Quitting My PhD: Rob Dorgan on Redefining Success, Beating Burnout, and Finding Purpose

My guest for Episode #322 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Rob Dorgan, a multi-talented professional whose career path has taken him from paralegal to college professor, retail store owner, manufacturing company president, and now licensed massage therapist, certified yoga educator, meditation teacher, and astrologer. Rob is also the author of Awakening the Mystic: A Novel of Cosmic Love and Healing.

Episode page with video and more

His favorite mistake? Taking what was meant to be a short trip to Europe while working on his PhD — a journey that led him to never return to that academic track. Instead, it opened his eyes to a different pace of life, sparked a reassessment of what success meant to him, and ultimately set him on a more balanced and meaningful career path.

In our conversation, Rob shares how that decision — which family and friends initially questioned — allowed him to escape burnout and embrace a life and career that integrates his passions for teaching, creativity, and well-being. He reflects on lessons learned from his “type A” years in academia and business, the importance of slowing down, and how yoga, meditation, and practical stress relief can improve both personal health and workplace culture. We also discuss his experience bringing these tools into corporate environments, where employees not only benefit individually but also feel more supported by their organizations.

“Stress comes on so slowly that it becomes your normal — and you forget what life without it feels like.”

That realization, Rob says, is what helped him see the deeper value of meditation and mindful living. We also talk about his book’s concepts — from the “five kleshas” in yoga philosophy to the idea of an “inner council” — and how self-awareness can help us navigate life’s choices. Whether you’re navigating a career change, seeking better work-life balance, or simply curious about practical ways to reduce stress, Rob’s story offers valuable insights and inspiration.

Questions and Topics:

• What’s your favorite mistake?
• How did your trip to Europe during your PhD studies change your career path?
• Did you consider moving to Europe to teach in that more relaxed environment?
• What countries did you visit on that trip?
• How did you go from teaching to starting a retail store and then leading a manufacturing company?
• Did yoga and meditation help you become a better leader?
• How did your personal stress experiences influence how you led the company?
• How have attitudes toward workplace stress changed since the 1990s?
• How do you make meditation and stress relief practical for corporate settings?
• How do companies usually find and bring you in for corporate sessions?
• What types of people attend your retreats, and what do they take away?
• How did you personally discover the benefits of a consistent yoga practice?
• How can yoga and meditation help with stress-related physical issues?
• What are the “five kleshas” in yoga philosophy?
• How do those concepts connect to ego, attachment, and fear?
• What is the “inner council” in your book, and how does it work?
• How did your interest in astrology begin?
• How can knowing your “council leader” help you in life and work?
• How did you balance the drive to finish your book with avoiding stress?
• What’s your advice for building habits like meditation or yoga into daily life?