#101 Nothing and Nobody Will Ever Hurt You Again - After This. - BigDeal Recap

Podcast: BigDeal

Published: 2025-11-03

Duration: 35 min

Summary

In this episode, Cody Sanchez emphasizes that failure is an essential part of achieving success and that respect is earned through hard work and resilience. She shares her personal journey of overcoming setbacks and the lessons learned from those experiences.

What Happened

Cody Sanchez kicks off the episode by sharing her philosophy on failure, stating that it is merely the entry price to eventual success. She reflects on her own life experiences, particularly her struggles with gaining respect and navigating challenging environments, such as her time at Arizona State University. Despite being at a large school where she felt like just a number, she used her feelings of inadequacy as motivation, ultimately earning three degrees and a grant from the Howard Buffett Foundation.

As she transitioned into her career, Cody recounts the difficulties she faced after college, including a lack of job offers and the fear of moving back in with her parents. This fear propelled her to take risks, leading her to a finance conference where she met a recruiter from Vanguard. Cody emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the willingness to ask questions, which ultimately led to a job offer that significantly increased her salary. However, her challenges didn't end there, as she faced setbacks in her new role that tested her resilience and determination.

Key Insights

Key Questions Answered

What did Cody Sanchez learn from her failures?

Cody emphasizes that failure is an essential component of success, stating that if you're not failing enough, you'll never truly win. She shares her own experiences, including not getting into prestigious schools and the challenges she faced in her career, which taught her valuable lessons about resilience and hard work.

How did Cody's college experience shape her career?

Cody's time at Arizona State University, where she felt insignificant among 60,000 students, motivated her to work hard and prove herself. This experience instilled in her a chip on her shoulder, driving her to earn three degrees and a grant, ultimately leading to her success in the finance industry.

What role did curiosity play in Cody's job search?

Cody highlights the importance of curiosity during her job search, particularly at the finance conference where she met a Vanguard recruiter. Her willingness to ask questions, despite feeling out of place, resulted in a job offer that significantly improved her financial situation.

What challenges did Cody face at Vanguard, and how did she handle them?

At Vanguard, Cody faced the challenge of securing a permanent position after her initial program, where she learned that her colleagues perceived her negatively due to her introverted nature. This experience was pivotal, as it forced her to confront her professional demeanor and ultimately led her to seek opportunities elsewhere.

How did Cody's experiences at Vanguard lead to Goldman Sachs?

After being denied a job at Vanguard due to her colleagues' perceptions, Cody used that setback as motivation to pursue other opportunities. Shortly after, she received a call from a recruiter at Goldman Sachs, which she viewed as a chance to prove herself further and ultimately resulted in a significant salary increase and a successful career path.