VoQuest Podcast

C.W. Elliott
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We're on a quest to help people find the best way to answer the question, 'What should I do with my life?' 

  1. From Fitness to Occupational Therapy: Trevor Thompson's Vocation Quest

    MAR 31

    From Fitness to Occupational Therapy: Trevor Thompson's Vocation Quest

    In this episode of the VoQuest Podcast, we unpack what OT really is with occupational therapist Trevor Thompson, how it differs from physical therapy, and why it can be such a meaningful and flexible career path. Trevor shares his journey from business studies and fitness work to discovering a passion for helping people with complex medical needs, eventually earning his doctorate in occupational therapy and serving veterans in Arizona. Along the way, Trevor explains what a day in the life of an OT looks like, from ICU and emergency room work to adaptive recreation, prosthetics, and helping patients regain the skills they need for everyday life. He also shares how shadowing helped clarify his direction, why continual learning matters long after school ends, and how his career has adapted with different stages of life. Trevor also shares his testimony and the lessons he would share with his younger self: keep trying things, give major decisions time, and trust that God can guide your path even through confusion and pain. Highlights  What occupational therapy actually is and why many people misunderstand it  Trevor’s path from fitness and business into the medical world  How working with clients with MS, ALS, and other conditions changed his direction  Why OT stood out in med school   What OTs do in the ICU, ER, and hospital setting  How occupational therapists help patients with daily life skills after injury or surgery  The difference between OT and PT in practical terms  Education requirements for OT, including the shift toward doctoral programs  A lower-debt bridge path from OTA to OTD that students should know about  Why shadowing is one of the best ways to clarify career direction  Trevor’s framework for a fulfilling day: exercise, purpose, and relationships  How OT can flex with changing life stages, family needs, and long-term goals  The value of reading physical books and creating space for self-reflection  Trevor’s advice to young people: keep jumping in, keep trying things  Why “time is a great filter” for major life decisions  Trevor’s personal testimony of faith, suffering, and learning to trust God again

    47 min
  2. Setting the Record Straight on Physical Therapy with Cole Denton

    MAR 18

    Setting the Record Straight on Physical Therapy with Cole Denton

    What does a physical therapist actually do, and what does it take to become one? In this episode, I sit down with physical therapist Cole Denton to talk about the real world of PT: what outpatient orthopedics looks like day to day, how physical therapists help people recover from injury, and why the job is much more consultative and problem-solving oriented than many people realize. Cole shares how he found his way into physical therapy, what PT school was really like, and what students should consider before committing to the time, cost, and return on investment of the profession. They also dive into pain science, why pain doesn’t always mean structural damage, the challenge of getting patients to do their at-home exercises, and how curiosity and continued learning shape long-term success in any career. Along the way, the conversation opens up into bigger themes that fit the heart of VoQuest: enjoying the journey, counting the cost, staying curious, and learning to grow through the hard seasons instead of only focusing on the destination. In this episode, you’ll hear about: What a day in the life of an outpatient physical therapist looks likeThe different settings physical therapists can work inHow Cole discovered PT was the right fit for himWhat PT school requires and what it’s like once you graduateWhy pain is often more complex than people thinkThe role of biomechanics, movement, and nervous system regulation in recoveryCommon frustrations in healthcare, including insurance limits and patient complianceWhy physical therapy can be a powerful alternative to overmedicationHow to think about ROI when choosing a career pathWhy enjoying the journey matters just as much as reaching the destinationResource mentioned in the episode: Does College Pay Off? A Comprehensive Return on Investment Analysis

    1h 1m
  3. Faith, Risk, and Starting Over in Maui | Jackson Pollock’s Vocation Quest

    MAR 5

    Faith, Risk, and Starting Over in Maui | Jackson Pollock’s Vocation Quest

    What happens when your “plan” stops fitting and you have the courage to pivot? In this episode, I sit down with my old friend Jackson Pollock, who went from a homeschooled kid knocking doors to mow lawns… to building and selling a lawn business… to going back to school in his late 20s… and now practicing chiropractic in Maui, Hawaii. We talk about the uncomfortable decisions that shaped his path: walking away from college when it wasn’t the right fit, rebuilding conviction one step at a time, and making a massive family move that meant “putting life into 11 boxes” and trusting the direction they felt called to go. Jackson also breaks down how his view of chiropractic evolved beyond “neck and back pain,” and we get into the intersection of thoughts, trauma, toxins, and what it looks like to pursue a vocation with both conviction and open hands. In this episode, we cover: How Jackson started a lawn business at 12 The mindset shift behind dropping out of college and later returning with claritySelling a business, starting a new career, and leading a family through big transitionsChiropractic philosophyWhy purpose and “fuel” matter when life gets hardThe #1 thing Jackson would tell his 17/18-year-old self If you’re a student (or parent) navigating “What’s next?”—this one’s for you. Links & Socials Guest: Jackson Pollock / Abundant Life Chiropractic (Maui) Website: https://www.abundantlifemaui.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abundantlifemaui/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Abundant-Life-Chiropractic/61579857370116/?sk=about

    47 min
  4. From Renter to Landlord: Real Estate, FinTech, and Extreme Ownership | Andrew Carson

    FEB 17

    From Renter to Landlord: Real Estate, FinTech, and Extreme Ownership | Andrew Carson

