The Light Watkins Show

In this episode, Light Watkins sits down with Sean Hoess, co-founder of Wanderlust—the global wellness festival that once redefined how people experienced yoga, music, and community. Sean shares his winding journey from burnt-out New York City lawyer to record label co-founder, and eventually to the unlikely creator of a worldwide movement focused on mindfulness and well-being.But what happens when your dream job starts to feel like just another grind?Sean gets real about the pressures of scaling a purpose-driven company, the quiet warning signs that something’s off, and the emotional toll of watching your creation grow beyond your control. He opens up about the moment he realized success didn’t always equal fulfillment—and how a global pandemic forced him to stop, look around, and ask a question most people avoid: “Why am I actually here?”The conversation explores how childhood patterns of self-reliance and creativity shaped Sean’s resilience, how deep friendships can evolve into business partnerships, and why it’s so easy to confuse growth with progress. He also shares what it was like navigating a professional split from his best friend and co-founder, and how that pain ultimately became the catalyst for something new: Eudemonia—a wellness summit that brings together scientists, spiritual leaders, and curious seekers in pursuit of a life well-lived.If you’ve ever wondered what to do when your mission starts to drain you instead of inspire you, or how to realign when your purpose begins to shift, this episode is for you.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, Light Watkins sits down with holistic health coach, author, and one-percenter Nate Ortiz. Nate’s life began in crisis—born with heroin in his system and abandoned in the ICU. What followed was years of instability: foster homes, abuse, addiction in the family, and the trauma of watching loved ones go to prison. But instead of letting that define him, Nate transformed pain into purpose.In this episode, Nate shares how he found his way out of survival mode by pursuing an unlikely dream—earning a full scholarship to the #1 basketball high school in the country—and how he turned that momentum into a life of service, coaching elite clients like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Cordae. He breaks down what’s really happening in your body when you’re stuck in fight-or-flight and why survival mode makes it almost impossible to think clearly or pursue your goals.Through grounded, relatable language, Nate reveals his original frameworks—the Stopwatch Method, Dream Team Jersey, and the One Percenter mindset—that helped him heal trauma, build discipline, and show up consistently for his purpose. Whether you’re burned out, stuck, or just trying to level up, this episode is packed with raw truth and practical tools to help you reclaim your power and rewrite your story.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this Plot Twist episode, former MMA fighter Justin Wren shares the incredible story of how he walked away from everything he thought he wanted—and found something far more meaningful. On the surface, Justin had it all: a winning streak, legendary coaches, and the fight of a lifetime in Tokyo with a six-figure payday. But inside, he was quietly unraveling—struggling with painkiller addiction, depression, and a deep sense that he was on the wrong path.Then came the moment that changed everything. Alone in his apartment, Justin said a prayer—and was met with a vivid vision of a forgotten tribe in the Congo rainforest. Weeks later, he found himself standing face-to-face with that very tribe, hearing the exact word he’d written in his journal: “Forgotten.” That uncanny synchronicity became the birth of his life’s mission: to fight for people who don’t have a voice.In this raw, heart-led conversation, Justin opens up about addiction, surrender, and how he learned to trust his gut—even when it made no sense. He also shares what it means to be of service, and why the most unexpected detours often lead to your truest purpose.If you’ve ever felt called to something bigger, this one’s for you.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this insightful discussion, Erin Claire Jones, a former corporate consultant turned Human Design expert, shares her journey of transformation from burnout to clarity. She demystifies Human Design, explaining its five types and how each relates to decision-making and relationships. Listeners learn how understanding their unique designs can prevent burnout and enhance personal dynamics. Erin also explores the mystical origins of Human Design and its practical applications in parenting and business, making this a must-listen for personal growth seekers.

In this solo episode, Light Watkins breaks down the real reason most people struggle with change—it's not a lack of motivation or discipline. It's the lies we keep telling ourselves without realizing it.Drawing from over two decades of personal practice and coaching thousands of people through lasting transformation, Light outlines the five distinct phases that every meaningful change journey goes through. More importantly, he reveals the hidden trap that keeps you stuck in each phase—sometimes for years.This isn’t about blowing up your life or waiting for a crisis to force change. It’s about waking up to the quiet moment when you realize you’re tired of your own BS. That’s when the real work begins.You’ll learn why your big plans often collapse after a week, how the “busy” excuse is just fear in disguise, and why real transformation requires putting something on the line—your money, your time, your reputation. Light also explains the crucial mindset shift that turns change from a short-term goal into a new way of life.Whether you’re stuck in a loop of starting over or just feeling called to level up in a sustainable way, this episode offers a grounded, step-by-step map for getting unstuck and moving forward. It’s not about changing everything overnight—it’s about choosing the next right action and building momentum one honest choice at a time.Tune in for relatable stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a powerful framework to help you finally become the person you know you're meant to be.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

