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🌊 Let Go, Go Big, and Believe in Magic: Ocean Explorer Tiffany Duong on Building a Bold, Nonlinear Career

In this inspiring conversation, I'm joined by ocean explorer, environmental advocate, and serial nonprofit founder Tiffany Duong. From law offices in LA to diving remote reefs in Honduras, Tiffany’s career path is anything but traditional—and she wouldn't have it any other way.

Tiffany shares her courageous pivot away from corporate law after a life-changing dive in the Galápagos, and walks us through her ongoing journey to build a life that is joyful, purpose-driven, and unapologetically her own.

If you’ve ever wanted to know how to build a meaningful life while pursuing impact, adventure, and your version of success—this is the episode for you.

🧭 What We Talk About:

  • Tiffany’s flashpoint dive that changed everything

  • Building nonprofits like Tela Coral and The Seabirds

  • Letting go of control—and rocks at the bottom of the ocean

  • Why she chased a law degree (but never wanted to be a lawyer)

  • The challenge (and joy!) of mixing purpose with passion

  • Her advice for building a career you love, without naming it too early

  • The importance of travel, community, and being an “imperfect advocate”

đź’Ą Key Takeaways:

  • "My life is never the same on purpose." Tiffany’s intentionally non-linear life is a lesson in designing work around joy.

  • "If data were enough, we wouldn’t have a climate crisis." Her storytelling-first advocacy approach shows why emotion matters in environmental work.

  • "You are also the art." A powerful reminder for founders and creatives to care for themselves as much as their mission.

  • "Let life move you." Her Galápagos dive taught her to stop holding on so tightly—and trust in the flow.

  • "Don't name it too early." Her career path proves that exploration and curiosity often lead to the best outcomes.

🧠 Memorable Quotes:

  • “I’m aggressively chasing joy with everything I do.”

  • “Don’t go looking for a job title—go looking for how you want your life to feel.”

🎧 Listen to this episode if you:

  • Are feeling stuck in your current career

  • Dream of a life with more purpose and adventure

  • Need encouragement to pivot (even if you’ve invested years in another path)

  • Are building something new and wondering if you’re “doing it right”

đź”— Links to Know:

Music by Lidérc.

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