#48: Why the Sage's Journey Fulfills You When the Hero's Journey Stops Making Sense
08 August 2025

#48: Why the Sage's Journey Fulfills You When the Hero's Journey Stops Making Sense

Beyond Success

About

There’s an ancient Western myth that’s been adopted by the masses and often without their consent. It can be found in movies like Star Wars and Finding Nemo. It’s in books like The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. It’s the secret theme included in your favorite TEDx Talk. And it’s something that’s taken for granted in almost every business podcast that exists. 

Worst part?

This myth may be responsible for your success… but, if left unchecked, it’s responsible for the low-grade anxiety, under-the-surface numbness, and quiet sadness you feel but never talk about. 

The same story that got you this far - to win, to prove, to conquer - is the very thing keeping you stuck. 

It’s The Hero’s Journey and you can see its impact in nearly every kind of media you consume. But the problem is, stories never tell the full story - and after successfully going through The Hero’s Journey, life takes on a bleak and gray undertone that whispers, “You’re not enough and will never be enough.” 

That’s the bad news. 

The good news?

The Sage’s Journey is the antidote to the dull ache of confusion inside you. But it’s not a tale of conquering dragons, so you may have never heard of it. And it’s definitely not as well known, even though it’s just as ancient. That’s because it’s a quieter journey. One that happens in your internal world instead of the external one. 

And it’s the only way to unlock joy and lasting fulfillment in your life. 

And that’s what you’ll discover when you tune into this week’s show. 

Listen now. 

Show Highlights Include:

    How the “Warrior Identity” that’s responsible for your success is also the root cause of your emotional exhaustion and lack of fulfillment in life (and how to upgrade your identity) (0:24)  The “Path of the Sage” secret to stop proving yourself and to start becoming yourself (2:26)  Why books, movies, graduation speeches, and even business podcasts silently fill you with an unquenchable sense of existential dread that only The Sage’s Journey can solve (2:54)  How to experience unbridled joy, naturally, when you bend down to tie your shoes, as you browse through the grocery store, and when you hold a child (16:06)  The “Conquering Your Dragon” trap high achievers fall into that only reinforces your belief that you’re not enough (and how to set your sword down and experience freedom for perhaps the first time) (20:24) 

For more about David Tian, go here:

https://www.davidtianphd.com/about/ 

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Emotional Mastery is David Tian's step-by-step system to transform, regulate, and control your emotions... so that you can master yourself, your interactions with others, and your relationships... and live a life worth living. Learn more here:

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