Meet Hershey Grogan | Wellness Coach and Asian Counsel Chapter Leader

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hershey Grogan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hershey, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
Yes I do. Since the time I was in high school, I’ve always loved the quote “Never Give Up”. It’s very short and simple, but profoundly powerful. It reminds me that no matter what happens, you should always try to achieve your goals, because even if you fail, you still gain through the lessons you learn. I apply this quote to everything I do, and share it with my children, to teach them to always pursue their dreams.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What really sets me apart from others, is the uniqueness of my story. I came from the Philippines and took a job here in the US as a housekeeper. As you can imagine, my salary was not enough to fully support me. Between rent and my obligations in the Philippines, I had to take on another job as a hostess and a server. (So I’m working 3 jobs at this point.) I remember there were times that I had to sleep on the bench of the locker room, as I did not have the transportation to go back and forth. I was walking to work at 5:30 in the morning and leaving at 11 p.m. to walk back home everyday. It wasn’t easy at all. I remember pushing the cart with tears in my eyes due to exhaustion and just wanting to take a rest. I couldn’t and that’s when I would apply my favorite motto, “Never Give Up”. That endurance landed me a call center into a major fintech company. From there, I was able to thrive within the company and grow into my current position as an Implementation Advisor. More importantly, I’m also a chapter leader for our company’s global Asian Counsel. I get the chance to share and learn from different Asian cultures, and am honored not just because I’m the face, but also the voice of the voiceless. I get to play a part in helping the community. On the other hand I’m also a wellness coach, helping people to achieve their weight and health goals, and coach them through their journey. One thing that I love about being a coach is that I’m able to be a part of my clients journey’s. I’m not just helping them to obtain their goal weight, but also inspiring them to build healthy habits and change their lifestyle.
The greatest lesson that I’ve learned on my journey here in the US, is you can be whatever you want to, as long as you put your mind to it, and work hard. Success doesn’t come overnight, and there are times that you will fail.. But remember you will never taste the true taste of success without failing, and you will never know how strong you are until you fall again and again.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In Philippines we are so fascinated with Miami Beach. It’s always a dream for us to go there. So first I will take them to South Beach Miami, and rent a boat to cruise the inter-coastal. I would show them the celebrity mansions, especially Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin’s. Definitely we will watch the Miami Heat, Dolphin and Marlin’s games. I will take them to my favorite restaurant in Fort Lauderdale called Takato. They have the best dessert called sweet potato tiramisu, but it’s actually ube, a delicacy in the Philippines (ube in Philippines is like a gold). I would also take them to Key West and show them Duval Street, and let them take a picture at the southern most point. If they bring their kids, I would surprise them with a trip to Orlando to visit Universal Studio, Disney World and Sea World. Lastly, I would check in to JW Marriot, where I started as a housekeeper in Grand Lakes. We would dine in the Kobe Japanese Steakhouse (where I met my husband and I worked as a hostess).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If there is anyone that I would give a shout out to for the constant inspiration and support, it would be my family. My husband and my children teach me something everyday, I grew up in a dysfunctional family, and my husband is always empowering me to exceed my potential. My kids are the motivation I need to keep striving for greatness. Their love and support inspire me everyday.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/cutebrunnette?igshid=ZDc4ODBmNjlmNQ==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershey-grogan-bb404551

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hershey.aquino7?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Other: tiktok.com/@hersheygrogan

Image Credits
Penny Fraser