Re-release: The Race Was Never Real | Notes on Slowing Down Without Falling Behind
The Angry Therapist PodcastShow Notes
What happens when you stop chasing and start listening?
In this episode, John shares the personal shifts he's working through after moving to Costa Rica. From learning to surf at 52 to redefining success, he reflects on slowing down, letting go of old patterns, and finding joy in the small moments that make life feel more alive.
In this episode:
• Why he's learning to approach surfing as a practice instead of a performance
• The role of detachment in reducing stress and calming the nervous system
• Letting go of FOMO and the pressure to constantly achieve
• Challenging the belief that rest must be earned
• Redefining what "enough" means beyond money, milestones, and validation
• Learning to notice everyday moments of joy, or what he calls “nectar"
John also shares reflections on adjusting to life in Costa Rica, embracing a slower pace, and documenting what he calls his "second rebirth."
If this episode resonated with you, follow the podcast, share it with someone who needs it, and join us for the next conversation.
🎙️ More about John:
📘 My latest book, Love Hard On Purpose. Toss the blueprints. Build something honest HERE
John’s book publishing company: Soulprint https://www.soulprintmedia.co
📘 Read John’s book in progress Sh*t Your Therapist Would Never Tell You on John’s SubStack HERE
If you’re ready for deeper work, the Secure Self course is available HERE
Order John’s book, Break Up. On Purpose, HERE
Follow John on Instagram HERE
Find out more about John HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from The Angry Therapist Podcast
What if the hardest chapters of your life are actually setting you up for something you can't see yet?
At 53, I've realized that some of life's biggest lessons aren't about getting ahead. They're about learning when to take the leap, when to let go, how to love without losing yourself, and how to stop waiting for some future version of your life before you start living.
Resentment rarely comes from one big moment. More often, it builds through the small things we don't talk about: the dishes, the forgotten gestures, the mental load, and the feeling that you're the only one making an effort.
What does genuine love actually look like? It may have less to do with how someone makes you feel and more to do with whether you can truly see them, allow them to be themselves, and continue meeting them as both of you change.
We were handed a blueprint for what a “good life” is supposed to look like: fall in love, get married, buy the house, have kids, build a career, and stay together.