Back with another insightful episode of the Been There Felt That Podcast!

Your space for real conversations about personal growth, self-awareness, and intentional living.

In this episode, I sit down with my guest to unpack the harsh realities of self-improvement and growth. If you’ve ever felt weighed down by expectations, questioned whether you are who you want to be, even challenged with trying to balance life out or struggling with staying consistent through challenges, this conversation will offer perspective, clarity, and actionable insights.

We explore topics such as: the difference between pursuing growth as a pressure versus as freedom, how to balance striving for more with accepting who you are now, and why true progress sometimes requires doing less instead of more. We also dive into handling life's heavy moments, staying committed when support fades, understanding confidence and fear, simplifying decisions instead of overcomplicating them, prioritizing what really matters, and why self-improvement must come from the right place to create meaningful change.

My guest also shares his journey through the world renowned 75 Day Hard Challenge, his experiences with discipline and resilience, his inner reflection that was a turning point in his life and how he began understanding finance and building a business. We discuss practical lessons on honoring your promises to yourself and building trust with yourself.

Whether you’re seeking clarity in who you are or wanting to live more intentionally, this episode is packed with authentic, actionable insights for growth that begins from within.

We've all been there, we've all felt that, and now I’m sharing it with you!

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0:00 Intro

2:01 Welile's Journey

3:45 75 Day Hard Experience

6:20 The Turning Point For Change & Growth

11:40 Is Self-Improvement Pressure Or Freedom?

14:29 Balancing Drive With Self-Acceptance

17:05 Growth Isn’t Just Doing More, It’s Doing Less

19:35 Showing Up When Life Feels Heavy

21:30 Why Support Fades And Success Gets Questioned

26:52 If You Can’t Be Happy Without It, You Won’t Be Happy With It

29:48 Confidence & Fear Both Require Faith

31:59 Overcomplicating Simple Decisions

34:12 We Avoid What Is Important By Excelling In What Isn't

38:01 Difference In What Feels Good & What Is Good

40:18 Inspiration: Stop Waiting For It

44:32 Self-Improvement: For The Right Vs Wrong Reasons

47:58 People’s Boos Mean Nothing When You See What Makes Them Cheer

51:43 Why We Wait For Pain To Create Change

53:28 Understanding Finance & Starting A Business

58:42 No One Wastes Time When They Have Important Sh*t To Do

1:04:10 Honoring Promises & Building Trust With Yourself

1:07:00 Life Advice For Change & Consistency

1:13:09 Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways

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Watch all the episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9X6OI7Dis5S93c1PHKdrSITmM_Wwt6Eo

Drop a comment below or reach out at...

Socials/Links: https://linktr.ee/sabianlau

Email: [email protected]

Check out Welile's socials:

Social: https://www.instagram.com/welile.xaba/

Back with another powerful episode of the Been There Felt That Podcast!

Your go-to self development and self help podcast for personal growth, mindset shifts, and intentional living.

In this episode, I sit down with a certified life coach to explore the realities of growth, discipline, and how to start creating the life you want. If you’ve ever felt stuck, battled procrastination, struggled with self-sabotage, or wondered how to close the gap between where you are and where you want to be, this conversation will give you the clarity and tools to move forward.

We dive into several topics such as; the difference between discipline vs. motivation and why motivation alone isn’t enough and how to break procrastination cycles and overcome self-sabotage. To shifting from anxiety and distraction to focus and intentional action. Practicing gratitude, resilience, and self-awareness in everyday life. And even why meaning matters through discussion of service vs. greed, giving without expecting, and falling in love with the process.

Whether you’re working on your goals, looking to improve mental clarity, or learning how to live more intentionally, this episode is filled with practical insights and deep life lessons from a life coach on how to design a meaningful life and solve your problems.

We've all been there, we've all felt that, and now I am sharing it with you!

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0:00 Intro

0:33 Becoming A Life Coach: Jaiden's Story

5:53 Jaiden's Strangest Struggle He Has Found With Coaching

13:25 Discipline Vs Motivation: The Key Difference

16:23 Why We Procrastinate & How To Beat It

19:25 David Goggin's Cookie Jar Method: Remembering What You're Capable Of

23:15 Friction Between Distractions: Changing The Story Of Sacrifice

29:10 Falling In Love With The Goal Through Devotion

30:52 Why Continuing Is Easier Than Starting

32:59 The True Opposite Of Happiness

38:04 The Value Of Gifts & What To Do If They Don't Align

42:04 Service Vs Greed: Giving Without Expecting

45:59 Some Of The Greats Obsession With Their Work

48:42 Defining Your Own Meaning in Life

51:21 Self-Sabotage: Are We Excusing Ours & Others Own Behavior?

