What if your deepest pain became the blueprint for your greatest purpose?
In this raw and revealing episode of That’s So Akiba, host Sarah Akiba sits down with longtime friend Jason for a candid conversation that dives beneath the surface. From growing up fast to founding the AWOM Foundation at just 19, Sarah opens up about how personal loss, beauty standards, and evolving family dynamics shaped her identity and mission.
Together, they explore the power of movement as medicine, the weight of second-guessing, and the courage it takes to choose presence—especially when life feels overwhelming. With honesty and heart, Sarah shares her path from grief to growth, how she learned to say no, and why she believes in the beauty of failure.
This episode is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship isn’t always born in boardrooms—it often starts with healing, passion, and the desire to create safe spaces for others who feel alone.
Takeaways:
-Struggle can be a source of strength and growth
-Childhood shapes how we define beauty and self-worth
-Movement supports mental well-being
-Creating community leads to healing
-Self-acceptance and boundaries fuel personal power
-Loss can become a catalyst for purpose
-Failure isn’t the end—it’s a step toward success
-Being present is a conscious choice
-Safe spaces can save lives
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
03:55 Who is Sarah When No One is Watching?
07:34 Childhood Memories and Early Influences
12:41 Shifting Perspectives on Independence and Money
17:23 Advice on Self-Worth and Beauty
22:15 The Birth of AWOM Foundation
26:24 The Birth of a Nonprofit
30:51 Navigating Business Pivots
32:36 Creating Safe Spaces: The Core Mission
33:01 Balancing Personal and Professional Life
34:50 Defining Love and Relationships
36:00 Learning from Past Relationships
37:14 Maintaining Individuality in Relationships
38:35 Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships
40:02 Friendships with Exes
41:09 Setting Boundaries in Relationships
42:31 Changing Beliefs About Time
43:54 Embracing Failure
45:03 Defining Success
47:13 Gratitude for Perseverance