Hidden Gems: Meet Demie Fultz of Start Going Further

Today we’d like to introduce you to Demie Fultz.

Hi Demie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been a deeply introspective, introverted, intuitive, creative, individual. My intuition almost feels like my sixth sense or hidden superpower. I’m a deep thinker, and I love pondering practically everything about life. I was born loving psychology, and even as a young kid I knew I would grow up and one day study it in college (I now have my bachelor’s and masters in psychology). I’ve often felt misunderstood in life and wrestled with the thought that maybe I didn’t quite fit in. Now looking back, I think it’s partly because I’ve always been an old soul. And, most importantly because I didn’t understand myself. I have wondered if that’s what first drew my heart to psychology—a desire to learn and understand others and behavior was also a deep desire to learn and understand myself. It wasn’t until I was 21 in the college course “Theories of Personality” where I had a profound experience. My professor was lecturing on introversion and extroversion (I’d heard of these terms before, but never really learned what these personality traits meant) and the way he explained what it meant to be an “introvert” was the most beautiful, resonating, description I’d ever heard. A “lightbulb” went off in my head, and I remember thinking—”that sounds just like me!”. He didn’t describe an introvert as some horribly shy, weird, antisocial, creature of a being. He instead described an introvert as someone who simply derived their energy from within. Everything for me changed in that moment. I began to understand myself, and I began to understand my strengths and “hidden superpowers”. I now fully understand that the quest to really “know thyself” is one of the most monumental quests of our life. Even though everything for me changed in that moment, the years that followed required tons of unlearning and learning what it really meant to be “me”.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think a smooth road exists for anyone. I used to say that I was the “Queen of Plan Z” and quite possibly a professional at pivoting. I say that because I’ve always been someone with plans. I used to be so proud that I was on a one-way, straight path in life. I had everything figured out when it came to my ambitions, dreams, and goals. When my “Plan A’s” continued to not work out, I found myself constantly pivoting. Along the way, I realized that a one-way, straight path rarely exists for anyone. The happiest, best, most successful, and fulfilling lives contain many winding curves, unexpected stops, and new destinations. You can always dream you dreams. You can always choose to evolve. I have different dreams and goals right now compared to five years ago or maybe even a few years ago. And that’s okay. I’ve had to learn that I was capable of getting back up after being knocked down. If you’re not failing, maybe you’re not reaching as far as you can possibly go. The most monumental challenge I’ve faced so far in life was abruptly finding out that my role at a local nonprofit was no longer. It’s important to note that this nonprofit role was never my dream or plan A, and was definitely more of a plan Z. As you can imagine, when this plan Z fell apart, I really didn’t know where to turn and what I was supposed to do with my life. What do you do when your plan Z doesn’t pan out? I was left devastated and defeated. The unexpected loss of income plummeted me into one of the hardest seasons of my life. Now looking back, this challenging time may have been the universe’s greatest gift to me ever. I realized I wasn’t pursuing my wildest dreams and I didn’t quite know what my purpose was. I was living in a safety net, nestled deep into my very own comfort zone. Our highest and best self is often born out of our darkest times. Remember that.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I launched my blog, Start Going Further in May of 2020 with the goal of one day turning it into a business. I didn’t know what that looked like in the beginning and only recently have I really niched down into what I believe my true purpose is here on this Earth. I have an online candle shop and likely always will. I’m really passionate about wellness and living as nontoxic and natural as possible. I truly believe less is more when it comes to ingredients. Start Going Further candles are made with 100% soy wax and essential oils only. Everyone loves candles, and I’m so happy to provide a more natural option that is also affordable. Start Going Further candles are meant to be enjoyed every ordinary day, and not just special occasions. You can feel good about what you’re burning in your home while enjoying the ambience and good vibes that a candle brings.

Next, I want to help people. I want to inspire and motivate as many people as I possibly can. I believe that my story can help others. The words “Start Going Further” have truly been life-changing for me. And I believe that these words can be life-changing for others. To be truly happy, we have to find our purpose and then really live it. I aspire to help others do this through adventure, purpose, and wellness. For me, all three are connected. We all have greatness inside of us, and we all have gifts to share with the world. If I can go from being someone who severely struggled with confidence, belief, and doubt to someone who is grateful, happy, and pursuing dreams I never would have dared to, you can too. To pursue our wildest dreams and biggest goals, we have to Start Going Further. To do this, we’ve got to first believe that we can. How do I help people? Right now, it’s through my blog posts and social media channels. Soon to come though—a book, podcast, and one-to-one virtual coaching with me.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love books and podcasts. The person that I am today is a direct result of my commitment to personal development. I would honestly say that Start Going Further wouldn’t have been born if it wasn’t for all of the books and podcast episodes I’ve listened to. Since my season of unemployment, I’ve dedicated myself to continue learning so that I could ultimately grow, change, and evolve into the person I always dreamed of and deep down, knew I could be. It is my belief that a word of encouragement, a book, podcast episode, something you read or hear—can absolutely change your life. I take my words very seriously, and that’s why I do what I do. I’ve read so many books and listened to so many podcast episodes, and there have been many, many, many times where one piece of information I read or hear has impacted me in such a profound way. In the future, that’s my biggest hope for my own books and podcast episodes.

Books that have changed my life:
Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins
High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way – Brendon Burchard
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking – Susan Cain
You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life – Jen Sincero
Greenlights – Matthew McConaughey
Believe It: How to Go from Underestimated to Unstoppable – Jamie Kern Lima
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond Yourself – Michael A. Singer
Your One Word: The Powerful Secret to Creating a Business and Life That Matter – Evan Carmichael
Everything is Figureoutable – Marie Forleo
The 5 Second Rule – Mel Robbins

Podcasts that have changed my life:
The GaryVee Audio Experience – Gary Vaynerchuk
The Brendon Show – Brendon Burchard
The School of Greatness – Lewis Howes
Impact Theory – Tom Bilyeu

Contact Info:

• Website: www.startgoingfurther.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goingfurther/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startgoingfurther
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_goingfurther
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfONC02tA3gK9WVA4yxg4kA
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@startgoingfurther