From Stocks to Stillness: An insight into industry shifts with Trina Sotto
Learning from the career shifts and experiences of a yoga teacher.
Written by Chloe W. Novenario
The corporate world is like EDSA at 5 PM—busy, chaotic, and fast-paced. You might get stuck in a traffic jam, feeling trapped and unsure how to get out, only to feel a rush of relief when things finally clear up. Corporate life often feels the same—filled with late nights, tight deadlines, and the rollercoaster of shifting stocks and market demands.
Trina Sotto navigated that demanding world from 2004 onward, working as a marketing professional in ABS-CBN’s trade marketing department, where her daily responsibilities involved managing communications and planning events. Her career meant she was always on her toes, negotiating, strategizing, and ensuring that every campaign, product, or pitch reached the right audience with impact.
But after years of this demanding rhythm, Trina found herself drawn to a different path—one that had quietly been calling to her since 2003 when she first joined a yoga class.
A calling from the Wellness industry
By the mid-2000s, Trina felt the pull toward a distinct pursuit. Though she was still young and lacked the time and resources for regular yoga practice or training, the desire to dive deeper into wellness stayed with her. It wasn’t until 2017, after more than a decade at ABS-CBN, that she finally found the courage to make the leap. “I finally had the resources, the time, and a little extra money,” she reflects. “That’s when I knew I could pursue this wholeheartedly.”
In 2018, she embarked on her yoga teacher training, embracing the discipline and wisdom of yoga not just as a personal practice but as a professional calling.
Leaving a corporate job for a career in wellness was no easy feat. Alongside the transition to teaching yoga, Trina was also stepping into motherhood . Balancing these two significant life changes was challenging, especially with the unpredictable income that comes with a wellness career. “As a yoga teacher, you have to make things happen,” she explains. “If you don’t teach, you don’t earn. There are no benefits like in corporate—you need to create that stability yourself.”
Another major shift was the social aspect. The lively after-work culture of corporate life, filled with social events and late nights, quickly faded into a quieter, more introspective lifestyle. “The silence was hard at first,” Trina admits. “It was strange to adjust to a quieter life, and it was challenging to face the emotions that came up.”
Trina’s corporate background proved invaluable in shaping her approach to yoga. The discipline, organization, and attention to detail that she developed as a marketing professional translated well into her new career. She continues to apply a structured approach to planning and tracking her classes, students, and finances, underscoring the importance of professionalism even in the wellness industry.
The benefits reaped
One of the most fulfilling aspects of her new role has been witnessing the personal transformations in her students. Trina finds immense joy in observing their growth and development throughout their practice, feeling validated by the positive impact she has on their lives. This rewarding experience affirms her choice to pursue yoga and serves as a constant reminder of her purpose in the wellness field.
The journey doesn't end with Trina pursuing yoga as a full-time job. She continues to learn through the changes of her life that came with this decision and the different experiences she encounters that come with being a yoga teacher. There is a distinct fulfillment that comes with this new lifestyle and it's one that brings learnings that shape her as a person.
Trina advises others who are contemplating a similar career shift to deeply reflect on their motivations and goals. “The passion has to be there,” she says, encouraging individuals to ask themselves questions like, “Am I really meant for this? Am I doing this for the right reasons?” She cautions against impulsive decisions, suggesting that potential career-changers should research and plan carefully. Importantly, she advises maintaining personal wellness practices even before making the switch, as it allows for a smoother transition and provides insights into whether wellness is truly the right fit.
In her words, the journey from corporate to wellness is one “worth the effort,” especially for those willing to take the time to understand themselves and their motivations. Her story serves as an inspiring reminder that career transitions, while challenging, can lead to a more fulfilling and balanced life if approached with intention and resilience.
If you’re interested in attending a yoga session– Trina has various classes that are suited to people that come from different walks of life. Whether you’re a mother trying to find her ground or a person with a 9-5 job, the Yoga South Collective offers a diverse range of classes that are worth experiencing.