https://youtu.be/G_mN2VexJgQ

When Vanessa started her life coaching journey, she had 3 goals:
1. Lose weight and get healthy
2. Open herself up to love after 8 years of not dating
3. Build a career with the flexibility she wants to live her best life

But she felt stuck -- held back by deeply held beliefs and patterns she inherited from growing up. Besides immigrating to the US alone from Peru at age 17, paying her and her brother's way through college by holding down 5 jobs, and raising her daughter as a single mom, Vanessa has had to overcome other challenges. But she is committed to her inner work and can feel deeply she is meant for a truly great life, not a mediocre one. That is her Quest.

This is Episode 2 of Quest — a real-time coaching documentary following real people on their journeys of personal transformation. No scripts. No highlight reels. Just the actual work.

If you feel drawn to participating in filmed coaching or Quest, you can learn more here:
👉 https://www.mikekav.com/

QUEST: THE FELLOWSHIP
A small, intimate coaching fellowship for people in their 40s and 50s who are ready to finally start the thing they've been putting off — before they miss their chance.
It isn't a course. It's a real process, with real people.
I'm working with a small founding group — and there may be space for one or two more. If this is your season, learn more and apply here:
👉 https://www.mikekav.com/fellowship

SPIRITUAL WAYFINDERS: True Stories of Awakening and Transformation
An audio documentary in which 7 people share their stories of awakening and transformation in their own voice. Available everywhere that distributes audiobooks. Links and preview at:
👉 https://www.mikekav.com/

MIKE'S NEWSLETTER
I share the raw breakthroughs happening inside Quest coaching sessions — the insights, the resistance, the moments that actually move people.
If you want that kind of depth delivered directly to you:
👉 https://www.mikekav.com

QUEST: THE SERIES
The real-time coaching documentary following real people’s journeys of purpose, self-discovery, and personal development. See what actually happens when someone decides to stop waiting. Watch every episode here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VuNi3Axd9ZJe9ClJnyhn682wq5Kmnxf

QUEST: BEHIND THE SCENES
Watch behind the scenes content about Quest, the coaching documentary series.
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VuNi3Axd9aXg_CMZBjhvDVZtNjoYWL4

Chapters:
00:00 A painful memory
00:26 About Vanessa's Life Coaching Journey
02:30 Vanessa's reaction to one of my podcast episodes
04:07 Life Coaching Session 1: Vanessa's relationship to her mom
07:12 The first insight -- hiding because of weight gain
10:40 How to fight 40 years of negative beliefs and low self worth
13:13 Why do I subconsciously gain weight?
15:27 The reason Vanessa is here doing this
16:56 Mike's voice message to Vanessa
17:27 Vanessa's dreams
19:10 A big day -- the release of the first episode of Quest
20:17 Life coaching session 2: Vanessa's core wound
23:12 Vanessa's abandonment memory of her father leaving
26:37 Healing the core wound
29:28 Why is it so scary to sit with that difficult emotion?
32:08 Vanessa's breakthrough

Here is the link to the full video episode on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/3UIamBMr2Vc

If you feel drawn to participating in Quest or recorded coaching, you can learn more here:
👉 https://www.mikekav.com/

THE FELLOWSHIP
A small, intimate coaching fellowship for people in their 40s and 50s who are ready to finally start the thing they've been putting off — before they miss their chance.
It isn't a course. It's a real process, with real people.
I'm working with a small founding group — and there may be space for one or two more. If this is your season, learn more and apply here:
👉 https://www.mikekav.com/fellowship

THE NEWSLETTER
I share the raw breakthroughs happening inside Quest coaching sessions — the insights, the resistance, the moments that actually move people.
If you want that kind of depth delivered directly to you:
👉 https://www.mikekav.com

QUEST: THE SERIES
The real-time coaching documentary following real people’s journeys of purpose, self-discovery, and personal development. See what actually happens when someone decides to stop waiting. Watch every episode here:
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VuNi3Axd9ZJe9ClJnyhn682wq5Kmnxf

QUEST: BEHIND THE SCENES
Watch behind the scenes content about the coaching documentary Quest.
👉 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VuNi3Axd9aXg_CMZBjhvDVZtNjoYWL4

Chapters:
00:00 A Real Life Coaching Journey Introduction
01:13 How Vanessa feels stuck
02:42 The midlife transition
04:05 Kicking off Vanessa's Life Coaching Journey
05:57 Vanessa's Weight Loss Journey - Life Coaching Session 1
08:33 The impact of past relationships and breakups
09:43 When a father abandons you
11:09 Do you believe?
12:00 Mike's reflections
15:11 A moment of realization
17:06 About Beginnings and saying "yes" to our own Quest

The first official episode of Quest is being released on YouTube on April 25, 2026.

If you have your own "thing" you've been wanting to do but putting off -- a new business, a creative project, a big life change -- Quest: The Fellowship may be your catalyst. Learn more at:

https://www.mikekav.com

Visit me on YouTube and...
1. Tell me in the comments
OR
2. Go to my community tab and answer the survey
(Or both!)

