Finding your purpose after trauma: the 28,000-mile journey to belonging

If you've ever felt unwanted or stuck in the shadows of your past, there is a way back to your center. Today, Nathaniel Allenby shares how he used a 28,000-mile cycling journey across ten countries to transform survival into artistry and find the purpose he thought was lost. For those who have suffered from abuse or low confidence, the world can feel like a turbulent place where finding your path feels impossible. After surviving muggings in London and the physical toll of global travel, Nathaniel returned to found Cirque Quirk, San Diego's highest-rated circus entertainment company. In this episode, we explore how human artistry—juggling, stilt-walking, and physical comedy—remains an irreplaceable, high-value skill in an era of AI. Nathaniel shares how the values of kindness and human connection found on the road can bring peace to the mind. As a psychology student, he also offers a refreshing view on healing, reminding us that no matter how 'unloved' we may have felt, there is always a way back to centre.