What if the thing in your life that refuses to change is not there to defeat you, but to change you? We all have something that seems to keep coming back. A relationship pattern. A career that will not move. Money worries. The same fears, frustrations or behaviours, despite all the books, therapy, personal development and effort we throw at them. In this powerful and surprisingly personal episode of Rise and Thrive: Conversations for Greatness, John Merkus welcomes back Colby Wilk for a conversation that challenges the way we think about being stuck. Colby poses a very different question. Instead of asking, “How do I get rid of this?”, what if we asked: “What is this asking me to become?” That question becomes the thread running through a fascinating conversation about acceptance, healing, intuition, identity, personal growth and becoming more of who you really are. John does what he does so well on Rise and Thrive. He takes the ideas beyond theory and into real life. In one of the most revealing parts of the conversation, John openly admits that he came into the interview exhausted after delivering a keynote earlier that day. What follows becomes an unexpected live example of the very subject they are discussing. Was John honouring his commitment by continuing the interview, or ignoring what his own body was telling him because he did not want to disappoint someone? Colby turns the question back on John, and suddenly host and guest are exploring approval, validation, personal standards, keeping your word and the freedom that might come from being comfortable when somebody does not like you. It is candid, funny, uncomfortable at moments and very human. 🌟 In This Episode, You’ll Discover: ✨ Why the parts of your life that refuse to move may deserve your attention rather than another attempt to force them to change ✨ The question Colby believes can change how we approach our biggest recurring challenges ✨ Why continually trying to “fix yourself” can sometimes stop you from accepting yourself ✨ The provocative idea behind “Is healing keeping you stuck?” ✨ Why Colby says relief and evolution are not necessarily the same thing ✨ How hidden beliefs and loyalties can influence choices without us consciously recognising them ✨ Why becoming more of yourself may require letting go of who you thought you were supposed to be ✨ How to distinguish between pushing harder and listening to what something may be asking of you ✨ What John’s own sleep deprived decision to continue the interview revealed about commitment, approval and honouring yourself ✨ Why needing other people to behave a certain way can sometimes give away your sense of safety ✨ The freedom contained in two deceptively simple words: “So what?” ✨ Why acceptance does not necessarily mean giving up ✨ Colby’s view that success and personal evolution are two very different things ✨ Why comparing your path with somebody else’s may prevent you from recognising what your own life is asking of you One of the most powerful ideas from this conversation is beautifully simple: Stop asking only, “Why is this happening to me?” and start asking, “What is this asking of me?” You may not immediately have the answer. Perhaps the question itself is where something begins to shift. 🌱 About Colby Wilk Colby works with people who feel stuck despite considerable effort, intelligence and personal work. His approach combines intuition and healing practices with a focus on helping people recognise beliefs, protections and patterns that may be influencing the way they live. His central philosophy is that growth is not necessarily about constructing a better version of yourself. It can be about becoming more of yourself. During the conversation, Colby also shares details of his Evolve Into You workshop and how people can work with him. 🌐 Find Colby: https://colbywilk.com/ At the time of recording, Colby was also preparing for his free Evolve Into You workshop on 26 September 2026. 🎧 Tune In Now to Be Inspired Whether you're on a walk, driving, or just needing a boost, this conversation is for you. Hit play and rise into your greatness today. 💬 Loved it? Here's What You Can Do Next: ✅ Share this episode with a friend who’s ready to rise ⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify 📲 Follow John Merkus for more uplifting content 💌 Join the mailing list to get exclusive inspiration and free resources 🙏 About Your Host: John Merkus John is a passionate speaker, transformation coach, and host of Rise and Thrive, committed to helping you become your best self. His conversations are thoughtful, energising, and always filled with golden nuggets of wisdom. He brings out the best in every guest and this episode is no exception. In this conversation, John also does something that makes Rise and Thrive different. He is willing to put himself into the conversation rather than simply sitting safely behind the microphone asking questions. His openness gives Colby something real to explore and turns part of the episode into a candid conversation about change, self awareness and what it means to honour yourself while still honouring others. 🎧 Press play, get inspired, and keep thriving. Greatness is one action away. 💬 Join the Conversation! What’s one insight from this episode that resonated with you? Perhaps there is something in your own life that keeps refusing to move. What might it be asking you to become? Drop a comment or share your thoughts on social media with #RiseAndThrive #GreatnessUnlocked #LeadWithHeart 🚀 Hit play now, and let’s rise and thrive together! ✨ Stay Inspired and Keep Thriving ✨ 📲 Explore Fluid Reality Mindset App: www.johnmerkus.com 🔗 Follow us on social media and share your favourite moments. We’d love to hear how you're implementing these tools in your life! 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