Here's the link: https://youtu.be/fJXWqfrn_LA

In this week’s episode of The Making of Quest (TMOQ), I experienced a significant turn of events.

It’s exciting AND it introduces a new problem… one that I genuinely want your help solving. Hence my request for input.

If you’re new here, welcome to The Making of Quest. This is my living documentary series about my attempts to launch a documentary coaching series on YouTube called QUEST.

QUEST is a real-time life experiment where I’m inviting someone from the internet to join me on a journey of personal transformation.

But even more than that, The Making of Quest is a series about building a life aligned with your calling. If you feel called to join us on this ride, welcome to the Fellowship.

If you want to catch up, you can watch the full series here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VuNi3Axd9ZJe9ClJnyhn682wq5Kmnxf
Episode 1 — I need the right person for this.
Episode 2 — I Asked the Internet to Join My Life Experiment
Episode 3 — Choosing a Stranger to Join My Personal Growth Experiment QUEST

I’ve decided to leave the window to apply for Quest open for a little while longer. If you’ve been on the fence waiting for your moment, this may be your last chance.

You can apply here:
https://www.mikekav.com/

My guest today, A.K.A. “Fall Guy,” is Ninad Athale, M.D. I owe him many thanks for his appearance and his contribution. Methinks he’ll be back again. Despite the utter lack of compensation or incentive for doing so. Now that’s altruism.

If you’re on your own Quest, or you feel called in the direction of something you aren’t yet fully living, I’d love to stay connected. If you feel called to join my email list, you can find that at:
https://www.mikekav.com

May you walk your path with courage! 🙏🏼

For the journey,
Mike

P.S. Don’t be a stranger. I’m a real human being. I actually talk to people. And I’m on a real mission. My calling is to help people find and live their true path. That’s what all of this is about.

Start the full TMOQ series here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VuNi3Axd9ZJe9ClJnyhn682wq5Kmnxf

All my other creations live here:
https://www.mikekav.com

Time stamps:
00:00 39 Second Recap
00:39 Jerry and Renee
01:48 Fall guy
03:56 25,000 Foot Thoughts
06:11 The Big Decision

This was originally made for video. You can watch on YouTube here:

https://youtu.be/iBLT2SZcFis

If you’re new to Quest, this is a living documentary series about building a life aligned with your calling.

I left my corporate job 5 months ago and I’m living off savings. My main goal right now is to launch Quest, a documentary coaching series following a real person’s transformation. I am looking for one Wayfinder to step into Quest.

In the first episode, I started putting out the call. I posted about it on YouTube. I reached out to a few contacts. Episode 1 ended with one person responding “maybe.”

This week in episode 2, I check back in on my applicant pool. And it forces me to grapple with the stark possibility that I may fail… and fail early… and fail very publicly.

We call that “making mom proud.”

Here’s the truth. My financial runway depletes by the day. This is real life. This matters to me more than you can imagine. I’ll share more in the future, but there’s history here.

So join me on the journey. Subscribe and enable notifications so you don’t miss the updates. Or my email newsletter is a good place to stay in the loop:
https://www.mikekav.com

Oh yeah, and at the time I’m writing this, applications for Quest are still open.

For how long? I still don’t know. If you’re feeling “Quest curious” though, I wouldn’t wait forever to apply. You never know what destiny has in store.

Here's the link to the application:
https://www.mikekav.com/

May you walk your path with courage! 🙏🏼

For the journey,
Mike

Want to follow Jesse?
https://substack.com/@jessedavis203904
https://www.instagram.com/sym_plex

P.S. This is the same Jesse who shared his incredible story of his near death experience in my audiobook Spiritual Wayfinders. 

Time Stamps:
00:00 Previously on The Making of Quest
00:46 Applications to Quest
01:25 Why this matters to Mike
02:22 The Dip
03:47 Jesse
06:34 Mike's failures
08:18 Latest Update

The Making of Quest - On YouTube

But since I have a passion for audio and since you're already here, we're going with it.

Since you're new here (it's episode 1, everyone is), let me tell you about this series.

The Making of Quest (TMOQ), is a living documentary series about building a life aligned with your calling.

I left my corporate job 5 months ago and I’m living off savings. I am attempting to create and launch Quest, a documentary coaching series following a real person’s transformation. I'm documenting my own journey creating it here on The Making of Quest.

I am currently looking for one Wayfinder to step into Quest. If you are interested in being considered, apply here:
https://www.mikekav.com/opportunity

Join the Fellowship by subscribing on YouTube.

You can also stay in the loop via my email list.
https://www.mikekav.com

The show begins now.

May you walk your path with courage! 🙏🏼

For the journey,

Mike

Watch the full Making of Quest series here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6VuNi3Axd9ZJe9ClJnyhn682wq5Kmnxf

Want to follow Maria?
IG, TikTok, Facebook: @momshungrykitchen
YouTube:  ⁨ @momshungrykitchen5  

Spiritual Wayfinders: The Audio Documentary. True Stories of Awakening and Transformation
On Spotify: Here (free if you have a premium subscription)
On Audible / everywhere else: https://www.mikekav.com/

Check out Jesse Davis' amazing work and story here:
http://Jessedavispmp.substack.com

Listen to Heavyweight, episode #12, "Jesse" here:
On Spotify: Here
On Apple Podcasts:  Here
I think it's one of the best podcast episodes ever made.

