I left a career spanning Goldman Sachs and tech to become a hiking guide. The 75% pay cut was worth it.

• 07/13/2025, 5:27 AM
• businessinsider.com

Courtesy of Hike with Cliff

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Cliff Goldstein, 40, who is based in Upstate New York and runs Hike with Cliff. His income, his former employment, and salary have been verified by Business Insider. The following has been edited for length and clarity.