We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Angel Ludwig. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Angel below.

Angel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I moved alone to Costa Rica one year ago. As 46 year old, divorced mother of 4 adult children, I decided I only had one life… it was now or never.

Risk is different for everyone, defined by fear and how we handle it.I decided I was no longer going to allow fear to define me or my choices.

My work allows me flexibility of location as my clients are in multiple timezones and countries, so travel has been a frequent part of my life. As a people strategist and high-performance consultant, I interact with those with a high tolerance for risk, an impervious level to handle fear, and often, a desire for high-stakes situations. High-performers usually have to moderate their risk, implementing complex decision making to assure they are doing something for benefit, not for thrill. I love what my work.

Though, I consider my true work my private, inner work. The part of me no one ever sees. Everything I do, everything I am is an outflow of my inner fortitude, my inner compass, my inner stability. In 2008 I began to take solo trips for silence and solitude. I am a closet spiritualist, meditation, breathwork, energy-work a vital part of my life. In 2024 I planned a trip, solo, to Costa Rica. I planned to travel the Pacific Coast for three weeks. As is my habit, I only scheduled the first two days, preferring to allow the trip to build itself. I spent the whole time centrally located in a small beach town, falling in love with the waves, the pace, the jungle. I didn’t travel beyond an hour journey. Instead I learned to search, hiked mountains and waterfalls, ran the beach at low-tide every day, sat under palm trees and wrote for hours. My whole being relaxed and rewired.

“Ohhhhh, Here you are,” My soul exhaled in relief, “Ohhhhhhhhh.” I had been unconsciously searching my whole life for THIS.

I went home after three weeks and immediately scheduled a return trip; I was aching to go back determined to travel. And I did, Up and down and all around. I returned to the States and began plans to move to Costa Rica for 3 months…. again…. just to see. I was still not convinced.

It’s been 15 months – I return to the States every 6-8 weeks, my children visit me at their leisure, I live my ideal life; every day is bliss.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a conscious People Strategist, high-performance Consultant, with expertise specifically in change management at the corporate and departmental level. My education is in Integrative medicine with additional specialties in Corporate Design. I have complimentary trainings in many modalities: a variety of coaching methods, breathwork, meditation and mindfullness, safe crisis management, group dynamics, to name a few. Our approach differs from traditional models as it is transformational at its core, in contrast to behavior modification techniques that are frequented in the industry. My art is my work, and we have built a team of artisanal practitioners, highly skilled, highly trained who bring a holistic, conscious approach to large corporations. Team facilitation and international Leadership intensives are our biggest draw, as the experience changes people, thus changes interactions, thus changes decisions, which produces more satisfying work, producing more ROI.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

People talk. In the industry I am in, trust is number one. If a client is happy with my services, they will tell their network, and so on and so forth. Industries, on their face, are small, so once you build trust with one key client, word-of mouth becomes the biggest source of clientele. Multiple industries equal multiple funnels. We have been able to grow, be selective with the type and size of our clients, and provide a high-level of excellence without a hige social media following or many hits to our website, which may seem strange in this era… but really… it is the way business works. It’s who you know.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn hustle. I worked hard and long and fast. I was always chasing, always running, always, setting and achieving goals. I owned two businesses, built those businesses, sold them, started another, and now another, started a non-profit – all while my kids were growing, juggling sports and sleepovers and home-cooked meals. Just because we CAN do something doesn’t mean it is the best life. Just becasue we achieved the results we wanted doesnt mean it was worth it in the long run. I ask myself now, to what end? Is this worth it? I value my quality of life, my energy, my contentment now – THAT is true success for me. Do I have time with family, time with me, time to move, time to write? Then my life is good. Everything else fits around that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angelludwig.com/
• Instagram: @philosopher.nextdoor, @angel.ludwig
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angel-ludwig-b5046857/

Image Credits

Sara Lazio