Relax, Recharge – and Step Out… of your Comfort Zone

Summer isn’t just time for travel and relaxation, it can also be a time to explore the unfamiliar and try new experiences!

Take it from Jamina Bulawan and Jamie Carmela Tiu who both took a break from their usual routines and both work at Mynt, the company behind GCash,  a virtual wallet used to  transact without the need for cash.

Data Science + Beauty Pageants
Excelling in the data science world while slaying beauty pageant stages, Jamina Bulawan, Mynt’s lead data scientist, has always loved to challenge herself.  Despite the challenges in dissecting big data, she has managed to continue pursuing her passion of joining beauty pageants.  “I always push to be a better version of myself.  Even if my career and pageantry are very different, my outlook has been the same – to always improve and put my best foot forward,” Jam shares.

Her pageantry journey started when she won fourth place in a beauty competition when she was still in college.  In 2021, Jam joined Miss Universe Philippines (MUPh) to build her self-confidence and to serve as an inspiration to other women.  Being part of the top 75 delegates was a win, as she was able to step out of her comfort zone, gain valuable experiences, and had the opportunity to represent her hometown, Naga City, Camarines Sur.

“One lesson I’ve learned in MUPh 2021 was expressing my thoughts confidently,” Jam narrates. “This lesson helped me at work because I lacked the confidence in sharing my ideas before. Now, I am more confident in collaborating with my teammates.”

Singing talent + Bad stage fright
She may be leading a busy life as an Account Manager for Local Government Units under Mynt’s Enterprise Group, but Jamie Tiu stays true to her passion for music. She developed the love for music and started singing when she was only five years old.

However, Jamie’s love for signing turned to stage fright when she forgot the lyrics to a song while performing on stage. Nevertheless, Jamie pursued her passion in music by becoming a voice and stage performance coach. “I felt that it might be better to be the person who can help others build their confidence and shine on stage,” Jamie explains.

Jamie shares that developing the love for music and singing can be a way to recharge and reconnect this summer.  “Learning a new song and voice coaching can be quite challenging, but it also helps keep the stress away.  It’s fun to learn something new while it’s satisfying and fulfilling to help others discover their capabilities.”

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary but you will never know what you are capable of, if you don’t try. Jamina and Jamie had their own apprehensions at the start, but they went for it anyway!

Personal growth will only happen when you move outside your comfort zone.  Keep your head high, look ahead, and aim for great things!  When you take risks and embrace the discomfort of the uncertain, you will experience opportunities and discover things you never imagined you could do.