I started a podcast because I'm a loser.

This episode is the origin story I've never told: going blind, ending up in a wheelchair, and the freedom that comes with nothing left to lose. (Any Janis Joplin fans here?)

It's about the almost-but-not-quite Hollywood successes, my dad's mountain range philosophy, and why Navy SEALs know something about drowning the rest of us need to hear.

But really, it’s about this:

The more I owned my loser status, the more people related to me. And I hope it gives you courage to own your failures too.

Best Quotes:

"Everyone is performing success all the time, even when we're drowning. Especially when we're drowning."

"I was the silent Asian. To this day, we still play this game. We watch TV and we see an Asian, we're like, oh, silent Asian. That Asian never gets to speak."

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Elijah Wood was my dream prom date
• How to be on TV and still feel like a failure
• The $1 million conversation that set me free
• Why my life is one long Navy SEAL drown-proofing drill
• What my dad would say about Beck's "Loser" hitting #10 on Billboard 100

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Why I Started My Podcast

00:34 Blind and Paralyzed

00:57 Beck & My Hollywood Dreams

03:37 Failure & the Asian Dad

04:30 The $1 Million Story

05:24 The Bottom Bounce: Navy SEALs Know How to Sink

06:54 Owning Failure Publicly

09:21 The Loser's Anthem

10:36 Join Us at the Bottom

FREE Are You Ready for Traditional Publishing decision tree: https://bit.ly/freeflowchart

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Sophia Chang is a Reese's Book Club LitUp fellow, disabled dancer, and the world’s first iPod silhouette model. She hosts The Sophia Chang Show, coaches new podcasters, and believes deadlifts can change your life. She will make out with your dog. Learn more at: www.sophiachang.com

Podcast content is for entertainment purposes only. Don't jump into a pool with your hands tied, obvs.

TOPICS: bottom comeback, podcast origin story, failure in publishing, Asian American author, minorities in Hollywood, traditional publishing struggles, writing community, imposter syndrome writers, creative career failure, disability and creativity, honest publishing podcast

Happy New Year!

Still looking for a resolution you’ll break in the third week of January? I've got one that actually helped me when I was too depressed to get out of bed.

This episode is a moment-by-moment peek behind the curtain into my morning as a digital minimalist.

No phones, lots of protein, and how I'm a Cullen vampire.

Best Quotes:

"This is not medical advice. Don't listen to something you hear from a podcaster who decided she would spend her life being an actor, a dancer, and a writer."

"I'm a Twilight vampire, I'm a Cullen. You know, where I'm a vegetarian. I only eat animals. No, I would probably eat human too if I was a vampire."

"I'm not a completely insane dictator who's leading the world. I don't need to be on my phone. I'm not that important. Nobody really cares."

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why my phone sleeps outside my bedroom (how the night before sets up your morning)

• Pushing my face into the screen to stare at the sun: Huberman Labs taught me this?

• The electrolyte + creatine combo that changed everything

• That time an acupuncturist put me on a 25-hour cauliflower diet

• Why I eat animal protein 6-7 times a day (vampire life chose me)

• The vegetable hack that keeps me full for hours! (I wish this were clickbait but I actually do this)

• Breakfast outside like I'm Simon Cowell on a yacht

• How this routine pulled me out of depression and off the doom scroll

• Why women need to eat within 30 minutes of waking up (cortisol spikes are real)

Timestamps:

00:00 Move Over Huberman, Chang Labs is Here

00:46 No Phones in the Bedroom

01:14 Is Sunlight Hurting My Eyes?

02:55 Electrolytes + Creatine

04:39 Cauliflower, Rice, Fried Fish Diet??

05:45 Vampire levels of meat

07:33 Breakfast outside like I'm Simon Cowell

08:53 A Year Ago I Was Too Depressed to Get Out of Bed

09:57 AM Cortisol spikes in women

10:06 Share your morning routine with me on Substack or comment below

Resources Mentioned:

• Seeking Health Optimal Electrolytes (with creatine) https://amzn.to/49lfMy6

• Seeking Health Vitamin D drops https://amzn.to/49lmwMm

Affiliate links may credit me much-appreciated 5 cents

Got your own digital minimalist morning tips? Drop them in the comments on YouTube or share them with me on Substack! Let's help each other optimize our mornings.

Sign up for my newsletter Books. Biceps. No BS. https://thesophiachang.substack.com/

You'll get a FREE flowchart: Are You Ready for Traditional Publishing? and access to Ask Sophia Q&A!

Sophia Chang is a Reese’s Book Club LitUp fellow, disabled dancer, and extroverted writer. She hosts The Sophia Chang Show podcast, teaches Character First writing with Daniel David Wallace, and believes deadlifts can change your life. She will make out with your dog. Learn more at: www.sophiachang.com

Podcast content is for entertainmentpurposes only and does not constitute medical, health, or fitness advice.

Topics

digital minimalism, morning routine, wellness, self-care, lifestyle changes, mental health, productivity, health tips, mindfulness, personal growth

FREE Are You Ready for Traditional Publishing decision tree: https://bit.ly/freeflowchart

My Spotify Wrapped for Creators just exposed ALL of you.

Taylor Swift lovers, K-pop Demon Hunters fans, Drake apologists (boo!) and apparently... a Minnesota Vikings superfan who also loves books and biceps. We need to talk.

This is my 2025 podcast year in review: 12 episodes, 6 incredible guests, hilarious Spotify Wrapped data that makes no sense. What I learned from restarting this show after a multi-year hiatus and why the real treasure was the friends we made along the way.

Best Quotes:

"I'm Joe Rogan stuck inside a tiny Asian body. One day a publicist is going to ask why I said that sentence."

"This year, my show's growth outpaced 80% of other shows. That's kind of amazing considering I only pumped out three month’s worth of podcast episodes."

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why I may be the next Joe Rogan
• You all listen to too much Tay Tay
• Why a sportsball-hating writer from NYC now reps the Dodgers
• The most meaningful part of restarting this podcast: reconnecting with a writing community
• Are You Ready for Traditional Publishing? FREE decision tree for new subscribers
• A chance to appear on The Sophia Chang Show

Sign up for my newsletter: to see all the hilarious Spotify Wrapped screenshots from this episode. Plus you'll get a FREE flowchart: Are You Ready for Traditional Publishing? and access to Ask Sophia Q&A!

https://thesophiachang.substack.com/

No social media! Newsletter is the ONLY way to stay connected

Sophia Chang is a Reese’s Book Club LitUp fellow, disabled dancer, and extroverted writer. She hosts The Sophia Chang Show podcast, teaches Character First writing with Daniel David Wallace, and believes deadlifts can change your life. She will make out with your dog. Learn more at: www.sophiachang.com

TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 The Most Wonderful and Heinous Time of the Year

01:51 I See You Swifties

03:28 Who is My Minnesota Vikings Fan?

05:27 Proud to be your 2025 Joe Rogan

07:53 2025 Spotify Awards

08:57 Unexpected Best Part of Restarting my Podcast

KEYWORDS: Spotify Wrapped 2025, podcast year in review, Spotify podcast recap, podcast growth tips, Asian American author, traditional publishing, writing community, podcast behind the scenes, year end podcast episode, books and fitness podcast