59:41 Living With Social Anxiety: Jaiden’s Experience

1:06:11 Why What Works For One Person Won’t Work For Everyone

1:09:15 Closing the Gap Between The Life You Settle For & the Life You Want

1:14:29 Resistance vs Reality: What You Can Control & What You Can't

1:19:11 Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways

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Watch all the episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9X6OI7Dis5S93c1PHKdrSITmM_Wwt6Eo&feature=shared

Drop a comment below or reach out at...

Socials/Links: https://linktr.ee/sabianlau

Email: [email protected]

Check out Jaiden's socials & Terra Flow Coaching:

Social:

https://www.instagram.com/theshitinthewoods/

https://www.instagram.com/terraflowcoaching/

Business:

https://terraflowcoaching.com/

Welcome back to the Been There Felt That Podcast!

In this episode of Been There Felt That, I sit down with my guest – a former corporate professional turned entrepreneur who has navigated the fear, uncertainty, and self-discovery that comes with leaving stability to chase a bigger vision. This episode is full of honest insight for anyone; especially those in their 20s and 30s who feel the pressure to figure their life out, struggle with balancing ambition and patience, or are learning to live intentionally while navigating fear and failure.

We dive into the realities of what a purpose is and its misconception. From leaving a stable career, facing the anxiety of what if it doesn’t work out. Understanding how passion and purpose intertwine and evolve constantly, the importance of habits to build the life you want, to uncovering if work-life balance even exists and giving yourself time off without losing yourself. We also explore entitlement in our modern society, the narratives we tell ourselves, and the lessons that trauma and failure teach us along the way.

We also discuss how to truly pursue what you want without avoidance, and the personal insights my guest gained on self-growth, resilience, discipline and authenticity.

Whether you’re questioning if you’re on the right path, battling the fear of taking the leap, learning to pursue what truly matters to you, or need a reminder that chasing your dreams doesn’t have to look perfect, this episode is for you.

We've all been there, we've all felt that, and now I am sharing it with you!

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00:00 Intro

00:55 Leaving Stability To Chase Freedom

09:49 The Perspective Of Success: Your 20s Vs As You Get Older

14:56 The Number 1 Habit That Propels Growth And Self-Mastery

21:29 Making Time For Indulgence: Letting Go Without Losing Yourself

24:06 Stop Thinking What If It Doesn’t Work Out & Start Thinking What If It Does Work Out

27:14 Passion & Purpose: Does It Come From Commitment Or The Feeling?

36:28 How Badly Do You Really Want It?: Why We Avoid Our Desires

40:03 Ambition In Balance: When To Rush, When To Pause

46:09 Does Work-Life Balance Exist?

54:45 The Reality Of Pressure: We’re Drowning In Choices, Starving For Clarity

59:30 Entitlement And Narcissism In Modern Times

1:02:06 The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Hope, Belief, And Perspective

1:07:50 The Path Of Facing Trauma

1:10:20 Stop Lying To Yourself1:11:05 A Letter To Ciarans Younger Self

1:12:57 Failure: Turning What’s Wrong Into Something Good

1:16:23 What Has Ciaran Been Learning About Himself

1:18:31 Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways

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Drop a comment below or reach out at...

Socials/Links: ⁠https://linktr.ee/sabianlau⁠

Email: [email protected]

Check out Ciaran's socials & businesses:

Social:

https://www.instagram.com/ciaran_wheeler/

Businesses:

Most Effective: https://mosteffective.co.za/

Bearly Naked: https://bearlynaked.co.za/

Craft Clay: https://craftedclay.co.za/

Welcome back to the Been There Felt That Podcast!

In this episode of Been There Felt That, I sit down with my first female guest - a business owner, former flight attendant, and someone who has walked through anxiety and healing to become the grounded woman she is today. This episode is full of honest insight for anyone - but especially women - who may feel overwhelmed by where they are, unsure of what’s next, and exhausted from trying to keep it all together.

