Stepping Into Authenticity: The Journey of The Not So Woo Woo Guru
Stepping Into Authenticity: The Journey of The Not So Woo Woo Guru
Recently I launched a podcast called The Not So Woo Woo Guru. And what better place to start than with the name itself? It came to me during a meditation a few months back, a reflection of my evolving journey and my desire to not be true to who I am.
I left corporate life in 2014—not by choice, but by necessity after getting fired from a job I thought I would love but ultimately hated. It was a wake-up call, a moment that pushed me into a deeper confrontation with my lifelong struggles with anxiety and depression. That period of my life was a catalyst, leading me to immerse myself in yoga, travel the world, and dive into Eastern philosophy. Eventually, I moved to California and founded SoCal Wellness Retreats, a space for holistic healing and transformation.
Along the way I have found myself at times trying to copy or emulate what others are doing.
But lately, something has shifted. My feelings toward running retreats have evolved, and I’ve been drawn to a more intimate way of working with people—coaching. The idea excites me, yet I’ve wrestled with self-doubt. “Who am I to be a coach?” “There are already too many coaches out there.” And I’ve judged the industry, seeing parts of it as inauthentic or even scammy. But at the heart of it all, I realized what I really want is to guide people toward their most authentic selves.
Authenticity is a powerful force—literally. Studies show that the energy frequency of authenticity is 4,000 times more powerful than love. That means when our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions align, we radiate an energy that is magnetic and transformative. I want to help people step into that space of alignment.
So here I am, at another crossroads. My identity has been wrapped up in SoCal Wellness Retreats, and while I cherish the experiences and impact, I’ve had to confront some hard truths. Running these retreats has been fulfilling but also draining. I’ve found myself attracting participants who aren’t always the right fit, and I’ve had to “sell” retreats to people who may not be aligned with the work I truly want to do. The excitement that once fueled me has waned, and I’ve had to be honest with myself: It’s time for a change.
Making a shift like this is terrifying. Financially, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve dipped into my savings, taken loans, and felt the pressure of uncertainty. I won’t sugarcoat it—there have been sleepless nights wrestling with my mind. But I keep coming back to something a mentor once told me: “The known will let you down. But if you step into the unknown with faith, it will never let you down.”
Faith is a tricky thing, especially when society and our own biology conditions us to seek security and certainty. But my journey over the past decade has shown me that the most incredible experiences happen when I follow my intuition rather than my analytical mind. I’ve been able to travel the world, witness profound transformations in people, and build a life that, while not always easy, has been deeply fulfilling.
If you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or out of alignment with your purpose, know that there is a way forward. It starts with reconnecting to what brings you joy. Meditation, breathwork, silence, nature—these have been my guides. And when I operate from that space, synchronicities unfold, opportunities arise, and the right people show up.
We live in a world obsessed with formulas: the best diet, the best workout, the best career path. But the real key is intuition—learning to trust yourself so you don’t have to guess your way through life. The most successful and fulfilled people I know have one thing in common: they stepped into the unknown and fully embraced their authentic selves.
I once heard a story at an entrepreneur event about a woman who, in the midst of personal crisis, found solace in watching dolphins. She was struggling with neurological issues and was going to lose her job while trying to support two kids on her own. Each day she would go down and watch for dolphins at La Jolla shores and then eventually turned it into a walking tour. By the time I heard her story she was on a stage at a 4,000 person event and had multiple boats that she would take people out on. She turned that simple joy into a thriving business, proving that usually the answers are already within us and joy is the compass.
This next chapter for me is about deepening my work with individuals, helping them navigate their own paths to authenticity. It won’t be perfect, and rejection is a reality I’ll have to face. But rejection is just redirection, and I’m excited to embrace whatever comes next.
If you’re at a crossroads, take a step back and ask yourself: What brings me joy? It doesn’t have to be grand. Sometimes, the smallest passions can lead to extraordinary transformations.
I’m not abandoning retreats; I’m integrating them into something bigger. This journey is about showing up, being real, and trusting the process. Excitement is the best indicator that you’re on the right path.
So if you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or weighed down by fear, take a deep breath. Find what lights you up. Lean into it. The logistics will figure themselves out.
Thanks for reading and for being part of this journey. And remember—be authentically you.
Lots of love, John