Introduction
What happens when you strip away the filters, the fear, and the falsehoods—and step into your raw, authentic self? For Diana Stobo, the answer lies in embracing vulnerability, shedding societal expectations, and aligning with your deepest truth. As an award-winning author of Get Naked First, founder of The Truth Bar, and the visionary behind Retreat Costa Rica, Diana has spent years creating a space where people can do just that. Her journey isn’t based on trauma or hardship; instead, it’s a story of intentional transformation, one where she evolved from a high-achieving fitness expert into a soulful leader guiding others on their own path of self-discovery.
In this eye-opening podcast episode, Diana shares the evolution of her work—how she moved from focusing purely on physical transformations to diving deep into the emotional and spiritual realms of well-being. She talks about her journey of writing a book that challenged her to let go of perfection and embrace authenticity, not just for herself, but for those she seeks to help. Diana’s story is a powerful testament to the idea that transformation isn’t just about changing your circumstances, but about re-aligning with the truest version of who you are. Her story is filled with wisdom that encourages you to embrace your own journey of self-exploration, courageously facing the fears that stand in your way. This episode is not just about Diana’s journey—it’s about empowering you to live unapologetically, shedding the layers that no longer serve you, and stepping boldly into your own truth.
From Structure to Soul: Diana’s Evolution
Diana’s early career was rooted in a world defined by clear goals and measurable success. Her path was shaped by hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of results. Beginning in the fitness industry, she quickly rose to become a sought-after trainer and eventually ran multiple boot camps. For years, her work was centered around structure, discipline, and performance. The focus was on helping clients sculpt their bodies, achieve physical goals, and push themselves to their limits. It was all about results, physical transformations that were visible and tangible.
However, as Diana achieved success in this structured environment, something started to feel disconnected. She realized that despite running a thriving business and seeing many clients meet their fitness goals, there was a deeper, unspoken need that wasn’t being addressed. Her clients were coming for more than just a workout or physical transformation, they were seeking something far more profound.
“I started realizing that people weren’t coming just to get their bodies fit. They were coming because their souls were tired,” Diana reflects, acknowledging the subtle but powerful shift in her perspective.
This moment of clarity became a turning point in her journey. It wasn’t enough to focus solely on the physical anymore. The exhaustion her clients were feeling wasn’t just physical fatigue; it was emotional and mental weariness. This realization ignited the beginning of Diana’s deeper exploration into what people were really hiding behind their routines, roles, and the constant push for external achievements. She began to question what people were suppressing within themselves in the pursuit of success, and what was preventing them from being truly fulfilled.
This revelation ultimately led to the creation of her book, Get Naked First, which was born from this very question: What are we really hiding behind the layers we build in our lives? The book became her way of guiding others to shed the emotional and mental layers they had accumulated, layers that kept them from living authentically and from experiencing true inner peace. This insight marked the beginning of Diana’s transformative journey, from focusing solely on physical results to embracing a holistic approach that addresses the deeper needs of the soul.
Writing the Book that Changed Her Life
Get Naked First wasn’t born from a place of trauma or external crisis; it emerged from a place of deep inquiry and honest reflection. Diana had already been working with women on physical transformation, but the more she listened, the more she saw the common threads of emotional pain, limiting beliefs, and spiritual disconnect. She realized that underneath the abs and meal plans, many women were struggling with the same thing: hiding who they really were.
Her book was an invitation, not just for others, but for herself to let go of perfection and people-pleasing, and instead, get emotionally and spiritually naked. Writing it was an act of vulnerability, and she admits it wasn’t always easy.
“It was a really cathartic experience. I wanted it to be a conversation, like we’re just sitting in the backyard having a glass of wine,” she says.
The result? A deeply honest, humorous, and empowering guide that encourages women to strip away the masks and embrace their truths. And it resonated, winning awards and igniting something powerful in her readers.
Retreat Costa Rica: A Dream That Became a Sanctuary
The next chapter of Diana’s journey unfolded in the lush jungles of Costa Rica. What began as a dream of hosting retreats eventually became Retreat Costa Rica, a breathtaking space where people come not just to relax, but to reset their lives.
This wasn’t a pivot she planned from the beginning. Diana shares that she had to surrender to the unknown, trust her intuition, and leap, even when things weren’t perfectly lined up. She took massive, sometimes uncomfortable, action, embracing the discomfort as part of the process.
Building Retreat Costa Rica was about more than just real estate or yoga classes. It was about creating a container where people could feel safe enough to get real, with themselves and with each other. The location itself invites that kind of transformation: immersed in nature, free from distraction, and charged with intention.
“People think they’re coming for a retreat. What they’re really coming for is to remember who they are,” Diana explains.
And that’s exactly what happens. Whether it’s around the fire pit, during jungle walks, or at a Truth Bar circle, people begin to peel away the layers they didn’t even know they were carrying.
