Diego, reflecting on his transformative journey from a challenging childhood and a brush with death due to substance abuse, shares his insights on healing, personal growth, and self-awareness with host Stephen. Diego recounts his experience growing up in poverty after immigrating from Ecuador to the U.S., which led to anxiety, stress, and a scarcity mindset. His healing process began with simple steps like walking and incorporating nutrition into his diet, progressing to confronting his emotions without distractions. Emphasizing the importance of honesty with oneself, Diego discusses the role of Vipassana meditation in understanding impermanence and reducing the rigidity of self-identity, ultimately fostering happiness and adaptability in life. He underscores the potential within each person to change without needing to hit rock bottom and encourages embracing tools like therapy and meditation to navigate life's demands.
"People don't understand their capacity. You don't need to hit rock bottom to be the best version of yourself. What you just have to do is."
This quote underlines the potential within each person to grow and change without needing to experience a significant downfall. It challenges the notion that only through extreme adversity can one achieve personal growth.
"I think the mission is really hoping to raise self awareness around the fact that healing and letting go are possible."
This quote captures Speaker A's core mission of enlightening others about the potential for healing and personal transformation, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in this process.
"I think it's because it's pretty necessary to live a better life."
Speaker A believes that healing from past traumas and difficulties is crucial for improving one's quality of life, suggesting that it's an essential step towards achieving personal freedom and breaking negative cycles.
"I think a lot of it was anxiety and stress and this sort of scarcity mindset."
The quote reflects Speaker A's personal struggles with anxiety and stress, rooted in a childhood of financial hardship and scarcity, which they worked to overcome through their healing journey.
"partying, constantly, doing tons of drugs, and eventually hit that breaking point in the summer of 2011 where I almost lost my life." This quote highlights the severity of the speaker's situation leading up to their turning point.
"I had just taken way too many drugs one night, was on the floor crying, basically praying, begging for my life because I didn't want to go out like that." The quote vividly describes the moment of crisis that served as a catalyst for change.
"I think I'm really grateful that I had that strength, and I want other people to know that they have that strength, too." The speaker reflects on their gratitude for their ability to overcome adversity and their desire to empower others.
"Walking. Walking. I was incredibly unhealthy. Right. I was definitely overweight at the time, but internally I hadn't exercised probably in like four years, four or five years." The speaker emphasizes the importance of starting with simple physical activities like walking to initiate the healing process.
"I ended up buying a huge tub of barley grass back. Barley grass used to be really hit back then, and I needed some type of superfood." This quote shows the speaker's effort to incorporate better nutrition into their recovery.
"I remember I was so unhealthy, started walking lightly, jogging, that I got the worst shin splints." The quote illustrates the physical challenges faced by the speaker as they began exercising after years of neglecting their health.
"I think people doubt their power. Honestly, man, I've seen that happen time and time again where people don't quite understand their capacity." This quote addresses the common issue of self-doubt and underestimating one's ability to change.
"Some people get destroyed by the process of hitting rock bottom, but other people stand up." The speaker acknowledges that while some succumb to their lowest points, others use it as a foundation for growth.
"I really don't think everybody has to hit rock bottom, and I think I like having that point of view because I think people want to go to extremes often and kind of dramatize things, but you don't need to hit rock bottom to be the best version of yourself." The speaker expresses their belief that extreme circumstances are not necessary for self-improvement and that change can be achieved without reaching a personal crisis.
"I remember when I was on the floor and I kept thinking about, I was like, man, I feel my life, like it's running out." This quote reveals the speaker's introspective moment during their crisis, feeling the urgency of life passing by.
"I remember writing a poem called Phoenix in my first book, inward, and I think that it's pretty personalized." The mention of the poem "Phoenix" represents the speaker's personal transformation and the theme of rising from adversity.
"I really don't think everybody has to hit rock bottom, and I think I like having that point of view." The speaker reiterates their belief that hitting rock bottom is not a prerequisite for change, suggesting that personal growth can occur through various means.
I wasn't even mad at them that they didn't have time for me because I knew their struggle.
This quote shows understanding and empathy for the speaker's parents' sacrifices and the hardships they faced as immigrants.
It's telling yourself the truth.
Speaker A emphasizes the importance of self-honesty as a means of personal growth and overcoming challenges.
I would just sit with them.
The speaker describes their method of dealing with heavy emotions by allowing themselves to fully experience and accept them.
We distract ourselves constantly.
Speaker B acknowledges the common habit of avoiding self-reflection by engaging in distractions.
It's rare, but I think it's becoming more popular.
Speaker A notes the trend towards increased self-awareness and the use of therapeutic practices in modern society.
It's concerning. But I think to me, it gives me hope, honestly.
While recognizing the potential concerns regarding the growing need for wellness practices, Speaker A also sees it as a sign of positive change and hope for addressing societal challenges.
"And now that the world is globalized, people in major cities especially have access to them."
This quote highlights the increased accessibility of mental health resources due to globalization.
"You can type in, what can I do to deal with my anxiety? And you have things from psychiatrists. You can go to your local meditation center."
This quote exemplifies the variety of options available for individuals seeking help for anxiety and other mental health issues.
"So you do see these two things rise together, where the demand for your attention is through the roof now, from the media, from tech, from everything that's happening around you, family and friends."
The quote discusses the increased demand for attention in modern life from various sources, contributing to stress and anxiety.
"I am certainly guilty of using screens and other means to distract myself from how I'm feeling."
This quote acknowledges the common practice of using technology as a distraction from one's emotions.
"We use distraction as a way to avoid confronting how we're feeling. Because confronting how we're feeling can be uncomfortable."
The speaker suggests that distraction is a widespread method to avoid the discomfort of dealing with emotions.
"Confronting how you're feeling, for a lot of us, that's the gateway to growth, right."
The quote implies that dealing with one's emotions directly can lead to personal development and growth.
"It's a meditation that's been around that originated from the budhist teaching. So 2600 years, where you basically do your best to see reality as it really is."
The speaker explains the origins and purpose of Vipassana meditation, which is to see reality without illusions.
"When you start learning that everything that arises ultimately passes away, and you start understanding that change is, it exists within the fabric of every single thing in this universe, you start loosening up your identity."
The quote discusses the concept of impermanence as a fundamental aspect of the universe and how it can influence one's sense of self.
"It allows this understanding of change to help you loosen up and really evolve."
Here, the speaker emphasizes the positive impact of embracing change on personal development and evolution.
"And I have found that quite beneficial to my personal joy and happiness and definitely in my relationships, because if you embrace change, you're not going to be as attached."
The quote connects the acceptance of change with increased happiness and healthier relationships due to reduced attachment.