Choosing Your Own Path When Others Expect Something Different | Pooja Mehta

How do you trust your own direction when everyone expects you to choose a different one? Pooja Mehta considered a future in medicine before choosing makeup artistry and building Makiaj. In this episode of Midstride with Dr. Olivia, she shares how she navigated family expectations, trained in Paris, and expanded from bridal beauty into lighting products. We talk about recognizing your strengths, making a career pivot, building a team, and learning from decisions that don’t work out. Pooja also reflects on beauty and confidence, stepping outside her comfort zone on Bravo’s Dancing Queens, and how building a business has changed her as a person. For anyone reconsidering their direction or building something of their own, this conversation explores how to keep moving forward while allowing your definition of success to evolve. Subscribe for new conversations every Tuesday about health, wealth, work, relationships, and living well. CONNECT WITH POOJA Websites: https://makiajbeauty.com https://makiaj.com Instagram:   / makiajbeauty     / makiajbeautylight     / poojahimovich   EXPLORE MIDSTRIDE Website + newsletter: https://midstride.us Midstride Instagram:   / midstridehq   Connect with Dr. Olivia:   / droliviamd   CHAPTERS 0:00 Preview: Choosing a Life That Fits You 1:42 Meet Pooja Mehta: Choosing Beauty Over Medicine 3:46 Recognizing When to Change Direction 5:06 Training in Paris and Makeup for Deeper Skin Tones 8:19 Timeless Beauty in a Trend-Driven Industry 9:28 Following Your Passion at a Career Crossroads 10:52 From Bridal Makeup to Building a Lighting Brand 14:14 Knowing What to Try Next 15:50 Finding the Right People for Your Team 17:04 Hiring, Letting Go, and Leading With Compassion 19:02 Protecting Your Energy Through Delegation 21:22 Business Lessons: Trust Your Timing and Learn From Failure 23:56 Beauty, Vulnerability, and Building Confidence 28:08 Helping Women See Themselves Differently 30:43 Bravo’s Dancing Queens and Leaving Your Comfort Zone 34:02 Changing Direction With Patience and Persistence 36:20 Navigating Setbacks With Mentorship and Purpose 39:37 Staying Grounded Through the Ups and Downs of Business 41:18 Personal Growth, Money Beliefs, and Business Growth 42:38 The Next Chapter: Letting Go of Old Patterns 44:33 Stay Connected With Midstride Forward, with intention. #Midstride #PoojaMehta #CareerChange