We had the good fortune of connecting with Daniel Olexa and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Daniel, how do you think about risk?
Funny thing about risk…it’s not so much the risk, as it is the courage to take it that is the moment of empowerment (on of my current coaches, Dr. Chris Joseph, brought this to my attention recently during a deep discussion). I meet people who think that they must be confident of their actions (or maybe the outcomes of them) before taking action, but that’s not it. Confidence builds from movement, reflection, and learning. You can only increase it while in motion. It is the courage to take the first step that begins the journey. Let’s face it…if you think you know the path before you walk it, you are deluding yourself. If you are attached to an outcome from walking the path, without knowing where the path truly leads, you are setting yourself up for failure and potential disappointment. Embrace the courage of risking that things may not go the way you want, but it will all work out. End of sermon. How do I walk those words? (Yeah, I get it…easier said than done right?) Six years ago, I walked away from a six-figure career (in a city where six figures was an abundant lifestyle). I took that step because I was abundantly unhappy. I had the toys, I had the trappings, I had everything that screams “I won the American Dream.” But that dream was a nightmare of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and a cycle of one-upsmanship to stay ahead. Ahead of who? Whomever I felt I was less than. I was living for other people’s approval, and living this pathway that I was told was the ‘dream.’ That dream belonged to someone else, maybe to a culture…it wasn’t mine and I could feel it. I took many risky steps: I got a divorce; I met someone new; I left that 6-figure, soul-sucking job and moved to another state where I took a big financial step back and trained for my new career as a hypnotherapist. Risk: major relationship changes (lots of negativity from others), leaving a stable (but frustrating) career for the unknown, choosing a new type of work that half the population equates with chicken-dancing. Courage: Knowing that every choice above was done with a feeling of increased peace in my core, and even though the path was challenging, it was easier because it was in alignment with my core values. Result: Happiness. Peace. Growth. A year later, I moved across the country, literally 90 miles short of coast-to-coast, as my wife and I began our lives in California. Risk: I knew 3 people in the state when we moved here. Courage: I knew I would find my tribe and build. Result: I created a space where I help people around the world to discover who they truly are, connect to their goals, and live their dreams instead of the “I should” that are dictated by others and culture. I love seeing a client’s eyes widen in realization that they are in full control of how they choose to live their life. As I added coaching to my services, I became an instructor for the Certified Life Coach Institute. Over the past two-and-a-half years, I’ve had the pleasure of teaching over 1,000 students to follow their dreams of helping others to live authentically and freely. The ripple effect from those classes…1,000 people exponentially impacting thousands of lives, gives me chills. Six years ago, if you had asked me what I wanted on this path, the one that started with the risky step of leaving my comfort zone, I would have given you an answer that sounded a lot like the trappings I knew then. By not having attachment to those specifics, the experience has been so much more fulfilling on all levels. Risk: Leaving my comfort zone behind when I realized it was too small six years ago. Courage: Taking that step not knowing how it would all turn out, but having a sense that it would be a more peaceful place, unattached to the specifics. Result: Changing the world, one life at a time. That’s living the dream. That is worth all the risk in the world.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’ve been told by clients that what sets me apart from others in my field is that I see people as whole, I see their true self and soul. That’s what guides my work: Unleashing that deeper awareness that’s in each of us, but tends to be caged by who we learned to be from listening to others tell us who we should be. To increase the reach of that work, I have started a series of international retreats to the Sacred Valley of Peru. The first is scheduled to take place in December of 2020, the second in July 2021. My brand is my story: Discovering who you are, unleashing your light, having the courage to be seen, and knowing that the seeming safety of your comfort zone is a small place to live. The real safety is in authentically, and brilliantly shining your light. Moths and vampires are attracted to the dim light. They can survive there. They hide when the sun is shining. Shine yours.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Here in the Southbay, my favorite restaurant for dinner is Barran’s 2239. Always excellent. We’d definitely make the trip to hike the Hollywood sign and Santa Monica Pier (yeah, they scream “tourist,” I know, but everyone wants to see it) and also check out the City Market. While in Santa Monica, definitely a stop at Chez Jay for dinner. Best butter steak ever. If we had enough time, we’d pop over to Catalina for the Jeep Eco-tour and see the whole island and check out the bison (NO – They are NOT buffalo).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My journey started with one book: Black Hole Focus by Isaiah Hankel. Literally opened my eyes and changed my life. I am proud to call him a friend. The journey continued with the support of Lisa Finck at Certified Life Coach Institute. She saw the instructor in me and offered me the opportunity to increase my impact by becoming a facilitator for the school. And to Sarah Richardson, my Ocean, for being my partner on this journey…for your support, insight, and love. I love you.

Website: www.danielolexa.com
Instagram: danielolexa_ccht
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dolexa-ccht
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danielolexaccht

Image Credits
Headshot (featured image) by Julie Hopkins at Camera Creations, Los Angeles

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