mm masuleh hot gay guys in leather gear and then and then the

in leather gear and then and then the

in leather gear and then and then the next on a Saturday I might fly to

next on a Saturday I might fly to

next on a Saturday I might fly to Copenhagen and DJ at a 1920s Gatsby

Copenhagen and DJ at a 1920s Gatsby

Copenhagen and DJ at a 1920s Gatsby style swing Bor so what a wonderful

style swing Bor so what a wonderful

style swing Bor so what a wonderful variety and I think you can imagine that

variety and I think you can imagine that

variety and I think you can imagine that this bad boy didn’t quite take that box

this bad boy didn’t quite take that box

this bad boy didn’t quite take that box and number three individuality and

and number three individuality and

and number three individuality and self-expression so I think that even

self-expression so I think that even

self-expression so I think that even though I was brought up with quite a

though I was brought up with quite a

though I was brought up with quite a strong respect for authority and and

strong respect for authority and and

strong respect for authority and and rules I think there was always a tiny

rules I think there was always a tiny

rules I think there was always a tiny little rebel in me

little rebel in me

little rebel in me I remember being sent home from

I remember being sent home from

I remember being sent home from investment-banking training because I

investment-banking training because I

investment-banking training because I didn’t adhere to the dress code but

didn’t adhere to the dress code but

didn’t adhere to the dress code but today I can where I can say I can do

today I can where I can say I can do

today I can where I can say I can do whatever the hell I want and actually

whatever the hell I want and actually

whatever the hell I want and actually it’s nearly the other way around the

it’s nearly the other way around the

it’s nearly the other way around the crazier the better for my image so today

crazier the better for my image so today

crazier the better for my image so today I get my validation not from money or

I get my validation not from money or

I get my validation not from money or status but today I get my validation

status but today I get my validation

status but today I get my validation from from ecstasy creating ecstasy for

from from ecstasy creating ecstasy for

from from ecstasy creating ecstasy for other people creating ecstasy on the

other people creating ecstasy on the

other people creating ecstasy on the dance floor feeling ecstasy myself when

dance floor feeling ecstasy myself when

dance floor feeling ecstasy myself when creating ecstasy on the dance floor it’s

creating ecstasy on the dance floor it’s

creating ecstasy on the dance floor it’s a two-way thing and from being

a two-way thing and from being

a two-way thing and from being recognized as a DJ and basically just

recognized as a DJ and basically just

recognized as a DJ and basically just from being myself in all my forms and

from being myself in all my forms and

from being myself in all my forms and it’s again it’s just a wonderful thing

it’s again it’s just a wonderful thing

it’s again it’s just a wonderful thing so now I’m all the wiser now I know

so now I’m all the wiser now I know

so now I’m all the wiser now I know these things and I know how they have

these things and I know how they have

these things and I know how they have shaped my journey but for some reason I

shaped my journey but for some reason I

shaped my journey but for some reason I wasn’t able you know when I was 18

wasn’t able you know when I was 18

wasn’t able you know when I was 18 coming out of school I wasn’t able to

coming out of school I wasn’t able to

coming out of school I wasn’t able to see these things or know that these were

see these things or know that these were

see these things or know that these were actually my needs and I think probably

actually my needs and I think probably

actually my needs and I think probably because of my upbringing because of

because of my upbringing because of

because of my upbringing because of environmental factors so two things had

environmental factors so two things had

environmental factors so two things had to happen for me like as a wake-up call

to happen for me like as a wake-up call

to happen for me like as a wake-up call number one is literally I had to get

number one is literally I had to get

number one is literally I had to get into a situation with no way out I had

into a situation with no way out I had

into a situation with no way out I had to hit

to hit

to hit the war because as a student you still

the war because as a student you still

the war because as a student you still have a certain degree of freedom so you

have a certain degree of freedom so you

have a certain degree of freedom so you can still you know you know one tells

can still you know you know one tells

can still you know you know one tells you to go to the lecture I mean you know

you to go to the lecture I mean you know

you to go to the lecture I mean you know you should but you know you still have

you should but you know you still have

you should but you know you still have freedom but suddenly I was here and even

freedom but suddenly I was here and even

freedom but suddenly I was here and even though even the the the internship was

though even the the the internship was

though even the the the internship was you know three months you know I was

you know three months you know I was

you know three months you know I was like yeah three months great you know it

like yeah three months great you know it

like yeah three months great you know it wasn’t serious yet it wasn’t serious and

wasn’t serious yet it wasn’t serious and

wasn’t serious yet it wasn’t serious and suddenly there it was I was dead serious

suddenly there it was I was dead serious

suddenly there it was I was dead serious that was like my job now and so I was in

