The Reality of Achieving a Dream
What if the challenges you’re facing aren’t setbacks but stepping stones to your greatest transformation? On New Year’s Day, I experienced a moment I had been waiting for: my book Engineered Miracles was finally live on Amazon. After a year of putting my business on hold to focus on writing, it felt like the culmination of all my hard work. But that initial excitement didn’t last as long as I thought it would.
Like many of us, I had the expectation—whether conscious or not—that this milestone would bring immediate results. More book sales, more Amazon reviews, and a sense of fulfillment that would last indefinitely. But reality doesn’t always work that way.
Just a few weeks later, I found myself questioning whether I had done enough. Would my book reach the right people? Would it have the impact I intended?
And then, this past weekend, I tuned into Tony Robbins’ Time to Rise Summit, where he shared something that completely reframed my perspective: the Hero’s Journey. It was a reminder that transformation isn’t about reaching a destination—it’s about embracing every part of the journey, including the moments of doubt and uncertainty.
I had been measuring success by Amazon reviews and book sales, but after Tony’s talk, I saw things differently. My book wasn’t just something to sell—it was my elixir, my gift to those who needed it. And like every hero’s journey, the impact wouldn’t happen overnight.
The Hero’s Journey: A Roadmap for Life
Every great story—whether in mythology, movies, or real life—follows a similar path: a hero faces challenges, transforms, and returns stronger. Joseph Campbell called this the Hero’s Journey. Tony Robbins used this framework in the Time to Rise Summit this weekend to show how every challenge we face is part of our evolution.
Tony broke down the seven stages of the Hero’s Journey, using The Wizard of Oz to explain how transformation happens. This is a concept originally studied by Joseph Campbell, but what struck me most was how perfectly it applied to my own life.
We often look at challenges as setbacks, but in reality, they’re part of the process.
As Tony said:"When you’re having a tough time, it helps to understand where you are in your story. Otherwise, it feels like winter will last forever. But it won’t, as long as you don’t give up."
I realized that my book launch wasn’t the end of my journey—it was just another threshold to cross. There are many big goals ahead: restarting my podcast, sharing my message on YouTube, preparing for a TED Talk, and stepping into my latest, scariest risk—one that I’ll be revealing in a future post.
How My Life Mirrors the Hero’s Journey
1. The Call to Adventure – My Wake-Up Call in 2011
Dorothy’s adventure began when the tornado took her from Kansas to Oz. Mine began when I received my cancer diagnosis.
At the time, I saw it as a disaster, not a calling. I wasn’t thinking about transformation; I was just trying to survive. But in hindsight, I can see that this was life pushing me toward something greater.
Looking back, I realize it was life nudging me toward something greater—even though I couldn’t see it at the time. But as Tony said, "Most people don’t recognize the call at first. It feels like a crisis. But if you don’t answer it, life will keep throwing challenges at you." That was exactly my experience—life kept nudging me toward my true purpose, but I wasn’t ready to listen.
Years after my diagnosis, I continued in the corporate world. I knew deep down that I wasn’t aligned with my true purpose, but I wasn’t ready to take the leap until 2016.
2. Refusing the Call – Staying in My Comfort Zone
In The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy initially refuses the idea that she has to embark on a journey. She just wants to go home.
I, too, resisted change. Even after healing physically, I stayed in familiar territory—working hard, chasing external success, and avoiding the deeper transformation I knew I needed.
3. Meeting Mentors – The Guides Who Changed My Path
n The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy meets her mentors—the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion—each representing lessons she needs to learn. Looking back, I see that one of my first mentors on this path was Tony Robbins.
The first book my mentor suggested I read was Awaken the Giant Within. That book changed everything. Right after reading it in 2014, I took a leap and opened my company.
At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the depth of Tony’s message. But looking back, I realize that book wasn’t just about business or success—it was about mastering myself. It planted the seed for everything that followed: my journey into alignment, emotional intelligence, and resilience.
And nearly a decade later, I found myself at Business Mastery 2020—Tony’s last in-person event before the world shut down—where his teachings would once again push me to step into a new level of purpose.