The Truth Bar: A Safe Space for Soul-Level Connection
One of the most unique and powerful features of her retreat center is The Truth Bar. Born out of the idea that people crave honest, raw conversation, The Truth Bar isn’t your average cocktail lounge. It’s a sacred space where stories are shared without judgment—and where healing begins with truth-telling.
Guests are invited to show up as they are, leave their titles and masks at the door, and speak what’s real. Diana created The Truth Bar as a playful but profound way to hold space for what matters. In a world obsessed with curation and appearances, it’s a radical act of rebellion—and liberation.
“Truth doesn’t mean trauma dumping. It means being real. And when one person gets real, it gives permission for others to do the same,” she shares.
The conversations that happen there often become the most transformational part of the retreat experience.
Saying Yes, Even When It’s Scary
One of Diana Stobo’s most remarkable qualities is her ability to take bold action—even when fear and self-doubt try to hold her back. Throughout her journey, Diana has encountered numerous moments of uncertainty and fear, but she never allows those feelings to paralyze her. Instead, she pushes forward, choosing courage over comfort and growth over staying stuck.
Whether it was investing in her dream of creating a retreat center, publishing her book, or stepping into the spotlight to share her message on stages and in the media, Diana consistently made daring decisions, often before she felt fully prepared. It’s clear that for Diana, the key to progress isn’t waiting for everything to feel perfect or for the “right” time to present itself, it’s about taking the leap even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
This courage to leap before everything feels “figured out” is a central theme in Diana’s story. It’s a reminder that in life, waiting for perfect conditions or the ideal moment can lead to missed opportunities. Instead, Diana advocates for the kind of courage that allows us to act even when we feel vulnerable, uncertain, or imperfect. In doing so, she has found that real growth doesn’t come from having everything planned or figured out in advance; it comes from taking action, even when it feels risky.
“We think we need more confidence, but what we really need is more courage,” Diana says, encapsulating one of the most powerful lessons of her journey. She stresses that confidence often comes after taking the first step, not before. It’s through the act of doing, of pushing through fear and doubt, that confidence is built over time.
Diana encourages others to trust the small whispers of their intuition, to stop waiting for the “perfect” moment, and to make the choice to move forward, even when it feels uncomfortable. She emphasizes that the small steps we take, the actions we dare to initiate, are what propel us toward true growth. Her life is living proof of this principle; growth comes not just from mindset work, but from moving, trying, and embracing the unknown with courage. This lesson is not only inspiring but deeply empowering, offering listeners a blueprint for how to navigate their own fears and take bold steps toward the lives they desire.
Redefining Leadership and Authentic Success
As a leader, Diana doesn’t play by the old rules. She’s not about hustle, image, or chasing achievements for external validation. Her version of success is rooted in alignment, joy, and impact. And she walks her talk.
What makes her leadership so magnetic is her authenticity. She doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out. She doesn’t posture or polish her story to fit a brand. Instead, she shows up fully human, and that’s exactly what draws people in.
Through her book, retreats, and conversations, Diana models a new kind of power—one that comes from being honest, present, and deeply connected to purpose.
Her Mission: Helping Women Come Home to Themselves
At the heart of everything Diana does is one mission: helping women come home to themselves. She knows what it feels like to live on autopilot, chasing approval or checking off boxes. And she’s made it her life’s work to disrupt that cycle.
She reminds her clients and listeners that healing isn’t about fixing something broken. It’s about remembering the truth of who you are. It’s about letting go of what’s not yours and reclaiming your voice, your joy, and your power.
That’s why her work resonates on such a deep level. It’s not a quick fix or a trendy wellness hack. It’s a soul call.
Conclusion: Embracing Your Truth and Taking the Leap
Diana Stobo’s journey is a testament to the power of transformation—both on a personal and professional level. From her beginnings in the fitness industry, where structure and results were paramount, to her evolution into a soulful retreat leader and author, Diana’s path highlights the importance of embracing one’s true self and shedding the emotional layers that no longer serve us. Her story is not one of trauma or loss, but of growth, courage, and a deep commitment to living authentically.
Whether you’re considering a big life change, pursuing a passion, or simply seeking to connect more deeply with your authentic self, Diana’s story reminds us that the path to personal growth begins with the courage to say “yes”—even when it’s scary. As she so beautifully puts it, “What we really need is more courage, not more confidence.”
By embracing her truth, taking bold leaps, and following her intuition, Diana has created a life and movement that inspires others to do the same. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that we all have the ability to transform our lives when we take that first step into the unknown. So, if you’re ready to shed the layers that no longer serve you and step into the truth of who you are, Diana’s story is a beacon of hope, showing that the power to change is always within reach.
Watch her full episode here:
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