We had the good fortune of connecting with Ania Chee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ania, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Never give up”, but take that with a grain of salt. In recent years, amidst the “girl boss era” and hustle culture, there has been a tendency to push ourselves beyond our limits, extending situations well past their natural end. This applies to various aspects of life such as relationships, work, hobbies, and social events. We often invest so much time, money, and energy in these areas, even when they are no longer serving us. Then, because of this heavy investment, we struggle to let go and move on. Instead of recognizing when it’s time to end something, we keep pushing forward, draining ourselves in the process.

Personally, I’ve experienced this in work projects where despite my efforts, things just weren’t progressing. Instead of setting the project to the side and starting something new I continued to push past these times and ignore that my intuition and the Universe were saying, “it’s time to let this go”.

Knowing when to walk away from a situation, whether it’s a job, relationship, or project, holds so much power and strength. However, take this with a grain of salt since perseverance is crucial for overcoming obstacles on our journey. It’s about finding balance and listening to your inner voice, understanding when to forge ahead and when to pause and reassess.

What should our readers know about your business?
At its core, my business is dedicated to supporting individuals on their healing journey through spiritual mentorship. But here’s the thing—I’m not about sugarcoating stuff. What sets me apart is my unwavering dedication to authenticity and realism. In a world saturated with superficial positivity, I refuse to “love and light” people through the healing process. I tell my clients that healing can be challenging, triggering, and heavy, but it’s in those difficult moments that true transformation occurs. Many people shy away from confronting their hidden selves, fearing rejection or believing certain traits are undesirable. Yet, embracing and integrating all aspects of ourselves is essential for holistic growth.

One of the primary challenges I address is the tendency for individuals to shy away from confronting their innermost selves. Many of us have been conditioned to suppress or reject certain aspects of our being, fearing rejection or judgment. However, I firmly believe that true healing necessitates embracing and integrating all facets of our identity, even those we may deem undesirable. A lot of us avoid dealing with the parts of ourselves we don’t like or that we’re scared to show. But I’ve learned that true healing means accepting all of who we are, even the messy bits. That’s where the magic happens. I use different methods like meditation, inner child healing, shadow work (the shadow is the parts of ourselves we don’t like to admit exist), and plant medicines.

My journey to get here has been a bit all over the place—I started as a yoga teacher and evolved into a teacher trainer which took me around the world, and this led me to exploring so many various paths, cultures, and ways of healing. But it was when I started digging deep into my own struggles and growth that I realized my real passion: helping others do the same. And let me tell you, it’s been a rollercoaster. Running a business is tough, and there are always bumps along the way. But through it all, I’ve learned so much about people and how much we all crave connection and support.

I want the world to understand that working with me isn’t always comfortable. I often play devil’s advocate because I believe that confronting triggers, pains, and setbacks is integral to the healing process. These challenges aren’t obstacles; they are the very path to healing. My mission is to guide individuals through the discomfort and darkness, helping them emerge stronger, more authentic, and empowered versions of themselves.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a huge outdoorsy girl, it’s the whole reason I moved to Colorado. So whenever people visit, that’s most of what i’m showing them along with a couple of my favorite spots in the city. Rocky Mountain National Park and Eldorado State Park are two of my favorite spots for hiking and are places I visited before moving here, so they hold a really special place in my heart and always make me feel a deep connection to nature and the Universe- they were driving forces behind my move. Red Rocks is of course another must see, and I would make sure that people visting have a chance to go to a concert here, I feel there’s nothing quite like watching the sunset over the city and dancing the night away with your people. A couple of my must visit spots in Denver would be Beacon in RiNo for a fun night out and Bamboo Sushi in the Highlands.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to Ali, my best friend. Since we met in 2013, I’ve believed that the universe brought us together. Ali has been a constant source of love, support, and encouragement, witnessing and embracing every version of me as I’ve grown and evolved. She never questioned when I changed my major 5 times in college, or traveled around the world for months at a time when I was following my dreams, but instead was the ground for me to land on and a sounding board when things didnt happen as I planned. She’s stood by me through every phase of my career, even as our paths diverged—her in the corporate world of NYC, and me pursuing the path of a spiritual entrepreneur. Despite our differing journeys, our bond remains incredibly strong, built on trust and closeness that I’ve never experienced with anyone else. Ali has worn many hats in my life—friend, mentor, therapist, travel buddy, dance partner—and has played an integral role in shaping who I am today. Without her unwavering support and guidance, I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am.

Website: www.awakenwithania.com

Instagram: @awakenwithania

Image Credits
Miranda Kate Photography

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