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The Inside Hustle: A Mystical Misfit’s Travel Adventure into the Unknown
Ignite your inner adventurer and delve into the unknown on this journey of transformation. The Inside Hustle shakes off the ordinary for the extraordinary, delivering thought-provoking wisdom for the now moment with fierce authenticity, honesty and humour.
Living through 9/11 in New York, Joanna Walden experienced a moment of clarity, which propelled her to search for something greater than her 9-5 existence. Leaving her high-flying career on Madison Avenue behind her, she hikes the Camino de Santiago through Spain beginning the comedy of errors in her search for both purpose and a greater truth. Journeying around the globe, Joanna climbs Mount Kilimanjaro, imbibes plant medicine, consults energy healers and shamans, determined to solve the problem of herself. After the death of her father, she swaps her Brazilian boyfriend for a Brazilian girlfriend, eventually finding answers right on her doorstep back home in New Zealand. It’s sex, drugs & spirituality; an unconventional path from dark to light, and a modern version of personal evolution. This transformational travel adventure takes you on a wild ride, as entertaining as it is enlightening.
Are you ready to unlock the truth of who you really are?
Living through 9/11 in New York, Joanna Walden experienced a moment of clarity, which propelled her to search for something greater than her 9-5 existence. Leaving her high-flying career on Madison Avenue behind her, she hikes the Camino de Santiago through Spain beginning the comedy of errors in her search for both purpose and a greater truth. Journeying around the globe, Joanna climbs Mount Kilimanjaro, imbibes plant medicine, consults energy healers and shamans, determined to solve the problem of herself. After the death of her father, she swaps her Brazilian boyfriend for a Brazilian girlfriend, eventually finding answers right on her doorstep back home in New Zealand. It’s sex, drugs & spirituality; an unconventional path from dark to light, and a modern version of personal evolution. This transformational travel adventure takes you on a wild ride, as entertaining as it is enlightening.
Are you ready to unlock the truth of who you really are?
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2020
10 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Walden
2 books4 followersJoanna Walden spent twenty years working in advertising around the world and exploring everything from Transcendental Meditation to quantum physics. Currently residing in Auckland, New Zealand, Joanna quit the corporate world to start a transformational consulting business, and begin sharing her knowledge and voice with the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 19, 2020
What a perfect pandemic read! It was exactly what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it the most. The author took me on a fantastic journey through the world and into the soul. I laughed, I cried, and then I laughed some more. Joanna's brutally honest description of searching for that "something", only to be left feeling empty beautifully put into words what I've been feeling forever. Love, love, LOVE!
May 8, 2020
Brilliant! A spiritual tour de force!!!
A beautiful journey to find herself where Joanna takes you on an intimate, honest and also hilarious search that touches you in a very special way.
A must read in these uncertain times.
A beautiful journey to find herself where Joanna takes you on an intimate, honest and also hilarious search that touches you in a very special way.
A must read in these uncertain times.
April 1, 2022
I enjoyed the way this journey was written, it's like a step by step guide to finding yourself, without you knowing it!
Thank you Joanna!
Thank you Joanna!
May 6, 2020
Thank you for writing this book. I loved the message and resonated strongly. So many (spiritual) seekers need to read this!
April 22, 2020
I was unable to put this book down from the second I started reading. Joanna’s raw and honest account of her search for something more meaningful, not only kept me entertained, but also made me look at my own experiences and see things in a new light. I felt like I was taking the journey with her, not just due to the vivid images she painted, but also as I was relating to parts of her story and connecting it to my own life. She held nothing back when sharing her experiences with relationships, self-worth, love and loss and her story made me laugh and cry along with her. Joanna did the hard work for us, so we didn’t have to. A fantastic read. Joanna Walden
April 17, 2020
Prepare yourself for a tour de force. I her epic tale, Joanna Walden expertly mixes personal anecdotes with travel writing and spirituality. Her writing style is fluid, engaging and unique, her voice is unapologetic and, at times, refreshingly irreverent. If you're not a spiritual 'junkie' there is a lot to learn - be open minded and let yourself be taken on a ride across continents and, why not, different spiritual realms. I promise it will make you want to visit all the places she's been to!