that was like my job now and so I was in

that was like my job now and so I was in a situation where I was so far removed

a situation where I was so far removed

a situation where I was so far removed from my actual spirit and with no way

from my actual spirit and with no way

from my actual spirit and with no way out with no possibility of compensating

out with no possibility of compensating

out with no possibility of compensating for my needs

for my needs

for my needs then that you know my internal alarm was

then that you know my internal alarm was

then that you know my internal alarm was so loud and my need to escape got so

so loud and my need to escape got so

so loud and my need to escape got so strong that I had no other way but to

strong that I had no other way but to

strong that I had no other way but to liberate myself from that golden prison

liberate myself from that golden prison

liberate myself from that golden prison that I had built for myself number two

that I had built for myself number two

that I had built for myself number two London being in London was a major role

London being in London was a major role

London being in London was a major role because being exposed to all that

because being exposed to all that

because being exposed to all that exciting crazy colourful life you know

exciting crazy colourful life you know

exciting crazy colourful life you know it it seems that somehow it triggered or

it it seems that somehow it triggered or

it it seems that somehow it triggered or it wakened up things in me that must

it wakened up things in me that must

it wakened up things in me that must have already been there they must have

have already been there they must have

have already been there they must have been dormant because London pulled it

been dormant because London pulled it

been dormant because London pulled it out of me and like it transformed me at

out of me and like it transformed me at

out of me and like it transformed me at such tremendous speed because if I let’s

such tremendous speed because if I let’s

such tremendous speed because if I let’s say if I had moved to Frankfurt and be

say if I had moved to Frankfurt and be

say if I had moved to Frankfurt and be an investment banker

an investment banker

an investment banker I mean Frankfurt is not exactly known

I mean Frankfurt is not exactly known

I mean Frankfurt is not exactly known for its the alternative exciting scene

for its the alternative exciting scene

for its the alternative exciting scene so if I lived in Frankfurt and be a

so if I lived in Frankfurt and be a

so if I lived in Frankfurt and be a banker and let’s say lived by myself and

banker and let’s say lived by myself and

banker and let’s say lived by myself and hang out only with other bankers I think

hang out only with other bankers I think

hang out only with other bankers I think it would have taken a lot lot longer if

it would have taken a lot lot longer if

it would have taken a lot lot longer if at all I mean it would have been very

at all I mean it would have been very

at all I mean it would have been very different anyways but it would have

different anyways but it would have

different anyways but it would have taken a lot longer for me to find my

taken a lot longer for me to find my

taken a lot longer for me to find my path even though I think actually

path even though I think actually

path even though I think actually already the decision to go to London for

already the decision to go to London for

already the decision to go to London for an internship was somehow I think

an internship was somehow I think

an internship was somehow I think already in non-conscious pull away from

already in non-conscious pull away from

already in non-conscious pull away from what I knew and towards something new

what I knew and towards something new

what I knew and towards something new towards a new environment so it was that

towards a new environment so it was that

towards a new environment so it was that that hit the war situation plus new

that hit the war situation plus new

that hit the war situation plus new environmental factors that that kind of

environmental factors that that kind of

environmental factors that that kind of came together and just created that

came together and just created that

came together and just created that explosion of six months so in Lesson

explosion of six months so in Lesson

explosion of six months so in Lesson banking

banking

banking right so to summarize I couldn’t have

right so to summarize I couldn’t have

right so to summarize I couldn’t have known before this was just as much a

known before this was just as much a

known before this was just as much a surprise to me then as to everyone else

surprise to me then as to everyone else

surprise to me then as to everyone else I mean to my parents and my bosses even

I mean to my parents and my bosses even

I mean to my parents and my bosses even they’d they you know after sir I was the

they’d they you know after sir I was the

they’d they you know after sir I was the only person out of the year of Turin

only person out of the year of Turin

only person out of the year of Turin people who yeah who resigned after in

people who yeah who resigned after in

people who yeah who resigned after in the first year so and also and that’s

the first year so and also and that’s

the first year so and also and that’s also interesting I don’t think it was

also interesting I don’t think it was

also interesting I don’t think it was courage it was you know I felt so badly

courage it was you know I felt so badly

courage it was you know I felt so badly caged in that it was it was necessary

caged in that it was it was necessary

caged in that it was it was necessary required maybe even somewhat

required maybe even somewhat

required maybe even somewhat predetermined correction of my cause and

predetermined correction of my cause and

predetermined correction of my cause and now the last question I mean do I regret

now the last question I mean do I regret

now the last question I mean do I regret do I regret all this of course I don’t

do I regret all this of course I don’t

do I regret all this of course I don’t because it’s part of who I am as part of

because it’s part of who I am as part of

because it’s part of who I am as part of the story I would not be here if I

the story I would not be here if I

the story I would not be here if I wasn’t if I hadn’t been there and also

wasn’t if I hadn’t been there and also

wasn’t if I hadn’t been there and also being a former or sometimes you know

being a former or sometimes you know

being a former or sometimes you know recovered investment banker has opened a

recovered investment banker has opened a

recovered investment banker has opened a few doors in my life and people look at

few doors in my life and people look at

few doors in my life and people look at you differently when they find out about

you differently when they find out about

you differently when they find out about that story so you know I’m glad I’m glad

that story so you know I’m glad I’m glad

that story so you know I’m glad I’m glad I take that box and I mean it’s there

I take that box and I mean it’s there

I take that box and I mean it’s there still a bit of investment banker in me

still a bit of investment banker in me

still a bit of investment banker in me well have a look at my DJ software if

well have a look at my DJ software if

well have a look at my DJ software if that doesn’t look like an excel sheet

that doesn’t look like an excel sheet

that doesn’t look like an excel sheet then I don’t know thank you that was

you

you [Applause]

”

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