We dive into the realities of navigating your 20s as a woman. From the pressure to have life figured out, the misconception of independency, the truths about anxiety and depression, and the journey from people-pleasing to setting boundaries, to how she went from sky-high as a flight attendant to building her own business, Flippers. (Check out my guests business at flippers.co.za - "We Flip Furniture" )

We also explore what she would tell her younger self, how to maintain independence in love, the unspoken struggles of girl friendships, reality of what healing really looks like and how your past doesn’t have to define your future.

Whether you're navigating a life pivot, carrying trauma, simply trying to grow into the version of yourself you know you're capable of becoming, or need a reminder that it is okay not to have everything figured out, you are not alone... this one’s for you.

We've all been there, we've all felt that, and now I am sharing it with you!

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00:00 Intro

03:44 Freedom Vs. Fantasy: What Flying Taught Me About Experience & Enduring

08:57 Flippers: More Than A Business

12:04 Allow Things To Fail: "Having It Together" Is A Lie

15:41 The Inner Work: Managing What The World Doesn't See (Anxiety, Emotions, Boundaries)

28:14 The Truth Or Excuse Of Depression

31:41 Woman Should Support One Another More

37:54 What Girls Really Want & Need In A Partner

42:33 Alone, Not Lonely: The Truth About Holding Your Own, Relationship Or Not

49:21 No One Has It Figured Out

53:23 Growth Doesn't Start With Blame, It Starts With Ownership

57:55 Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways

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Drop a comment below or reach out at...

Socials/Links: https://linktr.ee/sabianlau

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Been There Felt That Podcast!

In this episode of Been There Felt That, I sit down with my guest, for an honest and introspective conversation about growth, identity, and the weight of our choices. We speak about what it means to start over from nothing, the unseen effort it takes to build a life you're proud of, and how the people around you shape who you become.

We dive deep into how to handle moments of doubt, how comparison can either build you or break you, and why the pressure you feel might actually be your greatest privilege. We talk about leaving comfort behind, creating discipline, and the importance of role models famous and in our lives.

Lastly we focus on being someone you would look up to - even when no one’s watching.

This episode is a reminder that your life is shaped by what you choose to do every single day. The effort you give, the people you keep around you, and the mindset you carry all play a part.

You don’t need to be understood by everyone... you just need to be real with yourself.

We've all been there, we've all felt that, and now I am sharing it with you!

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00:00 Intro

02:47 Starting Over: The Unspoken Lessons of Leaving Everything Behind

13:08 You Become Who You’re With

17:47 When Life Knocks You Down: The Journey Back to Who You Are

22:48 You Get What You Give: The Power of Effort and the Weight of Your Choices

24:41 The Dubai Chapter & What This City Has Shown Us

29:50 Change Starts With You: Sacrificing Comfort to Become Who You’re Meant to Be

41:20 Comparison: The Only Person You Should Compare Yourself To Is Who You Were

55:32 No One Cares Until You Succeed So Start Anyway

58:52 The Truth About Role Models & It’s What You Don’t See That Matters Most

01:07:09 Be Who You Needed: The Power of Becoming Your Own Inspiration

01:15:36 Turning Pressure Into Power & Why Struggle Can Be Your Gift

01:22:25 Not Everyone Will Understand You & That’s Okay

01:31:52 Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways

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Drop a comment below or reach out at...

Socials/Links: https://linktr.ee/sabianlau

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Been There Felt That Podcast!

In this episode, me and my guest begin by exploring the ups and downs of relationships - how they can both build us up and hold us back - and discuss the ongoing, never-ending journey of healing. We reveal those pivotal turning points that force us to improve, and we talk about the importance of measuring growth while giving ourselves grace.We also confront the hard truth of letting go: shedding people, habits, and situations that no longer serve us. Plus, we unpack the difference between solitude and loneliness, and how understanding failure can lead to a mindset that welcomes challenges rather than fearing them.

Finally, we discuss what it truly means to stay true to yourself and pursue real happiness - even when life keeps moving forward and no feeling is final.

Join us for raw, honest conversation and valuable insights that help you transform setbacks into stepping stones for a life of purpose and progress.

We've all been there, we've all felt that, and now I am sharing it with you!

