Unleashing the Future: Jawna Standish's Insights on Technology, Wellness, & Self-Sovereignty

Amber Stitt
20 minutes ago
3 min read

Living Unleashed: How Jawna Standish Blends Neuroscience, Crypto, and Purpose-Driven Innovation

When was the last time you challenged the boundaries of what a career—or a life—could look like? On this special edition of Pathways with Amber Stitt, guest Jawna Standish embodies what it means to be unleashed: taking a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to shaping the future, while deeply honoring our humanity. Her journey, spanning from neuroscience and technology to sailing the Greek islands, offers both inspiration and pragmatic insights for anyone seeking to forge a meaningful, unconventional path.

Stitching Together Science, Tech, and Human Connection

Jawna Standish isn’t easy to define—and she embraces it. Whether working in venture capital, crypto, or conducting neuroscience research, she sees the patterns that unify these fields: “They look like different disciplines, but actually they’re all the same. They’re all about our future, and they’re all happening now.” Too many people, she notes, still view concepts like AI, gene editing, or cryptocurrency as sci-fi—but the future is unfolding right in front of us.

But for Jawna, access to that future shouldn’t be determined by privilege, or pedigree. She’s passionate about democratizing information that’s typically gate-kept by elite institutions or opaque technological systems. Her varied path—co-founding tech startups, helping over a thousand crypto projects launch on the blockchain, and becoming a neuroscientist—unites around one philosophy: purposefully connecting people with transformative opportunities.

Redefining “Success” On—and Off—the Map

Jawna’s story upends traditional ideas of success. She’s a licensed sailing captain who calls the Greek island of Syros home. “I never really did things the way I was supposed to,” she laughs, recounting how her urge to disrupt norms led her from the American corporate path to living a life of adventure and autonomy. Her floating lifestyle isn’t just for Instagram—it’s about “self-sovereignty, not feeling like I had to follow the path.” And it’s taught her the power of borderless living, where technology enables true global connection and collaboration.

She’s met families raising children at sea—kids who, through firsthand experiences, learn more about the world than any classroom could deliver. In Jawna’s world, real education and fulfillment come from being open to new places, cultures, and—even more importantly—ways of thinking.

Demystifying Crypto: It’s More Than Just Bitcoin

Many hear “crypto” and think of speculation or complexity, but Jawna urges us to look beyond headlines. She’s worked globally to help launch blockchain-based projects that provide economic access and opportunity to the “unbanked”—the billions around the world who can’t open bank accounts or participate in the traditional financial system. Crypto, she explains, is fundamentally about decentralization and democratization, not just profits.

Innovations like DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations), which Jawna has helped establish, allow people to participate in ventures and be compensated, regardless of geography or access to banking. While acknowledging that the technology is still a bit “kludgy and clunky” for newcomers, she’s optimistic that big companies will soon provide the user-friendly experience needed for mass adoption.

Unlocking Human Potential Begins Inward

Despite her tech bona fides, Jawna knows that external innovation must be grounded in personal wellbeing. She’s candid about the importance of nervous system regulation, noting that no supplement or protocol can substitute for a “settled core.” The vagus nerve, which she describes as “your body’s internet,” is central to this balance—helping us reset from the stress and distractions that come with modern life.

Jawna advocates simple, accessible strategies: embracing fasting, prioritizing gut health, gathering personal data, and, most of all, listening deeply to one’s own intuition. “Literally, a gut check could save your life, or your money,” she and Amber agree, underscoring the truth that wisdom comes from both the mind and body.

An Invitation to Live Unleashed

Whether helping Fortune 500 teams innovate, launching projects on the blockchain, or inviting you to sail the Greek islands, Jawna Standish is a living reminder that our pathways are meant to be uniquely ours—and that purpose, freedom, and connection can all coexist. Her story invites us to ask: what rules are you ready to rewrite? And how might trusting your own intuition unlock a future wilder and more meaningful than you imagined?