The Courage to Become Yourself: Remembering Who You Are | John R. Miles - EP 786

Passion Struck with John R. Miles

This episode explores the journey of self-remembering after years of adapting to life's roles. John R. Miles reflects on identity, connection, and the courage to become oneself again.

Key takeaways

• Adaptation can obscure true identity over time.
• Others often remember us before we remember ourselves.
• Flourishing begins with returning to life from a place of self-trust.

Transcript preview

Hey friends a few years ago I attended a retreat with about a hundred fellow veterans. What struck me wasn't just the camaraderie, it was the conversations. Nearly 90% of the veterans there talked about how silos Ivan had become an important part of their healing journey. They shared stories about finding greater clarity, reconnecting with loved ones and finally feeling like they were moving forward after years of feeling stuck. Since then I've interviewed neuroscientists, psychiatrists and researchers studying psychedelics and it's become clear why there's so much excitement around this field. Emerging research suggests silosibin may help promote new neural pathways in the brain, which is why many people report improvements in focus, creativity, mood and connection. That's why I appreciate what Schedule 35 is doing. They're bringing a thoughtful science-backed approach to silosibin with precisely dose products, educational resources and beginner-friendly guidance designed to help people understand exactly what they're taking and why. Get 15% off all orders with code passion passion struck. Schedule 35.co.co. That's 15% off at Schedule 35.co and use code passion struck. Hey friends a few years ago I attended a retreat with about a hundred fellow veterans. What struck me wasn't just the camaraderie it was the conversations. Nearly 90% of the veterans there talked about how silos Ivan had become an important part of their healing journey. They shared stories about finding greater clarity, reconnecting with loved ones and finally feeling like they were moving forward like they were moving forward. after years of feeling stuck. Since then, I've interviewed neuroscientists, psychiatrists, and researchers studying psychedelics, and it's become clear why there's so much excitement around this field. Emerging research suggests silosibin may help promote new neural pathways in the brain, which is why many people report improvements and focus, creativity, mood, and connection. That's why I appreciate what Schedule 35 is doing. They're bringing a thoughtful science-backed approach to silosibin with precisely dose products, educational resources and beginner guidance designed to help people understand exactly what they're taking and why. Get 15% off all orders with code Passionstruck at schedule 35.co. That's 15% off at schedule 35.co and use code Passionstruck. Coming up next on passion struck. Every stage of life quietly asks us to become someone. Our parents, our teachers, our friends, our bosses, and our culture all place expectations in front of us. Some of those expectations help us discover who we are. Others slowly convince us to become someone else. Over the past month we've explored what happens when people, organizations, relationships, and communities lose connection. But I've come to believe the deepest form of disconnection isn't the distance between us and other people. It's the distance that forms between who we truly are and who we've learned we need to become. Today we're exploring the final step in that journey. remember who you are after years of becoming who life required you to be. And what becomes possible when you finally do? Welcome to Passion Struck. I'm your host John Miles. This is the show where we explore the art of human flourishing and what it truly means to live like it matters. Each week I sit down with change makers, creators, scientists, and everyday heroes to decode the human experience and uncover the tools that help us lead with meaning. fullest expression of who we're capable of becoming. Whether you're designing your future, developing as a leader, or seeking deeper alignment in your life, this show is your invitation to grow with purpose and act with intention. Because the secret to a life of deep purpose, connection, and impact is choosing to live like you mattered. A few weeks ago I found myself looking through some old photographs. There was one picture in particular that stopped me. I stared at it much longer than I expected to. What caught my attention wasn't the age of the photograph, where the memories attached to it. It was the feeling that I was looking at someone I knew well, yet hadn't spoken to in years. The experience stayed with me because it raised a question I couldn't shake. When did I stop being that person? As I've reflected on that question, I've realized that life simply keeps asking us to adapt. We learn how to fit into new environments. We take on responsibilities. We build careers. We become leaders, spouses, parents, caregivers, and providers. Over time, those roles become so familiar that we stop noticing how much they've shaped us. Over the past month, we've explored this reality from several different directions. Eric Reh showed us how organizations can lose sight of the people. they were created to serve. Dr. John Lopuma revealed how modern environments quietly influence our health, behavior and relationships. Greg McE-McCewin and Marcus Buckingham helped us understand the importance of being heard, seen, and value. Katie Morton, Adam Lane Smith, Spencer West, and Adrian Gostick explored the emotional patterns, attachments, expectations, and identities that shape our lives. At first, those conversations seemed to be about different