Chief Change Officer Podcast Summary Episode #231: From Hitchhiker to Head-Hunter: Gary Bremermann’s Wild Career Ride — Part One

Host: Vince Chan
Guest: Gary Bremermann
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Podcast Description:
In this episode of Chief Change Officer, Vince Chan delves into the unconventional career journey of Gary Bremermann, a seasoned recruiter and career coach based in Tokyo. Gary’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the pursuit of true passion amidst myriad challenges.

1. Introduction to Gary Bremermann (02:02 - 04:55)

Vince Chan introduces Gary Bremermann, highlighting his extensive experience as a recruiter and career coach specializing in the Japan talent market. With 25 years dedicated to helping professionals navigate career changes, Gary’s multifaceted journey—from hitchhiking across North America to building and selling a global business—sets the stage for a compelling discussion on career transformation.

Notable Quote:

"This is my calling. I'm very fortunate to have found my dream job and my dream life, but it took me a long time to get there." — Gary Bremermann [04:55]

2. Early Life and Wanderlust (06:19 - 12:14)

Gary shares his childhood in San Diego, deeply influenced by a household filled with every issue of National Geographic since 1888. This early exposure ignited his passion for exploration and understanding diverse cultures. At 18, struggling in his first year of university, Gary made the bold decision to drop out and embark on a hitchhiking adventure across the United States to Newfoundland. This journey was not just a physical trek but a formative experience in communication and resilience.

Notable Quote:

"I learned how to talk to people from all walks of life... all over the country, people would pick me up. Very kind people had some few rough experiences, but... I learned how to communicate with people who were very different from me." — Gary Bremermann [10:09]

3. Navigating Financial Constraints and Building Resilience (12:39 - 16:16)

Without a substantial financial cushion, Gary relied on his resourcefulness and the kindness of strangers. Carrying only a tent and backpack, he slept wherever possible and took on part-time jobs to sustain his travels. Notably, Gary spent three weeks with a former Amish family in Pennsylvania, experiencing a lifestyle starkly different from his own. These interactions honed his ability to connect with diverse individuals, a skill that would later become invaluable in his recruitment and coaching career.

Notable Quote:

"People that didn't have a lot of money were very generous... I was exposed to a lot of different types of people and experiences." — Gary Bremermann [12:53]

4. Academic Struggles and Further Exploration (16:28 - 21:48)

After his initial foray into higher education, Gary returned to academia following his extensive travels. He completed his graduate degree and ventured into entrepreneurship, founding a business exporting American consumer goods to Japan, Korea, and Europe. Despite initial successes, the relentless pressure and expansion led to severe burnout, serving as a critical turning point in his life.

Notable Quote:

"I realized that the business was crushing me. I had expanded the business... I worked around the clock. I never took vacations. And I experienced burnout." — Gary Bremermann [19:57]

5. Finding His True Calling and the Role of Coaching (20:01 - 24:07)

Recognizing the unsustainable nature of his entrepreneurial pursuits, Gary sought the help of a coach who profoundly impacted his perspective. This mentorship enabled him to sell his struggling business and pivot towards a career that aligned with his true passions—helping others find meaningful and fulfilling work. Gary emphasizes the transformative power of coaching, both as a beneficiary and as a coach himself.

Notable Quote:

"My coach saved my life. He really helped me to get clarity on what I was doing, why I was doing it, showed me that there were alternatives, and then helped guide me through the sale of my business." — Gary Bremermann [20:01]

6. Evolving Relationship with Financial Success (24:39 - 33:29)

Vince engages Gary in a discussion about the shifting nature of financial aspirations across generations. While Gary once equated financial success with entrepreneurial triumphs and extensive revenue streams, his perspective evolved to value alignment with personal passions and meaningful impact over mere monetary gain. He now views money as a tool to expand his influence, provide stability, and help others, rather than the primary goal.

Notable Quote:

"I'm never going to chase money for money's own sake. I want to do something that's aligned with my innate skills. I want to be doing something where I feel like it's aligned with my true self." — Gary Bremermann [24:39]

7. Advice for Younger Generations (30:19 - 33:29)

Reflecting on his journey, Gary advises younger professionals to balance ambition with self-awareness. He cautions against equating personal worth with financial achievements and emphasizes the importance of finding work that aligns with one’s passions and strengths. Gary underscores the significance of mentorship and coaching in navigating career paths and achieving holistic success.

Notable Quote:

"It's okay to not be super successful or it's okay to not be a millionaire or help people find work and a lifestyle that's in alignment with their interests and their needs and their passions." — Gary Bremermann [30:19]

8. Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two (33:29 - 34:47)

Vince wraps up the episode by summarizing Gary’s transformative journey from a restless traveler to a successful career coach. He teases the next part of the series, where Gary will delve into his seven rules of career clarity and address significant hiring challenges in Japan, including ageism and the fear of change.

Closing Quote:

"How do you find your own career clarity? In Part two, Gary breaks down his seven rules of career clarity and tackles the biggest hiring challenges in Japan." — Vince Chen [33:29]

Key Takeaways

1. Resilience Through Adversity: Gary’s early life choices, including dropping out of university and hitchhiking across continents, cultivated resilience and adaptability—crucial traits for career transformation.

2. The Power of Communication: Engaging with diverse individuals during his travels enhanced Gary’s communication skills, enabling him to connect with a wide range of professionals in his coaching practice.

3. Redefining Success: Transitioning from chasing financial success to seeking alignment with personal passions highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation over extrinsic rewards.

4. Impact of Coaching: Gary’s experience underscores the transformative impact that coaching can have on personal and professional growth, advocating for the value of mentorship.

5. Generational Perspectives on Wealth: The episode explores the differing attitudes towards financial success across generations, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to ambition and personal fulfillment.

Notable Quotes

• Gary Bremermann [04:55]: "This is my calling. I'm very fortunate to have found my dream job and my dream life, but it took me a long time to get there."

• Gary Bremermann [10:09]: "I learned how to talk to people from all walks of life... all over the country, people would pick me up. Very kind people had some few rough experiences, but... I learned how to communicate with people who were very different from me."

• Gary Bremermann [20:01]: "My coach saved my life. He really helped me to get clarity on what I was doing, why I was doing it, showed me that there were alternatives, and then helped guide me through the sale of my business."

• Gary Bremermann [24:39]: "I'm never going to chase money for money's own sake. I want to do something that's aligned with my innate skills. I want to be doing something where I feel like it's aligned with my true self."

• Gary Bremermann [30:19]: "It's okay to not be super successful or it's okay to not be a millionaire or help people find work and a lifestyle that's in alignment with their interests and their needs and their passions."

Conclusion

This episode provides an inspiring look into Gary Bremermann’s non-linear career path, emphasizing the significance of personal growth, authentic alignment with one’s passions, and the essential role of mentorship. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own career journeys and consider the profound impact of aligning professional pursuits with personal values and strengths.

Stay Tuned:
Don’t miss Part Two of Gary Bremermann’s story, where he unveils his seven rules of career clarity and addresses the pressing hiring challenges in Japan. Subscribe to Chief Change Officer on LinkedIn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube to continue your journey of outgrowing yourself.