April 17, 2020
Loved this book so so much! So hilarious, SO relatable, yet at the same time so highly vibrational and enlightening. Joanna's writing is so evocative, you really feel like you're right there with her and trust me, she goes on some crazy adventures that you'll want to be front and center for! Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun entertaining read. You won't be disappointed.
October 26, 2020
This was a really interesting read for me. First things first, I’m really not a spiritual person and this is not the sort of book of usually pick up but I found it fascinating nonetheless.
It was really interesting to learn how our life on this planet could be viewed with a totally different lens, and life is not quite as black and white as many believe.
I enjoyed learning about Jo’s experiences around the world and how she got to where she is today. It’s an interesting read whether you’re in touch with your spiritual self or not. Even though energy, vibrations and our own light were all foreign concepts to me, I liked reading about them.
One small, silly thing I was kind of disappointed about it actually the blurb on the back. I read it again once I was about a quarter of the way through the book and basically learned the main gist of what happened throughout the book, which took away a bit of the fun as I mostly knew where Jo would go next. While I know the ‘storyline’ and ‘plot’ isn’t the key premise of this book, I think I would have enjoyed it a bit more not knowing where her adventures would lead until she got there in the book.
A good read and I would recommend to anyone looking for spiritual enlightenment or hoping to connect more with their true self.
It was really interesting to learn how our life on this planet could be viewed with a totally different lens, and life is not quite as black and white as many believe.
I enjoyed learning about Jo’s experiences around the world and how she got to where she is today. It’s an interesting read whether you’re in touch with your spiritual self or not. Even though energy, vibrations and our own light were all foreign concepts to me, I liked reading about them.
One small, silly thing I was kind of disappointed about it actually the blurb on the back. I read it again once I was about a quarter of the way through the book and basically learned the main gist of what happened throughout the book, which took away a bit of the fun as I mostly knew where Jo would go next. While I know the ‘storyline’ and ‘plot’ isn’t the key premise of this book, I think I would have enjoyed it a bit more not knowing where her adventures would lead until she got there in the book.
A good read and I would recommend to anyone looking for spiritual enlightenment or hoping to connect more with their true self.
August 17, 2020
What an incredible, beautiful, raw, creative, heart opening and transformational journey Joanna has shared within this amazing story. The way she writes makes you feel like you are there with her on every step, looking through her eyes and amongst her thoughts. Standing within the chaos of, but also the mass consciousness creation of 9-11; the hilarious and vino filled escapades of the Camino (LOVED!), the searching within London, highs and lows of Kilimanjaro, beauty and healing of South America and Brazil, the men, the woman, death and grief, all leads her back to New Zealand's energy and light. You truly are taken on a spiritual romp around the globe ~ just at a time when such travel isn't so easy. What you may fear doing and exploring outside and inside yourself, Joanna holds your hand along the way, allowing her deep retrospection to guide you to your own. Our greatest potential is there within all of us.."The only thing in the way, is you". Thank you for the priceless reminder Joanna. I could read it all over again.
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October 9, 2020The Inside Hustle - Joanna Walden
This book felt like a catch up with an old friend who has just returned from an incredibly bold adventure and the ultimate journey of self discovery.
You quickly learn that Jo is very intuitive and unapologetically herself at all times. She will stop at nothing when it comes to following her heart.
Jo warned me this would be an unconventional memoir and a wild ride. During the book many locations are visited (New York, London, Spain, Brazil, Africa and New Zealand), many mountains climbed (figuratively and literally) and a lot of experimenting, sex, drugs and rock and roll.
There was quite a spiritual element to this book. Personally I am not a very spiritual person and a lot this aspect was over my head. I can still appreciate this is a huge part of Jo’s incredible journey and many readers will relate to what I unfortunately couldn’t.
Thanks @iamjoannawalden for sending me this copy of your book to review. Your honestly throughout this entire book was incredibly brave!
