In this episode of The Deeply Aligned, I’m joined by Damian Schechter, a fitness coach and entrepreneur who seemed to have it all—an enviable physique, a thriving business, and a picture-perfect life. But behind the scenes, Damien was battling the pressure to prove his worth, using external validation as a shield against unresolved pain.

After a tough breakup forced him to choose between spiraling down or leveling up, Damien took the road less traveled. With the help of plant medicine, brutal self-examination, and a willingness to walk away from a life that no longer served him, Damien embarked on a profound journey of healing and growth.

We dive into:

• Damien’s decision to leave a prestigious job and build his own coaching business
• How his pursuit of success led to personal and relational breakdowns
• The transformative role of plant medicine in uncovering his authentic self
• The balance between ambition, self-care, and emotional accountability
• Lessons in walking away, rebuilding, and finding purpose through pain

This is not just a story about reinvention—it’s a raw, real exploration of what it means to stop performing for the world and start living authentically.

🔔 If this conversation sparks something in you, subscribe for more stories about alignment, purpose, and self-discovery.

#DamienSchechter #DeeplyAlignedPodcast #FromBurnoutToBreakthrough #HealingJourney #SelfRediscovery #EntrepreneurshipLessons
#PlantMedicineHealing #EmotionalAccountability #PurposeDrivenLife #SelfDevelopmentJourney #OvercomingPressure
#AlignmentAndGrowth #AuthenticLiving #BreakupToBreakthrough #Inspiration

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Ever wonder what it takes to walk away from a life you’ve meticulously built and start fresh?

In this episode of The Deeply Aligned, I’m joined by Emily Jane Saroff, a former architecture graduate who did the unthinkable: she left her nearly-completed degree and a stable career path to follow her heart into the unknown. At just 22 years old, Emily faced the daunting challenge of pivoting from a path she had invested years and thousands of dollars into, but in doing so, she found a life of fulfillment—and a $100,000 income in just eight months.

Emily shares the raw, real moments of burnout, the fear of wasting her education, and the courage it took to listen to her gut when everyone around her doubted her choice. This is more than a story about leaving a career; it’s about learning to trust yourself, rewriting the rules, and finding alignment with your true purpose.

We dive into:

• Emily’s journey from architecture to entrepreneurship
• The internal conflict of pursuing passion versus following societal expectations
• How she overcame fear, embraced opportunity costs, and built a new life
• Lessons in self-trust, clarity, and making the boldest decisions
• Balancing practicality with intuition to create a deeply aligned life

This inspiring conversation is a reminder that the hardest decisions often lead to the most rewarding transformations.

🔔 If this story resonates with you, make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into alignment, purpose, and self-discovery!

#EmilyJaneSaroff #DeeplyAligned #TrustYourself #LifePivot #EntrepreneurshipJourney #OvercomingBurnout #SelfDiscovery #SunkCostFallacy #PurposeDrivenLife #OpportunityCost

Support the podcast:

• Share this episode with a friend 🙏
• Rate, review, and follow the podcast
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★ Join the Deeply Aligned Newsletter – Ready to rethink "success" and design a deeply aligned life that lights you up? Sign up and receive a special gift on the other side! ✨

RESOURCES:

• Join the Next Client Community
• Subscribe to The Deeply Aligned Podcast
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• Book a discovery call with Chris

Connect with Chris Appelgren:

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Connect with Emila Jane Sarroff:

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YOUTUBE:

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PODCASTS:

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OFFERS:

• 1:1 Guidance & Business Coaching
• The Next Client Community: Sign your next 3-5 clients online for your services or programs

Free Resources:

• The Top 100 Book List
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★ Join my weekly newsletter on how to grow your online business, and build a biz you love in every way for abundant freedom.

In this episode, I sit down with William Soo, a multifaceted fitness coach and graphic designer whose journey from art to fitness has transformed his approach to life, creativity, and movement. Starting as a designer, William found himself on an unexpected path after a back injury, which led him into bodybuilding, then calisthenics, and now what he calls “mobility on steroids.”

William shares insights on the balance between discipline and freedom and how these practices have redefined his relationship with his body and mind. We dive into how his journey evolved from traditional fitness goals to embracing movement as a form of creative expression, how psychedelics shifted his perspective on control, and why he believes curiosity and creativity are essential to living fully.

In this episode, we talked about:

• William's transition from a career in graphic design to a life dedicated to fitness and self-exploration
• How injury and bodybuilding led him to new realms of movement and "mobility on steroids"
• The impact of psychedelics on letting go of control and embracing change
• Why creativity is essential in both physical and mental growth
• Balancing strength, flexibility, and the power of staying curious

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on reimagining life, fitness, and creativity!

🔔 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe for more on unconventional journeys, fitness philosophies, and creative living.

#WilliamSoo #Movement #Mobility #Creativity #Psychedelics #FitnessJourney #Calisthenics #SelfDiscovery #DeepYellowLine #Podcast

Support the podcast:

• Share this episode with a friend 🙏
• Rate, review, and follow the podcast
• Subscribe to the YouTube channel
• Follow @deeplyalignedpodcast on Instagram

★ Join the Deeply Aligned Newsletter – Ready to rethink "success" and design a deeply aligned life that lights you up? Sign up and receive a special gift on the other side! ✨

RESOURCES:

• Join the Next Client Community
• Subscribe to The Deeply Aligned Podcast
• Free resources
• Book a discovery call with Chris

Connect with Chris Appelgren:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• Newsletter
• Twitter
• Official Site

Connect with William Soo:

• Instagram

YOUTUBE:

• YouTube @chrisappelgren

PODCASTS:

• The Deeply Aligned Podcast

OFFERS:

• 1:1 Guidance & Business Coaching
• The Next Client Community: Sign your next 3-5 clients online for your services or programs

Free Resources:

• The Top 100 Book List
• Free trainings
• Free EBOOK: Aligned Irresistible Offer

★ Join my weekly newsletter on how to grow your online business, and build a biz you love in every way for abundant freedom.