In 2016, Ishaan Mehta was attending a work offsite when a sudden accident changed the course of his life forever. He fell nearly 20 feet, sustaining a spinal cord injury that left him with no movement below his neck.

In this episode, we talk about what it means to rebuild a life after everything changes—navigating disability, re-entering the workforce, and the mindset shifts that ultimately reshaped how he sees himself and the world around him.

Danielle is a New York City resident and has always found it to be a physically demanding place to live. Last year, she decided to go through her own weight loss journey, and take medication to help with the process. She has now lost over 40 pounds and is enjoying the change in her day-to-day living experience in NYC. In this episode, we dive into the different transformational aspects of weight loss, the stigma surrounding medication, and the “why” behind a deeply personal decision such as this.

Sam Kabert found himself hitting rock bottom in 2019, despite having achieved what most people would consider to be incredible success. He had built a 7 figure business, and was recognized as one of Silicon Valley’s 40 under 40. Then when things took a turn, he found himself feeling broken and alone, experiencing what he calls “The Dark Night of the Soul”. For the next 3 years, he dedicated himself to doing inner work and deep diving into his own healing process. Fast forward to today, he now spends his time helping others learn about mindfulness, breathwork, and how to achieve Soul Life Balance.

Links

- Visit Sam's website

- Watch Sam's TED Talk (Youtube)

- Buy Sam's Book "SOUL/Life Balance"

- Listen to Sam's Podcast "SOUL SEEKR"

Irene and Justin met at college in the Philippines and instantly felt a connection between them. Three months later, Irene finds out that her whole family is immigrating to the United States. They decide to commit to doing long distance, not knowing if or when they’ll ever live in the same country again. Fast forward to today, Irene and Justin are happily married with a daughter named Happy. In this episode, we talk about long distance relationships, the sacrifice people make for love, and what it takes to truly make it work despite being oceans and miles apart. This is Irene’s story.

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Calvin is an ER doctor whose life changed forever in 2020 when he found himself on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this conversation, he reflects on the chaos of the early days—navigating uncertainty, facing impossible moral dilemmas, and making life-or-death decisions daily. Years later, he grappled with the toughest decision of all when his own life was at stake.

Calvin is also a published author, sharing his experiences in his book The Monsoon Diaries. You can buy his book here: https://www.amazon.com/Monsoon-Diaries-Doctors-Journey-Frontlines/dp/078529175X

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🎵 episode music by bafu ⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/bafubeats⁠⁠

☕ support this podcast by buying me a coffee ⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beagutierrez⁠⁠

👉 follow me on Instagram ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/a_twist_of_fate_podcast⁠

Kenna did not have what you would consider a typical childhood. Her parents divorced when she was about a year old, and her mom’s battle with drug addiction had her in and out of rehab centers, and sometimes without a home. In this episode, we explore the impact of addiction on families, the complexities it creates in a parent-child relationship, and the empathy needed for those facing similar challenges.

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction, you may call the National Drug Abuse & Addiction Hotline: (844) 289-0879. Visit https://drughelpline.org for more details.

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🎵 episode music by bafu ⁠https://soundcloud.com/bafubeats⁠

☕ support this podcast by buying me a coffee ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beagutierrez⁠

👉 follow me on Instagram ⁠www.instagram.com/a_twist_of_fate_podcast⁠

"Blowing out someone else's candle doesn't make yours shine any brighter."

Harmony was born and raised in Okinawa, Japan. She is the proud daughter of a Nigerian father, and a Japanese mother. At an early age, Harmony became increasingly aware of her looks and ethnicity, after being severely bullied in traditional Japanese school. It had a huge impact on her mental health, and it escalated to a point where she had to be transferred to a new school. Tune in to this episode to learn more about what it’s like to be Black in Japan, what racism and discrimination looks like in Asia, and the negative effects of bullying on children.

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If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, you can find helpful resources on the official "Stop Bullying" website: https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now

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🎵 episode music by bafu ⁠⁠https://soundcloud.com/bafubeats⁠⁠

☕ support this podcast by buying me a coffee ⁠⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beagutierrez⁠⁠

👉 follow me on Instagram ⁠⁠www.instagram.com/a_twist_of_fate_podcast⁠

“You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender.”

Liz thought that she had it all. The perfect life with a perfect new job, and a perfect boyfriend. Until one night, she and her boyfriend went out drinking, only for her to wake up the next day with blood all over her pillow, unable to remember what happened. She had been violently attacked. This episode discusses the harsh reality of abuse, the fear of speaking up, and the learnings that come with the experience.

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (7233)

SMS: Text START to 88788

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🎵 episode music by bafu ⁠https://soundcloud.com/bafubeats⁠

☕ support this podcast by buying me a coffee ⁠https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beagutierrez⁠

👉 follow me on Instagram ⁠www.instagram.com/a_twist_of_fate_podcast⁠

Mike is the father to a beautiful 2 and a half year old girl, Celia. In October of 2022, he and his wife at the time decided to get a divorce. Shortly after, he packed his bags and moved out. He now has shared custody of Celia and spends half his week as a full-time parent, and half the time learning how to be single again. In this episode, we talk about the challenges of single parenting, its impact on mental health, and learning how to navigate life in what is now your new normal.
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🎵 episode music by bafu https://soundcloud.com/bafubeats

☕ support this podcast by buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beagutierrez

👉 follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/a_twist_of_fate_podcast

When Jean’s mother developed an unknown and aggressive form of cancer, her entire life had to be put on hold. She quit her job at the time to help care for her sick mom, only to lose her about a year later. Fast forward a few years, Jean gets yet another scare as her father gets suffers from a heart attack - which happened right after one of the happiest moments of her life, her wedding. Together, we explore the depths of grief, the power of resilience, and the transformative nature of loss.

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🎵 episode music by bafu https://soundcloud.com/bafubeats

☕ support this podcast by buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beagutierrez

👉 follow me on Instagram www.instagram.com/a_twist_of_fate_podcast