During my senior year of high school there was a display in the commons that shared what each student wanted to be after graduation.

I kid you not, when I filled out the form, I put, "Roller coaster tester."

There it was, on the wall next to all of the nurses and teachers, Elyse Briski: Roller Coaster Tester

But in all honesty, what did I want to be? At that point in my life I truly had no idea.

I knew I wanted to get the heck out of the small town I grew up in.
I knew I wanted to enjoy what I was learning.
I knew that I could never fit into any kind of box.

I can't lie to you and tell you college was ever something that interested me, because it wasn't. In fact, it was the last thing I wanted to do and simply refused.
Not because I didn't want to learn, I wanted to learn!
Just finally in a different way.
Plus -- there was a lot to see and a lot to do out there in the world and I was aching for experience!

So? One month after graduation I packed up my car and headed to a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul. I moved in with my aunt and started to job hunt.

Not long after moving to the cities I enrolled in cosmetology school. Honestly, it was fun! I had so much fun and I loved learning it. It felt creative and I met some great people. Afterwards I got a job at a really cool salon and began what I thought would be my career. (Oh Elyse’.)

During my first few months, the CEO gave us a book, Play to Win. It was the first inspirational, self helpy type of book I ever read. The pages sucked me in.

It talked about taking risks and following your heart.

Not long after I began to get restless. Although I worked with some of the most talented people in the industry, I couldn't help but wonder what else was out there.
I remember one day specifically finishing up with a client watching him as he left. All I could picture was standing there at the same station having the same conversations -- 30 years later.

For a lot of people that would be such a wonderful option for their life... but for me? Well, I was 20 years old, spirited and feeling inspired. I had to hit the road.
The very next week I sold my car, packed up two little pink suitcases and bought a one-way ticket to Hawaii.

I said goodbye to Minnesota, got on an airplane and flew 3,000 miles landing on the island of Maui. I had never been to Hawaii before but nothing felt so right.

My life as a roller coaster tester was just beginning.

Minneapolis St. Paul Airport circa 2008 — holding my first of many one way tickets!