This book felt like a catch up with an old friend who has just returned from an incredibly bold adventure and the ultimate journey of self discovery.
You quickly learn that Jo is very intuitive and unapologetically herself at all times. She will stop at nothing when it comes to following her heart.
Jo warned me this would be an unconventional memoir and a wild ride. During the book many locations are visited (New York, London, Spain, Brazil, Africa and New Zealand), many mountains climbed (figuratively and literally) and a lot of experimenting, sex, drugs and rock and roll.
There was quite a spiritual element to this book. Personally I am not a very spiritual person and a lot this aspect was over my head. I can still appreciate this is a huge part of Jo’s incredible journey and many readers will relate to what I unfortunately couldn’t.
Thanks @iamjoannawalden for sending me this copy of your book to review. Your honestly throughout this entire book was incredibly brave!
May 14, 2020
I found this book at exactly the time in my life I needed to read it and, after finishing it, wish I could have picked it up over 10 years ago and used it as my own personal guide as I navigated my 20's.
I've lived in various places around the world, travelled and gone on my own adventures searching for something (still not sure what that is....) and Jo's story was a much needed reminder that above anything else we know ourselves better than anyone else, we will always have our own back and the power we hold within is more powerful than we know.
During these strange strange times, Jo transported me to post 9/11 New York, a bunk bed next to her along the Camino trail, I shared a drink with her at a pub in North West London, and we had a much needed connection with nature in Abadiânia before we landed back in New Zealand.
The Inside Hustle is real, raw, funny, deep and emotional. It was a really important read for me that will stay with me for a while.
I've lived in various places around the world, travelled and gone on my own adventures searching for something (still not sure what that is....) and Jo's story was a much needed reminder that above anything else we know ourselves better than anyone else, we will always have our own back and the power we hold within is more powerful than we know.
During these strange strange times, Jo transported me to post 9/11 New York, a bunk bed next to her along the Camino trail, I shared a drink with her at a pub in North West London, and we had a much needed connection with nature in Abadiânia before we landed back in New Zealand.
The Inside Hustle is real, raw, funny, deep and emotional. It was a really important read for me that will stay with me for a while.
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July 15, 2020I love Jo's here she takes you through some of her crazy and fun adventures worldwide; of struggle and self-discovery, to in the end she realises she had it all within her, all the time. She found herself once she got back to her home country NZ, and then into her home/heart, the Source within.
It is very inspiring and I know we have all been there, or are there in similar ways. In amongst the striving to understand what is already inside, she puts wise anecdotes after each experience, which of course includes sex, booze and scaling mountains.
With lots of good triggers into one’s own understanding and compassion of not only the self, but into the new paradigm as creators of our own reality.
Thank you Jo for sharing the wisdom of your experiences and doing a lot of them so we don’t.
It is very inspiring and I know we have all been there, or are there in similar ways. In amongst the striving to understand what is already inside, she puts wise anecdotes after each experience, which of course includes sex, booze and scaling mountains.
With lots of good triggers into one’s own understanding and compassion of not only the self, but into the new paradigm as creators of our own reality.
Thank you Jo for sharing the wisdom of your experiences and doing a lot of them so we don’t.
August 22, 2020
What a book! I have no words to thank the author. Such an interesting, fun, trans-formative book. Changes the very idea of "becoming spiritual" to " just being". 'Be real, acknowledge and then you see how the guidance comes within'. I can say this book was an experience by itself. Coming from a country where every household is ingrained in spirituality, (largely religion based), for me this was a doorway to the spiritual vortexes of the other side of the world. I could learn, appreciate and surprised that how 'energetically' we are all one. Thanks Joanna, for giving many messages in one! This is the need of the hour, that can radically change the idea of finding oneself. My recommendation to the reading community is this book , and you will thank me enough! Best of luck to the author, and I look forward for more from you.
