Post Grad Knack with Aly Mac Aly MacDonell

Wow, and just like that, that's a wrap! Aly is recapping some points she wanted to expand on more during the season in the last episode of season one. She talks about societal standards and how it's okay to be in charge of your own life, how you don't have to follow a certain road map to get to where you want to be. In this day and age, it's easy to get caught up in a game of "Keeping Up with the Jones'," but Aly has some advice on how she has and continues to carve out her own path going against the grain of society. In this solo ep, she also discusses how to find enjoyment here and now, even if you aren't exactly where you want to be on your journey. Aly talks about how she finds things to be grateful for, no matter the kind of day she's having! 

Lastly, she gives lots of THANKS to all of you who have listened all the way through season one!! This was a big goal of Aly's, and to finish the season strong and to be able to share it with you leaves her with so much gratitude for YOU! The show would be nothing without you, so thanks again for listening : )



Aly mentions the book, What Color is Your Parachute? which can be found here.

She also mentioned Sam Laura Brown's, The Perfectionism Project, which is a high recommended podcast by Aly!

It seems like all of Aly's friends love science, so we're just going to call season one the season of the RD! This week, Aly is joined by long time, long distance friend, Gretchen Wiese, who is a registered dietitian and works with dialysis patients. Gretchen's path in post grad life has been a challenging one filled with twists and turns, but it is a journey that will leave you with a lot of hope for a happy life! Gretchen journeyed all over the state of Michigan, landed in Indiana for a few years, and talks about how her journey is leading her across the country as she begins a new job in Denver, Colorado! Aly and Gretchen talk in great length about the benefits of finding work/life balance and understanding the importance of self identity outside of your job or education. This is an episode full of great advice from a wonderful person who cares deeply about her career and for her friends and family. You will not want to miss this one!! 

This week on PGK, Aly talks all about how she was able to pay off her student loan debt. After graduating in 2015, getting her degree and a good paying internship, she decided that she would immediately start making payments on her student loans. In this episode she goes into detail about what steps she took to prioritize becoming debt free in just a few short years after graduating. Aly definitely did not follow the typical way people go about handling their student loan debt, but she offer's sage advice on how to help meet yourself where you're at on your own financial journey.  She spends a lot of time recommending Dave Ramsey's podcast (you should check it out, even if you're slightly curious) and laughing about the old jobs she carried throughout college. Join in on this episode if you are interested in hearing a bit more about Aly's journey to financial freedom!



Aly also recommended Molly's Mornings, a meditative podcast, specifically Molly's episode about manifesting abundance, which can be found here. 

Shelby and Aly go waaaay back - all the way back to sophomore year of high school! On this weeks episode, Aly asks Shelby questions about her journey to becoming a Registered Dietitian. These best friends are a fun time and love to laugh together, especially as they reminisce on Shelby's journey to adulthood. Shelby currently works as a Data Support Specialist, helping build food service menus for hospital patients. She's the one who, behind the scenes, codes the menus in hospitals to make sure patients get the right foods in their diets to maintain their best health and keep them safe. Shelby tells all about how she didn't even know that this was an option for her during her undergrad career, which just goes to show how many job options are really out there! She gives great advice to never pass up on an opportunity and to apply yourself in every opportunity you get. Join in on this fun, witty, and hysterical conversation between two friends, and find out all about how you could become a Registered Dietitian yourself!

This week, Aly dives into her New Years Resolutions from 2021 - because who couldn't use a final quarter review before the year ends!? Aly is talking all about her resolutions to run 365 miles this year, drink more water, and get better sleep. She gives a bit of advice on how to push through to the end of the year and re-evaluate your own resolutions and goals! As a post grad, setting and working toward personal goals can be vastly different than working toward school or career related goals. Follow along in this episode and join Aly as she tries to end 2021 on a strong note and head into 2022 feeling energized and refreshed, so hopefully you can, too!

In this episode, Aly dives into a conversation with her sister, Madison Muir, who just recently became an Occupational Therapist! Aly asks Maddy about her path through undergrad and how she used her psychology major from Grand Valley State to commit to her dream of becoming an OT. Maddy talks about her use of manifestation and how she took things one day at a time. Learn more about occupational therapy, what it means to work in this field, and some of the challenges in the medical field Maddy has faced along the way. Aly and Maddy also discuss budgeting, being grateful for friendships, and of course their similarities and differences about growing up in the same house. 

We also talked about EveryDollar, which Aly highly recommends as a budgeting tool!