Video of interview available below
What if courage isn't about fearless leaps, but about consistently doing what brings you joy? In this conversation with UJ Ramdas—the co-creator of the Five Minute Journal, which sold over a million copies before selling his share of the company—we explore why real courage is a muscle you build through small, daily acts of aliveness.
UJ shares his remarkable journey from leaving India alone at 17 to building a multimillion-dollar business, then choosing freedom over the "success" everyone else saw. But this isn't just another entrepreneur story. This is about redefining purpose as aliveness, learning to examine fear versus intuition, and understanding why doing what you love is actually a radical act of courage.
If you've ever felt trapped in your own success, wondered how to know when you're in a "comfort loop," or questioned what it really means to live with purpose, UJ's insights on seeking the source of being while navigating the practical world offer a refreshing perspective on what it means to stay awake to your own life.
Essential listening for anyone ready to trade comfort for aliveness.
Covered In This Episode
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Big change often starts by asking better questions—not finding better answers.
Real freedom comes when you choose to leave comfort behind.
Courage is a muscle—and doing what you love is the rep.
Success without self-knowledge can still leave you feeling lost.
Purpose isn’t a goal to find—it’s a feeling of aliveness to follow.
Saying “I don’t know” can be the most powerful pivot you make.
Start-anxiety is real, but it's rarely the truth.
Identity isn’t fixed—it’s just the story you're ready to question.
Doing deep inner work is as important as doing “the work” in the world.
The most important question is usually the one you’re avoiding.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:28 UJ's Early Life and Move to Canada
17:27 Building Intelligent Change and the Five Minute Journal
22:07 Exiting the Company and New Ventures
36:36 Letting Go of Identity and Ego
39:44 Finding Joy in What You Love
41:04 The Power of Writing Down Ideas
43:24 Understanding Purpose and Aliveness
45:04 Facing Fear and Embracing Change
01:03:15 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
Links and Resources
Websites and Media Platforms
Books/Authors Referenced
Unleash the Power Within by Tony Robbins
Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda
The People Look Like Flowers at Last by Charles Bukowski
Mahabharata by Vyasa
More About UJ Ramdas
UJ is the Co-Founder (2013-2019) of Intelligent Change (Creator of the Five Minute Journal and Productivity Planner), with over 2.5 million copies sold.
His work has been featured in the New York Times, The Tim Ferriss Show, and Entrepreneur Magazine, among others. After exiting the company pre-COVID, he's now focused on creative projects, investing, and music.
A Perfect Pairing With This Episode
Rise & Shine: A Guided Approach to Heart-Led Living and Leadership
If you’ve been feeling the nudge to lead your life from a more heart-led place—but aren’t quite sure where to start—Rise and Shine was made with you in mind. I created this course as a companion to the Courageous Pivot journey, to offer a gentle and practical way to reconnect with your inner knowing.
It’s not about fixing anything—it’s about remembering what you already know, building trust in your own inner guidance, and learning how to recognize and respond to that quiet wisdom that lives in all of us. With simple tools, reflective practices, and heart-centered meditations (including 5-, 10-, and 15-minute options), Rise and Shine is here to help you move through your days with greater clarity, intention, and yes—joy.
You can dive in at your own pace—with audio options for listening while folding laundry, walking in the park, or baking a fresh batch of cookies. The course is designed to be as practical as it is profound, bridging the gap between self-awareness and inspired action.
Click here to get 30% off and start straight away (click here if you reside in Canada)
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