    Real estate investor + FinTech founder - fellow homeschooler Andrew Carson breaks down how he got started, why slow growth wins, and the mindset shift of Extreme Ownership. Plus: a simple “Taco Bell” framework for career clarity. What You’ll Learn  How Andrew went from sales to full-time real estate investingWhat “off-market” deals are (and why investors chase them)Wholesaling vs. flipping: what’s better for beginners and whyHard money lenders explained (simple version)Branding in a business where people naturally don’t trust youWhy “slow growth is the only growth” (and what happens with fast growth)A faith-based perspective on wealth: money vs. the love of moneyAndrew’s career clarity framework: Soft Skills + Hard Skills + Joy → Best-fit industries“Extreme Ownership” applied to life, marriage, and leadershipWhere to find Andrew: Website: https://www.ajotter.com/ and  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aj-otter/? Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/AJ-Otter/100085616541488/

    1h 6m

  5. FEB 10

    Goals, Grit, and a Life of Adventure: J.P. Mathews on Finding Your Next Right Step

    In this episode, CW sits down with longtime friend JP Mathews, a counselor, family man, and Wyoming Army National Guard soldier, for a wide-ranging conversation about career direction, calling, and living with open hands. JP walks through his unconventional journey: starting in sales (and wrestling with feeling “disingenuous”), serving in youth ministry, earning a counseling degree, working with rural students, and eventually joining the military in a later season of life. Along the way, we talk about the importance of community, the power of wise voices (especially mentors 30+ years ahead), and how your past (family dynamics, conflict, hardship, and “nonlinear” steps) can reveal the strengths God has been forming in you all along. We also dig into goals: how to avoid analysis paralysis, how to work backwards from a vision, and how to tell the difference between a hard thing you should push through vs. a hard thing that signals a pivot. If you’re a student, young professional, or parent trying to help someone navigate “What should I do next?”, this one will give you clarity, courage, and a few quotable one-liners you won’t forget.

    1h 12m

  6. 11/18/2025

    Joel’s Path: Cop, Tech Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor, and the Faith That Guides It All

    How do you build a meaningful career when you’re interested in more than one thing? And how do you stay grounded when life takes you into places of real danger, real responsibility, and real purpose? In this episode, Joel shares his incredible journey — from running a phone-repair business in high school, to earning a criminology degree, to becoming a full-time police officer who still finds time to build a tech startup and manage 20 rental properties. Joel breaks down: How he chose law enforcement after wrestling with business vs. purposeWhat real police work is actually like (a LOT more diverse than you think)How he manages multiple careers at once using a strategic shift scheduleCreative financing and how he acquired a portfolio of 20 rental homesA near-death experience on the job that changed his lifeWhy his faith became the foundation that pulled him out of burnoutHow “planting seeds” in people’s lives has led to unbelievable storiesHis advice for 17–18-year-olds figuring out their first stepsThis is one of the most honest, surprising, and purpose-driven career stories on the show; perfect for students, young adults, and anyone trying to understand how faith, work, and calling come together in real life. Connect with the VoQuest Podcast Instagram: @VoQuestPodcast — https://www.instagram.com/voquestpodcast/TikTok: @VoQuest.Podcast — https://www.tiktok.com/@voquest.podcast

    57 min
  7. From the Garage to Entrepreneurship: Anthony Simmons' Story of AVRS Automotive

    11/12/2025

    From the Garage to Entrepreneurship: Anthony Simmons' Story of AVRS Automotive

    In this episode, Anthony Simmons, founder of AVRS Automotive, shares how he turned a lifelong love for fixing cars into a thriving, purpose-driven business. Anthony talks about how he started with just a bag of tools and a vision, and how hard work, faith, and the right partnerships helped him grow into a full-time entrepreneur. His goal? To redefine what it means to be a mechanic by building a people-first, on-the-go auto service that customers can trust. You’ll hear about: The moment he realized he could build a business around his passionLessons learned from early mistakes and partnershipsWhy professionalism and integrity matter in any careerHis dream of mentoring young technicians fresh out of trade schoolHow he’s creating opportunity for others while changing an industryA great listen for students, career explorers, and anyone wondering what it looks like to build a meaningful career from the ground up. 🔗 Connect with Anthony & AVRS Automotive 🌐 Website: avrsautomotive.com 🔗 LinkTree: avrsautomotive.com/linktree 📸 Instagram: @avrs_automotive_ 📘 Facebook: AVRS Automotive 💼 LinkedIn: Anthony Simmons 🎧 Connect with the VoQuest Podcast Instagram: @VoQuestPodcast TikTok: @VoQuest.Podcast

    1h 4m
  8. Nathan Cole: Living with Purpose, Building Bold Ideas, and Following the Path of Peace

    11/04/2025

    Nathan Cole: Living with Purpose, Building Bold Ideas, and Following the Path of Peace

    What does it look like to live fully in your calling while building bold ideas that shape the future? In this episode, Nathan, a multi-passionate entrepreneur and Head of Operations at a VC-backed tech startup, joins host C.W. Elliott to talk about vocation, purpose, and faith in the startup world. Nathan shares how he went from missionary work to leading operations at a VC-backed tech company building a distributed cloud (think: the world’s largest supercomputer without data centers). He also opens up about mentorship, life planning, and the importance of humility, gratitude, perseverance, and prayer. You’ll learn: How to discern when it’s time to pivot in your careerHow to find and engage the right mentorsWhy writing a life plan can transform your focusHow to keep faith at the center of your work - even in high-pressure environmentsWhy listening and “humble curiosity” are essential to long-term successA conversation on vocation, calling, and courage for anyone navigating life’s next step. 🔗 Connect with VoQuest Podcast Instagram: @VoQuestPodcast TikTok: @VoQuest.Podcast

    41 min
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About

We're on a quest to help people find the best way to answer the question, 'What should I do with my life?' 

Information

  • Creator
    C.W. Elliott
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 VoQuest Podcast
  • Show Website
    VoQuest Podcast