In this special episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light brings together five individuals from his online coaching program, The Year of Transformation, to share what really happens when you commit to inner change — one challenge at a time.Each of these guests started the program feeling stuck, burned out, or simply craving something more. Over the course of a year, they all participated in dozens of seven-day challenges designed to spark personal growth without blowing up their lives. The result? Real transformation through small, consistent steps.From cold showers and writing poetry to letting go of vices and launching new creative projects, these participants pushed past excuses, embraced discomfort, and discovered parts of themselves they never knew existed. And they did it all while holding each other accountable through a tight-knit community that became like family.You’ll hear honest reflections on the obstacles they faced, the surprising breakthroughs they had, and the moments they almost quit — but didn’t. Whether it was giving up potato chips, performing stand-up comedy, or learning to forgive themselves, each story shows how powerful it can be to say yes to growth, even when you don’t know what’s on the other side.This isn’t about overnight success or radical life overhauls. It’s about the “tortoise approach” to change — slow, steady, and deeply effective. If you’re ready to create your own scavenger hunt for the soul, this episode will show you what’s possible when you show up for yourself.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Before Chad Caruso set a Guinness World Record for skateboarding over 3,000 miles across America, before the viral YouTube channel and the documentary, there was a broken-down car at 4 a.m., a failed breathalyzer, and a man staring down the barrel of a second DWI charge and possible jail time. That was Chad’s rock bottom—a wake-up call that pushed him to turn his life around.In this episode of The Light Watkins Show, Chad shares the raw, unfiltered journey of how that moment sparked his sobriety, how paying off $10,000 in legal fees with a minimum wage job set him on a path of accountability, and how leasing an iPhone kickstarted his YouTube career teaching skateboarding. But this isn’t just a story about skate tricks and social media growth—it’s about discovering purpose, self-mastery, and the power of committing fully to something you love.Chad opens up about what it really took to skateboard coast-to-coast without a support vehicle—just him, his board, and the open road. From averaging 55 miles a day to icing his battered feet in hotel sinks, to facing his fears of wild animals, silence, and exhaustion, Chad talks about the mental, physical, and spiritual grind of chasing a big, audacious goal.You’ll hear how his upbringing around Eastern philosophy and Buddhism quietly shaped his resilience, how sobriety unlocked new levels of self-awareness, and how the road tested him in unexpected ways. Chad also shares why community became a surprising highlight of the journey, with strangers showing up to support him in meaningful ways.Whether you’re in recovery, chasing a big dream, or just curious what it takes to do something extraordinary, this conversation is an inspiring reminder that you’re more capable than you think.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

Dr. Steven Gundry, a former heart surgeon and bestselling author, shares his transformative journey from performing surgeries to advocating for dietary changes. He reveals how he battled health issues despite a 'healthy' lifestyle and learned from a patient how diet could reverse disease. Topics include the surprising harm of 'healthy' foods, the connection between gut health and overall well-being, and the pervasive issue of leaky gut. He emphasizes the importance of seasonal fruits, vitamin D, and questioning established medical norms for better health outcomes.

In this deeply personal episode of The Light Watkins Show, Light reconnects with Leon Logothetis—also known as "The Kindness Guy"—for their fourth conversation on the podcast. While Leon is widely known for his global adventures and bestselling Netflix show The Kindness Diaries, this episode reveals a different side of his journey—one rooted not in exploration of the world, but in an inner quest to answer one of life’s biggest questions: Is God real?After years of seemingly “living the dream”—writing bestselling books, speaking in stadiums, and inspiring millions—Leon found himself sitting alone in his Hollywood home, penning a suicide note. What followed was a moment of divine intervention: a late-night phone call to his therapist, a spontaneous visit to a bookshop, and a chance encounter with Autobiography of a Yogi that sparked a decision to travel to India in search of God.Leon and Light unpack the inner landscape that led to this journey and the emotional depths that birthed his latest documentary, The Kindness Within. They explore the realities of mental health, even for those living seemingly purposeful lives, and how sharing your pain can often be the first step to healing. Leon speaks candidly about navigating backlash, staying authentic amidst criticism, and what it truly means to speak to someone’s heart.This episode is a reminder that fulfillment doesn’t always come from outer success—and that sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is follow a quiet nudge from within.Whether you believe in God, question it, or are simply searching for a deeper connection, Leon’s journey will leave you reflecting on your own path—and the kindness waiting to be uncovered within.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!

On the outside, Jonathan Fields had it all. He was a successful New York City lawyer pulling in six figures, wearing tailored suits, and working on billion-dollar deals. But on the inside, he was quietly falling apart. Working 100-hour weeks and living on caffeine and takeout had taken a toll, and a sudden health crisis forced him to reckon with a hard truth: the life he’d worked so hard to build was slowly destroying him.That wake-up call didn’t just spark a career change—it sparked a full-on reinvention. Jonathan didn’t just switch jobs; he left law altogether to become a $12-an-hour personal trainer. Everyone thought he was out of his mind. But that decision opened the door to something far bigger: a journey into entrepreneurship, wellness, and ultimately, his life’s work.In this Plot Twist episode, Jonathan shares the raw truth behind his pivot from law to wellness to founding the Good Life Project. He opens up about ego, identity loss, starting over in your thirties, and why success often comes disguised as failure. You’ll hear how his Sparketype framework was seeded in the rubble of 9/11 and how teaching yoga reconnected him to a sense of purpose he hadn’t felt since childhood.If you’ve ever felt like you were climbing the wrong ladder, or wondered what it might be like to trade prestige for peace, this episode is for you. It’s a story about trusting your gut, letting go of expectations, and building a life that actually feels good on the inside—even if it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!