May 25, 2020
Wow! Pleasure/Pain – Ecstatic/Sad – Confident/Anxious – Happiness/Heartbreak – something Joanna gives abundantly to the Reader in this outstanding adventure into her life’s ever-growing, blindly self-created, emotional and spiritual naïveté. This powerful story is shared with us through Joanna’s travel diary of her adventures to wild, wonderful and obscure places around the world and the wild, wonderful and obscure ‘mindfuck’ she put herself through justifying the itinerary she chose in her search of her personal “Holy Grail”. And when we reach the end of this journey and discover what the Holy Grail is; all I can say is “WOW”. This is a must read as if you don’t finish reading in one session, “The Inside Hustle” will dominate your daily thoughts.
September 10, 2020
Joanna has really inspiring snippets in this story of finding her purpose and all of us finding our truth within ourselves. 'Your resistance is the persistence of the outdated and old. Of the been and gone.
For you to step into the most expansive nature of who you truly are you must be willing to let go, to step away from all which you know'.
I read this at a time where I was on a path of making some of the same mistakes, and also trying to listen to what I want in life, relating to Joanna's story immensely.
She doesn't promise to be perfect and outlines in a human way the road to self discovery.
Very enjoyable read.
For you to step into the most expansive nature of who you truly are you must be willing to let go, to step away from all which you know'.
I read this at a time where I was on a path of making some of the same mistakes, and also trying to listen to what I want in life, relating to Joanna's story immensely.
She doesn't promise to be perfect and outlines in a human way the road to self discovery.
Very enjoyable read.
November 3, 2020
I have just been taken on a wonderful journey by Joanna on reading The Inside Hustle. This very entertaining true story touched me deeply, making me cry actual tears, making me laugh out loud and giving me a deep sense of the truth that surrounds us. This book has been like a great companion, delivering just what I needed when I needed it. I feel both enriched having finished the story and sad that it’s over, in that way that you do when you know you’ll miss having that great book to turn to each evening. I will be keeping it close though, as I will no doubt continue to refer back to the intra-chapter nuggets of inspirational wisdom! Five stars from me.
November 4, 2020
Inside Hustle became my first morning giggle and my last laugh at night. Not to make light of the author’s frustrated spiritual quest to find love, acceptance and her place on this crazy planet. It was just that I couldn’t HELP laughing!
Joanna writes with such wit about herself and others. I went on a roller coaster ride. One moment in awe of her physical achievements and the next cringing with her in her not so finer moments. I confess I have never ‘felt’ spiritual in any sense of the word, however I was intrigued and somewhat enlightened along the way. Thank you Joanna for taking me with you. Quite a ride and I can’t wait for the movie!
Joanna writes with such wit about herself and others. I went on a roller coaster ride. One moment in awe of her physical achievements and the next cringing with her in her not so finer moments. I confess I have never ‘felt’ spiritual in any sense of the word, however I was intrigued and somewhat enlightened along the way. Thank you Joanna for taking me with you. Quite a ride and I can’t wait for the movie!
April 14, 2021
For a 'spirituality' book this is a brave read and 'not for the faint-hearted' - unless you can put your assumptions of 'spirituality' to bed. At times a garrulous global romp, and at others a tender and thoughtful exploration searching for her own 'unique energetic blueprint'. Joanna takes the reader deep into the heart of her experiences and grabs your hand, whisking you along for the ride. Her adventures sound like so much fun (along with a good dash of palpable frustration and anguish) that I wished I was there in real life - but she's far more ballsy than I could ever be. I really enjoyed this book, and could barely put it down.
May 24, 2022
Thank you for this beautiful and hilarious journey you share with us all Jo. Your humour, curiosity, courage and commitment to your own unique path is infectious and truly inspiring. Thank you for putting into easily digestible language that which we all feel and experience and are unable to articulate. Thank you for reminding us that the spiritual path is like a beautiful labyrinth inside of us that is always redirecting and spiraling us back to the centre of ourselves. With my hand on my heart I highly recommend this book, you will laugh, cry, blush and experience “a-ha” moments all the way through.
