10. The Power of Allowing w/ Ash Ruiz

Does “inner freedom” seem to elude you, always just outside your reach no matter what you do? Did you know the worst thing that can happen to you is just a thought? Did you know all that clarity you seek … you already have? Ash Ruiz is a fascinating human being. As a teenager, he was a member of the latin boy band, Menudo, one of the most successful music groups in history. Ash is also one of my dearest friends, and a man whose presence in my life changed everything. I met Ash in Miami, in 2005, and soon after spent about 6 years managing his wildly talented and inspiring music band, Here II Here, which he formed with 4 other talented men and musicians a few years after leaving Menudo … but he did something else wild and fascinating after Menudo, before Here II Here. When all his fellow Menuditos, like Ricky Martin, were working to uplevel their fame with solo albums and soap opera appearances, Ash quietly left the spotlight and went to the jungles of Peru for a few years, where he met that pungent shamanic medicine jungle brew, ayahuasca, which ripped his eyes and heart wide open to deeper spiritual truths beneath twinkling star-studded flying-saucer skies. In fact, you should go listen to Here II Here (on spotify) and Ash’s music (here) because his music, like his everyday being, which you’ll meet in a moment, is DRENCHED with the spirit of Ash’s awakening experiences. I had the great privilege of touring with Ash and the band all over North America for 12 months in 2009 and 10 in a Dodge Durango SUV hauling a 12-foot trailer full of instruments, CDs, and dreams. We performed over 150 concerts in 80+ cities where we slept in the homes of countless fans who gave us not just beds and living room floors and couches and backyard tents and once even a barn to sleep in, but they gave us so much love, too … Ash’s and Here II Here’s songs, their talent for making inspired music come alive on stage, enraptured and inspired everyone who fortunate to experience them during their 14 year run. We heard stories of fans playing their music when birthing their children, and one fan played their song, Holy, on his deathbed, with his family surrounding him, as he transitioned from this life into the next. Through his music, his presence, his being, and especially his laughter which you’ll get to experience in this fun, inspired conversation, Ash has been a profound gift in my life. He’s the guru I never wanted, but so glad I had, because his influence runs throughout my life’s work as a thriving life coach to men, women, and couples, particularly in my emphasis on learning to see EVERYTHING that happens around us not as something happening TO us, but rather something that is always happening FOR our benefit, even if we can’t yet see it. I’m super excited to share Ash’s presence and wit and wisdom with you. Alright … Let’s dive … SHOW NOTES 15:04 ~ A significant experience in Ash’s early life 20:30 ~ “The worst thing that can ever happen to me is just a thought” 23:33 ~ Not buying into what “has to” happen 26:37 ~ The experience of Here II Here’s breakup despite great expectations 31:13 ~ Ash’s ayahuasca journey to the jungles of Peru 35:40 ~ Contentment vs. achievement 37:01 ~ Love and personal boundaries 41:05 ~ “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” 43:25 ~ What men need to know to have fulfilling intimate relationships 45:54 ~ The power of willingness 49:28 ~ Finding the third way 51:07 ~ Favorite memories of touring with Here II Here 55:12 ~ “5 KEY TAKEWAYS” FINALE 55:38 ~ KEY INSIGHT: You are not your thoughts