There's something pulling at you, isn't there?

A creative project. A piece of art. A channel you want to start. Something that won't quite let you go.

But you're not doing it. Maybe because it feels vulnerable. Maybe because you can't see how it will "succeed."

A couple years ago, I followed one of those callings. I spent more money making it than I've ever earned back. By commercial standards, it wasn't a success.
But that's not why I'm telling you this story.

In this short message, I share what actually happened when I followed that call - and why the reason you're meant to create that thing probably has nothing to do with the reasons you think.

This is your catalyst moment. Whatever's been pulling at you - it's time.

-------

Youtube Video Version Here: https://youtu.be/CMDWzT-A3Rc

And what happens when you do that when you're out of work and you have no idea what's next? 

This is the real life story of Mike's experiment following a midlife breakthrough. 

Watch the YouTube video version here: https://youtu.be/2yFS8Lky29s

...

When I received the call that one of my closest friends from college, John, was dying and unable to speak, I thought I'd never talk to him again. What happened next defied all explanation and changed how I view life, death, and the connections that transcend both.

This is the true story of a profound experience that just recently occurred in my life. 

I'm sharing this deeply personal story because it contains universal truths about friendship, being present for those we love, and the mysterious ways we remain connected beyond what we can explain.

Your life is filled with synchronicities that are here to lead you to a life you never imagined if you open, trust, and receive. This experience taught me lessons I'll carry forever. 

Special thanks to John’s family for their blessing to share this story. Thank you also to hospice nurses and hospice care workers everywhere for the beautiful work you do.

If this resonated with you, please consider sharing it with someone who might need to hear it.

It also features an uncanny, perfectly timed cameo from a certain wildlife creature, the magic of which you will only fully understand if you have listened to Spiritual Wayfinders.

If you feel like you're missing out on the inside joke, you can find Spiritual Wayfinders anywhere that sells audiobooks or at spiritualwayfinders.org

Peace and love,

Mike

https://www.mikekav.com

Join me for another episode of Trading Truth with my guest, Adam Clark. The format is simple. Adam and I both bring questions for each other. Neither of us knows what the other is going to ask in advance. The only requirement is the questions be deep and the answers be totally honest.

If you're tired of contrived podcasts and expert guests who act as though they have all the answers, I hope you enjoy this refreshing alternative. 

To watch the video version of this episode, here is the YouTube link.

Check out the FREE mini audiobook: Side Hustle With Purpose

If you enjoy stories of personal transformation and spiritual awakening, check out Spiritual Wayfinders: The Audio Documentary. True Stories of Awakening and Transformation. 

COMING SOON... a free mini audiobook called 7 Questions That Shatter Cages. Sign up for my newsletter at mikekav.com to be notified.

Today’s episode is a new format I’m calling Trading Truth, where my guest and I both bring questions for each other that we also answer ourselves. Neither of us knows what the other is going to ask in advance. The only requirement is the questions be deep or thought-provoking and the answers be raw and honest.

For the video version of this episode on YouTube, click here: How to Overcome Fear

My guest today is Anthony Schreiber. This episode is real and honest. Masks left at the door.

Check out my FREE mini audiobook: Side Hustle With Purpose

If you enjoy stories of personal transformation and spiritual awakening, check out Spiritual Wayfinders: The Audio Documentary. True Stories of Awakening and Transformation. 

COMING SOON... a free mini audiobook called 7 Questions That Shatter Cages. Sign up for my newsletter at mikekav.com to be notified.

Kai Cox is a fourth-generation healer. She became a licensed massage therapist in 2011 and has been working to help people heal through a variety of modalities such as Lomi Lomi, Bio-Touch and Vibration healing ever since.

But Kai has other gifts as well. Since Kai was a child, she has been able to see spirits and energies and has honed her intuition to be able to communicate with them to help people heal on a spiritual and mental level. Kai uses these gifts to help people heal with intuitive readings and channelings. 

Kai and I were originally supposed to connect over a year ago, but through a series of events that we talk about in this episode, we were postponed for many months. 

But this was a reminder for me in the power of divine timing. 

My conversation with Kai was a lesson for me in intuition, embracing the mystery of our existence, and a beautiful reminder to follow your excitement and enjoy life. I hope you enjoy her infectious positive energy and amazing spirit. 

I strongly encourage you to connect with Kai, and especially if you're in the Chicago area, make your way to her wonderful healing sanctuary and experience her gifts. 

--------

If you enjoy stories of personal transformation and spiritual awakening, check out Spiritual Wayfinders: The Audio Documentary. True Stories of Awakening and Transformation. 

And for anyone who has contemplated started a purpose-driven side business, download my latest mini audiobook for free:

Side Hustle With Purpose