We talk a lot on the show about career pivots, but my friend Alicia Fernandez did something much more dramatic.

She put a pin in her Uber successful career and social impact in order to become an intern.

It is all the subject of her first book, My What If Year, a memoir about four internships, three countries, two kids, and one life-changing misadventure.

Alicia's quest to figure out what might have happened if her life had taken a different path.

This conversation is my quest to figure out what might have happened if her life had taken a different path. This conversation is my quest to figure out how anyone who wonders what if, and who has not

wondered what if, can learn from Alicia's hi. Hi. I'm so excited to be here. I can't even tell you.

Alicia, I want to start with how you and I know each other, which is that we went to college together.

And because our names are oddly

similar, Alicia Menendez, Alicia Fernandez, people would like bring me your mail, Alicia. I'm so sorry for that.

Did I even get any mail? I think this is for you. And I'm like, look at the letters. They're different.

I have actually the most vivid memory of meeting you for the first

time. I think it was at like a mixer for the women's studies department, the formerly known as

Women's Studies Department. And I feel like you were in sweatpants and you just were like,

very cool and relaxed and really smart. And I was like, we have the same name. And she seems awesome. This could be

bad for me. Alicia, I think what was so interesting to me about reading your book is that in the

years that have followed our knowing one another and being friends in college, I watched

your life progress as I watched

so many college friends' lives progress via Facebook and Instagram.

And on Facebook and Instagram, your life looked truly perfect.

Sort of early love, what seemed like a really happy, great marriage, these two cute little

kids, a career that was thriving and blooming. And all of that was true.

Yep, was true. Was true. Was not a lie. Tell me about that sort of, is there a moment,

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