Meet Monica Gross

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Monica Gross a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Monica, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I used to be a full-time accountant and I felt as though I was doing everything society expected of me in my 20s. Once I reached the ‘goals’ of my industry and young professional life, I realized how unfulfilled I felt. I was chasing what I had been told to chase and ‘made it’ in many ways (I received my CPA designation, worked at a big four accounting firm and got a well-paying job) yet felt so unhappy. I then went through a breakup, and when I felt as though I was at my lowest low, I knew I had to reevaluate what I wanted in life and what would make me happy.
Before this point I had never even considered what I truly wanted. I had tried stand up comedy once before as part of a fundraiser, and knew deep down that this was something that I wanted to do, but I was very afraid to start. After really sitting with myself and thinking of what I wanted my life to look like, I decided to try it in an effort to pull myself out of a dark place. It worked. Over time, comedy has naturally progressed from a hobby into a career. My entire purpose in life is not comedy. I think my life’s purpose is ever-evolving and made up of many different elements, but sitting with myself, evaluating what it is that I want and staying true to myself helps me to find purpose and find what I really want in life.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a part time accountant and stand-up comedian in Toronto, Canada. I perform at clubs across Canada and have also performed in New York City. I also create comedy sketches on social media on Instagram at @monicagross_ and co-host a podcast called Menty Breaky (@mentybreaky on Instagram) with comedian Hannah Veldhoen.
The best part of being a stand-up comic is the connection that comes from shared humor. I believe that connecting with people through humor makes us realize we have more in common than we think, which is so special. It makes us feel less alone and like we’re not going through this life by ourselves. Nothing compares to watching comedy bring people together and being able to laugh over our shared experiences.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The three most important qualities that have been most impactful to my journey have been staying true to myself, staying connected with others and courage. Staying true to myself and listening to myself and my gut has led me to some of the best places I’ve ever been, both in comedy and in life. It can be scary and it’s not always a clear path, but that’s where courage has helped me to find my way and create my own path. Staying connected, both with others and myself, has also been crucial to my journey. I believe we’re not meant to live in isolation, which is also a really big part of why I love the connection element of comedy and humor. Staying connected to my friends, family, and people who genuinely support me and want what’s best for me has really helped me through. There have been many moments in my comedy career where I think my friends and family have believed in me more than I believed in myself, and that means the world to me.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

The most helpful person in becoming successful has been my mom. My mom has been my number one fan since I was a kid. She is always there to listen and give me advice. She supports me, even when she may not fully understand, and I know the love she has for me is unconditional and unwavering, which makes me feel like I can tell her anything. Both my mom and dad have attended my comedy shows, which means so much to me. My mom has also led by example by being successful in her career and living life on her terms, even if it wasn’t always the traditional route. I’m lucky to have her to look up to and to learn from.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@ramyaridaphoto @megan_aj_vincent

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Leadership Development
Where does your self-discipline come from?

One of the most essential skills for unlocking our potential is self-discipline. We asked some

Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
Working hard in 2025: Keeping Work Ethic Alive

While the media might often make it seem like hard work is dead and that