What if you release the idea that you had for the life that you or others expected for yourself? Doing what lights you up will conquer any expectations without even meaning to and is ultimately the best way to be kind to yourself.
Ryan Cwick, our guest for EP58’s Wise Walk, likes to take on the world with the intention of spreading love and kindness. He doesn’t back down from a challenge, and I admire how he views the world. We both share the mindset that it’s important to do what lights you up.
On our Wise Walk, Ryan and I talk about how a shock in life provides freedom to explore something new. Why there is not an optimal sequence to life, and how to recreate life at any point. We discuss the balance of giving to others and giving to yourself.
We share our thoughts and create space for you to reflect on these Wise Walk questions and more:
Where can you shock yourself so you can fully connect to experiences that light you up? In what ways can you offer help or give on a day-to-day basis? If you give up something (because it no longer makes your heart happy), what will you choose instead to align with what will light you up?On the True Stride podcast, we take a Wise Walk to slow down and check our reality. True Stride is that feeling you get when you’re aligned in your heart with all that you do, and you feel energized and happy with each and every step that you take. I’m your host, Mary Tess Rooney, and I connect with Ryan Cwick on this episode. You definitely want to listen!!
Ryan Cwick says he fulfilled lots of odd jobs in his journey and stumbled into personal development. Ryan contributes to the world through his experiences as a travel enthusiast and an industrial engineer interested in solar energy. He operates as a Travel Coach through TripsWithCwick and gives back to communities by raising money through social media challenges. He organizes his spontaneous ideas into meaningful events that inspire change.
The things that light us up actually make an impact in the world, whether the impact is directly or indirectly connected to our efforts. Tune in to hear ways to:
Explore the thread of our True Stride through different aspects of life Intentionally follow our heart Break the norms and habits we grew accustomed to that no longer serve usJoin this inspiring community to uncover a new sense of freedom, and be sure to follow Ryan as he continues to spread his bright light and Heart Value with others.
In this episode:
[00:23] - Welcome to the show!
[02:05] - Mary Tess talks about her thoughts on the feedback from Striders as everyone pursues their own path.
[04:04] - Ryan Cwick says that making others smile is what lights him up.
[05:50] - What led to Ryan’s sudden move across the country, and how did this move alter his life?
[07:51] - Ryan talks about the influence a series of miscellaneous jobs had on his perspective of communication and growth.
[09:53] - This social media challenge inspired Ryan to explore the intersection of work, interests, and service to others.
[12:15] - Ryan thinks it’s imperative for people to break the norms they are accustomed to in everyday life.
[14:16] - Mary Tess and Ryan discuss how having time to pause gives people space to explore and seek new things.
[16:00] - What happens when life doesn’t go as planned? Mary Tess speaks on her own personal experience of life taking a turn from what she once envisioned and how she chose to recreate life.
[17:44] - Enjoy the present while still challenging the next level of the future.
[19:54] - In the future, Ryan says he is looking to be more involved with the nonprofit and solar industries.
[21:50] - Ryan recalls the funny reason his third give-back Venmo challenge almost didn’t happen.
[24:16] - This moment made Ryan realize how he could amplify his impact with intention.
[27:02] - Ryan says the Venmo challenge is not about the dollar amount, but the way the challenge can be a symbol of hope.
[28:57] - How many challenges did Ryan complete thus far?
[31:35] - Ryan says he began to focus on providing value to others as he understood himself more and more.
[33:19] - Mary Tess and Ryan discuss the balance of giving to others and giving to yourself.
[36:06] - Ryan shares his favorite aspects of Heart Value by Mary Tess, such as action steps for awareness.
[38:09] - Mary Tess emphasizes the change she noticed once she found ways to implement insights she learned. Ryan points out the trap of ruminating on “How to do it”.
[40:46] - Listen to Ryan reminisce about his “Forrest Gump” challenge to raise money and highlight exercise.
[43:24] - Where did the Forrest Gump part come into play for Ryan’s challenge?
[46:18] - Look around and seek those moments where you can help or give.
[48:51] - Where can you shock yourself to give yourself the freedom to explore?
[51:27] - Ryan says seeing others spreading love and kindness brings him joy.
[53:05] - Thank you for listening!
Memorable Quotes:
“When a stranger pays a kindness unexpectedly, there is something about that exchange of energy that charges you differently.” - Mary Tess “Once I turned that corner of when I was shocked, and I opened my awareness to everything that I was doing, it really focused me on doing more for others.” - Ryan “Not everything has to happen overnight. We set ourselves up for success so much more when we are kind to ourselves.” - Mary Tess “You see the stuff you do everyday without thinking about it. It’s so ingrained in you, you can’t see it. When you do see it, that might be a great opportunity to shock yourself and start doing something different.” - Ryan
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