Approaching End of Life through the Lens of Vitality with Adventure Filmmaker John Waller

For The Love Of: Trade-offs we make in pursuit of our passions

What does it mean to uncage your own soul and find vitality, even in challenging periods of life?

John Waller is an award-winning filmmaker, speaker, and adventurer. After founding the video production company Uncage the Soul in 2004, he dedicated his career to capturing wild and serene landscapes, as well as the stories of the people who call them home.

In 2020, John was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer. This inspired him to pursue a life filled with purpose, vitality, and a deeper appreciation for the natural spaces he has long admired.

We talk about:

• How award-winning Uncage the Soul productions came to life
• Traveling the world after college and gaining comfort in the unknown and getting a “social education”
• Dedicating 16 years of life to his company while wearing all the hats
• The decision to end Uncage the Soul towards the start of COVID-19 pandemic and trying to personally separate himself from his business
• Going to a doctor after 10 years and learning he has terminal cancer
• The emotions and shifts that come with a life-changing diagnosis and how John’s experience as a producer helped him find support
• Releasing an aversion to accepting help from others
• Using psychedelics as a way to access a deeper side of himself
• Learning to swim with instead of against the current of life
• What John is afraid of as he approaches the end of his life
• Mending the Line: Uncage’s film about fly-fisher Frank Moore

PSST! If you like this episode, did you know we have over 30 other conversations with people who have lived big lives and made trade-offs to pursue their passions?

We've spoken with a former Hollywood star who moved to Kentucky to open a preschool, an adventurer who lost a toe while guiding on Mount Rainier, a drag queen who found empowerment by embracing an alter ego, and a pro ice climber who continues to adventure as a mom of twins. Find all episodes at www.fortheloveofpod.com/episodes.

Explore John's work:

• Uncage the Soul Productions

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Shout-Outs:

-Music: The King of Sandwich Island by Shut-ins

-Thank you to The Ruins, the best wedding venue in Oregon, for supporting the show.

For full show notes and more: https://fortheloveofpod.com

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