From High Finance To Freedom: Why Matthew Olk Gave Up A Six-Figure Life For Something Money Can’t Buy

In a world obsessed with hustle culture, financial success, and carefully curated Instagram aesthetics, walking away from a six-figure career sounds like madness. But for Matthew Olk, it was the only way to survive.

He had everything he thought he wanted — a high-powered corporate job, an impressive salary, a chic Chicago apartment, and a lifestyle many only dream of, all by the age of 32. He was young, thriving, and climbing the professional ladder faster than his peers. But behind the polished professional profile was a man unraveling.

The Price Of Success

Success, as it turned out, came at a cost. As Olk describes in The Tree of Life Within: The Sacred Connection of Body, Mind, and Spirit:

"I had it all on paper—but beneath the surface, my soul was withering. My achievements became armor, protecting me from the emptiness I refused to face. I was a tree that appeared strong and thriving, but my roots were brittle, whispering the truth I couldn’t yet admit. I was disconnected, exhausted, and lost."

Then came the collapse. Olk recalls this moment in his book as an earthquake — one that shattered everything he thought he was. The identity he had carefully built, the validation he had chased, and the illusion of success all came crashing down.

"Success, identity, and validation all crumbled under the weight of the truth I had avoided my entire life."

Within weeks, he made a choice that defied all logic. He left everything behind — his job, his apartment, his entire life as he knew it. He sold his house, bought an RV, and set off with nothing but his dog, Abby, and an urgent need to figure out who he was beyond the world he had built.

18 Months, 24 States, And A Search For Something Real

What followed was an 18-month odyssey through 24 states, deep into the unknown.

"I had spent my life chasing success, yet I felt like a stranger in my own body. The further I ran, the emptier I became. So I realized the only way out was to stop running," said Matthew.

From meditating in the mountains of Colorado to sitting in plant medicine ceremonies in Mexico, he immersed himself in ancient wisdom, neuroscience, and spiritual exploration. He read nearly the entire Bible, studied Buddhist teachings, and questioned everything he had ever believed.

What began as an escape became a reckoning. His journey led him to dismantle everything—his beliefs, his identity, and the very systems society is built on.

And just as he thought he had lost everything, life took another unexpected turn.

A Love Story That Was Never In The Plan

What was meant to be a short four-week trip to Europe, to meet a friend (now his wife), travel to Italy, and work on his brand, turned into something far greater.

Just before his departure, his beloved dog, Abby — the one constant through his transformation — unexpectedly passed away. The loss shattered him, but it also kept him in Europe far longer than planned. And in that stillness, something else happened. What began as a friendship turned into a beautiful marriage and a unique love story that hundreds of thousands now follow on his social media feeds through video and photo posts.

Olk now calls Croatia, Europe home, embracing not only a different culture but a life of true authenticity.

The Book That’s Waking People Up

Olk’s journey isn’t just about walking away — it’s about waking up. His book, The Tree of Life Within: The Sacred Connection of Body, Mind, and Spirit, is more than just a personal memoir. It’s a deep dive into the illusions that keep people trapped in cycles of burnout, chasing a version of success that leaves them empty.

"We live in a world that teaches us to silence our instincts, override our bodies, and follow a path that was never ours to begin with. But what happens when you finally listen?"

Unlike most self-help books that sell easy answers, The Tree of Life Within does the opposite, it challenges. It asks readers to dismantle everything they believe about who they are, why they suffer, and what it truly means to be free.

A Movement, Not Just A Story

Since sharing his journey, Olk has struck a nerve. His social media has become a space for raw conversations, with thousands resonating with his message. Comments like "This book broke me open," and “I feel like I just woke up from a dream I didn’t know I was in” reflect just how deeply his words are landing.

But Olk’s work isn’t just about storytelling — it’s about transformation. He invites people to step out of autopilot, examine the narratives they’ve been taught, and reclaim a life that feels true to them. For those questioning their path, for those feeling stuck in a life that no longer fits, The Tree of Life Within is not just a book — it’s an invitation.

An invitation to come home to themselves.

Follow Matt on social media, here and here, or check out his website.

BDG Media newsroom and editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content.