Julian DeSchutter Chasing Sunrise Cover

#22: Julian DeSchutter – Co-Founder of Chasing Sunrise on Awakening the Life Within You and Discovering What You Love


“I deeply believe that it’s every single one of our obligations to find out the way that we naturally look at the world, and find things to do that align with that.”

Julian DeSchutter, Co-Founder of Chasing Sunrise

On this episode of the Edge of Comfort Podcast, I talk with the co-founder of Chasing Sunrise, Julian DeSchutter, about how to discover and create a life around what is most meaningful to you.

Not many people would spontaneously drive nearly 1,500 miles roundtrip to Mexico in a weekend to get tacos. For Chasing Sunrise co-founder, Julian DeSchutter, this trip was one way him and his friends invited adventure into their normal life.

Julian DeSchutter (@deshoots) is a builder of companies, charities, projects, cultures, communities, and an overall fascinating life. His passion intersects between building things people care about and telling stories about them.

One of these takes shape in the form of Chasing Sunrise. Chasing Sunrise is a company and community that understands life is about waking up every day and going after the things we truly want.

It emphasizes living in a way that our 9-5 and 95 year-old self will appreciate.

Chasing Sunrise mantra
Chasing Sunrise emphasizes living a more fulfilling, adventurous, and aligned life. Image via Julian DeSchutter.

With this message leading the company, Chasing Sunrise makes it their mission to bring people together for awesome adventures. They create an environment that welcomes deep connections, conversations, and activities that spark life.

While many of the events currently take place near Vancouver, Chasing Sunrise recently ran trips to Everest Base Camp and Morocco. In March of this year, they are taking groups into Yukon Territory to see the Northern Lights.

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Julian understands just how short life is and is constantly living in a way his 80-year old self would thank him for. To him, this means pursuing ideas, putting them out into the world, being vulnerable and going on crazy adventures despite facing fear and discomfort.

Based on our conversation or Julian’s Instagram, it’s easy to see his belief in forming deep connections, working together, and challenging yourself and others to do the work necessary to improve.

Some of the things we discuss include:

  • Where Julian has traveled because of Chasing Sunrise and what these experiences have taught him
  • How we all have so much life inside of us but don’t always have the outlet for expression
  • How to awaken this life and change it to align with what’s actually important to you
  • Developing self-awareness and why Julian believes it’s the tool of the future
  • How anyone can add more adventure, creativity, and meaning into their life

And much much more.

Scroll down for the full episode show notes and links.

Check out the video below if you prefer to watch our conversation:

Thank you for listening (or watching) and enjoy!

QUESTIONS OF THE EPISODE: What makes you feel most alive? Looking at your life right now, are you making time to pursue this? If yes, how? If no, what is the first step you could take in order to make this a priority into your life? Please leave your answer in the comments below.

Julian DeSchutter, Chasing Sunrise - Yosemite
Julian challenges himself to live in a way his 80 year old self will appreciate. Image via Julian DeSchutter.

Show Notes and Links

Connect with Julian – Chasing Sunrise | Website | Instagram | Twitter

  • Introduction. [0:00]
  • What makes Julian truly feel alive? [8:00]
  • Making a shift to align your life with your values. [13:30]
  • Using Instagram as a way to show openness, vulnerability and positive influence. [16:20]
  • Bringing a value system of self-improvement and empowerment into Chasing Sunrise. [23:15]
  • What is Chasing Sunrise and how did it start? [28:05]
  • People finding life inside of them and trying to capture this feeling. [32:25]
  • Damn Early Days and living a good life. [35:00]
  • Chasing Sunrise trips to Everest Base Camp and Morocco. [37:15]
  • Why is travel such a good avenue for connecting people and inviting open conversations? [44:45]
  • How can people bring more excitement and fulfillment into their day-to-day routine? [47:45]
  • What are some ways Julian starts and builds momentum, especially when he isn’t feeling motivated? [51:20]
  • Why Julian woke up at 4:30am for 21 days despite considering himself a night-owl. [54:05]
  • Why it’s dangerous to romanticize doing everything on your own / Letting go of control. [56:30]
  • What are some lessons Julian has learned from the Chasing Sunrise journey? [59:55]
  • Where else in the world has Chasing Sunrise taken Julian? What has he learned from these experiences? [1:04:15]
  • Importance of living a life that is true to you. [1:09:20]
  • “Your comfort zone will kill you” / Not playing things safe. [1:14:00]
  • What are smaller ways to get out you comfort zone? [1:19:00]
  • How and why does Julian think long-term? [1:23:45]
  • First steps Julian took to start developing self-awareness. [1:29:00]
  • Why we all have an abundance of creativity / Why creativity takes work and courage. [1:35:05]
  • Why Julian considers reading as the most impactful thing someone can do to improve their life. [1:44:00]
  • Making time to read. [1:54:00]
  • You were born to do more than just pay bills and die.” [1:58:15]
  • Upcoming Chasing Sunrise trips. [2:04:10]
  • Final thoughts from Julian. [2:05:50]
  • Question of the episode. [2:07:50]

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