In this raw and inspiring episode, we sit down with Allen Wong — filmmaker, distance runner, and former addict — to explore how endurance sports and creativity helped him rebuild his identity from the ground up.

Allen opens up about his chaotic past: growing up in a traditional Asian household, falling into addiction during his years of heavy partying, and losing his sense of self. But after COVID forced him into isolation, something shifted. He started running. Then filming. Then healing.

From shooting marathon footage with a GoPro to building a tight-knit community of runners and recovering friends, Allen shares how storytelling and suffering on the road gave him a new reason to live. We talk about imposter syndrome, the loneliness of social media, the power of faith in yourself, and what it means to put something out into the world even when you think no one’s watching.

If you’ve ever felt lost, like you’ve burned bridges or missed your moment — this one’s for you.

00:00–Intro: Meet Allen Wong
01:00–How Allen met the hosts through filming and running
05:00–Allen’s 24-hour race shoot and the “Walking Dead” lean
07:00–The story of addiction begins: fake IDs, rebellion, and burnout
11:00–COVID isolation and why it was the wake-up call Allen needed
13:00–From 210 lbs to his first run: how running changed everything
15:00–First half marathon and falling in love with the process
17:00–Discovering YouTube running creators & picking up a GoPro
19:00–Getting into trail running & documenting the journey
21:00–Growing up poor, bullied, and learning resilience
23:00–How addiction gave him a superpower when redirected
25:00–Rebuilding his relationship with his parents
28:00–Getting into filmmaking, thanks to friends and YouTube
30:00–First time filming a real athlete and making it work
32:00–Creating content that inspired friends to run too
34:00–The impact of storytelling and impostor syndrome
35:00–Running the NYC Marathon in memory of a lost friend
37:00–Being humbled by the marathon and coming back stronger
39:00–Documenting his story with UPS and seeing it on the big screen
41:00–Why he films “regular people” instead of elite runners
49:00–What running really gives you — and why it’s more than fitness
51:00–Faith, flow states, and doing the hard thing on purpose
53:00–Running as spiritual practice and life mirror
56:00–The importance of delayed gratification
1:00:00–Why the marathon humbles you (and why that's a gift)
1:02:00–Creating from vulnerability: "You’re never fully ready, just hit publish"
1:04:00–Allen on imposter syndrome and doing it anyway
1:08:30–The power of showing up for others & building creative community
1:10:30–From self-doubt to impact: when someone says your work changed their life
1:17:00–Post-creative anxiety and releasing attachment to the outcome
1:19:00–Why hard conversations are worth it, even when they’re awkward
1:21:00–Allen’s advice for anyone stuck or scared: “Fuck it, let’s ball”
1:23:00–Allen’s personal “council” of inspiration
1:25:00–Where to find Allen online

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NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

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In this episode, we sit down with Jess Kravit, founder of Exalted Alchemy, to dive deep into the world of herbalism, natural wellness, entrepreneurship, and energetic healing. Jess breaks down what it really means to be a clinical herbalist in a modern world that’s both disconnected from nature and hungry for authenticity.

From her journey with food-as-medicine and flower essences to the intentional, vibe-rich creation of her skincare, tinctures, and candles, Jess shares how she’s built a business that feels like an extension of self — and how she's learned to separate her identity from her brand. The conversation covers everything from garlic’s antiviral powers to the FDA's impact on herbalists, flower essence therapy, and the real energy behind making something by hand.

00:00 – Intro & Meet Jess
00:01:11 – The Reality of Running a Product-Based Business
00:03:39 – Community & Entrepreneurial Friendships
00:04:58 – Herbalism Origins: From Vegetarianism to Clinical Study
00:07:03 – Toxic Skincare & Ingredient Awareness
00:08:25 – Food Disconnection & the Pharma Parallel
00:10:02 – Taste as Medicine: Why Capsules Aren’t Enough
00:11:34 – Exalted Alchemy Product Overview
00:13:03 – Skincare, Naming Products & Childhood Dreams
00:16:05 – Developing Ritual Products & Specialty Collaborations
00:17:36 – Top Go-To Herbs: Nettles, Elderberry & Garlic
00:20:01 – Garlic Suppositories & Alternative Treatments
00:21:27 – The Legal Limits of Herbalists
00:24:01 – Herbalism Is Ancestral Memory
00:25:21 – Customer Education & Skepticism
00:28:18 – Product Matching for Mental Health
00:31:11 – Flower Essences vs. Herbal Remedies
00:34:10 – Saint John’s Wort & Nerve Support
00:35:38 – Infusing Brand with Personality — and Separating from It
00:38:25 – Vibes, Intention & Energy in Products
00:41:15 – Making Tinctures, Face Oils & Energetic Skincare
00:44:16 – Flower Essences: How They’re Made
00:47:09 – Mental Health & Emotional Healing with Flower Essences
00:54:04 – From Survival to Thriving with Plants
00:58:11 – Live Demo: Grounding Spray Experience
01:00:16 – Candle Rituals & Gemini Moon Energy

#Herbalism, #HerbalMedicine, #NaturalHealing, #HolisticHealth, #PlantMedicine, #EnergeticHealing, #FlowerEssenceTherapy, #FoodAsMedicine, #AlternativeMedicine, #EnergyHealing, #VibrationalHealing, #HealingJourney, #SpiritualWellness, #ConsciousLiving, #RitualsMatter, #HealingVibes, #MentalHealthAwareness, #GroundingPractices, #RestIsProductive, #MindBodySoul, #BurnoutRecovery, #ConsciousBusiness, #SpiritualEntrepreneur, #WellnessBrand, #AuthenticBranding, #CreativeEntrepreneur, #FounderStory, #PodcastInterview, #WellnessPodcast, #HealingPodcast, #YouTubePodcast, #WomenInWellness, #HealingConversations, #HolisticLiving

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

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Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!

Join our exclusive community on GROUPED where you can find uncut episodes, messaging with your hosts, and early access to promotions

https://app.grouped.com/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Join Whoop with our promotional code and get your first month free!

https://join.whoop.com/us/en/Whothoughtwedbeherepod/

Sign up for online therapy with our referral link.
Get 20% off your first month with our podcast's link:

Shout out to our favorite neighborhood screen printer JOKER INK https://www.jokerink.com/

NEW EPISODES WEEKLY!

"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.

https://linktr.ee/whothoughtwedbeherepod

Please Like, Follow, Share, and Enjoy!!!