{
  "id": 16774770,
  "title": "I made $153,000 a year and was miserable. Now I make nothing and wake up excited.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/i-made-153-000-a-year-and-was-miserable-now-i-make-nothing-and-wake",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-27T17:24:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-high-paying-job-mental-health-happiness-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Maria Sentmanat, a 55-year-old former six-figure earner, quit her job this summer and now guides tours in South Florida's wilderness, living off her savings. Born to a single parent, she faced a chaotic upbringing and later built a successful career as a personal trainer and studio owner. However, the pandemic forced her to close her studio and she struggled to regain her footing. Maria faced constant anxiety and stress, and she felt disconnected from her daughters, who are now 25 and 27. She turned to nature for solace, and realized she wanted to share this experience with others by creating the company \"Why Not Wild\". Currently, Maria is not earning any income, but she wakes up excited every day, feeling better mentally, physically, and spiritually. She has saved enough to live comfortably for six months without any financial concerns.",
  "summary": "Maria Sentmanat, 55, quit her $153,000 job without another one lined up. She's starting a nature business and feels happier than ever.",
  "key_points": [
    "Maria Sentmanat earned $153,000 annually before quitting her job.",
    "She now guides wilderness tours in South Florida, living off savings.",
    "Maria feels excited waking up daily, improved mental and physical well-being."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}