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00:00 Intro

01:53 Relationships & How We Navigate Bonds & Connections

19:07 Healing Is A Journey That Never Ends

31:46 The Turning Point: Embracing Constant Improvement

36:14 Measuring Growth & Granting Yourself Grace

40:05 Letting Go: Shedding the Old, Embracing the New

55:37 Solitude Vs Loneliness

1:05:19 Failure Redefined: Learning from Setbacks

1:10:58 Staying True: Ignoring the Noise & Following Your Path

1:19:19 True Happiness: Chasing Joy in a Moving World

1:26:57 Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways

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Drop a comment below or reach out at...

Socials/Links: https://linktr.ee/sabianlau

Email: [email protected]

Welcome back to the Been There Felt That Podcast!

In this episode, me and my guest are diving into the ups and downs of navigating our twenties - a time when everything feels uncertain, yet growth is quietly happening. We talk about the struggles of finding purpose, chasing validation, and figuring out what it really means to take care of ourselves... emotionally, mentally, and physically.

We explore how easy it is to lose yourself in trying to impress others, and how reclaiming your confidence starts with learning to trust yourself, instead of seeking approval from the outside world. Plus, we dig into the impact of the words we use, how our internal dialogue shapes our reality and impacts how we show up in the world.

And, we’re not stopping there. From confronting the victim mindset to understanding the true meaning of confidence, this episode will leave you with insights on how to break free from the patterns that keep you stuck and start taking action.

This phase of life isn’t about having it all figured out... it’s about learning, evolving, and embracing the journey. So whether you’re feeling lost or simply learning, let’s navigate it together.

We've all been there, we've all felt that, and now I am sharing it with you!

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00:00 Intro

00:26 Reflections on Episode 1: How It Felt to Start

01:00 Why "Been There Felt That" Exists

02:30 Figuring Out Your 20s: Lost or Learning?

12:50 Purpose: Do You Find It or Create It?

19:08 Chasing Validation, But Running from Yourself

23:21 Self-Love vs. Self-Care: Are You Truly Taking Care of Yourself?

27:06 Be Careful How You Speak: The Weight of Your Own Words

32:37 Perspective: What Are You Missing That Someone Else Sees?

39:49 Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes: The Pain of Growth

42:47 Are You Stuck in a Victim Mindset?

45:52 Confidence: What It Truly Is & Why Most Get It Wrong

49:44 Fear: Are You Losing Yourself to Keep Others?

58:33 Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways

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Drop a comment below or reach out at...

Socials/Links: https://linktr.ee/sabianlau

Email: [email protected]

Welcome to the very first episode of the Been There Felt That Podcast!

In this debut episode, me and my guest dive into the past in order for you to get to know us and I hope to inspire you from some of our stories. This is just the beginning, simply just the introduction to something greater.

We take it back to where it all began - high school. From meeting in the same school but living in different boarding houses to navigating the ups and downs of those years, we reflect on how our friendship formed. We talk about the changes you go through from being a younger student to becoming a senior, the experiences that shaped us, and the lessons we carried forward.

Fast forward to university, where life brought us back together as roommates. We dive into the reality of university life, balancing studies, social life, and the freedom (and chaos) that comes with it. From adjusting to living together to the experiences that come with campus life and student society, we share how this chapter shaped us in new ways.

And now, here we are, stepping into the real world, evolving, growing, and figuring out what’s next. But that’s a conversation for my next episode. Stay tuned as I dive into mine and others journeys, the lessons we all are learning, and the long road ahead to becoming the best versions of ourselves.

We've all been there, we've all felt that, and now I am sharing it with you!

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0:00 Intro

1:55 How & When We Clicked

3:10 Navigating The Start Of Highschool & The Boarding Life

8:58 The Journey Experience (Not The Journey You Are Thinking Of)

19:45 Reflecting On Journey & What We Learned

27:33 Transitioning To Senior Years Of Highschool & The New Responsibilities

33:47 The COVID - 19 Pandemic: How It Affected Us

42:36 Moving On: Saying Goodbye To Your Highschool Career

47:47 The Chapter Between Highschool & University

56:49 Our Different Paths In 1st Year

01:06:31 Crossing Paths & Reconnecting

01:07:40 Becoming Roommates: The Journey That Led Us To This Moment

01:25:12 Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways

01:28:36 Surprise

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Drop a comment below or reach out at...

Socials/Links: https://linktr.ee/sabianlau

Email: [email protected]