We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Colby Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Colby , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear from you about what you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry and why it matters.

Corporate America constantly plays it safe. They put people in boxes—finance, healthcare, logistics, project management—and tell you to pick a lane. If you don’t follow the blueprint, you’re seen as unfocused or unrealistic. But that fear of risk? It’s paralyzing. Most people in corporate spaces are so afraid to fail, they numb themselves with titles, routine, and empty goals.

That’s why I built Shadow Spring. I wasn’t trying to fit in—I was trying to build something that challenges how overstimulated, overloaded, and boxed-in we’ve all become. I remember reading an article about consumer behavior and thinking: how much of this is just people numbing themselves to survive the noise? You see it every day on social media. It’s a rat race. I want my brand—and my career—to be a counterpunch to that.

Colby , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Colby Johnson, the 23-year-old founder of Shadow Spring—a premium wellness brand built on clarity, restraint, and discipline. I didn’t create this brand to follow trends. I created it because I saw something broken in the way we live. People aren’t just tired—they’re overstimulated. Numbed by noise. Told to consume more, feel less, and fit inside whatever box corporate culture hands them.

I’ve worked across industries—healthcare, logistics, finance, and manufacturing. I served in the military, led $20M+ projects, earned my PMP, and I’m currently pursuing an MBA from Warwick Business School. I’ve always taken the unconventional route—not because I’m rebellious, but because I refuse to water myself down. That mindset is what Shadow Spring is built on.

Shadow Spring isn’t just bottled water. It’s a philosophy. A volcanic-mineral filtered product rooted in design, silence, and intentionality. No loud labels. No gimmicks. Just stillness in a bottle—for people who think deeply, move differently, and crave clarity in a world that pushes chaos.

What sets me apart is that I am the brand. My discipline, my path, and my values are woven into everything I create. I’m only 23, but I move with long-term intent. I’m building something real—something that will outlast hype.

If you follow me or support Shadow Spring, you’re not just buying into a product. You’re joining a mindset.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Lesson I Had to Unlearn:
That if you had a big vision and put yourself out there, people would show up to help.

Backstory:
I used to believe that if you were passionate, driven, and had something meaningful to build, the right people would naturally support you. That someone would recognize the potential and step in to back you, guide you, or at least walk with you. But the truth? Nobody’s coming.

You have to build it when no one’s watching. You have to keep moving when the support doesn’t show up. You go through highs, lows, silence, doubt—and still keep pushing. That’s what I’ve had to learn. And honestly, I’m glad I did. Because now I don’t wait for a savior. I move like it’s all on me, and that’s what makes it real.

I’ve already seen that vision is only half the battle. Execution in the dark is what separates people. Shadow Spring was born in that dark—and that’s why it’s different.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I gave a six-month notice to a company that said they believed in me—but behind closed doors, they didn’t. I had a PMP, a strong track record, and I was leading more than people twice my age. But when it came time to level up, they kept me boxed in. No raise. No new title. Just empty praise and more responsibilities.

So I walked away—quietly, but with purpose. During that time, I was building Shadow Spring. I was also working full-time, finishing my degree, starting an MBA, and launching a brand from scratch with zero investors. Every part of me was stretched, but I never stopped. Because I knew I wasn’t building for today—I was building for what’s coming.

People think resilience is about holding on. For me, it was about letting go. Letting go of comfort, security, and the illusion that anyone would hand me the life I want.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Shadowspring.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shadowspringco/profilecard/?igsh=MWl5MGZudzFpZjIyYw==
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/colby-johnson-bb338726b