Embracing Change: A Midlife Transition from the World Bank to Holistic Health

I wrote this blog to inspire those wrestling with midlife transitions or early retirement, wondering if it’s worth pursuing passions long deferred—just as I did.

Over six years ago, I took early retirement from the World Bank Group after working at IFC as an investment officer for 22 years. At 53, I traded the security of a prestigious career for the uncertainty of a dream I’d harbored since my teens.

Leaving a career that defined me for over two decades was a leap into the unknown. For months, I questioned my choice. After such a long time in one institution, my job title had become a cornerstone of my identity. Without it, I felt groundless. I had done years of volunteer yoga, qigong and mindfulness teaching through the WB fitness center or informal groups organized by staff themselves. However, my role as an investment officer always took precedence. Redefining myself outside that title and embracing uncertainty was quite uncomfortable.

The early days of retirement were unsettling. The structure of corporate life—meetings, deadlines, familiar routines—vanished. Yet I was still young, active, and eager to contribute to society. A significant turning point occurred as Covid lockdowns forced us to stay at home and everything started to turn on-line.  I had visited an acupuncture school in Virginia years earlier, where a Chinese colleague from the World Bank studied diligently while working full-time. Her dedication and commitment stayed with me. I discovered that the same school, the Virginia University of Integrative Medicine (VUIM) offered online classes. To become an acupuncturist, it would require 3 years of study at a master’s level. It was scary and almost unimaginable to go to school for three years and get my second masters in Acupuncture, a completely different field from the first one in finance almost about 30 years ago. But I was so intrigued by studying holistic medicine modality in such detail to become a practitioner.

As a teenager, I’d dreamed of becoming a doctor, drawn to medicine and the human psyche, but life led me elsewhere. Still, my passion for healthy living and preventive medicine endured. I’d practiced yoga since my early 30s, earned a 500-hour yoga teacher certification and Qigong teacher training while working at the World Bank, and taught volunteer classes since 2013. Acupuncture felt like a natural extension of that journey.

After a lot of deliberations, in June 2020, I tested the waters with a few VUIM classes. Captivated by the holistic approach to health, I enrolled in the master’s program at an age when many might shy away from further education. For three years, I immersed myself in the study of East Asian Medicine, delving into acupuncture and other integrative mind-body practices. The rigorous curriculum of the school demanded dedication, but my resolve—fueled by a decades-old yearning—carried me through. I had an unwavering commitment to my newfound role as a student. I finished school one quarter early by overloading the classes, and passed the National Board exams in my first attempt.

This accomplishment not only validated my hard work but also opened the door to a new chapter in my life. At the age of 57, I transitioned into a completely different career, embracing my role as a licensed acupuncturist with a sincere enthusiasm and a deep sense of purpose.

Soon after, I began working with a medical doctor, who is also an acupuncturist and herbalist. In that office, we treat many Medicare patients, as Medicare covers acupuncture when it’s offered by or supervised by an MD. I also opened my own practice in Herndon-Reston, where I’m honored to help people reduce pain and enhance their well-being. My background in corporate problem-solving and holistic training lets me connect deeply with patients, addressing not just symptoms but crafting personalized mind-body practices for lasting health.

My journey hasn’t been without challenges, but it’s shown me the transformative power of embracing change later in life. Today, I find immense joy in working one-on-one with individuals, guiding them on their own paths to holistic health with completely natural solutions. If you’re at a crossroads, contemplating a leap into the unknown, I hope my story inspires you. It’s never too late to pursue your passions and reshape your path. It is possible to navigate change successfully and create a richer, more fulfilling chapter in the later part of life.

The author can be contacted at nevin.turk@gmail.com

KEYWORDS   acupuncture, early retirement, holistic health, midlife transition, preventive medicine