Good morning, friends!

If you’re being honest, how would you say you live your life? Are you alert and aware or are you sleepwalking through the days?

When we’re not truly awake to our own lives, we fall into a passive, herd-like mentality that blinds us to what really matters. We assume we have time — until we don’t. We convince ourselves we’re working toward something meaningful, only to realize we’ve been caught up in fleeting, trivial concerns.

In 2021, I wrote about wake-up calls — those moments that jolt us into clarity, reminding us of the values we’ve long held but neglected. They often arrive in the form of something painful: an unexpected loss, a breakup, an illness, or a life-altering setback.

After that piece, dozens of Profile readers shared their own wake-up calls — events that shook them to the core and permanently shifted their perspective. Below is a selection of stories that moved me, and I hope they serve as a wake-up call for you, too.

Readers Share the Startling Wake-Up Calls That Changed Their Outlook on Life

Polina Pompliano · September 2, 2021

In the last edition of The Profile, I wrote about wake-up calls. You know the type: the ones that shake you awake from the monotony of life and typically show up in the form of something unpleasant — an unexpected death, a breakup, a sickness, or some sort of loss.

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PROFILES.

— The CEO making Walmart cool again [**HIGHLY RECOMMEND**]
— The skier with 100 World Cup wins
— The actress building a business empire
— The baby formula company filling in the shortage
— The software engineer taking on Goodreads

PEOPLE TO KNOW.

The CEO making Walmart cool again: Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, who once publicly criticized Donald Trump’s rhetoric, has adopted a cooperative stance since Trump returned to the White House, navigating the fine line between politics and profits. Under McMillon’s leadership, Walmart has transformed from an outdated giant into a thriving e-commerce powerhouse selling everything from luxury handbags to pro-Trump memorabilia, while simultaneously courting upscale customers with fancier products and renovated stores. Yet McMillon’s biggest challenge will be keeping Walmart’s low-price promise alive without losing sight of America’s increasingly polarized consumer base. (Bloomberg; alternate link)

“We’re a large employer. We serve a lot of people. We want the country to thrive.”

The skier with 100 World Cup wins: Skier Mikaela Shiffrin’s 100th World Cup win wasn’t just another victory—it was a testament to resilience, dominance, and strength. Overcoming a brutal injury and a rare moment of fear, she roared back to claim her place as the greatest skier in history. But perhaps even more groundbreaking is the way she’s reshaped the sport, surrounding herself with women who understand her on and off the slopes, breaking barriers in a male-dominated coaching world. Shiffrin isn’t just rewriting records — she’s redefining what it means to lead. (The Athletic)

“Any time a human being walks the same path as another, you connect,”

The actress building a business empire: Issa Rae is quietly becoming a business powerhouse, building an empire spanning jewelry, Prosecco, haircare, music, and coffee, all without compromising her creative control. From crowdfunding her way to HBO fame with Insecure to launching her latest tangible venture, a jewelry line aptly named “Braeve,” Rae’s entrepreneurial spirit thrives on authenticity, humor, and community. Though she insists there’s no master plan, Rae’s businesses reflect her rare talent for recognizing untapped potential, taking risks, and creating brands designed to outlast her own spotlight. (Forbes; alternate link)

“She’s always willing to walk away from a deal that’s not right for her.”

COMPANIES TO WATCH.

The baby formula company filling in the shortage: Reality TV star Lindsay Hubbard’s honest Instagram posts about supplementing breast milk with Bobbie’s Organic Formula helped turn a startup into a $100 million disruptor in the baby-formula industry. Fueled by social media buzz and parents craving cleaner ingredients, Bobbie’s market share soared as traditional giants struggled through pandemic shortages. But as celebrity influencers reshape the way parents discover infant nutrition, critics argue viral formula posts could undercut breastfeeding advocacy worldwide. (Bloomberg; alternate link)

“We’re learning about new hair straighteners and new green juice powders and new whatever else on Instagram. It makes sense that you would also learn about your formula options on Instagram, too.”

The software engineer taking on Goodreads: When Nadia Odunayo first set out to build a companion app to Goodreads, she had no idea she’d soon be taking on Amazon — and winning over millions of book lovers along the way. Her app, The StoryGraph, now boasts 3.8 million active users, attracted by unique AI-powered recommendations, interactive buddy reads, and a safer, more positive community — plus the critical fact it’s not Amazon-owned. Odunayo, a self-taught developer and one-woman team, insists The StoryGraph isn’t for sale, calling it her “life’s work,” as she aims to dethrone Goodreads and become the world’s most popular book app. (The Guardian)

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