In this episode of The Path Less Traveled, Syd Connolly sits down with Dani Cruz, a former colleague turned mentor, role model, and close friend.

Dani was once ascending the traditional corporate ladder—an absolute powerhouse thriving in big tech and venture capital, doing everything “right” on paper. But after reaching a breaking point, she made a bold shift: she left the certainty of the corporate world, moved to San Diego without a defined plan, and started building a life rooted in her own values—one where she genuinely loves her days.

Dani shares what it’s been like to let go of external validation, embrace uncertainty, and redefine success on her own terms. We talk about moving for joy (not for a job), starting over in a new city, and “the dinner party test”—that uncomfortable moment when your story doesn’t quite make sense to others.

We also get into:

- Claiming the title of “artist”

- Rebuilding identity outside of job titles

- Making friends as an adult

- How journaling and visioning practices help her stay grounded

This conversation is an invitation to let go of needing to be understood—and instead, to start trusting yourself more deeply.

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Check out Dani's ceramics and other ventures at https://www.instagram.com/danicruz.ca/.

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Chapters:

00:50 – Dani’s move to San Diego & choosing joy over logic

08:30 – Redefining success: loving your days

17:00 – The dinner party test & letting go of making sense

28:00 – Claiming the title “artist” and embracing creativity

45:00 – Consulting, making space, and soulful decision-making

53:00 – Building meaningful community from scratch

1:02:00 – Following persistent sparks and letting others go

1:06:00 – What Dani misses, and her favorite grounding rituals

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