That weekend, we were immersed in discussions about business, leadership, and personal growth, but I’ll never forget the moment when everything shifted.
It was January 26, 2020—the room was buzzing with energy, and then, suddenly, the news broke: Kobe Bryant had passed away in a helicopter crash.
At that moment, Sarah Blakely was on stage with her husband, Jesse Itzler. No announcement was made, but you could feel the energy in the room shift. A collective heaviness settled over us, as if the air itself had changed.
Kobe’s death overshadowed everything else—including the quiet murmurs about a virus that was beginning to make headlines. In hindsight, it was like The Call to Adventure was beginning not just for me but for the entire world.
At the time, I didn’t know that this year would change everything. I didn’t know that I would soon have to pause my business, embark on a deeper spiritual journey, and write Engineered Miracles. But looking back, I can see how that moment was another turning point, urging me to step into a higher purpose.
For me, this phase began when I started to explore energy healing, emotional intelligence, and heart-brain coherence. I met mentors along the way, from books to thought leaders like Dr. Joe Dispenza and HeartMath Institute, who helped me see that healing wasn’t just about the body—it was about aligning energy, emotions, and thoughts.
I also started having lucid dreams that profoundly shifted my understanding of reality. It was as if life was saying, “You’re finally ready.”
4. Crossing the Threshold – Writing My Book
This is the stage where the hero commits to the journey.
For me, this moment came when I decided to write Engineered Miracles.
I had to battle my fears—fear of judgment, fear of failing, fear of being vulnerable. But I knew that if I didn’t do it, I’d regret it.
5. The Ordeal – Pushing Through Self-Doubt
Every hero faces a dark night of the soul. For Dorothy, it was her battle with the Wicked Witch.
For me, it was the months of isolation while writing. I doubted whether my story mattered. I questioned whether I was the right person to share this message.
But as Tony said, “The hardest battle isn’t external—it’s the battle within yourself.”
Through meditation, self-reflection, and staying committed to my vision, I pushed through.
6. The Transformation – Learning to Let Go
When Dorothy finally meets the Wizard, she learns that the power to go home was inside her all along.
Similarly, I had to realize that the success of my book wasn’t about sales—it was about alignment. I stopped worrying about numbers and instead focused on the people who were reading it, trusting that it would land in the hands of those who needed it.
7. Returning with the Elixir – Sharing the Journey
The final step in the Hero’s Journey is returning home transformed—and sharing the lessons with others.
I now see that my book wasn’t just about me—it was about anyone going through a journey of transformation.
Tony said, “A hero doesn’t keep the wisdom to themselves—they give back.” That’s why I’m committed to continuing this conversation through my blog series, workshops, and coaching.
Where Are You in Your Hero’s Journey?
We all go through cycles of transformation. If you feel stuck, ask yourself:
Are you resisting a call to change?
Are you waiting for “the right time” to step into your next level?
Are you in the middle of your toughest battle, feeling like winter will last forever?
The journey never ends—once you complete one cycle, life presents another challenge to take you further.
A New Perspective on Challenges
Tony Robbins’ seminar reminded me that success isn’t a final destination. It’s about continuously answering the call to growth, especially when it’s uncomfortable.
The next time you face a setback, remember: this isn’t the end—it’s just a threshold.
Every challenge is preparing you for what’s next. Trust the journey, embrace the challenges, and step into your transformation—your greatest adventure is unfolding right now.
If you want to watch Tony’s breakdown of the Hero’s Journey and see how it applies to your life, don’t miss this limited-time free replay: Tony Robbins’ Time to Rise Summit.
🔥 The replays expire in just a few days, so grab it while you can! Tony’s events are truly life-changing, and this one might be exactly what you need right now.
If you resonated with this, I’d love to hear about your own Hero’s Journey. Where are you in your process? Comment below or share your thoughts with me on LinkedIn or Instagram!
And if you haven’t yet, check out Engineered Miracles—it’s my way of sharing the elixir I’ve found along the way. 📖 Get the book here