November 5, 2020
I had a sense this was going to be a great read and I was so right! I couldn't put it down! Joanna really brought me into the moment as if I was there, and she walked a path I've been curious about, talk about living vicariously! What I loved most is that she provided me with an understanding of what lay behind some of the spiritual places and esoteric learnings I've found myself in, to arrive at a profound wisdom that busts through all the spiritual dogma to realise the answer was within us all along. One of my fave reads, ever!!
September 17, 2021
We are all energetic beings capable of so much on this planet and Joanna truly opens up to all, giving us her true intimate feelings and life journey so we can feel the reality of this time, how golden our light can shine, how much potential we are capable of, the lessons and teachings which are there within you, and the wonderful joy, love and laughter that is all here within and outside of your human body 💛 loved every moment of this powerful energetic amazing piece of writing ✍️ thank you Joanna for expanding my awareness 💛💛
July 19, 2020
Joanna Walden’s book ‘The Inside Hustle’ is an incredibly inspirational and amazingly honest and at times extremely comical, Biography, about abandoning her corporate life in search of herself and a life more conscious and meaningful. The real account of her journey of self discovery, takes you with her, on her travels from New York to London, Spain, South America and eventually back to her native New Zealand. It’s witty, comical and just so relatable!!
April 24, 2021
Just loved this fresh, honest, raw account of a lover-of-life and adventure on her search for the deeper meaning to life. It is a book I could relate to on practically every page and I'm sure many others will find this too. Thank you Joanna for the laughter and tears but especially for the many insights gleaned along the way. Although I was enjoying this book so much I didn't want it to end, the actual ending is perfect and gives me much comfort for my own spiritual quest.
April 4, 2023
I adored this book. I felt like I went on a journey while reading about the authors journey. This might be why I really took my time reading this, I just didn’t want it to end. I got so much out of what Joanna had to share. The story was so good as well, I laughed, I cried and I’ve definitely grown closer to myself through this book. If your interested in going deeper .. this is the book for you x
May 10, 2020
I have no words.
Jo's book is such a good read. Short, Sharp, witty, sad and spiritual. I couldn't put it down.
I did not expect so much! It inspired me, reminded me to rediscover me, and really just aligned with me.
The spiritual magic is contagious and continues after you put the book down too.
Jo's book is such a good read. Short, Sharp, witty, sad and spiritual. I couldn't put it down.
I did not expect so much! It inspired me, reminded me to rediscover me, and really just aligned with me.
The spiritual magic is contagious and continues after you put the book down too.
May 13, 2020
What a perfect time to read this amazingly funny and thought provoking book!
Go on a spiritual, comical adventure with Joanna! Loved the ending and really made me contemplate many things in my own life.
Loved the book and highly recommend to all especially in these times when we can’t travel the world .
Go on a spiritual, comical adventure with Joanna! Loved the ending and really made me contemplate many things in my own life.
Loved the book and highly recommend to all especially in these times when we can’t travel the world .
August 2, 2020
Jo's personal journey really resonated with me. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I laughed out loud and cried tears throughout. It is an easy holiday read and can be read just as a travel book alhough I got hugely more out of it than that. It was an emotional and fun journey. A must read that I thoroughly recommend.
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August 24, 2020What a gripping read this book was. I couldn’t wait til bedtime each night to devour more. The author takes you on a raw, honest, at times hilarious and at other times sad journey to find what we are all looking for. Then to realise that we have it all along. Walden’s book delivers a whole lot more than just a great read. It allows you to also be raw and honest with yourself.
August 29, 2020
Jo has nailed it, what a fantastic read, I really enjoyed going on her crazy, fun adventures around the world, so thought provoking, brutally honest, heart opening and hilarious.
and so relatable,, its answered a lot of questions for me ... I highly recommend this must read... thank you for writing it,
and so relatable,, its answered a lot of questions for me ... I highly recommend this must read... thank you for writing it,
August 31, 2020
The perfect way to travel the world during a pandemic! I laughed and I cried, I felt envious and sorry for, I had epiphanies and vivid dreams, but most of all could relate to Joanna. It could have been me. After reading this book I feel richer, like I have been living another life in another realm through Joanna and her words.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews